Canadian, Nick Szasz, takes us train cruising, the best way to travel, on the Hisatsu Line in Kyushu that connects Kumamoto to Kagoshima. Known as the Treasury of Railway Heritage, this century-old line has many historic stations and…
Climb aboard the limited express that runs between Hakata and two of Japan's most popular hot spring resorts, Yufuin and Beppu. The train slows down along scenic spots to let passengers enjoy the beautiful landscape through oversize…
A stunning train journey through central Japan, from the Japan Sea coast to the Pacific Ocean. Ride with us and enjoy breathtaking views from the Sightseeing Limited Express, and a special event on a local train. We visit famous spots…
If you have a passion for railways, do not miss this program! Our tour starts in Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital. We first ride on a special streetcar and an open-air tram before boarding a charming local train to the Japan Sea coast.…
This time we travel to the cold, snowy Tohoku. We first board the Akita Inland Traverse Railway Home-cooking Dining Car, where we take in the wintery landscapes, while feasting on a homemade farmers' meal. We then hop on the Resort…
"Train Cruise" is a program taking you around Japan on train trips. The stage of this episode is Shikoku. In Shikoku, made up of 4 prefectures, there are many trains running that have distinctive characteristics. They are fun both to ride…
This program is Part 2 of "Shikoku Railroad Wonderland". In Part 1, Michael Rivas travelled through Kagawa, Tokushima and Kochi Prefectures, 3 of Shikoku's 4 prefectures. In Part 2, he travels through Ehime Prefecture. He starts from…
Another episode in our series for train lovers. This time we feature a fun trip for the whole family. Starting at Kumamoto Station in Kyushu, we head towards Mt. Aso. Kids will be delighted with the cute dog mascot for the special express…
Our train journey takes you to Lake Biwa, Japan's biggest lake. We board trains cherished by the locals and sample food they recommend. The Gachakon Train on the Omi Railway Main Line gets its name from the noisy "gacha" sound it makes…
The stage of our train cruise this time is deep autumn in East Japan's Yamagata, Fukushima and Niigata Prefectures. Our traveler thoroughly enjoys both food created from abundant autumn crops and beautiful views of the colored leaves of…
In this episode, we take you between the prefectures of Hiroshima and Yamaguchi in western Japan. In Hiroshima, we see some of the famous antique streetcars that have been gathered here from across Japan. We then follow a route linking 2…
The Oi River (Oigawa) flows through the center of Shizuoka Prefecture starting from the Southern Alps. The Oigawa Railways run a distance of 65 km along the river. They feature a nostalgic steam locomotive and a tram which climbs a steep…
From the Kushiro Wetlands teeming with wildlife to the deep blue Sea of Okhotsk, we travel along the Senmo Line for the 160-km journey from Kushiro to Abashiri, discovering some of the most stunning panoramas of Hokkaido while autumn is…
We start at Kansai International Airport. In the metropolis of Osaka, we ride the futuristic Rapi:t that resembles something out of a sci-fi movie, enjoy a bite at a local eatery, and travel by the latest streetcar through the suburbs. In…
This time, we'll travel on trains through Shimane Prefecture, a spiritual part of Japan where Japanese gods and humans have a strong bond. We ride a pink train to Izumo Taisha, a shrine where all the gods come to assemble. We start our…
The Hisatsu Orange Railway runs across the west coast of the island of Kyushu, connecting Kagoshima and Kumamoto Prefectures. Television personality Thane Camus takes a ride from Yatsushiro to Sendai Station. Along the way, he catches…
Our journey takes place in Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, where we travel to the northernmost part of the island using local train lines. The harsh Hokkaido winter scenery passes outside the windows, treating passengers to dreamy…
Located in western Japan, the Seto Inland Sea is home to about 700 islands. This episode, we travel from Okayama Prefecture to Hiroshima Prefecture along the coast. The La Malle de Bois train is perfect for tourists with free Wi-Fi and…
The Shimabara Railway runs along the coast of the Shimabara Peninsula, which is located in Nagasaki Prefecture in Kyushu. The peninsula is dominated by massive volcanoes and is blessed with hot springs and spring water gushing out in many…
Our journey takes place in Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, where we travel along a figure 8-shaped route on local lines in the island's southern part. Rising amidst the railroad line is Mt. Komagatake, a stunning mountain whose…
This time, we travel through Fukushima and Miyagi Prefectures, a region that has maintained a close relationship with nearby rivers and mountains. We start off heading north alongside Japan's 6th largest river, visiting a mini steam…
We travel from Osaka Station, the gateway to western Japan, through neighboring Hyogo Prefecture. We explore a rural line that was revitalized by local residents, then travel to the Seto Inland Sea to relish fresh oysters. Next, we ride…
