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So exhilarating! Enjoy the nature of Watarase Gorge by riding a sightseeing train
Well known by its nickname Watetsu, the Watarase Keikoku Railway is a local line that runs for about an hour and a half through Kiryu Station (in Kiryu) and Mato Station (in Nikko). It has gained popularity as a sightseeing train that allows you to enjoy the beauty of the gorge that runs along the Watarase River. In particular, the open style sightseeing trains without window glass are popular for letting you enjoy the scenery from season to season from the train windows while a refreshing breeze blows inside (the window glass is installed during the winter).
There are two types of sightseeing trains: "Trolley Watarase Gorge" that is an old style diesel locomotive that pulls along the passenger cars, and "Trolley Wasshi" that is a self-propelled style trolley rail car with a motif of the Watarase Keikoku Railway's mascot Watetsu no Wasshi. Both trains operate mainly during the weekend and national holidays during the tourism season.
Spring has cherry blossoms and hana peach blossoms, summer has fresh green leaves, autumn has fall leaves, and winter has a snowy landscape. Each one of these is wonderful in any season, but the best time is to go starting in the early summer during the season that has the fresh green leaves. Just looking at the newly budded leaves sparkling in the reflection in the clear water of the Watarase River is so beautiful that it will purify your spirit. As the summer breeze blows through the train windows that have been left open, you can gaze upon a dazzling scenery while experiencing the vitality of nature.
The sightseeing train does not operate every day, so check the days it is running on the official website before you go to ride it. And in addition to a passenger ticket, do not forget to buy a boarding ticket (520 yen for adults). Boarding tickets are sold at travel agencies and convenience stores starting at 11 a.m. one month before the boarding date. If there are empty seats, you may also be able to buy one the day you board.
Along the railway line, there are several tourist attractions scattered in the area such as Takatsudo Gorge, the Ashio Copper Mine, and the Mizunuma Station Onsen Center, along with a retro wooden train building that has been registered as a national tangible cultural property and that has often been used as a movie location, so there are a lot of attractions. Have an enjoyable and peacefully relaxing time on the "Watetsu Tour" while on a stopover during your trip.
Trolley Watarase Gorge running through the gorge's fresh green leaves
The contrast in autumn of the fall leaves and the blue sky is so beautiful in Watarase Gorge
Getting a chance to experience Gunma's lush nature is one of Watarase Keikoku Railway's special qualities
在車站內或是車站附近就能夠享用午餐、溫泉和觀光. 因此不用擔心天氣太冷或太熱或下雨喔!
坐上沒有車窗的觀光列車，整路欣賞沿途田園風光，車廂內還有販賣鑰匙圈糖果等伴手禮。
火車行駛大約一個半小時，從車內看出去可欣賞豐富絕美的風景，夏天的季節建議可以搭乘沒有玻璃窗的小火車，到水沼站～一邊是溪谷美景，另一邊是露天溫泉，只有在日本才能享受到獨特體驗
