We carry dreams too! A brisk introduction to steam locomotives that can still be ridden today

photo by YamaguchiCity

Trips where you whoosh and fly away to a destination are great, but if you have the time, we recommend trips by trains. When you’re watching the ever-changing view from a train window on a relaxing trip, you’re sure to experience a little bit of luxury. This time is an introduction to active service steam locomotives. You get to, Look! Get on! Take photos! and do what you enjoy to the fullest!

Hokkaido Steam Locomotive Fuyu no Shitsugen Gou

Every year from the beginning of January to the end of March, ‘Steam Locomotive Fuyu no Shitsugen Gou’ runs through Hokkaido’s silver world. While running, it is normal for cranes or eagles, as well as Ezo deer to boldly cross the train tracks. At those times, the Steam Locomotives will slam on the emergency brakes but don’t be alarmed.

Times of operation: Early January ~ Early March
Areas of operation: Kushiro Station ~ Shibecha/ Kawayu Onsen Station
Fare: Regular fare + reserved seat fare adults 820 yen children 410 yen
Questions: JR Hokkaido
Notes: Runs irregularly so be sure to check the website

Iwate Prefecture Steam Locomotive Ginga

This steam locomotive runs on Iwate Prefecture’s Kamaishi Line, which was the setting for ‘Night on the Galactic Railroad’, a fairytale by Miyazawa Kenji, one of Japan’s representative authors. Actually, after 2004 it was not running because of some issues. But! 8 years later, it made it’s comeback as part of the restoration efforts from the 2012 Great East Japan Earthquake. Currently, it runs roundtrips happily between Hanamaki Station and Kamaishi Station (Time it takes: approximately 4 hours 20 mins), once a week.

Times of operation: Every week
Areas of operation: Hanamaki Station ~ Kamaishi Station
Fare: Regular fare + reserved seat fare adults 820 yen children 410 yen
Questions: JR Higashinihon
Notes: Runs just 1-2 roundtrips per week. Runs irregularly so be sure to check the website.

Niigata Prefecture Steam Locomotive Banetsu Monogatari Gou

Born in 1946, the ‘Steam Locomotive Banetsu Monogatari Gou’ is a very popular seasonal regular train with a retro interior. In 2014, the first car was remodeled as a play space for children and an observation room for adults, changing the train into one that everyone in the family can enjoy.

Times of operation: April ~ November
Areas of operation: Niigata Station ~ Aizu Wakamatsu Station
Fare: Regular fare + reserved seat fare adult 520 yen children 260 yen
Questions: JR Higashi Nihon JR Higashi Nihon Niigata Branch
Notes: Runs 1 roundtrip per day on basically weekends and holidays. Runs irregularly so be sure to check the website.

Gunma Prefecture Steam Locomotive Minakami Gou

Being strong and of high quality, the D51 (known as Degoichi) is the most made locomotive in Japan. Degoichi, during only a specific time of the year, turns into ‘Steam Locomotive Minakami Gou’ running very happily. Degoichi was originally made to lead freight trains. His display of power when he runs up the hills with smoke bellowing out has and always will deeply move us.

Times of operation: Weekends and holidays of summer/autumn leaves season:
Areas of operation: Takasaki Station ~ Minakami Station
Fare: Regular fare + reserved seat fare 510 yen
Questions: JR Higashi Nihon Takasaki Branch
Notes: Runs only 1-2 roundtrips per day. Runs irregularly so be sure to check the website.

Tochigi Prefecture Steam Locomotive Mooka Gou

The two that run as the lead locomotives of the ‘Steam Locomotive Mooka Gou’ are the C12 born in 1933 and C11 born in 1946. In cold weather, it heats the interior with a now rare steam heater, making it an invaluable asset.

Times of operation: Weekends and holidays
Areas of operation: Shimodate Station ~ Motegi Station
Fare: Regular fare + SL numbered ticket adults 500 yen children 250 yen
Questions: Mooka Railway
Notes: Runs only 1 roundtrip per day. Runs irregularly so be sure to check the website.