Luke Bridgford travels to eastern Kochi Prefecture in Shikoku where he embarks on his 200-kilometer long eastward journey along the Pacific coastline. He starts on the TOSA KUROSHIO Railway, exploring the epic nature of the Shimanto River…
Reporter JJ starts his journey through Kanagawa Pref. in the naval city of Yokosuka and heads to Kamakura. This ancient seat of political power is alive with samurai culture and history. From there he heads to Enoshima on the nostalgic…
Discover modern railways and colorful local lines in Chiba Prefecture, just a stone's throw from Tokyo. We start on "Japan's doorstep", at Narita Airport, riding the Shibayama Line into Chiba City and glide through the sky on the Chiba…
Izu Peninsula is a famous hot springs area located about 1 hour by Shinkansen bullet train southwest of Tokyo. On this Train Cruise, we ride on 2 railways that travel the peninsula. On the eastern shore's Izu Kyuko Railway, we visit an…
This time, we travel the Miyagi coastline across northeast Japan, an area that was devastated by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. We travel in trains with unique designs and experience a new method of transportation while indulging…
Miyazaki, located in southeastern Kyushu, is a sun-drenched prefecture facing the Pacific Ocean. In this episode, we travel 170 kilometers from north to south along its coastline, hopping on different trains named "Sunshine" or…
Our journey takes place in Hokkaido Prefecture, the northern part of Japan. From Asahikawa Station surrounded by mountains, we head to Shiretoko-Shari Station, located on the Sea of Okhotsk and the gateway to the world famous Shiretoko…
Kyle Card embarks on a 250-kilometer train journey from the Seto Inland Sea in Okayama Prefecture to the Sea of Japan in Tottori Prefecture. While it's a bicoastal train ride, Kyle spends his time discovering the inland, mountainous area…
Traverse the sublime winter wonderland in the northern reaches of Honshu on local lines. Tsugaru Railway is famous for the coal-fired stove on its train. Wonder at the rugged coastline along the Sea of Japan on the JR Gono Line. The Konan…
The Nagara River in Gifu Prefecture is one of Japan's most beautiful. Running for 72.1km north-south along the stream is the Nagaragawa Railway. The run takes about 2 hours and includes 38 stations. The people who live along the line have…
We depart on our 120km journey from Mojiko in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Pref. Its grand station built in 1914 has been restored to its former glory. We travel through the world's first undersea tunnel to Shimonoseki, whose specialty is…
Travel the verdant countryside of Nagano Prefecture in early summer. Our journey starts at a hot-spring town on the Ueda Line where the conductor plays harmonica for passengers. Trains rattle through rustic, hilly terrain along Nagano…
Our stage this time is Hokkaido Prefecture in the north of Japan. There are many sites worth visiting, such as the hills that display a colorful tapestry under blue skies, Japan's most vast flower gardens, and a serene lake perfect for…
We travel from Kyoto Prefecture along the western coast of Lake Biwa and beyond to Tsuruga on the Sea of Japan. Admire the late fall scenery on the cable car and rope way to the peak of Mt. Hiei, where we catch a glimpse of Japan's…
The Sanriku Railway Rias Line runs 163km the length of Iwate Pref. in Japan's northeast, from Kuji Station in the north through Sakari Station in the south. The only way to conquer the rugged coastline was to go through it, with no fewer…
Starting from Hachioji in Tokyo's west, our journey takes us to Mt. Fuji, then into the mountains of Yamanashi and Nagano Prefectures. We watch traditional puppet theater. We alight at Mt. Fuji Station on the Fujikyu line, the closest…
The imperial steelworks established 120 years ago in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Pref., on the southern island of Kyushu, drove Japan's modernization. And coal mined in the nearby Chikuho area fueled this industry. We visit old ironworks and coal…
We start our journey at Fukuchiyama, a transport hub in central Kyoto Prefecture, and head north through valleys to the Sea of Japan and Toyooka, across the border in Hyogo Prefecture. The Kyoto Tango Railway boasts various carriages,…
We travel the Aizu Railway and JR Tadami Line through mountains in the Aizu region of Fukushima Pref. in Japan's northeast. Cruise with us from Aizu-Tajima Station, through an area known to receive a meter of snow in a single day during…
We travel the Matsuura Railway through Nagasaki and Saga Prefectures in western Kyushu, where trade between Japan and Europe first began 500 years ago. Remote from the historical economic and political centers of Japan, the region…
We journey the Tazawako and Akita Nairiku Lines into the heart of Akita Pref. in Japan's north. Warm yourself in the milky white waters of a secluded, hot spring and admire lustrous, traditional items made from bark. Visit the Matagi bear…
We start at Hiroshima, the largest city in the Chugoku region, and journey pastoral landscapes through the Chugoku Mountains to Izumo, Shimane Prefecture. The towns along the way are alive with myths and legends from ancient times. Tales…
