higashiomi

Welcome to the

HigashiomiBlock!

“Trapped in the Omi”

“Oh my God, a tako, tako, tako, tako...”

The Table of Contents

1) Welcome

2) Daily Life in Higashiomi:-Getting Around-Town Buildings-The Seasons

4) Local Guides:-Yokaichi-Gokasho-Aito-Hatasho-Echigawa-Toyosato-Route 8

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Revised: 7/2007

Higashiomi Block Guide

Welcome

Welcome to the Higashiomi Block! This guide has been assembled by your local resident JET community. In it you will find information pertaining to daily life, local shops, hangouts and sights. It is our intention that this guide will be a useful resource from the first day you arrive at your apartment, to the day you wave goodbye to it.

The towns in the map below represent our block. A few years ago, the map changed significantly, but the locals still refer to the areas by their old town names (as does this guide). Most of these towns have been combined into one giant “city” called Higashiomi-shi. The city consists of Gokasho, Yokaichi, Gamo, Koto, Aito and Eigenji (and also Notogawa to the west). In addition, Echigawa and Hatasho have become Aisho-cho. Uncombined is the region called Inukami-gun which consists of Toyosato, Kora, and Taga.

In Shiga you will frequently come across the word omi. It means “lakeside” and is the old name for Shiga Prefecture. And in case you didn’t know, higashi means east.

Don’t worry about memorizing all of the information in this guide. Within a few weeks of being here, you’ll be surprised to find how much of it has become second nature to you. And of course, if you ever have a question, don’t hesitate to ask!

-The Higashiomi Block

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Getting Around

BicyclesA bike will mostly likely be your main mode of transportation. While drivers in your home country may not be used to bikers in the road, the drivers here are, and may drive by you quite closely. Keep an eye out for random gutters and ditches, and at night, turn on your light. You may often see someone biking at night without a light on, but you should have yours on to avoid being stopped by the police. It is technically illegal to bike while intoxicated, so be sure to bike carefully after your late night out. Also, the police love to lock up bikes parked overnight in public areas, so make sure you park them in designated parking areas!

If your bike breaks down, ask your tantosha (or supervisor) about finding a local bike shop. If your Board of Education owns the bike, find out who is supposed to pay for repairs. If you just need your bike tweaked, or the tires pumped, the bike shop will do it for you at a very low and reasonable price (or even free).

TrainsThe Omitetsudo is the local train in the Higashiomi block. Unfortunately, it’s slow, expensive, and in the opinion of some, ugly! But, the Omi line is ours, so we won’t have anymore of that silly talk.

The hub of the Omi line is in Yokaichi, and three main lines run out from there. The trains run almost exclusively in Kanji, so in order to get your bearings, here are some important stops you will need to know:

八日市 YokaichiNorth:米原 Maibara

彦根 Hikone多賀大社 Taga Taisha (Taga Grand Shrine)West:近江八幡 OmihachimanSouth:日野 Hino

貴生川 Kibukawa

Have a look at a map and see where these stations are in relation to your town.

With all the bad things to say about the Omi, there is a bonus, the S.S. Free Kippu (free ticket). On weekends and holidays, you can purchase a one-day pass from any manned station for ¥550. Hold on to it and you can travel up and down the line all day to your heart's content. The Omi is also unique in that between 9am and 4pm on weekdays, and all during the weekend, you’re allowed to take your bike onto the train. Also note that the last trains on the Omi line are earlier than JR ones. If you can’t figure out the timetable pamphlet, you can take a picture of the station’s

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schedule or use the web feature if you have it on your phone.

TaxisThe taxis in our area of Shiga are also run by the Omitetsudo company. However, they run like any other taxi in Japan. The meter starts at about ¥650 and goes up from there. The back door will open and close automatically, so don’t make the driver antsy by trying to open or close it yourself!

CarsMost ALTs in Shiga don’t have cars. That’s not to say it is impossible to get one; it’s actually fairly simple. If you picked up an international driver’s license before you arrived then it is valid for one year, after which you can turn it into a Japanese license with a form. It’s that simple, unless you are American. We aren’t really sure why, but Americans have to take the much-feared Japanese driving test. When you take it, be prepared to fail at least once, regardless of how well you performed. You may have to use nenkyu (vacation days) to get it, so be sure to budget enough days to allow for a failure. However, if you happen to be at a particularly lenient and understanding school, they may allow you to go without taking vacation. It never hurts to ask!

