Scenic Railway (Trolley, etc.) Spots in Japan

Area

Japan
- Japan
- Hokkaido / Tohoku
  
  Hokkaido
  
  Aomori
  
  Iwate
  
  Miyagi
  
  Akita
  
  Yamagata
  
  Fukushima
- Kanto
  
  Ibaraki
  
  Tochigi
  
  Gunma
  
  Saitama
  
  Chiba
  
  Tokyo
  
  Kanagawa
- Koshinetsu / Hokuriku
  
  Niigata
  
  Toyama
  
  Ishikawa
  
  Fukui
  
  Yamanashi
  
  Nagano
- Tokai
  
  Gifu
  
  Shizuoka
  
  Aichi
  
  Mie
- Kinki
  
  Shiga
  
  Kyoto
  
  Osaka
  
  Hyogo
  
  Nara
  
  Wakayama
- Chugoku
  
  Tottori
  
  Shimane
  
  Okayama
  
  Hiroshima
  
  Yamaguchi
- Shikoku
  
  Tokushima
  
  Kagawa
  
  Ehime
  
  Kochi
- Kyushu / Okinawa
  
  Fukuoka
  
  Saga
  
  Nagasaki
  
  Kumamoto
  
  Oita
  
  Miyazaki
  
  Kagoshima
  
  Okinawa

Category

Travel / Tourism

Experience / Training / Vehicle

Botchan Train

4.0

795 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Matsuyama-shi Ehime Prefecture

Based on the steam locomotive that ran for 67 years since the opening of Iyotetsu Railway, this diesel engine train was restored in October of 2001. It is often called the “Botchan train”, as one of the characters in Natsume Soseki’s famous novel “Botchan” rode the old steam locomotives. You can board at the following stops: Dogo Onsen, Okaido, Matsuyama City Station, JR Matsuyama Station, Komachi Station.

Harder to miss than to see and outside the station. Everyone seems to love it. A cool little number.
Ichibata Electric Railway Co., Ltd

4.0

136 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Shimane Pref. Izumoshi Hiratachou 2226

This is a railway along the banks of Lake Shinji that plays an essential role as a lifestyle route for local people by connecting Matsue, Hirata, Izumo and Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine. It also plays a role as a railway carrying pilgrims going to worship to Izumo Grand Taisha Shrine and Ichibata Yakushi Temple. Train cars with local character exterior wraps are becoming popular with tourists as a train of good fortune.

The Ichibata Railway departing from from Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station offers direct trains to Izumo Taisha Mae station close to Izumo Taisha Shrine. Since Matsue Shinjiko Onsen station is the...
Tsugaru Railway

4.5

121 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Aomori Goshogawara-shi Omachi 39

This scenic railway in Okutsugaru is famous for its stove trains. The section from Goshogawara to Kanagi opened in 1930, and the entire line (20.7 kilometers) opened in November of the same year. Then, stove trains began running that December in the winter. The stove trains are in operation from December 1st to March 31st. During other periods, there are also wind chime and bell cricket trains.

My husband and I got a short railroad ride between Tsugaru Goshogawara and Kanagi after visiting Shayokan where Dazai Osamu used to live. It was a freezing snowy day, the trains looked totally...
Isumi Railway

4.0

68 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Chiba Pref. Isumigunotakimachi Otaki 264

The local line which opened in 1899 and then opened in 1988 as the Isumi Railroad, formerly the JR Kihara Line, is a line on the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture linking to Otaki-machi, Isumi City. The line extends for approximately 27 kilometers from Kazusa-Nakano to Ohara. Popular with people travelling on the train, lunch boxes can be booked up to 13:00, two days in advance for Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The KiHa gourmet train and restaurant are also popular.

