Riding on Japan's Border-Crossing Train in Heavy Snow

[@kugastravel5180]

Next video: Riding on Jōetsu Shinkansen to Niigata on a Heavy Snow day kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3ycmYd3nNd1qKc

[@trainluvr]

Its hard to find the wikipedia info. Basically a single track tunnel was built in the 30s and a second single track tunnel was built in the 60s, apparently not entirely parallel to the old tunnel.

[@paulmarcusson2217]

The descent to the underground platform was like a vision from a nightmare !

[@festnoz7201]

Yeah I don’t like tunnels 😨

[@MC-342]

I agree. Yikes 😱

[@rjc0234]

They could at least panel it or paint it! proper horror movie SCP vibes

[@ahumanbeing812]

The underground structure is an ideal setting for a paranormal story or crime thriller.

[@kassandrarvr94]

"The answer is on... Wikipedia" 😆 I usually watch these videos to help me sleep but I also really enjoy the humor.

[@JustEvgeniy]

Another outstanding video! Thanks, Kuga and cheers from Moscow!

[@klb5114]

that angle where you show the stairs down the tunnel. it look like it went on forever. yeah it is good exercise. great video some great views from the train. the scenery with the snow was beautiful. I don't like snow but when I moved to Japan in a few years I guess I'll have to get used to it. can't wait.

[@tracymoorhead8307]

Thank you for showing these parts to Japan! I’d Love to come and see the snowy side!

[@krypton1982]

It's Kuga!!!! There he is!!! Alright!!! 😃😄😁

[@RumMonkeyable]

Oooooooo, we visited the creepy station, again. Scary...... Glad we headed OUT this time. Interesting journey, though, KT! 👏👍😎

[@bklyncharm4587]

Thank you for always uploading such good videos! It was so interesting to see the stark difference in through the different seasons! I still can't over how creepy this station is -- it's even more haunting in the winter!!

[@CarolgTX]

I think the people who live there must appreciate spring and summer so very much! Thanks for taking us along!🙂 See you in the next video!

[@IKEMENOsakaman]

Wow, Japan's snowy scenes in Niigata are absolutely astounding...!!!

[@tokyotessie]

"The train came out of the long tunnel into the snow country.” The first sentence of Japanese novelist Kawabata Yasunari’s novel Snow Country as translated by Edward Seidensticker doesn’t quite include the concept of the “border tunnel” which is the literal translation of what Kawabata wrote, the border referring to the geographic border formed by the mountains which separates the dry eastern side from the Snow Country to the west. I’ve been through this tunnel many times on the way to the ski slopes when I was growing up in Japan, and each time, was astounded by the difference between the dry, sunny landscape of the eastern entrance and the deep, white snow upon emerging out of the western exit. There was such a contrast between the sharp clicking sound of the train wheels track inside the tunnel, which is instantly muffled and dulled by the snow absorbing the sound. Back then, there was no Shinkansen, and the train would be in this tunnel for quite a long while. I remember seeing the underground Doai station flash by (I was always on the express train which did not stop there) and I believe there is actually another underground station as well. All of those station names bring back such great memories of the anticipation I felt as the train approached Echigo-Yuzawa, my stop to get off to continue my journey by bus to Naeba ski resort. The station was nowhere as big as it is now, the Echigo-Nakazato station in this video looks more like what Echigo-Yuzawa looked like back in the 70s. Thank you so much for taking me down memory lane to a place I haven’t thought of in a very long time!

[@ewengillies9826]

Fantastic scenery in winter. Feels so cold looking at it with the water running diwn the windows. I think that little blue car was a Snowedon..lol. Thanks for the trip . Bushyboy Oz.

[@giellekaikey6000]

that is a long walk going upstairs!!!!! wow

[@shirleyhunt6084]

I love your videos. From So California. Never saw a hand bath before. Ty 4 making this!

[@iowa_don]

1:11 - Watch your head indeed! Those are killer icicles!

[@DroOnTheGO]

Those strairs leading down so cool to see!

[@rezaalan3991]

Great trip

[@VerhoevenSimon]

What a delightful ride.

[@punnipaduangdara6743]

Wow! what an awesome mother' nature scenery. Thanks for the trip.

[@sally-annebrown1298]

Youve taken us through some gorgeous country. Love it, and thank you for including how much it costs per ticket around the world. Love it

[@MessianicChristianFollowship86]

I do love this channel! So ASMR, still consider Scotland and will personally give you accommodation here in my home, yes a bit different but you can still travel our city of Edinburgh brother at a cheaper cost 🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤘

[@ThePykitty]

Snow scenery is so relaxing when you are inside and warm!

