- 2023.12.22
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Road trip in Sakawa! Retro train, rural vistas, and tasty ramen
Only around 45 minutes from Kochi City by car, the quiet town of Sakawa may be best known for its glorious cherry blossoms in spring and delicious sake, but train aficionados will be delighted to learn about the over 115-year-old wooden railway carriage on display…
Indeed, the railway carriage from the Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) is housed in “Uemachi Station” (not actually a station) where you will also find the local information center. The wine-colored upholstering of the long sofa-like seats and elegantly-restored wooden panels make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time to the golden age of rail travel
Fun fact! Uemachi Station is located right next to another gorgeous architectural marvel called Sakawa Bunko Kosha–a white European-inspired wooden building that used to be a police station
There are lots of great places to explore around Sakawa by car, which makes for fun road trips! I recommend heading north to the picturesque Aso Chinkabashi–one of the prettiest submersible bridges in the region–before following the crystal-clear Niyodo River back towards Kochi City. If you’re looking for a delicious meal to warm you up on a cold winter day, stop by Jiyuken (Inodekichi branch)! The ramen with a garlicky, miso-based broth topped with juicy pork cutlet is simply…heaven in a bowl
Uemachi Station
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vt9Zvsh81GVw84DN9
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10510
Aso Chinkabashi
https://maps.app.goo.gl/a8wETtYjcdrS39wc9
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10473
Jiyuken (Inodekichi branch)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/42WCc2Td2MoFNUKDA
Indeed, the railway carriage from the Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) is housed in “Uemachi Station” (not actually a station) where you will also find the local information center. The wine-colored upholstering of the long sofa-like seats and elegantly-restored wooden panels make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time to the golden age of rail travel
Fun fact! Uemachi Station is located right next to another gorgeous architectural marvel called Sakawa Bunko Kosha–a white European-inspired wooden building that used to be a police station
There are lots of great places to explore around Sakawa by car, which makes for fun road trips! I recommend heading north to the picturesque Aso Chinkabashi–one of the prettiest submersible bridges in the region–before following the crystal-clear Niyodo River back towards Kochi City. If you’re looking for a delicious meal to warm you up on a cold winter day, stop by Jiyuken (Inodekichi branch)! The ramen with a garlicky, miso-based broth topped with juicy pork cutlet is simply…heaven in a bowl
Uemachi Station
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vt9Zvsh81GVw84DN9
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10510
Aso Chinkabashi
https://maps.app.goo.gl/a8wETtYjcdrS39wc9
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10473
Jiyuken (Inodekichi branch)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/42WCc2Td2MoFNUKDA
