Starts from Akita Station in the morning, Resort Shirakami No.1 runs the Gonō Line to Aomori Station in 5 hours and 10 minutes. For such a long journey the passengers are subject to enjoy fully the scenic views and the fun activities during the ride.
The first impression of the Gonō Line for the foreigners would probably be the railway runs along the coast of the Sea of Japan. Though we call this a “Local Line", connecting the cities and towns among the two big prefectures of Akita and Aomori, as a daily commuting means for the people who live there, it also well known as the only railway that connecting the entrance station of the famous UNESCO World Heritage, Shirakami-Sanchi, registered since 1993, which made it not so local anymore.
Among the trains which run in Gonō Line, there are 3 unique train formations dedicated to the Resort Shirakami Trains. The first, Aoike - design with the theme of white and blue to represent the Sea of Japan, its horizon and the Lake Jūniko, the second, Buna - painted in ink green color and woody interior to symbolize the primeval forest of the Shirakami-Sanchi, and the last, Kumagera - exterior colored with yellowish orange tone to mark the sunset of the Gonō Line and the black woodpeckers live in this region. Let’s got to be amazed by joining us the return trip between Akita and Aomori terminal stations with the Train Buna!
Please pay attention about the ticketing before getting on the Resort Shirakami. All seats of the Resort Shirakami are reserved seats, the passengers who ride these trains would need to purchase both the tickets of "Basic Fare" and "Reserved Seat" in advance. The passenger should still need to book the Reserved Seat Tickets in prior even he is the holder of the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku Area) or other related rail passes that valid to the Tohoku region.
Charms of the Resort Shirakami
Buna is themed to reflect the primeval forest of the Shirakami-Sanchi, the cars are equipped with ultra-big windows for passengers to enjoy the view. The extra wide seat pitch and width of the seats in warm tone colors of red and orange to provide superior comfort. Fusion with the conceptual images of the Summer Festival of Tohoku, harmonized with the woody creature interior which reveals the charms of the Shirakami-Sanchi.
Box seats are available in the 3 trains of the Resort Shirakami, which is the unique feature among the trains that run along the Gonō Line. The Car No. 2 are partitioning into several compartments at the side of sea view, with the ultra-big windows and multi-purpose table, passengers in this semi-private compartment can enjoy the magnificent sea view along the coast of the Sea of Japan while having their meals of favorite lunch boxes together.
Observation rooms with a panorama front view is available at the two ends of the train, which the passenger can see through the crew room in the front and feels like to be surrounded by the nature. Just like the ordinary seat, the two sides of observation rooms are equipped with big windows and seats that the passengers are welcome to use in anytime during the journey. Train stamps and postcard with dedicated designs of Resort Shirakami are available. So don’t forget to chop one for your memorial journey!
Self-service kiosk with a cashier machine is available at Car No. 2 which selling snacks and drinks. Items can be paid by IC cards such as Suica or Credit Card, while cash is not accepted. The default language is Japanese but you can choose English as display language of the cashier machine.
From Akita to Tsugaru: morning to noon
While leaving Akita Station for a while, we then arrive at Higashi-Noshiro Station which is the origin of the Gonō Line. The train will make a 7-min stop for the passengers to leave the train and have a chance to take photos at the platform.
After a brief stop at Higashi-Noshiro, the train is heading to Noshiro Station. Noshiro City bearing the nick name of “City of Wood”, with production of terrific goods made of Akita Cedar. A fine woody model of Buna train can be seen at the platform. Noshiro City also well-known as “Basketball City”, which is the story location of a very famous basketball animation. The train will make a 10-min stop in Noshiro Station, where the passenger will find that “What? A basketball court?”. Yes, there is a mini basketball court at the platform that you just can’t find at the other stations! As a privilege to every passenger of the Resort Shirakami, even a real game is conducted by the station staff that every passenger will be given a chance to play a penalty shootout, a locally made souvenir will be presented once you get a score. Let’s try!
While arriving Akitashirakami Station, as the main entrance station of the UNESCO World Heritage, the Shirakami-Sanchi. A sightseeing station master wearing a full set of uniform in bright white color has already stood at the platform to welcome the passengers of the Resort Shirakami Buna train.
In this section the train runs along the coast of the Sea of Japan that the passengers will enjoy the sea view. The train will slow down and remind passengers in particular sections to provide shooting chances, even the passengers seated at the mountain side will have time to bring their cameras or mobiles and find a good position to take their own favorite shots.
Train meet at Fukaura Station
While crossing the prefecture border and arriving Fukaura Station of Aomori Prefecture, the train will make a 6-min stop.
Resort Shirakami No.2 which heading to Akita Station is arriving to Fukaura Station as well at the opposite platform. Indeed Fukaura Station is the station for the two opposing trains to exchange their sections of operation.
While the fascinating sea view occasionally matching with those big rocks consecutively lie on the coast which create a spectacular view of nature.
On-board event: Tsugaru-shamisen live performance
From Ajigasawa Station to Aomori Station, scenery through train windows change from sea to paddy fields, apple trees and mountains.
Meanwhile, upbeat music starts inside Resort Shirakami. Acoustic live performance in Car No.1 by two Tsugaru-shamisen performers spread through by the train broadcast system to every corner of the train. The Tsugaru-shamisen performers, surrounded by the audiences in Car No.1, play representative works of Tsugaru folk songs such as “Tsugaru Jon Kara Bushi” while Resort Shirakami is running. Powerful and passionate sound by striking the strings with a plectrum is a unique experience of Tsugaru-shamisen live performance.