Besides attaining a license, things to consider when buying a car include proof of parking spot (required for all white-plate cars), insurance, and “shakken,” a bi-yearly, rather expensive certification that the car is drivable. Also, the drinking-driving policy in Japan is no tolerance. That means if your blood alcohol level is anything other than 0.000 (if you’ve had even one drink), you can’t drive. If you get caught, it’s not just a fine; you run the risk of losing your job or even worse, being deported.

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Town Buildings

The Town Office (Yakusho)You will visit here once or twice during your first couple of weeks in Japan. After you are registered in the town and have your alien registration card (commonly referred to as your “gaijin card”), you probably won’t have a reason to go there again. Though here is where you pick up a certificate of residency, often required in buying a car and occasionally needed in setting up a cell phone.

The Police Station and The Police Box (Koban)Koban are small police buildings found in town centers and by train stations. Keep your purses and wallets tight when you are out at night and you should never have to step foot inside one.

The Bank (Ginko) and The ATM (Cash Corner)All ALTs in Shiga get an account at Shiga Bank. Your tantosha is supposed to help you with most issues regarding your account, so ask them if you have any questions. The bank is ridiculously inefficient for anything that requires talking to a clerk and the hours are bad. Luckily, you can do almost everything at the ATM, including withdrawals, deposits, updating your passbook (like a balance book), and furikomi (bank transfer). Cash machines are located at branch offices, conbinis, malls, and supermarkets. Take note that most machines are closed at night and on weekends and holidays. If you are desperate for cash, major convenience stores such as 7-11 may have a 24-hour machine. However, over the New Years holiday, all ATMs are closed for about 3 days, so be sure to withdraw enough money ahead of time. Also, the conbini is the only place you might be able to access your account outside of Shiga. If you need to do a furikomi (bank transfer), be aware that it is very complicated the first time. The bank clerk can help you if you have all the necessary information. If you need to send money to the same place more than once you can simply set up a card which has all the information encoded on it making it much simpler. There is a detailed explanation of how to do furikomi on the Yahoo group if you should feel like attempting it on your own.

The Post Office (Yubinkyoku)The post office in Japan actually has two functions. The first is sending mail. If you are sending a package, the EMS service is really fast and priced well. Also, if you have a letter in your package, they may charge you more than if you don’t. We don’t know why.

The second function of the post office is, strangely enough, savings accounts. The Japanese post office has amassed one of the largest sums of money on the face of the earth (seriously) and has been in the news in recent years because of legislation affecting it. You may find having a second account here to be helpful, especially if you travel out of Shiga often.

Also, you can do money orders via the post office. The kokusai sokin (international remittance) rates are about ¥1,500 for an order up to ¥200,000 and from there slightly more depending on the amount. It takes about 6-14 days to remit. Lately,

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the post office can also send money directly to a bank account, but that may only be domestic and the rates are different from the normal paper way. New Zealand and Ireland do not accept these money orders.

The Doctor’s Office (Iin) and The Hospital (Byoin)Dentists and doctors are dotted around the area and there are probably a few in your town. They all vary in size and specialty. If you need to visit one of these we recommend discussing it with your supervisors or local friends to figure out which is the best one for your needs. During your first week or two in town, you will be given a medical insurance card. Bring it when you visit the doctor. Also, bring a Japanese friend or teacher, especially if it is your first time to the doctor.

Don’t be surprised if people recommend going to the hospital for a cold. Usually however, the doctor’s office will be faster. Also, going to the doctor or dentist shouldn’t be too expensive, so don’t be afraid to go. Most doctors in Japan have spent some time studying abroad, so more often than not they will know some English and have a pretty good understanding of medical English, too (though occasional references to the dictionary may be required). English speaking dentists however, are a bit more rare and you may have to go as far as Osaka to find one.

The Supermarket (Supa)Shiga’s largest supermarket is Heiwado. Other chains include Seiyu, Yu-Store, and Maruzen (different from the book store chain). Most supermarkets offer “point cards” where every ¥100 you spend gets you one point (keep an eye out for bonus point days). Sometimes, the point cards can be used at other stores as well (especially Heiwado’s HOP Card). After accumulating 1000 points, you get ¥1000 back. You will be surprised how quickly the points add up. Supermarkets often will have clothing shops, 100-yen shops, chemist shops, etc. in the same building. Also, if you’re ever in need of passport photos, most have a machine in the front that will give you 5 for ¥500.

