Pottering of a bicycle in Okayama. Vol.１
friday, May 4, 2012
I arrived at Okayama Station on the Shinkansen. Okayama Station is a huge terminal where Sanyo Main Line, Seto Ohashi Line, Kibi Line, Ako Line, and Uno Line can enter in addition to the Tsuyama Line that you will be riding from now on. I have a little time to leave, so I'll take a walk in front of the station.
新幹線で岡山駅に到着。岡山駅はこれから乗り継ぐ津山線をはじめ、山陽本線、瀬戸大橋線、吉備線、赤穂線、宇野線が乗り入れる巨大ターミナルだ。出発まで少し時間があるので、自転車をホームの隅にロックし、歩いて駅前を散策することにする。
There is a tram stop in front of Okayama Station. Okayama Electric Tramway was established in 1912 and has a long history in Japan. With a total of 4.7kilometers on the Higashiyama Line 3.1kilometers and the Seikibashi Line 1.6kilometers, it is the shortest streetcar in Japan.
岡山駅前には路面電車の停留場がある。岡山電気軌道は明治45年（1912）に営業を始め、日本でも有数の歴史を誇るが、東山線3.1km、清輝橋線1.6kmの計4.7kmで、日本で最も営業距離の短い路面電車でもある。
I want to have lunch before the train leaves, however I can't find a good shop. I thought it would be nice to have stand-up-eating soba noodle shop, however I will eat udon for dinner. Then, when I went to the store to buy a Ekiben, the first thing I found was Sawara Sushi. The next thing I was interested in was yellow Chinese chive rose sushi. A Chirashi-zushi with Sawara and Anago (photo). It's rare to see yellow Chinese chive, but Yoneske, a rakugo artist who loves ekiben, is also recommended. I was going to eat on the train, but because I was hungry, I eat on the bench on the platform of the station.
津山駅行きの出発までに軽く昼食をとろうと店を探すが手頃な所がない。立ち食いのそばでもと考えたが、今日の夕食はうどんの予定。ならば駅弁にしようと店頭に行くと最初に目に飛び込んできたのはさわら寿司。次に目に入ったのは黄にらバラずし。さわらやあなごを乗せたチラシ寿司だ（写真）。名産の黄色いにらが珍しいが、駅弁をこよなく愛す落語家のヨネスケも勧めているので、こちらを購入。列車が来てから食べるつもりだったが、お腹が空いていて我慢出来ずにホームのベンチで戴く。
The diesel train arrived at the platform (photo above). There was a box seat, and it was a chance to eat while looking at the scenery, however I regretted having already eaten the Ekiben. Tsuyama Station is about 1 hour and 20 minutes away. The train slowly proceeds along the JR Tsuyama Line, which is rich in nature (photo bottom). While listening to the diesel sound, I just fall doze.
入線してきた列車はキハ40形のディーゼル車（写真上）。ボックス席があり、車窓を眺めながら食す理想の駅弁スタイルを逃すことになる。終点の津山駅までは約１時間20分。JR津山線の車両はゆっくりと自然の中を進んで行く（写真下）。ディーゼル音の懐かしさに包まれながら、ついうとうとしてしまう。
Arrived at Tsuyama Station on time. This station also has dark brown roof tiles, however the station on the way was the same. I think it's Bizen ware, so I ask the station staff, but they say they don't understand. When I asked a woman at the tourist information center, she told me that it was not using Bizen ware, however using stone from this area. (Photo / Roof tiles of Yuge Station taken from the train)
定刻通り津山駅に到着。この駅もこげ茶色の瓦だが、途中の駅もそうだった。備前焼かと思って駅員に尋ねるが、わからないとの答え。駅に隣接する観光案内所の女性にも訊くと、瓦は備前焼ではなく、中国地方は石の産地であることからよく使われていると教えてくれる。（写真／車両から撮影した津山線弓削駅の駅舎）
Immediately, I visit the "Old Tsuyama fan shaped locomotive shed" next to Tsuyama Station. In the locomotive shed, there is a Diesel train of nostalgic "Kiha 52" for me. It is a reunion after a long time. However, the gate is closed and cannot be entered. Looking at the flyer, it is open from 10:00 am. Moreover, only the first 100 people who booked can enter. I regret not looking closely. Just at that time, the rain which began to fall feels very cold.
早速、津山駅に隣接する旧津山扇形機関車庫に向かう。車庫には、果してあのキハ52がいる。久しぶりの再会だ。しかし、ゲートは固く閉ざされて場内には入れない。何か間違えかとチラシをよく見ると、朝10時から午前中のみの公開で、しかも予約した先着100名だけが入場できるとある。よく調べてくるのだったと後悔するがもう遅い。折しも降り出した雨がやけに冷たく感じる。
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