g n i l e v a Tr ime
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chugging sound interrupted intermittently by a shrill whistle cuts through the silence of the Okuoi Mountains. In the distance, a coal-fed locomotive crosses over a striking red bridge, past rice fields ready for harvest. For a split second, it feels like you are back in the Showa Period in Japan.
Nostalgic Kawane located in Shizuoka Prefecture’s Southern Alps is famous with trainspotters, as it is one of the last places in Japan with an operating steam locomotive. In 1976, Oigawa Railway started a project to revitalize vintage steam locomotives (“SLs”) that were built in the 1930s. Today, these trains are maintained at Shin-Kanaya Station. From Shin-Kanaya Station, the steam locomotive departs for Senzu Station, stopping at Ieyama, Kawane Onsen Sasamado and Shimoizumi along the way. After the conductor punches your ticket, sit back on velvet seats and enjoy an ekiben (lunchboxes you can buy at the station) during the 80-minute ride as the scenery changes from suburbs to gorges, wide rivers and mountains. Friendly elderly women stroll down the aisle selling drinks, snacks and souvenirs you can only purchase on board. The ride is exceptionally beautiful in spring when sakura blossoms are in bloom and autumn for kouyou (leaves changing color). The train runs once per day (roundtrip from Shin-Kanaya to Senzu) and costs ¥2,520 one way. All seats are reserved and sell out fast, so check the schedule and purchase tickets beforehand at www.oigawa-railway.co.jp/en.
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