Tuesday 6 August 2013

Scenic Waterfall on the Suigun Line

DMU JR East KiHa E130 series stands at Hitachi-Daigo Rail Yard on the Suigun Line
 
It is hot midsummer in Japan. A breath of fresh air in the sight of a waterfall must be cooling. One of the famous falls in the Tokyo metropolitan area is Fukuroda Waterfall in Ibaraki Prefecture. The total height of the fall reaches 120m; while the width is 73m. During winter, the falls may freeze, known as a frozen fall. Fukuroda Waterfall is designated as one of Japan's Top 100 Falls.

To visit this gorgeous spot, the JR East Suigun Line is convenient. Connecting Mito, a major city in Ibaraki Prefecture and Asaka-Nagamori in Fukushima Prefecture, the 147km long route penetrates a mountainous area at the foot of the Yamizo Mountains. The whole route is unelectrified and is a single track.

Lovely DMU KiHa E130 series is a train on this line. It is usually operated as a two-car train, but a three-car train is also operated in the section nearby a major city. A shining stainless body with yellow and blue-colored accents is vivid. This DMU was launched in 2007 to replace the old DMU KiHa110 series. A total of 39 units have been manufactured so far by Tokyu Sharyo and Niigata Transys. The width of the body is wider than that of KiHa110, so the interior of the E130 is more spacious than the 110 series.

Sitting back on the scenic seats, passengers can enjoy a beautiful landscape along Kuji River. It is special to the railway travelers.
 
Fukuroda Waterfall near Hitachi-Daigo Station on the JR East Suigun Line