Last day of the Obon holiday. I took the Tokaido Line going, so I decided to come back via the JR Chuo Line.
<Route>
Starting point: Kasugai Station in Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture
Transfer at Nakatsugawa to the single-operator Matsumoto-bound train. Then transfer again at Shiojiri.
From Shiojiri, the Chuo Line to Kofu, transfer to the Tokyo-bound train, and finally the Keihin-Tohoku Line to Kamata.
Completely different scenery from the Tokaido Line — the whole journey felt like immersing myself in nature.
<Itinerary>
6:35 Kasugai depart
|
7:35 Nakatsugawa arrive
7:38 depart
|
9:57 Shiojiri arrive
10:08 depart
|
11:39 Kofu arrive
11:41 depart
|
13:12 Takao arrive
13:25 Takao depart (Chuo Line Rapid)
|
14:13 Tokyo arrive
|
14:30 approx. Kamata arrive
Eight hours on trains — I was fairly tired by the end. The Tokaido Line trip going there didn’t wear me out nearly as much. Maybe the mountain curves and swaying on the Chuo Line had something to do with it.
But it’s the kind of experience you can only have doing it this way — worth it as a memory.
The whole trip made me feel the real reach of Japan’s rail network.
You really can get anywhere by local trains with transfers! And with the Seishun 18 ticket — unlimited rides for one day — it cost only ¥2,300. Incredible value.
Thank you, generous JR. I might want to use the Seishun 18 ticket every season going forward.
