The Totoro Tree

http://kotaku.com/oh-my-goodness-these-trees-look-like-totoro-13763329...

as of the link above, any advise how to get to "The Totoro Tree" which located at village of Sakegawa in Yamagata Prefecture?

I am getting JR east pass, traveling to aomori via akita. i suppose this place is some where along my route. so which station to go ? thanks

The nearest station is Uzen-Toyosato (about 8 kilometers).

from Uzen-Toyosato Station, how to get to this place? any bus? schedule of the bus?
thks

I didn't ckeck Second one in Yonezawa,Yamagata.

First one in Sakegawa Village/鮭川村,Yamagata location is here.
https://goo.gl/maps/oSPTUzGjcJw (tree location)
https://goo.gl/maps/onDkBsL9VL82 (fr bus route)
https://goo.gl/maps/4kj4EtHA1oN2 (fr stn by car rent/taxi)
However, local small bus operate numbers not enough.
(Download PDF)
http://www.vill.sakegawa.yamagata.jp/modules/uploader/index.php?page=v...
get in fr 新庄駅前 JR Shinjo stn (end of Yamagata shinkansen)
get off btw 小和田 and 羽根沢本村 (call to bus driver like taxi)
Seems no bus stop stand/pole/plate or signs.
(raise a hand like taxi catching when bus for back to Shinjo station coming)
http://www.bs-tbs.co.jp/soreomo/archive/031/img/top-gallery-031-20.jpg

bus fare : 200Y/oneway
No operate : SAT,SUN/National Holiday and around Year end 5 days.
Weekdays(Mon to Fri) only.

Use contact form of Sakegawa Village(include bus service).
http://www.vill.sakegawa.yamagata.jp/modules/ccenter/

fr UzenToyosato/羽前豊里 is No bus No taxi waiting.
fr Masukata/升形 stn/駅 is bus exist
but won't go for near tree route and No taxi waiting.
Both are very small rural area's stn.

If rent a bike(rent a cycle/レンタサイクル) at Shinjo stn (300Y/one day)
http://area.walkerplus.com/walker47/article/detail/ar0206205/le2199/20...
take about 120min/2 hrs/17km far. (if super fine day maybe fun if slow travel)
Best viewing tree time is after noon. (tree faced to SouthWestward against Sun)

Nearest route bus for Hanesawa Onsen/羽根沢温泉.
Only three small old ryokans/旅館 exist.
http://sakegawa-kanko.sakura.ne.jp/sblo_files/sakegawa-kanko/image/hanesawamap.jpg
http://www.a-spa.co.jp/totugeki/katoya/totugeki-katoya.html
http://blog.livedoor.jp/komi70komi70/archives/8049033.html
Also very small old public onsen bath/共同浴場 exist.