The train whistles in the Japanese countryside

2018年 05月10日


Japan is the land of trains, having one of the fastest in the world, but also keeping its beautiful old models. We immediately feel under the spell of the beautiful green train that go through the narrow streets of Kamakura, a coastal town located few kilometers south of the japanese capital. Have you ever get on the shinkansen contemplating the urban landscape gradually changing to an astonished mountain scenery, or admiring the great Mount Fuji rising in the backdrop ? One thing you may not have tried is to cross the beautiful Japanese countryside aboard an old locomotive.The Oigawa railway is located north of Shizuoka prefecture, along the great Ooi river. Oigawa is a beautiful mountain area covered with pine and cedar forests. All you have to do is get on the train and enjoy the spectacular scenery. You will have the opportunity to board one of the four engines including ancient models dating back to 1930. Sit down on an old fashioned wooden passenger seats upholstered in the 50s. Then, the train whistles and starts its route and you feel as you were going back to the beginning of the Showa era, going around in an old movie.  You will cross rivers on beautiful bridges offering an authentic mountain scenery to the sound of the train pulling away.

The departure of the railway is  the Kanaya station south of the city of Shizuoka. The trip takes about 1h15 if you go to the terminus, which is highly recommended to fully enjoy the incredible variation of sceneries. Do not forget to bring a delicious bento that you could buy at Kanaya station ! The trip to the terminus costs about 910 yen. Count half the price for children under 13 years.

To access from Tokyo station, take the Tokaido Shinkansen line-up Sanyo Shizuoka Station. Then take the tokaido line to the Kanaya station.