The Minami-Alps Aputo Line
Kitadake
©By Σ64 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2543099
Nature and beauty in rural Shizuoka
Information about the quiet and beautiful Minami-Alps Aputo Line.
Is not a well-known train line in Japan, but it offers some of the most stunning views of nature in Japan!
This train line runs in Shizuoka Prefecture, between Senzu Station and Ikawa Station.
Originally built in the first half of the 20th century to transport commercial goods and building supplies, this curving, winding rail line meanders its way through mountains and lakes, even crossing straight across one lake with its Okuoikojo Station.
Just a 10-minute walk from the first station on the Aputo line, Senzu, is Senzu Onsen, with its healing outdoor baths, as well as the Oikawa River, a popular spot for summertime swimming.
Okooikozyou
©By Hahangahanzo - Okooikozyoueki（Hahangahanzo）, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4892689
Senzu Onsen has an entry fee of ¥500 for adults and operates daily from 10 am to 9 pm, closed on Wednesdays.
Also near Senzu are various spots to eat and lodge, with seasonal dishes, including river fish, wild game, and the local firewater for adventurous travellers to enjoy.
A little off the beaten path, if you’re looking for a way to enjoy nature in Japan while escaping the crowds, the Minami Alps Aputo Line will be a very unique adventure!
