Sightseeing Taxis for a More Fulfilling Trip #3
How many people have used sightseeing taxis at their travel destinations? They are more expensive than other methods of travel, so most people probably feel that there are some hurdles to using them. Using a sightseeing taxi during travel, however, can enrich a trip more than expected. In this article, I will introduce a trip I took to Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture, on which I used a sightseeing taxi.
The sightseeing taxi I used was provided by Shirakawa Kanko Kotsu Co., Ltd. of Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture. Sightseeing taxis are a service in which drivers who are familiar with the sightseeing spots and traffic information of the region guide travelers to their desired destinations. Travelers can also consult with the drivers about spot recommendations and route plans to each of the destinations. Additionally, the drivers will act as guides both on the road and at the sightseeing spots.
Daruma Land: On Another Detour, We Tried Out the Newest Sightseeing Spot in Shirakawa City
Displays of how Shirakawa daruma are made.
Next, we went to Daruma Land, which was also not part of the original plan. My driver suggested that we go and see it because it was close by, so we added it to the tour. Daruma Land is an experience-based entertainment facility that mainly deals with Shirakawa daruma, a traditional craft of Fukushima Prefecture. The establishment is separated into six sections, and it's designed as a great way to have fun. Inside are a Shirakawa daruma manufacturing factory observation and exhibit area, a painting workshop, a daruma shrine, daruma-themed attractions, a souvenir shop, and more.
A lot of daruma dolls, many with modern designs, are on display too.
In the car, we had been talking about how the Shirakawa daruma dolls are famous, so my driver decided to add this sightseeing spot to the tour. It was exciting that he was able to take me there as a surprise after nonchalantly picking up information from our conversation, and I think that is the real charm of Taxi Sightseeing.
A game in which players who make it to the goal get a prize (fee required to play).
Because there were two spots added to the tour, I asked the driver several times if he was ok on time or if we should hurry, but he always replied that he was adjusting the schedule so it wasn't a problem. Just like he said, we arrived at the station five minutes before the scheduled end time. I was really surprised that I was able to look around each sightseeing spot at a comfortable pace without hurrying.
Shirakawa Station: Famous as the Filming Location for a Light Motor Vehicle Commercial
The station has a retro design.
Shirakawa Station has the atmosphere of a Western retro building, with outer walls painted white and grey and a triangular roof made of red tiles. It has also garnered attention as the filming location for a light motor vehicle commercial. Inside, there is a café as well as a shop that sells local specialty goods and Shirakawa daruma dolls.
The Gravesite of Ohara Shosuke: A Visit While Talking About Alcohol
The gravesite of Ohara Shosuke is located in the back of the cemetery.
As we made our way to Ohara Shosuke's grave, Mr. Saitou asked me if I liked alcohol. The kind of life Ohara Shosuke lived is described in some of the words from the folk song "Aizu Bandai-san":
Ohara Shosuke, why did you ruin yourself? You love sleeping in, drinking in the morning, and taking baths in the morning; That ruined you, yes, it ruined you.
The shape of the gravestone is made with the motif of sake decanters, bottles, and cups, and his posthumous Buddhist name uses the characters for "rice" and "broth" (in other words, alcohol), which is very unique.
It turns out, we had taken a circular route through the city. It was a smooth route that didn't waste any time, and I was impressed that we were able to visit so many sightseeing spots within the allotted time. I think it was because Mr. Saitou drives around there daily and understands the traffic information of the area that we were able to have smooth transit between each place.
Tea Room Takayama: A Suggestion for an End-Of-Tour Break
Tea Room Takayama looks like a house in foreign country.
The bullet trains that stop at Shin-Shirakawa Station only come about once per hour. While on our way back to the station, Mr. Saitou noticed that there was still a little time until the next bullet train, so he suggested having some tea at a café and introduced me to Tea Room Takayama. Tea Room Takayama is an old-fashioned café located right next to Shin-Shirakawa Station. There is also a select shop set up inside that offers imported clothes and accessories.
This marked the end of my time sightseeing with Mr. Saitou. We managed to get back to the station five minutes before the scheduled time, so I could spend some leisurely time until the next bullet train departed. Through the end of the trip, the driver made casual suggestions, and it was such a fulfilling time that it didn't feel like three hours.
Sightseeing Taxis Offer Richer Experiences Than I Had Imagined
Mr. Saitou, my driver for the day.
I think a lot of people feel that there are high hurdles in using sightseeing taxis; actually, I was one of them. However, Mr. Saitou told me that a lot of people use them in groups, which lowers the cost per person. When renting a car and driving, it's really difficult to plan a smooth route and distribute your time, but with Taxi Sightseeing, this is taken care of. Up to four people can ride in one taxi at a time, so you can try it out by yourself or with some friends.
Check out the link below to reserve a tour or get more information on Taxi Sightseeing in Shirakawa City. https://taxi.wowu.jp/shirakawa/book
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