The Akita Shinkansen

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This Akita Shinkansen train has left Morioka and is heading toward Lake Tazawa and the city of Akita over a pass in the Ou Mountains. The track here in the Kitakami mountain range has many sharp curves, and takes the train through tunnels and ravines.
The snow has only recently melted from the pass, yielding to the cherry blossoms and budding leaves of early spring. In this steep valley, E6 series cars, their roofs a bright red, cross a river fed by the snowmelt.
The track links Tokyo to Akita, and this section passes through an area known for its natural beauty. In winter during heavy snowfalls, some snow will melt into frigid mountain streams flowing through gorges. In early spring, wild cherries and young leaves decorate the landscape, and in autumn the slopes are painted in brilliant colors.

・May 4, 2015
・Between Akabuchi and Tazawako on the Tazawako-Line, Japan