We travel south from Sapporo on the Hakodate Line, one of Japan's earliest rail lines, to visit a museum that preserves railroad history and a distillery known around the globe for its whisky. Rail fans will not want to miss a rare…
We travel Japan's northeast on the JR Hachinohe Line and Aoimori Railway, stopping at port towns along the way to experience the energetic culture and nature of Iwate and Aomori Prefectures. Feel the earth's power at an expansive, natural…
We travel the Hisatsu Orange Railway from Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture to Akune in Kagoshima Prefecture. Much of the line hugs the coast, framing beautiful ocean vistas in the windows. Sea breezes nurture the regional specialty,…
We journey through the snowy landscapes of northern Fukui Prefecture in central Japan on the Echizen Railway. The local trains, which are a lifeline for residents, operate over a total distance of 53 kilometers and provide access to many…
We take a trip on the JR Yosan Line through the local history and culture of Ehime Prefecture. Learn modern history at a railroad museum featuring exhibits you can touch and a theme park located on the former site of a copper mine. Dive…
Journey through eastern Hokkaido Prefecture, where spring arrives last in Japan. First, head east from Obihiro through the expansive fields of the Tokachi Plain, which produce much of Japan's food, then along the Pacific Ocean where you…
We journey from Gunma Pref., northwest of Tokyo, through Niigata Pref. and marvel at the colors of early summer. Glide along the Tone River through fresh verdure. Explore an art installation in a 750m tunnel and become part of the art in…
We start our journey from Fukuyama in southeastern Hiroshima Prefecture bound for Kurashiki in southwestern Okayama Prefecture via JR and the Ibara Railway. The area once prospered on cotton cultivation and textile production. The…
We journey the JR Hakushin and Uetsu Main Lines of Niigata and Yamagata Prefectures in search of traditional food culture in one of Japan's major rice-producing regions. At Niigata Station we sample sake from the dizzying array on offer.…
Travel through one of the largest calderas in the world at Mt. Aso in Kumamoto Pref. The caldera has fertile ground to sustain crops and livestock.
Explore Choshi Electric Railway which has operated for a century with the warm support of residents. Everyone here strives to preserve the local traditions.
Travel Iwate Pref. from popular destination Morioka to the Pacific coast. Eat your fill of soba noodles, dive into in a fantastical world, fish with cucumbers and go spelunking.
Journey through the tranquil rustic landscape of Shimane Pref. Traditional fishermen catch clams. One temple offers blessing for eye ailments. And, residents make unusual sculptures for the deities.
Travel the Soya Line through the northern part of the island to Wakkanai, Japan's northernmost station. Disused train lines and stations remain along the way. Head to Cape Soya and gaze at Sakhalin.
The Kumano Kodo was designated UNESCO World Heritage in 2004. Travel the JR Sangu and Kisei Lines along the trails on the Iseji route between Ise Jingu in Mie Prefecture and Kumano Hayatama Taisha in Wakayama Prefecture.
We travel through the mountainous area 100km northwest of Tokyo, covering Tochigi, Gunma and Saitama Prefectures. We focus on timber and meet local residents who appreciate the blessings of nature.
Travel Kagoshima Pref. on the Ibusuki-Makurazaki Line, JR's southernmost line. Discover a 400-year pottery tradition, walk around a samurai neighborhood, and admire views of an active volcano.
Late April, spring has arrived in northern Japan. Travel the JR Ou and Gono Lines, discovering cherry blossoms, hiking a lush beech forest, soaking in a seaside spring and trying fermented soybeans.
The streetcar that survived the atom bomb and still runs today is a symbol of Hiroshima's recovery. Travel 20 km to visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Atomic Bomb Dome and Itsukushima Jinja.
In 1945 at the end of WWII, an atomic bomb hit Nagasaki. We enjoy the stunning scenery, but more importantly we talk with those who survived and remember those who lost their lives.
Visit Kinpusen-ji, sacred for mountain ascetics; the Asuka ruins that are nominated for UNESCO listing; Ise Grand Shrine; and a pearl divers' village on Kintetsu Railway in Nara and Mie Prefectures.
Travel along the Kurobe River on the Toyama Chihou and Kurobe Gorge Railways in Toyama Pref. The river provides water for farms, businesses and households. Upstream, the river has carved a deep gorge.
Travel from Kushiro to Abashiri through winter scenery, and see rare cranes and other wildlife along the way. An active volcano has deep links to the railway. Drift ice floats off the Shiretoko coast.
Travel northern Kyushu on the JR Kyudai Line that follows the course of the Chikugo River and its tributaries. Discover how residents live with the blessings and trouble the wild rivers bring.
Travel the Iga Railway and Kintetsu Railway lines through Iga in Mie Prefecture, one of the Japan's leading ninja regions. Experience their traditions and training, and taste their portable rations.