The Convenience Store (Conbini)Conbinis, like vending machines, are everywhere in Japan. At these places, you can buy basic groceries, snacks, beer, magazines, and much more (best not to ask). The most common chains in Shiga are Lawson, Circle K, 7-11, and Family Mart. By the end of your first day in town, you will already know where the local conbini is. You also may have noticed that most conbinis are open 24 hours.

Also, after you’ve been here for a few weeks, you will find that you need to start paying your bills. If you’ve opted out of automatic withdrawal, the conbini is the best place to pay them. Just hand over the bill and the cashier will scan the barcode and charge you the appropriate amount. They will then hand you back a stub from the bill and a receipt. These two things are the only proof that you paid your bill, so store them somewhere safe.

Conbinis (specifically Lawsons) are one of the places you can go to for purchasing tickets, whether it's for a sporting event or a concert. The ticket machine is strictly in Japanese, so it may be advisable to bring someone who can figure it out. Failing that, the ever-friendly employees are standing by and ready to help you.

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The 100-yen shop (Hyakkin)100-yen shops are incredibly useful when you first arrive. Here you can buy essential household / kitchen / stationery stuff you took for granted before coming to Japan. It’s best to check here for items first before going to a specialty store, as the quality will most likely be the same. Just remember to add the 5% consumption tax to everything, thus making each ¥100 purchase cost ¥105.

The Hardware Store (Kanamonoya)Ayaha-Dio or Dio World, Komeri, and Kahma Home Center are some of the hardware stores in Shiga. These stores have everything you could want for the home (and garden!). It’s often best to check the 100-yen stores first, but for larger items, these stores are your best bet.

The Electronic Store (Denkiya)Joshin, Hard-Off (yes, that’s its name), Midori Denki, and K’s Denki are large stores in our area. K’s Denki in Omihachiman specifically may have some cheap discounts. If you are really picky, you can head down to see the gigantic selection at Yodobashi Camera in Osaka, but the cost and time required to travel there mostly likely will counter any deals you find.

The Drug Store (Kusuriya)Kirindo seems to be the biggest chain in the area, but others include Yutaka and Supaku. Drug stores are actually a great place for not just medicine, but also household products. You can find various groceries and things such as toiletries, cosmetics, and cleaning and pest control products.

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The SeasonsShiga’s weather is not unique, but it can be extreme. It’s hot as the dickens in summer, and cold as a witch’s teat in winter. We visitors spend more time trying to survive it when instead we should be enjoying it with the locals.

The biggest difference between home and Japan is the energy bill. Your house does come equipped with an air conditioner (it can be turned to a heater in winter) but if you use it everyday, you will be paying through the roof. If you do choose to use the air conditioner, make use of the partitions in your house. Close the doors and screens and have the air conditioner work in only one room. Your electricity bill be lower, and the air conditioner will work better for one room as opposed to the whole house.

There are other choices people opt for. In the summer, the cheapest thing is to open your windows and create a natural draft. If that doesn’t work, use a fan. It seems obvious, but it works.

The winter has many heating options. During the real cold months, you may find that the air conditioner will have almost no effect. Most houses in Japan don’t have central heating or proper insulation, so any heat you generate is lost though the walls quickly.

The most widely used heater is the kotatsu, it is a coffee table with a heater underneath. Remove the top of the table, drape a blanket around it and replace the top. No matter how cold it is, your feet are always toasty warm. Most ALTs love their kotatsu so much, they want to take it home when they leave. If you don’t think it is working right, you might want to put a rug or something underneath the table to help trap the heat.

The other options are similar to the kotatsu. Heated carpets are nice, especially if you often sit directly on the floor. Place them under your carpet or a blanket of sorts, and enjoy a roasty rump. The heated blankets work in a similar fashion, put it under your bed sheets and turn it on a bit before bed. Just before you fall asleep however, it is best to turn it off or set it very low, as it might interfere with your sleep.

