Japan's first railway line opened 150 years ago, in 1872. We’ve decided it’s time to pay tribute to our favourite Japanese railway journeys, from the cat-themed train that rumbles between remote rural villages in woody Wakayama Prefecture to the lightning-fast bullet trains which speed between the country’s cities. But a word of warning – your next commute is going to pale by comparison…
This is one of several forest railways once used to transport timber through mountainous Kiso, most of which were retired by the 1970s. Its fate changed tack in 1985, when cypress timber from the region was needed to rebuild Japan’s famous Ise Grand Shrine. Television programmes about the Shinto tree-felling ceremonies touched on the story of the railway, and it was soon back in service due to popular demand. Today, visitors can head to Kiso between spring and autumn to ride the narrow gauge railway, which passes through 300-year-old cypress forests.
This flower-powered railway turns 100 in 2023. Several of the trains that chug along the 18-mile (30km) route have been given floral makeovers inspired by the landscape the trains pass through, whether it’s the fields of dahlias, lilies, roses and safflowers or the clusters of cherry blossoms which appear in spring. The trains connect Akayu Station in Koriyama with Shirataka Town in Nishiokitama District, and pause at 17 stops along the way.
There’s something wonderfully refreshing about these old trains, which operate on three passenger lines in and around the city of Takamatsu. The retro carriages have been donated by railways which have ceased operations, and they’re lovingly maintained by a team of dedicated engineers. Keep an eye out for limited-edition paint jobs – the most recent of which was a blue and yellow makeover paying tribute to Ukrainian train drivers who transported refugees out of the war-torn country.
These snub-nosed speed machines whisk passengers from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori at the northern tip of Honshu. The route is Japan’s longest shinkansen (bullet train), taking three hours to cover 419 miles (675km). Ditch the onboard nap if you bag a seat on this train, as it’s wall-to-wall gorgeousness. The prettiest bits include the forest-fringed Lake Towada, which straddles the border between the Akita and Aomori Prefectures, as well as the towering silhouette of stratovolcano Mount Iwate and the riverside samurai city of Sendai.
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This Pacific Ocean train runs along the Hachinohe Line, connecting Aomori Prefecture with Iwate Prefecture. However, it's not the views the Emotion train is best known for: it's the culinary offerings. For starters, you're offered a glass of local sparkling apple juice when you board. In the restaurant-like carriages, work through menus which pay homage to the region’s produce, whether it’s grilled pork with fragrant wild rice or Sakura (cherry blossom)-flavoured desserts. Bag a seat in car number two if you can – this is where you’ll find the train’s open kitchen.
Regarded as one of Japan’s most scenic railways, the Tadami Line carries passengers across Aizu, the westernmost region of Fukushima Prefecture. This 84-mile (135km) railway is packed with spectacular landmarks, including Tsurugajo Castle, a 1384-built fortress destroyed during the 1868 Boshin War then rebuilt in the 1960s. There’s also Enzoji temple, a serene trackside masterpiece that's over 1,300 years old, and of course, the Tadami River.
For some old-school fun, it’s hard to beat a ride on the cat-themed trains that depart from the Wakayama Electric Railway’s Kishi Station, where a calico cat known as Tama was appointed stationmaster in 2007. The station was subsequently given a feline-themed makeover (complete with a cat-shaped roof). Tama chugged off to the train station in the sky in 2015, but today, she’s got her very own shrine on the station platform, and several of the railway’s trains were given cat-themed paint jobs in her memory.
You’ll struggle to find a more luxurious train than the Seven Stars in Kyushu. Japan’s version of the Orient Express weaves through seven prefectures on subtropical Kyushu island. The most popular spots onboard include the tea room, with its tatami mat flooring and bespoke tea aroma, the cabins (which have hand-painted porcelain sinks and antique writing desks) and the lounge car, where onboard pianists entertain passengers as the scenery slips by.
‘Buna’ means beech tree in Japanese, and this particular train’s paintwork is inspired by the forests that line the Sea of Japan – which you’ll pass through as you ride this train between Aomori and Akita. Our favourite features include the woody and natural-hued interior decor, inspired by the colours of the passing landscapes. Keep an eye out for ornately-carved beechwood stools and chairs in the observation car.
This open-sided train is a hit with railway fans, who come to marvel at its ability to navigate the hilly railway’s numerous switchbacks. They can also snap selfies at Miinohara Station, which has a dizzying altitude of 2,385 feet (727m). The mountainous scenery the train traverses is known for its natural springs, and at Izumo-Sakane, passengers can disembark and fill their bottles at a sacred spring next to the station.
