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Jan 11, 2017
Oigawa Railway: A Journey To Remember
Travel Back In Time
Sit back, relax, and enjoy.
Your Oigawa Railway experience begins here.
In this fast-paced world, there is a certain longing for time to slow down so we can pause, breathe, and just be. Consider that longing well and truly fulfilled at Oigawa Railway.
Named after the Oi River along which it was built, Oigawa Railway operates two railway lines, the Oigawa Main Line, and the Ikawa Line. The latter boasts the only rack railway line in Japan, while the main line is famed for its steam locomotives that were revived in 1976 – and it’s the only one in the world that operates them every day.
When the railway company opened the first section of its lines in 1927, the trains were solely used for freight services, transporting equipment and materials such as timber and tea. Today, both the Oigawa Main Line and Ikawa Line serve as a memorable sightseeing experience. The 65km-long journey rewards you with plenty of postcard-perfect moments, from verdant blankets of tea plantations to soaring suspension bridges set against a backdrop of emerald green lake and stunning mountains. And as you gaze out of the windows to bask in the rustic scenery, enjoy your lovingly prepared ekiben (bento lunch box) and take a sip from the rare traditional green tea takeaway bottle – a wonderful pairing of senses that highlights the fresh produce of the mountaineous region, including green tea, mountain vegetables and river fish. Every so often, the soothing sounds of harmonica will fill your ears, courtesy of the train conductor.
It is this multisensory experience, coupled with the nostalgic sounds of the steam locomotive, that takes you back to a time where worries are but a myth, and beauty is truly all around.
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