The performance ends right after the train arrived at Goshogawara Station.
Towards to Aomori Station
While mentioning Aomori, apple will always be the first thing come up from people’s mind.
In Kawabe Station there is a terminal plaque with an Aomori apple in it indicated this is the end of the Gonō Line. The train Buna in Kawabe will run in an inverted direction to head to Hirosaki Station in a few minutes. While mentioning Hirosaki, as a well-known tourist destination, people will always come up with her famous sakura blossom and its majestic Castle. Quite a number of passengers get off the train at Hirosaki Station during a brief stop, and once runs in an inverted direction to head to Aomori Station. Passengers can change to Shinkansen at Shin-Aomori Station before the train arrives at the last stop, Aomori Station.
From Tsugaru to Akita: afternoon to night
While returning from Aomori Station in the afternoon, Resort Shirakami No. 4 (Buna) will take similar time again to run the Gonō Line back to Akita Station, though you will have a completely different experience from Resort Shirakami No. 1.
Kizukuri Station features with a giant “Shakōkidogū” and its mysterious exterior which is an appealing sightseeing spot of many tourists.
Senjōjiki Station
As one the most appealing point of Resort Shirakami No.4, the train will have a 15-min stop at Senjōjiki Station. Passengers can make a brief visit to the scenic spot Senjōjiki Coast, which is just a few steps away from the station.
The train will sound the train horn to tell passengers that the train will leave Senjōjiki Station in about 3 minutes and the beeps remind people to get back to the train.
Wonderful sunset: Terminal Station is near
Train Buna and Train Aoike are meeting again at Fukaura Station though running the opposite directions, and only having a 2-min brief stop.
Back to Higashi-Noshiro Station, the origin of the Gonō Line, the tracks, the platform and the seats are already shined with the sunset golden yellow.
The sun sets in the west, the horizon gradually turns grey with colorful flares scattering to the sky. While the train heading to Akita Station, the sky turned completely black.
Lastly, Resort Shirakami No. 4 arrives at Akita Station. Look forward to seeing you again soon!
How to book a reserved seat
Here is some information about different methods of booking reserved seat tickets for foreign travelers. JR EAST PASS (Tohoku Area), a rail pass provides 5 days of unlimited travel on trains including Resort Shirakami and Akita Shinkansen from Tokyo to Akita, is used in my journey described in this column.
1/ JR East Train Reservation (Official website)
"JR East Train Reservation" is an official website for internet reservation of train tickets. English version is available. Different types of rail passes issued by JR East, including JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area), can also be purchased here.
This website is the only way to make seat reservation before departure to Japan. Seat reservation starts from 1 month before departure date. For example, you can make your web reservation of reserved seat from 1st March while your train ride is on 1st April.
Ordinary car reserved seat (Car No.1, 3 and 4) of Resort Shirakami can be reserved via "JR East Train Reservation". When your seat reservation is confirmed, a confirmation mail will be sent to your mail address showing your member no. and reservation details. Please note that member no. of "JR East Train Reservation" is an important information while getting your tickets.
Please note that the seat reservation of box seats (Car No.2) of Resort Shirakami is currently not available in this website. Also, due to the limitation of the system, some of the schedules of the Resort Shirakami of your selected departure and arrival stations, such as "from Akita station to Aomori station", are not available in the system. For such cases, you only can make the reservation in Japan and please consult the staff of the JR EAST Travel Service Center or JR Ticket Offices, or purchase the tickets directly from Reserved Seat Ticket Vending Machine.
After arriving in Japan, your reserved tickets via internet can be collected in JR EAST Travel Service Centers, conveniently located in Haneda and Narita Airport, also the major stations such as Tokyo station and Ueno station. The English-speaking staff can help you to redeem exchange vouchers of rail passes, or purchase JR EAST PASS.
To collect your tickets from internet reservation in JR EAST Travel Service Centers, you will be requested to show your passport, as well as the member no. of "JR East Train Reservation".
If you do not pick up your ticket by 21:00 (JST, UTC+09:00) on the day before your boarding date, the reservation will be canceled automatically (free of charge).
2/ JR Ticket Office (Midori-no-madoguchi)
In my case, reserved tickets of Resort Shirakami are received from JR Ticket Offices. Besides showing my JR EAST PASS (Tohoku Area) to staff, I also filled in a reserved seats application form with train combination, departure and arrival stations with date and time.
Reserved seat tickets from "JR East Train Reservation", the official internet reservation website, can also be collected from JR Ticket Offices of JR East.
3/ Reserved Seat Ticket Vending Machine
The default language of ticket vending machine is Japanese. You may change to English or some other languages from the top right buttons of touch screen.
To reserve seat with a rail pass (JR EAST PASS, etc.), please follow the steps below.
Firstly, press the “Reserved Seat” and "Reserve seat with discounted ticket” button, and insert one or more rail passes into the ticket vending machine.
Next, enter the departure and arrival stations and the boarding date and time.
And then, select a train combination from search result. You may select your favorite seats from train seat map also.
Finally, you can receive tickets and rail passes from the ticket vending machine when your ticket information is confirmed.
You may also refer to the official user guide in English (PDF) for more details.
https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/downloads/pdf/mv_operation_e.pdf
* Images are for reference only.
* Train schedule is subject to change. Please refer to JR East official website for latest information. https://traininfo.jreast.co.jp/train_info/e/
* On-board events may be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
* This information is as of August 2023.
