We often hear people say it is difficult to Explore Rural Japan by Train. There are however many scenic rural railway lines in Japan. In this article, we look at three such lines….the JR Joetsu Line, JR Tadami Line and the Aizu Tetsudo Line. Travel on these lines will make the travel part of your trip part of the experience!
[In this article we travelled from Takasaki to Koide (Joetsu Line), Koide to Aizu Wakamatsu (Tadami Line) and Aizu Wakamatsu to back to Tokyo via the Aizu Tetsudo Line. It is possible to do this journey in reverse]
JR Joetsu Line – Alpine views
Going through the mountains of the Joetsu region you will get lots of alpine views on the Joetsu Line. This line runs between Takasaki in Gunma Prefecture to Miyauchi in Niigata Prefecture. It runs via Minakami and Echigo Yuzawa.
This line used to be the main route between Tokyo and Niigata, Hokuriku and the Japan Sea side of Tohoku. Nowadays with the Joetsu Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen, the line mostly has local trains and freight trains. There are however many vestiges of its much more busier times. It also means that most people travelling through this region miss the many scenic views.
Even the tunnels are interesting! Doai, a station deep in the mountain…
Doai Station is famous in Japan. The station is 583m above sea level but is 70m underground in the Shimizu mountain range. The rail track actually does a circular route in the tunnel. The platform in the direction of Minakami is above ground. To get to the station entrance and the platform for trains going to Minakami requires a 10 minute ascent up stairs (no escalator or elevators).
Echigo Nakazato – Ski Resort with a railway theme…
Being a mountainous areas the Joetsu Line runs past a number of ski resorts. As well as Echigo Yuzawa another one you notice is next to Echigo Nakazato Station. What you will see is a large number of old “Blue Train” carriages used as a rest area for skiers.
Tadami Line – amazing scenery!
The Tadami Line has to be included near the top of any list of all year round scenic railway lines in Japan.
The line runs for the most part along the Tadami River, criss crossing the river at many points. This unfortunately led to a major part of the line being closed for 11 years when a very strong storm swept away several bridges. Fortunately the line reopened in October 2022 after full restoration and has proved very popular with tourists.
It runs for a total length of 135km between Koide in Niigata Prefecture, where it links to the Joetsu Line and Aizu Wakamatsu in Fukushima Prefecture where it connects to the Banetsu West Line.
Aizu Tetsudo trains also run a short way along the Tadami Line between Aizu Wakamatsu and Nishi Aizu where it branches off.
Only local trains operate on the line, and only three trains(#) a day cover the whole length taking just over 4 1/2 hrs towards Koide and around 4hrs and 15mins towards Aizu Wakamatsu…but it is more than 4 hrs of amazing scenery! (# at busy times JR East does operate extra trains)
Fukushima – Aizu region and Aizu Wakamatsu
Aizu is the name given to the western region of Fukushima.
In the Aizu region as well as the splendid scenery we have shown in this article, there are also lots of onsens in the area, so an alternative to staying in Aizu Wakamatsu is to stay in one of the many onsen towns in the area. Tourist information on the Aizu Region
Aizu Wakamatsu is the biggest city in the Aizu region. It is an old Samurai Town and is particularly famous for its castle (Tsuruga Castle). Aizu Wakamatsu is a good stopping off point on this journey. Click here for tourist information
| For more things to do in and around Aizu Wakamatsu, we highly recommend this article from “Best-Japanese” BEST THINGS TO DO IN AIZU WAKAMATSU (Click on link) |
Aizu Tetsudo Aizu Line – Another very scenic route…
The Aizu Tetsudo Aizu Line runs from Nishi Aizu to Aizu Kogen Ozeguchi. At the northern end of the line all trains operate to and from Aizu Wakamatsu along the Tadami Line.
At its southern end, the Aizu Tetsudo Line joins the Yagan Tetsudo Line which in turns runs through to the Tobu Kinugawa Line. This allows Tobu Limited Express trains to run through from Aizu Tajima thru to Tokyo (Kita Senju and Asakusa).
The Aizu Tetsudo Line runs along the Aga and Arakai Rivers. A feature of this railway line are the many interesting wooden station buildings. There are also many onsen towns along this route. Like the Tadami Line it is a good line to travel on during spring (blossom) and Autumn (colors)
Aizu Tetsudo also operates a tourist train – “Oza Toro Tenbō Train” which has two cars, one an open side Toroko Ressha (trolley or truck train) and the other an observation car with raised seats and large windows.
Travel on the Tadami Line and the Aizu Tetsudo Line is a great way to to explore rural Japan and see some great scenery! Explore Japan by Train!
Travel Information
All of the routes described in this article are local lines and the outward and return journey basically take a day so at least one night stop over is required.
Joetsu Line and Tadami Lines are operated by JR and JR Rail Passes are valid. JR East’s Shumatsu Pass (Weekend Pass) and JR’s Seishun 18 Kippu are also valid on the JR Lines mentioned. The Aizu Tetsudo and connecting Yagan Tetsudo and Tobu Lines are non JR so the JR and other passes are not valid, except the JR East Shumatsu Pass which is valid on the Aizu Tetsudo Line.
Particularly the the JR Joetsu Line between Minakami and Koide and JR Tadami Line train frequencies are low, so careful planning is needed.
Transfer to / from Tokyo can be done by Shinkansen or conventional train to / from Takasaki or the Tobu Revaty Aizu Limited Express (seat reservations requires) from Aizu Tajima or Aizu Kogen Ozeguchi.
This would be a good trip to incorporate visits to the Nikko / Kinugawa area in Tochigi Prefecture or Yuzawa area in Niigata Prefecture
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