Here's a hidden spot where you can get up close to the SL Gunma Minakami: the SL Turntable Plaza at Minakami Station. It's about a five-minute walk to the right after you exit the station. You can watch the steam locomotive turn around on the turntable at the end of its journey—so close you can feel the heat! On days when the SL is running, you need a reserved seat ticket to enter the plaza, but there's also a free viewing spot on a nearby hill where you can see the action from a bit farther away. When I visited, I even got to see the JR East cruise train 'TRAIN SUITE Shiki-shima' at Minakami Station.
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SL Gunma Minakami, SL Gunma Yokokawa
Travel back in time with a nostalgic SL trip.
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The two steam locomotives running in Gunma Prefecture, mainly on weekends, are "SL Minakami," which runs from Takasaki Station to Minakami Station and back, and "SL Yokokawa," which runs from Takasaki Station to Yokokawa Station and back. The "D51 class steam locomotive" was created in 1940 (Showa 15) and was nicknamed "Degoichi". The "C61 class steam locomotive" born in 1949 (Showa 24) was a passenger locomotive nicknamed "Shirokuichi". Although the running of steam locomotives came to an end in the 1960s, both locomotives were "statically preserved" in good condition in Gunma Prefecture, and the fact that there were still experienced people in Gunma Prefecture who could be involved in locomotive operation and maintenance was considered a factor in their revival.
On the Minakami train, you can enjoy the natural beauty of Mt. Akagi and enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Tonegawa River upstream, including the railway bridge and valley.
On the Yokogawa train, visitors can enjoy the scenery like a landscape painting created by Mt. Myogi and enjoy the countryside scenery overlooking Mt. Haruna.
There are also many fun things to enjoy, such as SL station box lunches and goods for sale, some of which are limited items.
Highlights
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The train runs only on limited days and makes one round trip per day, so be sure to make reservations in advance.
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Be sure to check out the station lunch boxes and limited-edition goods.
Photos
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The D51 class steam locomotive, commonly known as Degoichi, is synonymous with steam locomotives.
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D51 class steam locomotive built as a "powerhouse" locomotive
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SL running through Gunma's nature
Reviews
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Details
- Name in Japanese
- SLぐんま みなかみ・SLぐんま よこかわ
- Postal Code
- 370-0849
- Address
- 222 Yashima-cho, Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture (JR Takasaki Station)
- Telephone
- 050-2016-1600 (JR East Information Center)
- Regular closing days
- Weekdays
- Hours
- Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays (see official website for operation schedule)
- Admission
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1,520 yen one-way between Takasaki and Minakami
1,040 yen one-way between Takasaki and Yokokawa
Child fare is half price. - Directions
- 15 min. by car from Takasaki IC on Kanetsu Expressway (JR Takasaki Station)
- Credit Cards
- Accepted
- Official Website
- Official Website (English)