すごい観光客がたくさん乗っていてびっくり！！少し時期がずれてしまい、残念でしたがいつもなら菜の花の景色がすごいのでしょうねー！
Akita Nairiku Juukan Railway

4.5

84 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Akita Kita-akita-shi Ani Ginzan Shimoshinmachi 41-1

Didnt actually travel the railway. We were just driving by and saw the railway bridge and stopped to get some photos. While there, we were lucky that the train passed by. So here are some photos of...
Kitakyushu Bank Retro-line “Shiokaze-go”

4.0

91 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Fukuoka Pref. Kitakyushushimojiku Nishikaigan 1-7-1

The Kitakyushu Bank Retro Line “Shiokaze” runs from the Kyushu Railway History Museum to the Kanmon Straits Mekari, and travels four stations in around 15 minutes. A blue retro railcar with two engines and two passenger cars, one can travel easily back and forth between the Mojiko retro area and Mekari area. It takes two minutes to walk from JR Mojiko Station to the Kyushu Railway History Museum Station.

Takes you right to the top to Mekari area. Views are great and the underground tunnel (under the water) is about a 10 minute walk away.
Sagano Romantic Train

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto prefecture Kameoka city

This tourist railway uses the old JR Sanin Line which was left unused after a new line was built for the JR trains. It travels at an average speed of around 25km per hour. The 7.3 km trip passes through the picturesque Hozugawa River valley and takes approximately 25 minutes. The train slows for the especially beautiful spots allowing the passengers to take their time enjoying the view. The train interior is decorated in a colorful art deco style with wood seats and uncovered lightbulbs, giving it a retro feel. If you board the windowless open carriage The Rich you can feel the wind, light, and sounds dance across your skin. During the cold seasons a coal burning stove is installed allowing you to enjoy your trip in comfort.
Hakone Jukkokutoge Cable Car

4.0

43 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Shizuoka Pref. Tagatagunkannamichou Kuwahara 1400-20

This cable-car line in Kannami-cho, Tagata County, Shizuoka Prefecture is operated by the Izuhakone Railway and connects Jukkoku Noboriguchi Station and Jukkoku Touge Station. The cable cars run every 15-minutes and the trip takes three-minutes. There's a free dog park at the top of the mountain so you can ride the cable-car with your favorite pet pooch.

You can easily do a round trip of the national park with this a pleasant part of the trip. Benefits are weather dependant and that is a big if! However even in teaming rain we were able to see the...
Mooka Railway

4.0

59 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Mokashi Daimachi 2474-1

This tourist railway operates in Moka City, Tochigi Prefecture. Running mainly on weekends and holidays there are two steam locomotives that run year-round. Due to the cotton production that follows the rail-line it has been given the nickname Cotton-Way. The steam locomotives run from Tochigi's easternmost station, Motegi Station in Motegi Town, Haga County down to Shimodate Station in Chikusei City, Ibaraki Prefecture.

It feels so good enjoying the view of railway and it was interesting that the train has strawberrys advertisement, you can also appreciate a really nice railway view from Japan
Hakone Tozan Cable Car

3.5

52 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kanagawa prefecture Ashigarashimo-gun Hakone cho

Located in Hakone Town, Ashigarashimo County, Kanagawa Prefecture and running between Gora Station and Sounzan Station is Hakone Tozan Cable Car, the oldest cable car in the Kanto region. Departing every 15 minutes, the cable cars take approximately 10 minutes to cover the 214 meter height passing six stations. You can find lots of sights such as Hakone Gora Park and hot spring resorts along the cable car route. Information about the sights is also broadcast in the cable cars. Looking out through the large windows the Gora cityscape gets better and better as the car climbs up the hill from where you can enjoy in full the four seasons of Hakone. The last stop at Sounzan Station is where you can change for the Hakone Ropeway.