One thing you may not use in your home country is a toyu heater (kerosene heater). In Shiga, many people use them. New models come with self-timers and carbon monoxide detectors for your protection. Kerosene heaters are very economical. The biggest drawback of course, is working with kerosene. To fill up your heater, you need to first purchase a blue toyu container and a pump. You can find these at a local hardware store for just a few hundred yen each. We recommend you get an automatic pump as opposed to a hand pump; they are cleaner, faster and much less frustrating. You can fill the toyu container at your local gas station for a little over ¥1,500. It will be really heavy as you carry it home, but if you use the heater properly, a container should last you about a month.

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Remember, never leave the heater on when you are sleeping or out of the house! And don’t fill it up when it’s still hot! Kerosene heaters heat your house the best out of all the options, but you have to always remember to be careful around them.

Lastly, when it comes to the seasons, something your mother probably told you can be the best advice. Eat right, sleep right and most important, drink lots of water! This holds true for both the winter and summer. You will find yourself dealing with the climate better and you might actually enjoy the four seasons of Japan!

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YokaichiHigashiomi-shi

Yokaichi Station Yokaichi has three platforms. For a quick guide, platform 1 heads to Kibukawa, 2 heads to Maibara, and 3 heads to Omihachiman. There is a place to park your bike for ¥200 next door to the station (2nd floor) but if you ride it to nearby Shin-Yokaichi Station instead, you can park for free!

Yokaichi Bus StationThis is past McDonald’s on the main road over on the other end of town from the station. You can catch an overnight bus to Tokyo from here.

STORES

Supermarkets Yu-Store, Seiyu are the two supermarkets in the area. Above both food shops are 100-yen stores. In Seiyu, there is a small Muji store selling clothes and lifestyle goods.

Apia This is a giant shopping center located very close to the railway station. There is a Heiwado supermarket, various clothing stores, home hardware goods, an electrical store, Japanese books, and many other things. The fourth floor is full of restaurants, including McDonalds, KFC, and traditional fare. On that floor is also the amusement area with an abundance of UFO catchers and purikura (sticker picture booths). The Apia is very convenient but often not the cheapest.

Liquor Mountain A great place to buy liquor, and try free samples of wines and other alcohol. They also have a small selection of international foods. It closes at 8pm and may be closed on a random day during the week.

Dio House This is a local home hardware store. You can purchase your kerosene container here.

Electrical Appliance / Computer Shops There is a small but very cheap computer shop called Futaba-ya on the ground floor of Seiyu at the far end.

Video Game/Movie/BookshopNext to Mr. Donuts is a small Japanese bookstore. Upstairs is a video game store that sells all the newest, and all the oldest video games. Be aware that region issues may exist with certain game platforms.

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Second Hand Furniture StoreWant to get a lot but don’t want to pay a lot? Go to this second hand furniture store and you may be surprised at what you find, although Seiyu often has pretty good deals as well.

RESTAURANTS

There are many small izakayas (kind of like a tapas bar), cafes, and restaurants scattered around Yokaichi, but these are the main ones we’ve come to love. Also, on the main road near the post office are quite a few options for eating.

“Ramen Guy”Well, that's what we call him. He’s right on the main street near the station. Not much is known about Ramen Guy. What is his name? Where did he come from? Why did he start making ramen? But we do know this- he makes a damn good bowl of noodles! We hear he is famous even outside of Yokaichi.

OkonomiyakiThere’s a little shop right on the corner in front of Yokaichi Station. It’s small and often crowded with kids who may turn out to be your students, but it’s fairly cheap and delicious.

Enchante This is an excellent pasta and salad restaurant. The prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is pleasant. Their desserts are also enjoyable. It can get fairly busy and is closed on Mondays. If you call in advance, you may be able to reserve space for a small party.

MosBurgerMaybe, it is unique to Japan. Think fast food, but with a Japanese flair. It’s across the road from Apia.

Made in BrazilThis is actually a combination restaurant and grocery store. There is also a Brazilian grocery about a 20-minute bike ride away in Eigenji.

Umiza and Kappa Zushi These are kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi). Umiza is better quality, but Kappa is cheaper.

“Family Restaurants” These sell a wide variety of food types, from Japanese, to Italian and American and are open for about 20 hours a day. In Yokaichi there are two big ones called Coco’s, and Gusto. If you would like an English menu, ask because they should have one. Generally when you are ready to order, you press the button at the end of the table (just once, don’t anger the nice employees). And most have drink bar, like a drink buffet- all you can drink (non-alcoholic) for ¥200-300. There is also a very cheap Chinese restaurant called Osho across the road from McDonalds.

