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National Geographic
11-08-2025
- National Geographic
Looking for slow travel in Japan? Hop aboard a vintage steam train
Japan is known worldwide for its vast, efficient, and punctual railway system; arguably, the most famous railroad in history was born there. The country's first-ever passenger train—pulled by a steam locomotive built in the United Kingdom, the birthplace of steam trains—was introduced on October 14, 1872. The 18-mile (29-kilometer) train trip between Tokyo's Shimbashi station and Yokohama took 53 minutes to complete. Even though bullet trains steal most of the press, rail-fans, nature lovers, and slow travelers alike will be glad to know that Japan still boasts many steam locomotive (SL) routes. JR or Japan Railway's regional branches operate many of these routes. Travelers looking for a more relaxed trip might be surprised to learn that the country still hosts steam locomotives offering a retro trip through Japan's four seasons. (Don't leave Tokyo without these must-do experiences) 1. SL Banetsu Monogatari (JR East) Best for: History buffs Route: Niitsu (Niigata Prefecture) to Aizu-Wakamatsu (Fukushima Prefecture) Journey time: 3.5 hours Distance: 69 miles The Tohoku region's SL Banetsu Monogatari is the longest ride by distance, covering a total of 69 miles (111 kilometers) from end to end. Built in 1946, it was the last of the locomotives on this list used in regular passenger service, operating until 1969. Fun fact: The last regularly scheduled steam train service in Japan was on the Muroran main line in Hokkaido, dating back to December 1975. The Niitsu Daiichi Elementary housed the locomotive until 1999. At the school, one of the train carriages operated as a play area for kids. Steam locomotive, SL Banetsu Monogatari runs between Maoroshi and Saruwada stations in Gosen, Niigata, Japan. It's one of five train trips travelers should consider to see a different side of the country. Photograph ByOther highlights on the SL Banetsu Monogatari include an observation car where passengers can admire the rice fields that have helped make both Niigata and Fukushima Prefectures famous for their sake (nihonshu), and a Green Car, a Japan Railway train car similar to business-class with fewer and larger seats. There's only reserved seating on the SL Banetesu Monogatari because of its popularity; however, holders of some JR Rail Passes can get a seat at no extra charge. (This Japanese region is home to a unique fusion cuisine—here's what to know) 2. SL Fuyu no Shitsugen (JR Hokkaido) Best for: Wintry national park views Route: Kushiro to Shibecha (Hokkaido Prefecture) Journey time: 1.5 hours Distance: 30 miles Translated as 'winter wetlands,' SL Fuyu no Shitsugen is Hokkaido's lone steam locomotive that only runs between January and March. As the train plows through snow packs in Kushiro Wetlands National Park—the largest wetlands area in the country—riders hear more about the natural diversity of the park from a local expert on the train or through a multilingual audio guide. If you are worried about not snagging a great view, try booking cars one or five. Passengers have an opportunity to see vistas of mountains and rivers, depending on the carriage arrangement. Varnished wood décor interiors help add to the ride's retro feel, which also includes a potbelly stove that passengers can use to cook seafood sold in the dining car. SL Fuyu no Shitsugen is reserved seating only, but passengers can make a reservation using the national Japan Rail Pass. (Everything you should know about visiting Japan) Journey to the Hokkaido Prefecture for a train ride on the SL Fuya no Shitsugen to spot wildlife, such as deer, in Kushiro Shitsugen National Park. Photograph By Horizon Images/Motion / Alamy Kushiro Shitsugen National Park is also home to red-crowned cranes, also known as Japanese cranes or Manchurian cranes. Photograph By / Alamy 3. SL Gunma (JR East) Best for: Fall foliage and adventure seekers Route: Takasaki to Minakami (Gunma Prefecture) Journey time: 2 hours Distance: 37 miles The eponymous SL Gunma, in Gunma Prefecture, is one of the more accessible steam trains from Tokyo; its usual starting point, Takasaki, is