How about taking a small step outside of the Tokyo area and riding on some tourism trains? In this article, we're going to be introducing another 5 of our must-ride tourism trains!
※To help in the prevention of the spread of COVID-19, certain trains within this article may have schedules different from those stated within this article. For accurate information, please ensure to check each train line's official homepage.
1. The Start of Your Journey to Nikkō - Iroha (Japan Railways Group)
This is a tourist train that connects Utsunomiya Station and Nikkō Station. It has been created in the image of Nikkō's popular sightseeing spot "Irohazaka", and has the name "Iroha" which means the "Beginning of Everything" in Japanese.
The seats are a dark red that makes you think of fall, and the day lily, a representative symbol of Nikkō is used in various places across the design of the train. The wood flooring and straps bring about an atmosphere of elegance within the train. There are multiple brochures available on the train available in multiple languages to be accessible to foreign visitors, as well as a large luggage space to place any items you may need to bring with you.
Information
- Route：Utsnomiya－Nikkō
- Time：One-way Approx. 40～50 mins
- Schedule：All-year-round almost every day (Does have holidays) 4 Round-trips from Kanuma + 5 Round-trips from Nikkō per day
- Fee：Adult 770 JPY / Children Half Price
2. Experience the History of Japan's Railway SL Gunma Minakami / SL Gunma Yokokawa（Japan Railways Group）
This tourist train is an ever-popular steam train. It runs for 2 hours over a distance of 59km from Takasaki Station to Minakami Station. Once aboard the sheer impressiveness and strength of this train will overcome you. From the window of the train, you're able to look out onto beautiful scenery such as Mount Tanigawa and the Tone River. The seats within the train are a boxcar type which gives off a nostalgic atmosphere during your journey.
Information
- Route：Takasaki - Minakami / Takasaki - Yokokawa
- Time：Takasaki - Minakami Approx. 2 hours / Takasaki - Yokokawa Approx. 1 hour
- Schedule：All-year-round Sat/Sun/Public Holidays 1 round-trip per day
- Fee：One-way Adult SL Gunma Minakami: 990 + Seat Reservation 530 JPY / SL Gunma Yokokawa 510 + Seat Reservation 530 JPY
3. Take a Small Trip to Izu on this Moving Hotel - Saphir Odoriko
This is a premium first-class tourist train that connects Tokyo and Izu. There are 3 different types of first-class cars to choose from, and you're able to enjoy the beautiful view outside of the window whilst eating delicious foods such as noodle dishes from the on-train cafeteria. *Due to COVID-19, the on-train cafeteria has suspended service from 1/16 until further notice.
Once you pass Odawara, you'll be able to see the beautiful ocean out of your window, and on clear days you're even able to see Mt. Fuji as well as Ōshima Island.
Information
- Route：Tokyo - Izu
- Time：One-way Approx. 1 hour 35 mins
- Fee：Adult One-way from 6,270 JPY
- Schedule：All-year-round Everyday
Information
- Route：Tokyo—Izukyū-Shimoda
- Time：Tokyo—Izukyū-Shimoda Approx. 2 hours 30 mins
- Fee：Adult One-way from 9,110 JPY
- Schedule：All-year-round Everyday
4. A Nostalgic Journey on a Heritage Railway Train - Watarase Keikoku
This is an open-type train with no glass in the windows. You're able to feel the wind on your skin and experience all of the sights and smells of the 4 seasons. We think the best season to visit is during fall. (Glass will be placed in the windows during the winter months)
There are 2 different trains running on the Watarase Keikoku Railway Watarase Keikoku Line, the first is the "Watarase Keikoku" and the second is the "Wasshi".
On the Watarase Keikoku, when going through a tunnel, the ceiling of the train will be lit up in beautiful illuminations which use over 12,000 LED lights creating a romantic atmosphere.
Information
- Route：Watarase Keikoku Omama - Ashio
- Time：One-way Approx. 1 hour 30 mins 1 round-trip per day
- Schedule：All-year-round mainly on Sat/Sun/Public Holidays (Please check the official homepage for Oct/Nov)
- Fee：Adult Ticket 1,130 + Boarding Pass 520 JPY
5. A Travelling Restaurant on the Seibu Line - "Gojūni seki no shifuku"
This is a train that runs from Ikebukuro Seibu Shinjuku Station to Seibu Chichibu Station in approximately 2 hours 30 minutes - 3 hours. It offers multi-course meals that rival that of first-class restaurants during your journey, and is known as the "travelling restaurant". The interior of the train is created in the image of the valleys you will find in Chichibu, the journey's final station. It also uses some materials from local places along the train line. You're able to feel the effort and knowledge the creator had within the appearance, interior, food, and music that is used during this journey. This is the perfect tourist train to create some amazing memories during your trip to Japan.
Brunch Course
- Route：
- Ikebukuro 10:53→Seibu Chichibu 13:58
- Seibu Shinjuku 10:47→Seibu Chichibu 13:58
- Time：Each course takes approximately 2 hours 30 mins - 3 hours
- Fee：10,000 JPY（Tax inc.）for both adults and children
- ※Items included in the fee：Train ticket (Travel Guide) / Seibu Line 1-day Free Ride Pass / Meals + Tax
- ※Drinks are NOT included in the price and must be purchased separately.
- Minimum number of passengers: 20
Dinner Course
Route ：
Seibu Chichibu 17:42→ Ikebukuro 20:04
- Seibu Chichibu 17:42 → Seibu Shinjuku 20:02
- Time： Each course takes approximately 2 hours 30 mins
- Fee：15,000 JPY（Tax inc.）for both adults and children
- ※Items included in the fee：Train ticket (Travel Guide) / Seibu Line 1-day Free Ride Pass / Meals / Souvenir + Tax
- ※Drinks are NOT included in the price and must be purchased separately.
- Minimum number of passengers: 20
Brunch + Dinner Schedule：Mainly runs on Sat/Sun/Public Holidays totalling around 100 days per year. Days with shortened operations may occur.
※To help in the prevention of the spread of COVID-19, certain trains within this article may have schedules different from those stated within this article. For accurate information, please ensure to check each train line's official homepage.
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