Youtuber “Ashiya” from Russia talks about the unexpected advantages of Japanese railroads.

I would like to visit Takachiho, a place associated with Japanese mythology.

This is what Asiya, a travel YouTuber who introduces Japanese tourist attractions and traditional culture from a foreigner’s point of view, says in fluent Japanese.

She came to Japan from Myas, Chelyabinsk in western Russia in 2011 at the age of 20, and has lived in Japan for 12 years. Her love of Japan has led her to apply for Japanese citizenship.

This summer I went to Tottori Prefecture and was fascinated by the scenery of the Uradome Coast. The intricate coastline, eroded by the waves, was beautiful. The White Hare Beach, the setting of the myth of the White Hare of Inaba, was also beautiful with its long white sand beach.

Not surprisingly, Tottori Prefecture is one of the top curry roux consuming prefectures in Japan. At that time, I walked around eating curry with my Russian friends. The pink curry made with red beets was also delicious.”

As a child, she watched “Sailor Moon” and “Rurouni Kenshin” and was fascinated by Japan, and began learning Japanese on her own when she was in high school. After entering university, she took a leave of absence to study Japanese in earnest and came to Japan.

I came to Japan because I liked manga and anime, but I was surprised to see that Japan has four seasons, and that even in the same place, the autumn leaves and snowy landscapes change their appearance completely. The beauty of Geibikei in southern Iwate Prefecture took my breath away.

We took the Ofunato Line between Ichinoseki Station in Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture and Kesennuma Station in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture to Geibikei Station, where we took a boat ride down the river to view the autumn leaves. The river is crystal clear, and you can even see the bottom of the river. I was impressed all the time as I was slowly rocked by the boat, looking at nature from a different angle than usual.

Mr. Ashiya is also known as an “iron man. Compared to Russia, which is a major railroad country, the train cars are more varied in color and shape, and the departure melodies are more varied. He recommends the Koumi Line, which runs from Kobuchisawa Station in Yamanashi Prefecture to Komoro Station in Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture.

From the train windows, you can see the Yatsugatake Mountains and the Kaikomagatake Mountains,” he says. In Miass, where I lived, there are many small mountains and not many tunnels. Japan has many mountainous areas, and it is fun to see the scenery change dramatically after passing through a long tunnel. I grew up at the foot of the Urals, so I feel at home when I see mountain ridges.”

In addition to local trains, he talks about the Chuo Line, a commuter train in the Tokyo metropolitan area, from his own perspective.

On the Yotsuya-Ichigaya-Iidabashi line, you can see the moat along the tracks. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom along the moat and can be enjoyed from the train windows. Suddenly, you can see fishing ponds and amusement parks, and standing on the platform at Ochanomizu Station, you can also see the Kanda River flowing parallel to the tracks. I also like the fact that on the Chuo Line, if you change trains at Takao Station, you can take a regular train to Kofu, Matsumoto, or Azumino.”

He laughs at the inconsistency of the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line.

It’s a subway, but it runs on the ground.

When transferring from Marunouchi Line to Yotsuya Station on the JR Chuo Line, the Marunouchi Line platform extends above the Chuo Line tracks. Also, from the platform at Ochanomizu Station on the JR Chuo Line, one can look down on the Marunouchi Line crossing the Kanda River.

Just when you think you’re above ground, you’re underground again. I feel. The Russian subway is dug deeper than the Oedo Line. It is said to have been built as a nuclear shelter during the Cold War, but you have to take an endless escalator to get to the platform, and the scenery never changes. On the Tokyo subway, you only have to go down a few stairs to get to the ticket gate. The Ginza Line also runs above ground near Shibuya Station, which is interesting.”

The next train I would like to ride is the JR Yosan Line, Shikoku’s main artery connecting Uwajima Station in Ehime Prefecture and Takamatsu Station in Kagawa Prefecture. He would like to go to Shimonada Station in Iyo City, Ehime Prefecture.

Shimonada Station is a spot where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Seto Inland Sea, with nothing to block your view. I would like to go there at sunset.

I love Japanese local trains. The station buildings remind me of history, and I am often asked “Where are you from? I also enjoy talking with locals who ask me, “Where are you from? I would like to discover and share the best parts of Japan from the viewpoint of a “train window railway operator.

The lingering summer heat will soon give way to the season of autumn leaves. Genbikei in Iwate is also a great place to enjoy the autumn leaves, Ashiya-san said with a smile.

(Profile)
Ashiya
https://www.youtube.com/@azuminoashiya
300,000 registered users. In addition to exploring tourist spots, she invites foreigners living in Japan to be her guests and delivers information on the cultural differences between her home country and Japan, etc. She has consistently spoken out bitterly against President Putin after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and has been featured in many media outlets. He is hoping to become a tourism ambassador for local trains.