The Hida Limited Express is a picturesque trip through the Japanese Alps. We traveled in along a river that was raging at the start and dwindled to a small creek. The river got smaller and smaller until we reached the longest tunnel of this train line. This tunnel went under Momenukasan Mountain which was a bit of a continental divide. The rivers on the south of the mountain flow into the ocean and the rivers on the north side flow into the Sea of Japan. On the other side of the mountain we followed another series of rivers, these rivers were now flowing in our direction of travel this time. These rivers started out small but grew larger as we traveled further. We passed many small hamlets and often the train did not stop at their stations. There were two or three larger towns. The first town, Gifu, was large and here the train split into two trains. Cars 1-5 continued past Gifu and cars 6-10 initially headed back in the direction we came but soon turned north. The second one was Gero known for its spring waters and many spas. Many folks from our car disembarked here. What a great train ride even if it was longer than we would have liked.
Early? Yes, we were early and had the platform to ourselves
Not the sleek fancy fast train we have been riding
The car is 3/4 full
What is this off in the distance?
Two arches over an observation tower. It is at the Kiso Three Rivers Park in Ichinomiya City
The river is wide here
The mountain are already starting
Old processing plant
Begin the parade of bridges
Big mountains ahead
Steep rock gorge
Canyon like
Lush and green
Many parts of the river are dammed up
Another bridge off int the distance
The river is getting smaller
Another dam
Bridge and dam
Damn its another bridge
Getting glimpses of the river all the way was very nice
Steeper and steeper walls to the valley
Through the tunnel and out the other side
Now the water is flowing in our direction
The river is wider on the back side if the dams
Where the calm water is
Small villages along the way
More streams have entered and now this river much larger behind a dam
Many many rice patties
But it gets smaller again after the dam
Still winding through narrow canyons
Many of the bridges are one lane bridges
This was a big spa town, famous for the healing waters
The flow is picking up
Time for lunch
Pork and rice
Looking backward
Too rocky to canoe
A small village
A good picture of a dam
Shrine
We saw this ad at one of the stations. Looks like fun!
Hanging decorations
Big dam
Nice hills
A modern bridge
Tear drop shape
Making progress
Black Kite
A waterfall way up on the hill
Red bridges!
Near and far
Tiny cemeteries all along the tracks
Rice giving way to wheat
We are in the flats and almost to our destination
Toyama Train Station
A statue on our way to the hotel