only a 50-minute Shinkansen (bullet train) ride from the capital. Passengers can choose from one of two locomotives to steer their journey; one was initially used to haul freight, and the other to transport commuter trains. This train line divides the passenger cars into two types. Constructed as far back as 1938, the more historic series was refurbished in 2020 with varnished wood interiors to give them a retro look. Alternatively, there is a car from 1978 that looks more modern, replete with air conditioning and automatic doors. The SL Gunma is another line run by JR, so a few different rail passes can be used to enjoy the mountain ranges and onsens (hot springs) that pepper this region. People take a photo of the steam locomotive Class D51-498 during an event at Takasaki station in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. Photograph By Keizo Mori/UPI/Alamy Fun fact: Japan's topography is around 70 percent mountains and hills. How do steam trains manage to overcome constantly changing elevations? According to Tomonori Takahashi, an engineer at JR East, 'Coal is burned to increase steam pressure. The water level in the boiler is raised to prevent the boiler water from becoming uneven due to the slope.' (Why winter is the perfect time to visit Japan) 4. SL Paleo Express (Chichibu Railway) Best for: Nature lovers Route: Kumagaya to Mitsumineguchi (Saitama Prefecture) Journey time: 2-3 hours Distance: 35 miles Many tourists stop and visit Nagatoro when riding the SL Paleo Express on Chichibu Railway. Photograph By Picture Cells/Shutterstock Chichibu Railway's SL Paleo Express started service in 1988. It runs between April and December on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, making it an easy weekend Tokyo day trip for much of the year. This steam train trundles through Chichibu, a region so close to the capital, yet unexpectedly filled with limestone cliffs and densely forested mountains.. At Mitsumineguchi, the western terminus, there's a small park where riders and sightseers can watch the locomotive get rotated on a turntable to head back to Kumagaya. According to Kiminzo Ozawa, a representative of the Chichibu Railway tourism department, 'we are working to extend the route toward nearby Gyoda station to stimulate regional revitalization and boost demand.' (Traditional Japanese crafts are at risk. Here's how travelers can help.) 5. Thomas the Tank Engine (Oigawa Railway) Best for: Families Route: Shin Kanaya to Kawane Onsen Sasamado (Shizuoka Prefecture) Journey time: Approximately 40 minutes Distance: 23 miles Thomas the Tank Engine spins on the turntable or rotating platform in Japan's Shizuoka Prefecture before heading back to Shin Kanaya. Photograph By Amana images inc. / Alamy Families traveling along the Oigawa Railway on Thomas the Tank Train, based on the character of a popular British children's book, can see these lush tea plantations in Oobuchi Sasaba in Shizuoka Prefecture. Photograph By Princess Anmitsu/Shutterstock Shizuoka Prefecture might be one of the green tea epicenters of Japan, but the country's Thomas the Tank Engine steam locomotive might give passengers the feeling like they're in the U.K. In 2014, the train—based on the character featured in the nearly 80-year-old English children's book—was sold out for months. Tickets can be hard to come by because this train has a fairly limited run, operating only during weekends between June and October. When it is operating, kids have an opportunity to see some of the other storied trains from the series, such as James and Hiro, at Senzu station. For visitors interested in climbing aboard, there is one caveat—tickets are only available in Japan through at Lawson (a chain of convenience stores) and the travel website Asoview. (Seven bullet train journeys across China, from the Great Wall to Shangri-la) Editor's Note: Depending on where you visit in Japan, there are several different rail passes available. Besides the national JR rail pass, JR Hokkaido and JR East issue the passes for the trains mentioned in this article. Jonathan DeLise is a freelance travel writer and culinary tourism speaker who is generally based in the New York-area, Mexico, or Japan – follow him on YouTube.
