Steam locomotives (SLs) are primarily used for towing train cars. On the Oigawa Railway Ikawa Line, Japan’s one and only Abt train can still be found pulling trains up and down the area’s steep slopes. It is very popular not only among railroad fans but also among women and children.
You can board the SL train from Shin-Kanaya Station. The old-fashioned carriages, built in the days of the former Japanese National Railways and equipped with incandescent lamps and fans on the ceiling, will stir your travel emotions. Inside the train, the managing conductor will guide you through the scenery and the train line.
Disembark from the SL at Senzu Station and transfer to a train that heads through the valley of Okuoi. At the Abt Ichishiro station on the way, an Abt electric locomotive is coupled to the train, while the cogwheels of the train are aligned with the special, teeth-like rails, to help it climb the steepest incline in Japan. You will never get tired of seeing the unexplored parts of the line, such as Okuoi Kojo Station, where part of the platform juts out over the lake, and Sekinosawa Bridge, the tallest railroad bridge in Japan.
Since 2014, "Thomas the Train", a popular train for children all over the world, has been running from summer to autumn. The voice of Thomas will guide you through the highlights of the train, so don't miss it!
Highlights
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You can ride the SL train many times a year.
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You can enjoy the retro atmosphere of the carriages.
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You can ride the only Abt train in Japan and see the locomotive coupling.
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The scenery of the Southern Alps and Okuoi from the train windows is fantastic.
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There is also a chance to ride Thomas the Train!
