Tag: train travel

Aboard Resort Shirakami: A scenic journey through picturesque Tohoku
A quick way to see Tohoku is to ride the Resort Shirakami, Japan’s most scenic train. It was a ride we couldn’t miss, after reading so much about it.
Resort Shirakami is a train?
It’s not your typical resort. Resort Shirakami is like a resort on wheels, rolling through some of the most breathtaking views along the JR Gonō Line (JR五能線). The Gonō Line is known for its incredible coastal views of the Sea of Japan and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakami-Sanchi (白神山地).
Designed for travellers who love slow, scenic journeys, the train features huge panoramic windows, relaxed seating, and even cultural performances onboard. That’s why it is known as one of Japan’s JR East’s 13 Joyful Trains. Beyond a means of transportation, the Joyful Trains highlight the journey as a joyful ride across Japan’s scenic landscapes and offer tourists an opportunity to experience its culture and food.
(Watch this video by JR East for a glimpse of the Resort Shirakami experience.)

The journey
Resort Shirakami runs from Aomori to Akita, with a total of 23 stops along the route. The full journey takes about 5hr and passes through many popular and scenic locations such as Hirosaki, Lake Jūniko (Twelve Lakes), Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen and Senjōjiki Coast.

There are three main trains – Buna, Aoike and Kumagera – each has its own distinct flavour.
Buna: Featuring warm wood tones and natural colours, it celebrates the beech forests iconic to Shirakami-Sanchi.
Aoike: Inspired by the deep blues and whites of the Sea of Japan and the famous Aoike Pond in Lake Jūniko.
Kumagera: Named after the rare black woodpecker found in Shirakami’s forests, its orange-yellow exterior evokes the Gonō Line’s stunning sunsets.
Each train has observation rooms in the first and fourth cars, and special box seating in the second car – ideal for groups.
Special experiences onboard
What makes the Resort Shirakami truly memorable is the cultural touch:
Depending on the service, you may get to enjoy performances of Tsugaru Shamisen (a traditional Japanese string instrument), storytelling in the local dialect, or even puppet shows.
Tips for riding the Resort Shirakami
- Check the train schedule: The Resort Shirakami is a seasonal train running both ways – Aomori to Akita and Akita to Aomori. Plan accordingly.
- Reserve your seats: Reservations are required. You’ll need to purchase both a “Basic Fare” ticket and a “Reserved Seat” ticket. If you have a JR East Pass, the ride is included, and seat reservations can be made online or at JR train stations.
- Break up your journey: Five hours is a long ride. Consider stopping overnight somewhere along the way, such as Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen, a seaside resort where you can soak in outdoor hot springs by the Sea of Japan.
- Grab an ekiben: Don’t miss the chance to try a local ekiben, Japan’s famous train station lunchbox – delicious, unique, and part of the travel experience.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Our itinerary
We didn’t ride all the way to Akita. Instead, we rode the Resort Shirakami from Aomori and disembarked at Lake Jūniko to explore the area, which is part of the Tsugaru Quasi-National Park and the Shirakami Mountains. (I’ll share about Lake Jūniko in my next post!)
Along the way, the train made a 15-min stop at Senjōjiki Coast, where we got off to explore the beautiful coast and snap some photos. When it’s time for everyone to get onboard the train, the train master will sound the “choo choo” to alert everyone.
On our return journey from Lake Jūniko, the train also stopped at Fukaura, a perfect spot for those hoping to catch the sunset over the Sea of Japan.
Views of Senjōjiki Coast
We were also fortunate to experience the shamisen performance by two musicians which was quite an eye-opener. Many came forward to see the performance and were snapping away or taking videos to record these memories.
Our thoughts
The Resort Shirakami was an interesting experience for us. It would have been nice if we could ride the entire stretch but well… Akita wasn’t in our plans this time round. I do feel, though, that the journey could benefit from a few more stops where passengers can get off to explore the surroundings a little more. Still, we’re really glad we had the chance to experience it.
Maybe next time, if we return to the region, we’ll try the Tohoku Emotion — the restaurant train we’ve heard so much about!
Here’s a selection of photos I took from the train. I hope they inspire you to take your own journey aboard the Resort Shirakami!
24 April 2025
Apple Kingdom ~ Hirosaki City Apple Park
As I’ve mentioned in an earlier post, Aomori is the land of apples. So naturally, a trip to Aomori wouldn’t be complete without visiting Hirosaki City Apple Park.
The park spans a massive 9.7 hectares and has about 2,300 apple trees of 80 varieties. When we arrived at the park, it was apples galore — bright, red, and juicy! The cool, crisp morning was perfect for a walk in the orchard and, of course, some apple-picking.
Pick your own apples
Yes, you get to pick your own apples here! While admission to the park is free, the apple-picking experience costs 1,000 yen per 1 kg (approximately 3 apples) and is available from August to November.
It’s an experience worth trying. You need to sign up at the Apple House for the activity and the staff will bring you on a short guided tour — helping you pick the juiciest apples straight from the trees. And trust me, the apples are really juicy.
A walk among apples
Do you see many small red fruits above? If you’re thinking they’re cherries — they’re not! They are Crabapples, part of the 80 varieties of apples they cultivate in the park. Aren’t they a pretty sight?
When you are done with the apple picking, don’t just go off yet. Take time to enjoy the fresh air and the beautiful scenery. We took time to walk around the place for a bit and took in the wonderful landscape before us. And we were blessed with a majestic view of Mt Iwaki.
Don’t leave without…
Before heading off, be sure to explore the Apple House. It has over 1,200 apple-related products, from jams to snacks to souvenirs. You can also find the JA Aoren brand of apple juice there. Even if you miss the opportunity, fret not, many of the items are also available in shops around Aomori and Hirosaki, for instance at A-Factory or the JR Aomori and Hirosaki train stations.
If you are interested to know more about Aomori apples, read here.
I’ve captured many shots of these — if you’re looking for high-quality images for your project, you may check out my photos at Shutterstock.
Getting to Hirosaki City Apple Park
The park opens daily from 9am to 5pm. Here’s how we got there using our JR East Pass.
1. From JR Aomori Station: Take Limited Express Tsugaru from JR OU Line to JR Hirosaki Station (30min).
2. At JR Hirosaki Station: Exit via the Central Exit and head to bus stop no. 6.
3. Take the local bus (20min, 300yen/pax), get off at Ringo Kōen (check bus timetable). Buses depart every 30 minutes from 9am to 4pm.
4. From there, it’s a short walk to the park.
If you like the idea of joining a day tour, check out some that I’ve picked out from Viator for consideration.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
14 April 2025