[@daspump]

Can't get enough of your videos. More please, keep them coming :)

[@CrazySquirrelProductions]

Ahhh I remember this video from the other channel. And when you visited before the snow. There's a food product stored in the waiting room. That station is spooky. It reminds me of Abesses metro station in Montmartre, Paris. I think just as deep but not spooky but smelly, lol. Thanks for the video today Kuga-san. I really needed this. You're the best. 💗🙏✌️💪🍻

[@HappyComfort]

Amazingly deep train tunnel but probably very protected from bad weather and things like that 👍 Very interesting 🤔👍😁

[@sharonorsel1990]

Bedankt

[@kugastravel5180]

Thanks, Sharon!🤝

[@sharonorsel1990]

Youre welcome. I enjoy watching your videos. Keep up the good work. Much love from The Netherlands😁

[@Super_Unlucky_Rubber_Ducky]

"If we miss the train the next one is in 4 hours" Meanwhile in Australia: If you miss your train the next one is in a week.

[@romanhemza5608]

Thanks!

[@kugastravel5180]

Thanks, Roman!

[@languedechat777]

This location is a difficult spot over Tanigawadake (1,977 m) . The Joetsu Line was originally a single-track line, and the platform at Doai Station was above ground. The technology of the time did not allow for the digging of long tunnels, so tunnels had to be built as high as possible. The height difference between the adjacent stations was resolved by a Spiral loop. When the Joetsu Line was double-tracked, new tunnels were dug at lower locations to shorten the route due to improved tunnel technology, and the platforms for the down line were built there. The above-ground platform is still used as the platform for the up line. Elevation of each station.(about) -Yubiso Station 550m -Doai Station 660m -Tsuchitaru Station 615m -Echigo-Nakazato Station 470m Time required(Yubiso - Echigo-Nakazato) Up 26 min. Down 19 min. (By Google Translate)

[@62army77]

Beautiful scenery. I always enjoy watching your travels and sharing with viewers across the globe. Thank you. 😊

[@dskadd32]

That's a beautiful trip. Even better than your summer trip there. It's on my list. Thank you!

[@theBeckster]

I do remember this station and the infinity stairs!! Everything looks different in the snow. It's a beautiful place!

[@jimgomez5396]

I know it snows in Japan but wow!! That's more the we get in Vermont during the winters here!

[@wisecanadianwoman]

That was a lot of snow!

[@HappyComfort]

Haha! I am not good with cold 🥶 In the beginning of the video I definitely liked the summer view ! Very beautiful 🤩

[@reaganenglish]

Always enjoy your videos! Hi from Texas!

[@rudyng3469]

Thank you sharing this beautiful winter scenery, time flies, previous summer you posted a question whether you should show us the winter version of this unique train station and its surroundings. Here we are 6 months later.

[@SoyMichelNajera]

Otro video de los que me encantan, muchas gracias por darte la tarea de subtitularlo, se aprecia tu trabajo y también el tiempo que le dedicas, saludos desde México 🇯🇵🇲🇽.

[@marutherailways]

I really appreciate your excellent movie as well as others. I visited Doai Station on 29 December, 2021 and, compared with the day, you obviously got heavier snows.

[@randall8379]

OMG Those tunnel stairs are scary!

[@nychomemaker9879]

Beautiful

[@FlexxenRandomPlaces]

Doai station is so mystic. I think it will be a well-known tourist attraction in some years!

[@WITTYWACK5462]

Kuga your videos are really awesome! Tbh your videos are exactly like what a travel vlog should have to be . Love your content :)

[@ohnoflicks]

Yes, I remember the summer video of this place. So creepy! “Run, Kuga, Run!” 😂😂😂

[@idagotdinixa442]

Thanks for sharing this with us 🙏 🙋🏻‍♀️ good video 🔝👌

[@unboundforevermore7649]

Thank you again Kuga for such a good video. I just love them and what I love the most, which is very insightful and educational is when you give a little history lesson with certain things. Now that these covid stipulations are starting to lift, I may make it to Japan after all, I will sure know how to ride the trains after watching all of your videos.

[@billhunnicutt3883]

Possibly a wartime bomb proof construction project? The underground station has a 1930s vibe to it. Interesting video!

[@FendergodGaming]

That underground station is freaky! Such an almost end of world vibe to me haha

[@l4bwx2]

I watched the video with our 2 1/2 year old son. He liked it! (…future railfan.)

[@claudiahansen4938]

Wow! Kinda creepy going down all those stairs. Reminds me of descending into one of the most famous Egyptian tombs!

[@timothycrespin6836]

Descending into that station looks like something from a Silent Hill game

[@sdingeswho]

Domo arigato, Kuga-san, for saving some of your Winter videos until now - I follow your travels from Arizona, U.S.A., and very shortly we will be up around 38 C (100 F), and it’s lovely to look at these gorgeous, snowy landscapes and at least *pretend* it’s cool 😆! I remember your video of the Summer visit to this most-unusual station, and you getting a lot of “exercise” on that seemingly never-ending staircase 🙂! Those icicles are truly scary, if one should fall 😯 - teeth of a maru? 😁

[@prunabluepepper]

Oh wow, the starting station looks interesting in summer and otherworldly in winter! 🚅🚂🚝🗻 Edit: I didn't find the answer on Wikipedia. Please elaborate as to why it is so deep.