Yomiuri Shimbun
19-07-2025
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan Tourism: West Japan Train Offers Overnight Travel for Casual Travelers
After the retirement of the cross-country long-distance sleeper trains known as 'Blue Trains,' the West Express Ginga limited express began operations in September 2020 as an overnight train for casual journeys. These days, tickets for scenic trains are usually sold as part of package tour products, and if they are treated as charter group trains, they often do not even appear on the Ginga, operated by West Japan Railway Co., is listed on timetables as a special train which you can ride without being charged a sleeper fee. Passengers are required only to pay a surcharge for a reserved seat express fare or Green Car first class seat. We can say this is a night train with a completely new concept. The Ginga train is a specially modified 6-car 117-series electric train that was manufactured before JR companies were privatized, and it is painted in a beautiful lapis lazuli blue. Car No. 1 is equipped with Green Car reserved seats, and Cars No. 2, 3 and 5 have normal reserved seats that include couchettes, reclining seats and family cabins. Car No. 6 has Green Car private rooms, and Car No. 4 consists entirely of free space. Passengers can choose their preferred seat for a long, comfortable Ginga operates on three main routes depending on the season in the Sanyo, Sanin and Kinan (Wakayama) regions. This year, the Sanyo route runs between Kyoto and Shimonoseki stations until Aug. 9, and the Kinan route between Kyoto and Shingu stations in Wakayama Prefecture from Aug. 25 to Oct. 29. One of the highlights of the West Express Ginga is its hospitality, which rivals that of package tour Sanyo route Ginga departs Kyoto at 9:15 p.m., heading west along the Tokaido and Sanyo lines as night falls. The train arrives at Himeji Station at 11:48 p.m. on Fridays only, and departs again at 12:42 a.m., giving passengers time to enjoy Himeji's famous soba noodles known as 'Maneki no Ekisoba' on the platform. The Seto Inland Sea glistens as the sun rises the next morning. The train stops for about 18 minutes at Yanai Station, where passengers can buy taimeshi, sea bream rice which is a local specialty in ekiben boxed meals, from a vendor on the information about the Yamaguchi cities of Yanai, Yamaguchi, Ube, Hagi, Iwakuni and Hofu is available in the train, and on specific days, local specialties are sold on board between Iwakuni and Shin-Shimonoseki stations. The eastbound train departs Shimonoseki at 7:43 p.m. There are no long stops, but the onboard service is excellent. Local specialties from Shimonoseki, Hofu, Shunan, Yamaguchi and Iwakuni cities are sold onboard on specific days. Passengers can also enjoy local sake, beer and other alcoholic beverages as one of the perks of the journey. Why not enjoy every part of the Sanyo Route while making the Ginga trip full of the excitement of an overnight train ride? West Express Ginga Sanyo RouteThe train runs on Mondays and Fridays from Kyoto to Shimonoseki, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Shimonoseki to Kyoto until Aug. 9, except for some dates. One-way fare is ¥12,950 for reclining seats or couchettes. Tickets are available through JR West's online reservation system and at JR ticket offices. ***Japan Tourism is presented in collaboration with Ryoko Yomiuri Publication, which publishes Ryoko Yomiuri, a monthly travel magazine. If you are interested in the original Japanese version of this story, click here.
Asahi Shimbun
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Asahi Shimbun
JR East pitches overnight service to Aomori from Tokyo in 2027
An artist's rendition of the first car of East Japan Railway Co.'s new overnight train, painted blue in tribute to classic sleeper 'Blue Trains' of the past (Provided by East Japan Railway Co.) East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) announced plans for a new overnight express train connecting Tokyo with the northeastern Tohoku region in spring 2027. The 10-car E657 series train currently operated on the JR Joban Line as the Hitachi express will be remodeled for the overnight service. The train will depart from Tokyo Station around 9 p.m. and arrive at Aomori Station about 12 hours later. With a capacity for 120 passengers, the service will feature reservation-only Green Car seats. Spaciously designed, cars No. 1 and 10 will feature one-person and two-person Premium Green Car compartments. Standard Green Car compartments will carry up to four passengers with fold-out flat beds. Passengers in other compartments will be able to recline their seats when they want to sleep. Car No. 5 will function as a lounge with vending machines for drinks and snacks. Pricing details have yet to be announced. However, fares for the Premium Green Car and Green Car compartments will be equivalent to those of upper-class Grand Class and standard Green Car seats on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line, respectively, JR East said. The exterior of the sleeper train will be painted bright blue in a nod to the classic long-distance sleeper express trains of the past that were nicknamed 'Blue Trains.'