Saitama Prefecture Paleo Express

The one that runs from Saitama Prefecture’s Kumagaya Station to Oku Chichibu, Mitsumineguchi is the ‘Steam Locomotive Paleo Express’. That ??? name comes from Paleoparadoxia, a sea animal found in that region. This express Steam Locomotive is so not.. It runs extremely slowly. It doesn’t mind being overtaken by regular trains at stations that it stops at on the way. For railway photographer enthusiasts, this is a happy opportunity for them that they didn’t even wish for. They can run after the train and then go before it to take a picture, at least 3 times.

Times of operation: Weekends and holidays
Running areas: Kumagaya Station ~ Mitsumineguchi Station
Fare: Regular fare + SL reserved seat ticket 720 yen/ SL numbered ticket 510 yen
Questions: Chichibu Railway
Notes: Runs only 1 roundtrip per day. Runs irregularly so be sure to check the website.

Shizuoka Prefecture Steam Locomotive Kawane-ji Gou

Oigawa Railways is famous for the real Thomas, but normal Steam locomotives run there as well. The steam locomotive that are currently running are the ones that were active during the Second World War. Therefore there is no air conditioning inside the cars and the doors are manual, but that gives it a little more flavor.

Times of operation: Everyday
Areas of operation: Shin-Kanaya Station ~ Senzu Station
Fare: Train ticket adults 1720 yen children 860 yen + SL express fare ticket adults 800 yen children 400 yen
Questions: Oigawa Railways

Shiga Prefecture Steam Locomotive Kita Biwako Gou

Like the name suggests, the ‘Steam Locomotive Kita Biwako Gou’ runs north of Lake Biwa. It will already be 20 years since it opened in 1995. It only runs a few times a year, but depending on the time it runs, the cute name plate changes. By all means, check it out.

Times of operation: Irregular
Areas of operation: Maibara Station ~ Kinomoto Station
Fare: Train ticket fare + reserved seat ticket adults 520 yen children 260 yen
Questions: JR Odekake Net
Notes: Runs irregularly so be sure to check beforehand.

Yamaguchi Prefecture Steam Locomotive Yamaguchi Gou

Reluctantly, all steam locomotives disappeared from Japan in the 1970s. Answering to the many steam locomotive fans was the ‘Steam Locomotive Yamaguchi Gou’ when it made a comeback in 1979. It takes its time and runs the 62.9km from ‘Shin-Yamaguchi Station’ to Sanin’s little Kyoto, ‘Tsuwano Station’, in about 2 hours. The ‘Steam Locomotive Yamaguchi Gou’ is known by the nickname of the Ladyship. The highly styled retro interior is very befitting to the name, with a space that’s notable and full of luxury. There are five types of passenger cars which include the Showa, Taisho or Meiji styles, so you surely won’t lose interest no matter how many times you board.

Times of operation: Weekends and holidays in early March ~ Late November
Areas of operation: Shin-Yamaguchi Station ~ Tsuwano Station
Fare: Regular train fare (depends on area traveled)
Questions: SL Yamaguchi Gou
Notes: Runs only 1 roundtrip per day

Kumamoto Prefecture Steam Locomotive Hitoyoshi Gou

Running next to one of Japan’s three most rapid rivers, Kuma River in Kumamoto prefecture, is ‘Steam Locomotive Hitoyoshi Gou’. At the end of the line at Hitoyoshi Station, you can meet a now-rare standing Ekiben (train bento lunch) seller. Be sure to have a fill of the region’s specialty of ‘chestnut rice’.

Times of operation: Weekends and holidays in late March ~ Late November
Areas of operation: Kumamoto Station ~ Hitoyoshi Station
Fare: Train ticket adults 1820 yen children 910 yen + reserved seat ticket adults 820 yen children 410 yen
Questions: JR Kyushu
Notes: Runs only one roundtrip per day. Runs irregularly so be sure to check the website.

To enjoy the Steam Locomotives For people who will be taking pictures

Following the rules is what is expected of us as adults. There are people who apparently, to take a photo, go into the tracks or the railroad crossing or get close to the train. These actions, most certainly make people on the train uncomfortable and not only that, is very dangerous for the photographers as well. Also, even though it is for the soul reason of taking pictures, it is prohibited to go into private land or illegally park. Be sure to follow the rules so that everyone can appreciate the running of the steam locomotives .