This is the most convenient way to get from Gora Station up the mountain. There are 4 convenient stops along the way to Sounzan Station where the Ropeway starta.
Linimo

3.5

61 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Aichi Nagakute-shi Ibaragabasama 1533-736

Maglev train line of the Aichi Rapid Transit runs the 8.9 kilometer from Fujigaoka Station in Meito-ku, Nagoya City to Yakusa Station in Toyota City in about 17 minutes. It was the first commercially available (normal magnetizing) magnetic levitation train system in Japan. Along the way is Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park (Morikoro Park, used for 2005's Japan World Expo (Aichi Earth Expo) ). Other facilities along the route include a university, library, museum, shopping mall and more.

Aichi University of Fine Arts and Music communication Ave. station building, simple and functional, useless thing is not at all, including around the station. I get impression that the number of...
Steam Locomotive Yamaguchi

4.5

34 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Yamaguchi ken Yamaguchi city Oguri

Steam Locomotive Yamaguchi (Yamaguchi-go) is a steam locomotive that runs the 62.9 kilometer trip from Shin Yamaguchi Station to Tsuwano Station in about two hours. The sight of the powerful locomotive running with its whistle blowing and puffing smoke is impressive. The locomotive is elegant with the nickname “lady”, and each carriage has been tastefully decorated in Western and Taisho-styles. Reservations are required.

Having been fascinated by the lure of steam locomotives since my childhood in the 1950s/1960s, I eagerly awaited the highlight of my short trip to Japan .... an excursion on the retro steam train...
Odakyu Limited Express “Romancecar” Hakone Line

Travel / Tourism

Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (Shinjuku Station) - Hakone-machi Ashigami-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture (Hakone Yumoto Station)

This is the limited express train operated by Odakyu Electric Railway linking Shinjuku and Odawara/Hakone-Yumoto. It also operates on the route between Kita Senju and Odawara/Hakone-Yumoto. The Romancecars also operate between Shinjuku and Gotenba/Katase-Enoshima. It began as a “weekend hot spring express” from Shinjuku to Odawara in 1935, and the name of “Romancecar” spread by the introduction of limited express special cars in themed-1940s, and the name is still synonymous with Odakyu Electric Railway today.
Steam Locomotive Taiju / Steam Locomotive Taiju Futara

4.5

29 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Nikko-shi

"A steam locomotive running from Shimo-Imaichi Station to Kinugawa Onsen Station on the Tobu Railway. It traverses the 12.4-kilometer route in about 35 minutes. The C11-207 is a steam engine built by Hitachi's Kasado factory in 1941. It's called ""Kani-me"" because the two headlights in the front are thought to look just like a crab's eyes (such trains usually have one headlight). Though it was scrapped for a time after that, it was brought back into service in foggy Hokkaido starting in 2000. The rooms resemble as closely as possible the time when they were newly made and have a nostalgic feel of the Showa period. You can also see the railway turntables that were essential for steam engines at Shimo-Imaichi Station yard and the square in front of Kinugawa Onsen Station."

・SL大樹下今市⇒鬼怒川温泉（760円...
Akechi Tetsudo

4.0

30 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Gifu Ena-shi Akechicho 469-4

A local train line running 25.1-kilometer from Ena Station on the Chuo Main Line to the end point at Akechi Station. You can take in the tranquil rural scenery from the train window as it winds its way south through the highland area of Higashi-Mino. The area along the way is full of highlights including Iwamura Castle's town, Hanashiro Onsen with its elegant kaiseki cuisine featuring agar vegetable gelatin, and Taisho Village with all the ambiance of that bygone era. The Taisho Roman-go is an express train with a dining car that lets you enjoy seasonal Ena cuisine made with local ingredients, including mushroom dishes and courses featuring agar, a Yamaoka specialty.

