By MOOK Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin | Compiled & Reported
Japan has long been a top travel destination for many people in China, making various local transportation ticket deals and promotions highly popular among Chinese tourists. The Pingxi Railway Line in New Taipei City will collaborate with the Enoshima Electric Railway in Japan for joint tourism marketing. From May 1 until March 31, 2014 (Editor’s note: the campaign was extended to March 31, 2015), passengers from both sides can exchange their used one-day tickets for a free one-day ticket on the counterpart railway. This allows travelers not only to ride the Enoshima Electric Railway for free to enjoy views of Mount Fuji, but also to visit the original filming location of the high school in the manga Slam Dunk—Kamakura High School (located at Enoshima Electric Railway’s “Kamakura-koen-mae” station), as well as the scenic Shonan coastline where, in the anime’s opening scene, the train passes through and the crossing gate lifts while Haruko gives a bright smile to Sakuragi.
Starting May 1, travelers can use a Pingxi Line one-day ticket to get a free “Enoden” one-day pass in Japan, and visit the real-life settings of Kamakura High School and Shonan Coastline from Slam Dunk. (Image provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism Bureau)
The Enoshima Electric Railway is commonly referred to as “Enoden,” a well-known private railway in Kanagawa, Japan, with an annual ridership of over 10 million. Both the Pingxi Line (from Sandiaoling to JingTong, 7 stations, approximately 12.9 km long) and the Enoden (from Fujisawa to Kamakura, 15 stations, about 10 km long) offer compact yet richly scenic railway journeys. Along the Enoden, visitors can enjoy views of Mount Fuji, explore the Shonan Coast, Enoshima Island, and the Great Buddha of Kamakura, among other natural and cultural sites. Similar to the Pingxi Line, the Enoden features railways running close to residential areas, offering a glimpse into everyday life such as trains passing through traditional streets and locals crossing the tracks to reach platforms. It also includes charming and quaint wooden stations like “Kōrakuji Station,” reminiscent of JingTong Station, as well as several small, peaceful stations ideal for hidden exploration. Moreover, Enoshima is home to many resident cats, earning it the nickname “Cat Island” among feline lovers. Details on exchanging free one-day tickets between the Pingxi Line and Enoden can be found at: www.railway.gov.tw/tw/news_Detail.aspx?SN=5513&NewsType=0.
● Extended Reading: Free Wi-Fi in Japan – New Internet Hotspots Added
http://goo.gl/JgjzA
The Enoden in Kanagawa, Japan, runs close to homes, showcasing a quaint slice of daily life. (Image provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism Bureau)