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Yakiniku (barbeque) At these restaurants, you are given raw meat to cook on your own barbeque in the center of your table. They have vegetables, too. It’s good fun and smells delicious. Daifuku is the only one we’re aware of in Yokaichi.

Pizza Little Party This is pizza take away Japanese style. Here you can sample the feared Japanese corn-mayonnaise pizza. However, they do also have normal pizzas, whether to you that means American or Italian. They can deliver within Yokaichi City, but you do save money if you pick it up. If you ask, they have a menu in English.

Mr. Donuts Mmm… doughnuts. This is not the largest store, but is great for when temptation strikes. Go before 6pm or you may find your choice getting limited. They have more than just doughnuts to eat, and they have a selection of coffees and teas.

Cake Shops There are many cake shops in Japan. Be aware that the Japanese definition of cake is slightly different from our own so expect lots of cream. Chatalese is a chain store with good prices in a decent range. Club Harie is right across the street from Apia and is excellent. On weekends, Club Harie has a very nice café open until 6:00. Its main pull is the 90 minute long all you can eat cake set for ¥2000. After a quick search around some of the side streets, you’ll find many of the smaller shops. Cakes make a great gift when visiting people’s homes .

Near EigenjiIf you’re willing to go a bit farther away (or closer depending on your location), there is a nice Italian restaurant called Capriciossa (different from the chain). On the way to Eigenji as well is an Echizen (family restaurant) and a fantastic little place tucked away in the mountains called Ikeda. It’s a combination temple/restaurant/gelateria, but hard to get to without a car. There is also a winery in Eigenji filled with locally made wine.

BARS

AirThis is a tiki themed bar on the third floor of the building across from Apia. Nice place for a drink and a decent bite. We recommend the tacos.

Triangle BarTriangle is Yokaichi’s late night watering hole. You may find it slightly expensive, but the staff is nice and the place is open until 5am, except for Mondays, when it’s closed.

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ENTERTAINMENT AND RELAXATION

Laputa: “The Pleasure of the Air” Interesting fact: “La puta” in Spanish means “the bitch.” Anyway, next to the railway station stands Laputa. Inside is bowling, karaoke, billiards, a few arcade games, several restaurants, and a pachinko parlor (if that’s your thing). Bowling in Japan is not particularly cheap. Be prepared to know your shoe size in centimeters and yes, the shoes come out of vending machines.

Video Rental There are at least two shops in Yokaichi. You need to get membership which costs a small amount of money. Be careful if selecting VHS to get the sub-titled version! And don’t forget that Japan is Region 2 for DVDs! You can also rent music CD’s from these stores.

Kite museumThis museum is home to the world’s largest kite. Yokaichi is in fact “famous” for its kite festival in May. On festival day, you can catch free buses running between the station and the festival site. The museum is open year round.

Yokaichi LibraryThe library has a small selection of English books and films. Also, the second floor has a café that serves coffee in hand-made local pottery. Both close around 6 pm.

EnmeijiBehind the station is a park. This is a great place for viewing momiji (fall foliage) and springtime sakura. Up the mountain you can get a view of the fair city that is Higashiomi. We also hear there are monkeys.

TaraboguThis is the shrine up in the mountains that you can see from the Omitetsudo if you’re heading to or from Omihachiman. It’s easily accessible on foot from the Tarabogumae station or via a quick bike ride on some nicely paved paths. Be prepared for at least 6 long flights of stairs or a long upward winding road then stairs (of course with pauses to admire the scenery) if you want to reach the top. The view is definitely worth going at least once and the biggest selling point is that it is probably never going to be crowded! There is a narrow path carved through a giant rock at the highest point. Legend has it that it will close on you if you’re a liar when you walk through it. This is probably not true. There’s also a nice fire festival held in December.

There are a lot of nice little bike paths scattered throughout the area, so please enjoy yourself and explore!

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YokaichiHigashiomi-shi

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GokashoHigashiomi-shi

Gokasho is famous for its Ohmi merchants and there are many traditional homes open for public viewing. If you get off at the station and walk straight, you will eventually reach the main strip. Here you can find a Joshin, Daiso, and a nice Italian restaurant called Tomato and Onion (we hear they play American country music).