Love a good view? Ride this high-altitude train and you won’t be disappointed – you’ll pass Mount Yatsugatake and countless other snow-capped peaks. Our favourite spot is the onboard planetarium, where images of star-spangled skies are projected onto a mini rotunda. Beneath it, pore over the circular bookcases lined with texts about astronomy. The best time to ride this train is after dark – during evening services, it pauses at Nobeyama Station for an hour, and passengers are invited to step off the train for free stargazing sessions.
This train ('Shu' means sake, and 'kura' means warehouse) is all about sake. Why? Because you’re journeying through Niigata, the country’s top sake producer. During the trip, passengers can sample flights of locally-produced sake, which you can pair with Niigata nibbles and bento boxes. We recommend reserving a spot in car three, which has reclining and sofa-style seats; perfect for soaking up the panoramas of passing scenery.
Sample sake and more on these excellent weekend trips from Tokyo
The Hankai Tramway operates two tramlines which connect central Osaka to suburban Sakai. There are, admittedly, much quicker ways to get between the two, but what sets this tramway apart is its age – the company was founded in 1910, and some of the trams date back to the 1920s (top marks if you bag a seat on Mo 164, which is one of the oldest). Their original paint jobs have been lovingly reproduced.
Often referred to as a ‘travelling café’, this train pays tribute to the produce of Fukushima, famous for its grapes, peaches, apples and pears. You’ll get to feast on a range of treats prepared by local patisseries, whether it’s strawberry-topped tarts or desserts made with grape jelly. Unsurprisingly, there’s no shortage of fruit drinks on offer, and you can purchase limited-edition FruiTea Fukushima merchandise onboard too.
This particular train is a brilliant example of Japan’s quirky approach to train decor. The West Japan Railway Co’s Detective Conan-themed trains are wrapped in livery inspired by the star of the popular Japanese manga (comic) series. The railway runs the 57 miles (91km) between Yonago and Tottori, where the comic's creator was from. The exteriors have been given multiple makeovers, most recently in September 2021.
Kyushu’s Aso Boy train, which runs through a volcanic valley and connects the cities of Kumamoto, Beppu and Aso, is one of several Japanese trains to have a mascot – in this case a cute black dog known as Kuro-chan. The sightseeing train has been designed with kids in mind: onboard amenities include a Kuro-chan-themed wooden ball pool and children’s library. But it’s the seating we love the most, as there’s an observation carriage with sun lounger-style seats and armchairs designed especially to accommodate one adult and one child.
In 1906, the Kyushu Railway Company commissioned a luxury train built in the USA then shipped to Japan, but the train was scrapped before it had a chance to run. However, in 2015, Japan Rail Kyushu constructed a life-size replica of the original, complete with its insanely decadent interior. Highlights of this train, which connects Oita and Hita, include maple wood ceilings, throne-like seats covered in sumptuous fabrics and a menu prepared by renowned Japanese chef Yoshihiro Narisawa.
Hakodate’s trams are in a league of their own, many boasting vintage paint jobs or funky wraparound designs that pay tribute to everything from popular Japanese characters to local mascots such as Ikaaru-Seijin, an alien squid that serves as the (surprisingly adorable) symbol of the city. The Disney-esque retro trams, meanwhile, are easily the most charming mode of transport around Hokkaido's southerly port city.
Trains don’t get more fun than this. A themed delight in Kochi Prefecture, this rainbow train is inspired by Anpanman, a popular children’s superhero. The designers haven’t done things by halves – images of Anpanman cover the exterior, along with the ceiling, walls, blinds, flooring and seats. Music from the show plays during the train journeys, and there are Anpanman-themed announcements, too.
This open-sided train was built to carry supplies to the site of the Kurobe Dam, and it’s now one of Japan’s most famous sightseeing trains. It takes 80 minutes to cover the 12-mile (20km) route, and there’s no shortage of eye candy, whether it’s the views of the gorge below or the 20 bridges which the train crosses. One of the most stunning examples is the bright red Shin Yamabiko Bridge, which flies above a rushing river ravine. There are plenty of opportunities for stop-offs: we suggest disembarking at Kanetsuri Station for a dip in the riverside onsen.
A 58-mile (94km) railway famous for the dramatic landscape it passes through, the Akita Nairiku train rumbles through Akita Prefecture’s stunning countryside, where highlights include supersized Akitas (the dogs are the prefecture’s mascot) carved into rice fields by playful local farmers. We suggest doing this journey in winter, when thick snow blankets the forests lining the Omata River; or in autumn, when the region’s Japanese maple trees provide dazzling bursts of colour.