Japan Today
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Japan Today
Japan's bullet train upholstery chairs bring shinkansen style to your living room
By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24 Yes, the shinkansen is very, very fast. That's why they call it the 'bullet train,' after all. It's not just the speed that makes the shinkansen a joy to be on, though, but also the relaxing atmosphere, the smoothness of the ride, the soothing tones of the 'Welcome to the shinkansen' audio announcement, and the soft seats. Now Japanese furniture maker Emoor is offering the relaxing comfort of a shinkansen ride even if you're not going anywhere, with a pair of chairs inspired by those found on the high-speed trains. Specifically, these chairs take their inspiration from the chairs onboard JR East's E7-type carriages on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, which connects Tokyo and Kanazawa. Both use the same upholstery as the shinkansen's actual seats, with the red-and-gray pattern matching the material used in the standard-class cars and the blue fabric identical to that of the first-class Green Car seats. ▼ They also both feature those classy little headrest cover cloths. The frames aren't exact copies of the shinkansen seats, however. Instead the red chair is based on Emoor's 'Leon' chair model, and the blue on the company's 'Kanata' design. So while you're getting the authentic Shinkansen experience in terms of fabric feel and aesthetics, you also get an expanded range of reclining, height, and headrest angle options. ▼ Fittingly, the Green Car-inspired chair has more height adjustment options than the normal-class one. This is actually Emoor's second batch of Shinkansen-style chairs, as the original stock sold out. As of May 20, though, orders are once again open through JR East's JRE Mall online store here and the official Emoor e-store here, with the regular-class chair priced at 65,000 yen and the Green Car version 70,000 yen, with shipping slated for late July. Source, images: PR Times Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Shinkansen bullet trains adding semi-private booths on most popular travel route【Pics】 -- JR East announces awesomely cheap one-day all-you can ride pass, Shinkansen included -- What's the rule for where to put strollers on Japan's Shinkansen bullet trains? External Link © SoraNews24
SoraNews24
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- SoraNews24
Japan's bullet train-upholstery chairs bring Shinkansen style to your living room【Photos】
JR East Shinkansen-style seats are great even if they're not going anywhere. Yes, the Shinkansen is very, very fast. That's why they call it the 'bullet train,' after all. It's not just the speed that makes the Shinkansen a joy to be on, though, but also the relaxing atmosphere, the smoothness of the ride, the soothing tones of the 'Welcome to the Shinkansen' audio announcement, and the soft seats. Now Japanese furniture maker Emoor is offering the relaxing comfort of a Shinkansen ride even if you're not going anywhere, with a pair of chairs inspired by those found on the high-speed trains. Specifically, these chairs take their inspiration from the chairs onboard JR East's E7-type carriages on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, which connects Tokyo and Kanazawa. Both use the same upholstery as the Shinkansen's actual seats, with the red-and-gray pattern matching the material used in the standard-class cars and the blue fabric identical to that of the first-class Green Car seats. ▼ They also both feature those classy little headrest cover cloths. The frames aren't exact copies of the Shinkansen seats, however. Instead the red chair is based on Emoor's 'Leon' chair model, and the blue on the company's 'Kanata' design. So while you're getting the authentic Shinkansen experience in terms of fabric feel and aesthetics, you also get an expanded range of reclining, height, and headrest angle options. ▼ Fittingly, the Green Car-inspired chair has more height adjustment options than the normal-class one. This is actually Emoor's second batch of Shinkansen-style chairs, as the original stock sold out. As of May 20, though, orders are once again open through JR East's JRE Mall online store here and the official Emoor e-store here, with the regular-class chair priced at 65,000 yen (US$448) and the Green Car version 70,000 yen, with shipping slated for late July. Source, images: PR Times ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