Near the Heiwado and Daiso, there’s a 24-hour karaoke place called AS24. The prices are reasonable and if you’re in the Route 8 area, it’s the only real karaoke place. Across the street from it is an Internet café.

Aito-choHigashiomi-shi

Hyakusai-jiThere is a beautiful temple up in the mountains. It houses an old Buddha famous for having numerous heads. The temple grounds provide for nice strolling and a beautiful view of the area.

Eigenji DamUnfortunately, it is only conveniently accessible by car. A real shame considering it's such a nice place. It is particularly beautiful when the cherry blossoms bloom and is a great place for a drive. Highly recommended if you can get there.

Marguerite StationThis is Aito's main claim to fame. It has a restaurant though it isn't the cheapest. It also has a bento shop that has typically higher quality food than your average conbini. You can buy vegetables there, but again, not the cheapest (even by Japanese standards). There are also some small souvenir shops as well as a magnificent view of the town and mountains from the tower.

The best reason to go, however, is their gelato shop. Not quite as good as the Italian stuff, but pretty damn close. Great for hot summer days when you need to cool off.

Mud CupThis is a recent Aito tradition. Ever year in July, people come together to race in

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knee deep mud. It's good fun, though very messy. If you're interested, ask the Aito ALT for information. You compete in teams of three and costumes are encouraged.

HatashoAisho-cho

Fitness CenterThe center has a small gym with cardio and weight machines. They offer various fitness classes such as yoga and aerobics. There’s a pool that usually has three lanes for open swim, two for swimming class, a water slide, two hot tubs, a sauna and a shallow “walking” area. A single visit to either the gym or the pool is ¥500. A single visit to both is ¥800. You can also buy them in packages of 11 for ¥5000 or get a monthly membership. Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to get to without a car or bike. It’s open from 1pm-830pm Monday-Saturday and 10am-6pm on Sunday. It is closed on Wednesdays.

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EchigawaAisho-cho

The Echigawa Library and Bintemari MuseumThe Echigawa Library has a small english book section, TIME magazine in English, videos, DVDs, CDs, a gallery and bintemari museum. Bintemari are curiously described as “traditional balls made from grass.” Innuendo aside, the museum may be worth a peek. Taking out library books might only be available to residents of the town. Maybe you can get a library card if you ask nicely.

Made in BrazilOn Route 8 in Echigawa, there’s a small brazilian grocery store and restaurant. The restaurant is mostly burgers and appetizery things, but they’re about as

close to a real burger that you can get anywhere besides McDonalds. The grocery store’s selection isn’t huge, but it does have lots of foreign food items and the meat is much cheaper (and higher quality) than Heiwado.

Vestindo Voce In the same little area as the Brazilian grocery store / restaurant, there’s also a Western clothing store owned by Brazilians. No one’s explored it yet, but it could be worth a look.

Book PlazaOn the corner by the Heiwado is a small movie / CD / book shop called Book Plaza. You can buy books or rent CDs and movies here. Most of the Japanese movies don’t have English subtitles, but there’s a large selection of foreign movies. The man who owns it is really friendly and at least one girl that works there has very good English.

PizzaEchigawa doesn’t have its own pizza place, but Chicago Pizza Factory in Notogawa delivers all the way to Echigawa. You can check out their menu online at http://www.chicago- pizza .com/ (only Japanese) and order by phone at 0748-42-7666.

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http://www.chicago-pizza.com/


Toyosato-cho

Kura SushiAbout a 15-minute walk from Toyosato station, this sushi place is new and is a 100-yen kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi) restaurant. It’s fresh and clean, something you don’t see at older kaiten-zushi places.

ToyoseIf you do stop by Toyosato, make sure to take a peek in the local bakery right next to the station. Their loaves of bread are delicious and remarkably un-square. Their pastries are excellent as well.

Bandai ShotenThe largest kanji on the building says

furuhon meaning, “old books.” But there is much more than just that! Inside, you will find used clothing, music, and a vast selection of old video games and systems. There is also a large section of old toys and memorabilia, and of course a slew of manga. A secret find that is well worth a visit if only for the nostalgic atmosphere.

Route 8(hachi-go sen)

Route 8 goes through Gokasho, Echigawa, and Toyosato. There are a ton of restaurants, including yakiniku, ramen, traditional Japanese food, an all-you-can-eat buffet, and an Italian place. Have a look for some interesting shops as well.

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