Four days to roam Japan - suggestions?

[jamesr]

Hi all,

I'm going to a wedding in Japan at the end of March, after which I've got four days to kill. I've been lucky enough to do both Tokyo and bullet trains fairly extensively before, so I'm hoping to find some rural places a little off the beaten track to use my JR Rail Pass on.

I'm not the type of person to spend all day riding on trains for the sake of it, so I like a non-rail destination to aim for (I'm a big fan of good scenery more than cities), although I'll enjoy spending a few hours sitting on trains to get there, particularly if the train is a bit unusual or the scenery very interesting!

I'm going to be based in Fukuoka at the beginning (planning a trip up to Mt Aso where the active volcano appears to be easily accessible by rail), and haven't quite made up my mind for the rest, although flying out of Fukuoka on the morning after my fourth day. Debating basing myself in Nagoya for easy access to the mountain lines.

Anyone got any tips for particularly scenic lines, or unmissable unusual rail experiences? Grateful for any suggestions!

 

[sekimoke]

JR Kyushu has a lot of interesting and unique trains running around Kyushu island, so I'd say there's lots to do there.
I would recommend the Kagoshima-Hayato-Hitoyoshi-Kumamoto mountain route which has one of the 3 best railway scenic views in Japan near Yatake station.
If you are going to Mt Aso, you might be able to see one of the few preserved Japanese steam locos in action in nearby Kumamoto　(operating everyday after March 15th except Weds)

For sights around Nagoya, the world heritage site of Shirakawa-go isn't too far. Going to Takayama on the Takayama mainline and then heading there would be a good combination of train and sightseeing I would say.

In late March-ish the cherry blossoms should be in full bloom, and the Gotemba line in the Tokai region (between Tokyo and Nagoya) has many famous viewing spots.

hope this helps!

 

[Pugwash]

Recommend Checking out Train Cruise on NHK channel to give you some ideas.