You would recognize the building of Michi-no-EKi ‘NIRASAKI’ while you drive National Route 141, known under a nickname of ‘Kiyosato Line’, a road that joins Nirasaki-shi, Yamanashi and Ueda-shi, of Nagano Pref. by the footbridge across the road and the unique looking dome. The building may remind you of a space station from its silver-coloured framework. If it does, you have the right image of the place for they constructed the place with an image of a famous fantasy novel, ‘Ginga-tetsudo-no-yoru (Night on the Galactic RailroadW) by Kenji Miyazawa.
|
 |
Here, the Michi-no-Eki ‘NIRASAKI’ is called as a hometown of historical warlord family, Takeda and a station of Milky Way. It would be difficult nowadays to see fascinating Milky Way in the sky at night in Nirasaki clearly for the urbanization of the city but about 40 years ago, when the place was still a countryside where there were railroads running only through sea of rice fields, the scene at night with the Milky Way twinkling and sparkling in the sky and the light of the train leaking and shedding from the train windows was like a railroad running not upon this earth but in the galaxy. The scene was just as described in Kenji Miyazawa’s description of the train running on his ‘Night on the Galactic Railroad’.
 |
 |
Time has passed since the place provided residents the fantasic scenes at night, while lifestyles have changed, freeing farmers from crop failure and poverty. It is sad that we cannot see the exact ‘Night on the Galactic Railroad’ night as it was today but we are sure the ‘Galactic Railroad’ has brought the people peace and happiness like the railroad in the novel. As one of the industrially advanced nations, the problem between nature and industry is a serious problem, a matter of concern that it connotes wealth, Michi-no-Eki ‘NIRASAKI’ reminds us that most of the wealth comes at the expense of nature lives, expressing their strong wish of good coexistence with nature in their town catchphrases, buildings and the ‘Galactic Railroad View Park (Ginga-tyetsudo Tenbo Kouen)’ near the Michi-No-Eki.
Stepping inside, you would see fresh crops, foods and handmade souvenirs from the district like the other Michi-no-Eki. You can see that this Michi-no-Eki is not only for the visitors but for the local people’s shopping and commune for there is a spa and a swimming pool adjoining the building.
 |
 |
Walikng along the footbridge over the road, you would get to ‘Yu-puru Nirasaki’, the spa and the swimming pool. There are baths, sauna, Jacuzzi and indoor swimming pool available all around the year. Unlike many public baths and spas, this spa and swimming pool allows people with tattoos.
** Top photo and most of the photos are from Yamanashi Tourism Organization Official Site.
Michi-No-Eki ‘Nirasaki’
(MICHI-NO-EKI ‘NIRASAKI’)
-
Information :
Address : 1795 Nakajo, Nakata-machi, Nirasaki-shi, YAMANASHI Pref. Tel / Fax : 0551-25-5021 Website : http://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/kankou/specialty/n_7083.html (Japanese only) E-mail : ginganoekinirasaki@mail.goo.ne.jp Opening Hours : 09:00 ~ 17:30 Closed : Monday (except National holiday, the day after the National holiday will be closed), from 31 December to 1 January Car Park : 53 spaces (including 7 oversized vehicle spaces and 2 barrier-free spaces) Toilet : Available 24 hours
-
Facilities :
-
Information on ‘Yu-puru Nirasaki’ (Spa & Swimming Facility) :
Tel : 0551-20-2222 Website : http://yu-pool.moo.jp/index.html (Japanese only) E-mail : Not avaliable Opening Hours : 09:00 ~ 21:00 (reception until 20:30) Closed : Monday (except National holiday, the day after the National holiday will be closed), from 31 December to 1 January Car Park : 53 spaces (including 7 oversized vehicle spaces and 2 barrier-free spaces)
-
Map :
-
Information on ‘Galactic Railroad View Park (Ginga-tetsudo Tenbo Kouen)‘:
Address : 3144-1 Miyakubo, Hosaka-machi, Nirasaki-shi, YAMANASHI Pref. Website : http://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/kankou/spot/p2_3740.html (Japanese only) E-mail : kankou@yamakan-sk.jp Catr Park : 5 spaces Toilet : Avaliable
-
Map :