恵那駅から明智駅まで約50分なので、ちょうど手ごろな鉄道旅。特に何かある様な路線ではありませんが、田舎の中を行く風景は雑念を忘れさせてくれます。行きはほとんど登りで、ディーゼルカーが可哀そうなくらい必死で登っていく様子がよくわかります。一方帰りはその反対なので、ほとんど惰力で走っています。途中の飯沼駅にはまだ『勾配日本一』の看板がありますが、かなり前に京阪京津線の大谷駅に抜かされている筈なの...
Kurobe Gorge – Electric Trolley

Travel / Tourism

Toyama Pref. Kurobeshi Kurobekyoukokuguchi 11

The Kurobe Gorge electric trolley is a train running through the Kurobe Dam—selected as one of Japan’s Top 3 Gorges and Top 100 Hidden Locales—that lets you fully enjoy Kurobe Gorge according to your schedule and goals. There are three different passenger trains which draw your attention to sites along the way with announcements. They run from mid-April to November 30. Approximately 20 minutes by car via Kurobe Interchange on the Kan-Etsu/Joshin-Etsu/Hokuriku Expressway.
Rokko Cable Car

Travel / Tourism

Hyougo Pref. Koubeshi Nada-ku Takaha Nishiyama 8-2 Rokko Cable Station

This motorized cable car whisks you from the base to the summit of Mt. Rokko in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. To reach it, you can get a Kobe City bus from either Hanshin Mikage Station or JR Rokkomichi Station to Rokko Cable Shita Station and board the cable car from there. Their red and green Car 1 features natural wood flooring and seating, and the glass ceiling lets you take in Rokko's natural environment. Their Car 2 was fashioned after the old Hanshin Electric Railway? number 1 series and Kobe City Tramway. It's carpeting and thick moquette fabric seating provides a settled atmosphere.
DEN-EN Symphony Happiness Train

4.5

14 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Hitoyoshi City Kumamoto Prefecture Hitoyoshi Onsen Station-Yumae Station

This luxury sightseeing train running from Hitoyoshi Onsen Station to Yumae Station offers a relaxing ride while taking in the scenery of the Kuma region. Operated by the Kumagawa Railway, the colorful seats and other aspects of the interior have seasonal designs. The train slows down while passing sights along the way. Their Hospitality Corps provides services to passengers at the stations the train stops at.

終点の湯前まで乗った普通列車が田園シンフォニーでした。観光列車だと思ってたので人吉温泉駅では乗ってイイのかなと思った位に素敵な車内でした。時期的に空いていて、車窓も桜が咲いていて、天気も良く風景も満喫出来とても良かったです。
Okunoto Trolley Train Notoro

4.0

15 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ishikawa Pref. Housugunnotochou Koiji

A trolley train which follows Koiji Beach in Noto Town. The trolley revives a 300 meter abandoned stretch of track once used by the Noto Railway, traveling from the remodeled Koiji Station to Sogen Tunnel. The pedal-powered trolley seats up to eight people. The trolley also uses the aid of an electric motor, ensuring riders can proceed at a relaxing pace while enjoying the surrounding scenery. A sake storehouse has been built into the Sogen Tunnel, making use of the fixed temperature it maintains naturally year round.

道路沿いのおばさんに案内され訪れました。妻と二人でふうふう言いながら漕ぎました。景色も抜群で風を感じられる瞬間でした。
Orange Restaurant Express

4.5

5 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kumamoto Pref. Yatsushiroshi Shin-Yatsushiro Station - Sendai Station

Enjoy a meal while rolling down the tracks on this dining train run by the Hisatsu Orange Railway. They serve a variety of fare depending on which train you take, including baked goods and coffee for breakfast, lunch with authentic French cuisine, and delicious dinners you can enjoy while taking in the sunset.

かつての鹿児島本線を走る肥薩おれんじ鉄道。新八代から川内の間をゆっくりと景色を眺めながらスペシャルランチをいただきます。車内に調理設備は無くて途中駅で料理を積み込む方式でしたが、冷めきっているようなこともなく美味しく頂けました。コロナ対策で乗客数を絞っていることもあり、車内にはゆとりが生まれており目の前に広がる風景を堪能でき、スタッフの手厚いサービスも受けられて大満足です。その分チケット確保は...