[@popozz]

Look at the map of this station. That station (down line) is located in a long tunnel through a mountain range. That staircase is a diagonal shaft for the tunnel construction. There are ski resorts and famous mountain trailheads nearby, so there is some demand. Only the down line, which was built later, is deep underground in order to make the uphill gradient gentle. The up line is a loop to raise the elevation. If it were today, both the up and down lines would have been built as new tunnels, but there was no room for that at that time.

[@prunabluepepper]

@@popozz ah, thanks so they just reused the stairs and didn't have space to build the platform one of the higher "loops". Ok, yes, that explains it. Thanks.

[@annaopuszanska2264]

Cudny snow 😄😍❄❄❄❄❄❄💖

[@Pacman1ac]

@Kuga's Travel I couldn't find any info in wikipedia on why this station is so complex and deep...any hints? Also, what about security down there?

[@Iluthra]

That is one long walk downstairs. Do they have an elevator for older people?

[@languedechat777]

There is no elevator. This station is used by climbers with strong legs and feet. Or railroad enthusiasts.

[@crystalting3384]

I wouldn’t want to be in that station on my own 😣 btw, thanks for the great video! ❤️

[@tomburns7544]

Thank you again, Kuga!

[@cohenestep7962]

That’s very cool. I live in the states and I love watching your travel videos. And why would there be an underground platform? Doesn’t the train come back to the surface?

[@Madness832]

If I hadn't known any better, I would've sworn that it was a subway train.

[@lottekvist2092]

Not gonna lie - looks spooky….

[@travelwithlazyfoot4k-uhd950]

Stunning job

[@hackedbyebye5128]

Cool ! ✌🏽

[@2themoon863]

I’m not understanding either; in the summer view there plainly is a second set of tracks-at least-at ground level…?

[@ZGryphon]

Wow. Doai Station looks even more Soviet in winter. (I guess that shouldn't be surprising.)

[@WadersInAlaska]

The Polar Bear Club of the Arctic Circle gives your video three paws up!!! ʕ·͡ᴥ·ʔฅ ʕ·͡ᴥ·ʔฅ ʕ·͡ᴥ·ʔฅ Wonderful video! Thank you!! 🙏🙏

[@peters1127]

Walking down the stairs is fine it's the going up that can be an Issue.

[@hoolaiboo]

Nice.. !

[@GE0attack]

Mr affable aborad in Japan has recently made a video on this station

[@MatinTv]

Watching you here from Doha

[@LJ7000]

I'm trying to find out why the line is so deep underground?

[@nutrino75]

Which country did you go to when you crossed the border?....

[@gaxnemo6833]

I thought the same. 🤣

[@languedechat777]

To understand this, one needs to know the history of Japan.(令制国) And also Kanji.

[@trainenthusiast7695]

What was it being sprayed on your train at the end as it arrived?

[@kugastravel5180]

It's explained in my previous video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3ycmYd3nNd1qKc

[@herrys6752]

Please do minise your cut of the video. We wanna know complete movie

[@ph89787]

Seen Chris Abroad and CDawgva wind themselves climbing up and down those stairs.

[@StacyL.]

When was this footage taken?

[@sdingeswho]

Stacy, this was January 13, 2022. Kuga-san put it in the conventional way at the very beginning, but he usually writes dates as (in this example) “2022 / 1 / 13”. I am not sure if this is the normal way of writing dates in Japanese, although I would think so 🙂.

[@donfenton7473]

I checked Wikipedia and the only reason I found that the tunnel was built was to shorten the route. Am I close?

[@davidmoser3535]

GO KUGA!

[@bobmetcalfe9640]

Wot ... no food? :)

[@baron24601]

English Wikipedia does not tell us why it was so deep...

[@massimoancillai607]

was train on time? 🧐

[@marutherailways]

4:48 The conductor announces "The train departed Echigo-Nakasato Station with delay for 10 minutes."

[@bryanlorang417]

💕

[@amyslowikgrossman835]

It's too bad that you can't just slide down the railing to the lower level platform.

[@newyorknyc5289]

👍

[@y-mefarm4249]

Spooky. Lol

[@selsonblu8970]

The answer is on ... Wikipedia 👍😄

[@cretinaceous]

Wikipedia doesn’t explain.

[@Areyoukidding621]

I often fast forward through your videos because most of the footage is the same scenes as every other Kuga video.

[@garryruth9863]

Thanks!

[@kugastravel5180]

Thanks, Garry!🤝