4 Memorable Ways to Travel to Tohoku by Train in Winter
The Tohoku area is full of spots abundant with nature, such as the Oirase Gorge in Aomori, and Zao in the Miyagi Prefecture. In winter, a fantastic view of the snowy landscapes offers visitors a different scene from the lush greens of spring and summer and fiery reds and oranges of autumn. If you want to try a unique way to sightsee, a trip on a local train line in the Tohoku region is highly recommended. From the train window, sit back and relax as a movie-like world of silver and white scenery passes before you. These trains promise rides across the snowy landscape views of Tohoku. There is also a stove train, which has a cast iron potbelly stove heater, and a train with a kotatsu, a heater covered with a table and a blanket placed over it to keep you warm.
1. Pass a high snowfall zone on the JR Kitakami Line - Iwate/Akita
The JR Kitakami Line, which runs between JR Kitakami Station in the Iwate Prefecture and JR Yokote Station in the Akita Prefecture, passes through Nishiwaga town, one of the areas with the heaviest snowfall in Japan. The train departing from Kitakami Station runs through the cities and countryside of Kitakami, and slowly heads towards the snowy Ou Mountains. The scenery from the train window changes gradually, and a world of white-silver stretches out beyond the long tunnel. A red iron bridge over the ice-covered Lake Kinshuko is a popular location for railroad fans.
Spots along the railway
1. Get off the train at the Hottoyuda One-Day Hot Spring connected to JR Hottoyuda Station to experience the hot springs. Don’t worry about being late for your ride: A traffic light in the public bath will let you know the time of the next train!
2. Akita souvenirs such as iburi-gakko (pickled vegetables) and local sake can be bought at Roadside Station Sannai near Hiraishi Station. Local dishes like yokote yakisoba (noodle dish with pork and vegetables, seasoned with a sweet sauce) at the Yokote Station are also a must-try!
3. In Nishiwaga, Yuki Akari is a specialty event held annually in February when snow falls the most in the year. Snow sculptures, kamakura (snow domes), and swaying candles light up the town, adding a magical touch to the snowy hot spring village.
2. Enjoy the snowy scenery from the Flower Nagai Line - Yamagata
The Flower Nagai Line runs 30.5 kilometers one way from Akayu Station in the Yamagata Prefecture to Arato Station in around an hour. Its name is derived from the numerous flower viewing spots along the route. The train’s exterior is also decorated with illustrations of colorful flowers.
In winter, it runs along the Mogami River, which is famous as a river running down a snowy landscape. A special sight in itself, the Mogami River can only be seen from the train window when going over the Matsukawa Bridge or the Mogami River Bridge.
The recommended snowy scenery spot is between Shiro-Usagi Station and Uzen-Narita Station. If the weather is fine, snowy fields can be seen all over. First built in 1887, the Mogamigawa Bridge is said to be the oldest active railway bridge in Japan.
Spots along the railway
There are many accessible hot springs along the Flower Nagai Line. Visit Akayu Onsen Sotoyu (outdoor bath), about five minutes by taxi from JR Akayu Station, and relax in the bath with a snowy view!
Miyauchi Station is where you’ll find the lovely station master, a rabbit named Mochii. Visitors can come to the station master’s room to say hello to this cute station master.
※Closed on Wednesday
※Falls outside the area of the JAPAN RAIL PASS, JR EAST PASS usage
3. Warm up on the Tsugaru Stove Train with its potbelly stove - Aomori
Tsugaru Railway is a local train that runs about 20 kilometers between Tsugaru Goshogawara Station and Tsugaru Nakasato Station. In winter, it becomes a stove train with two potbelly stoves installed and operating in each train car (all cars have unreserved seats). Watch snow fall in winter from the train window while keeping yourself warm with old-school stoves inside. When going between Kase and Kanagi, or between Ashino Park and Kawakura, you’ll get an unobstructed view of vast snowfields. The area along the line is extremely snowy, so be sure to check out the snow plough (blade) on the front of the train!
※Not within the usage zone of the JAPAN RAIL PASS or JR EAST PASS
Spots along the railway line
Goshogawara is associated with the famous Japanese novelist Osamu Dazai, who has a memorial museum in the city. As soon as you leave Tsugaru Goshogawara Station and cross the Kyuto River, you’ll see Mt. Iwaki, also known as Tsugaru Fuji.
4. Watch the scenery from the train window while warming up on Sanriku Railway's Kotatsu Train (Iwate)
Sanriku Railway operates a Western-style kotatsu train between Sakari and Miyako, and a kotatsu train between Miyako. The kotatsu train has kotatsu seats, so you can keep warm while admiring the beautiful snowy scenery created by the ria coast.
On the Western-style kotatsu train, a Sanriku Railway attendant will guide you onboard from the Miyako-Rikuchu-Yamada station area, or you will be guided by the new Yamada Shopping Street Guide on the Rikuchu-Yamada-Kamaishi station area, or the stylish guide in the Kamaishi-Mori station area. Everyone receives a boarding certificate with some mandarins, and the stylish guide gives out the famous confectionery Koishihama busse (small butter cake) from Ofunato City. We also recommend trying the Jodogahama bento box, which has Sanriku sea urchin, scallops, salmon roe, and octopus inside. On the Kotatsu train, you may be surprised by the sudden appearance of Namomi. A New Year's Day staple in northern Iwate Prefecture, it is widely practiced in the Sea of Japan side, and is very similar to Namahage (troll type of demon) in Akita Prefecture.
Try eating bento boxes prepared with local ingredients such as the abalone bento box or sea urchin rice dish!
Reservations are required for both trains, and registration by phone starts at 9 a.m. two months before the boarding date. Please refer to the official website for details!
※Not covered by JAPAN RAIL PASS or JR EAST PASS
Spots along the railway line
There are two spots with beautiful views near Horinai Station that overlook the Pacific Ocean from a 30-meter-high bridge. One is Osawa Bridge located towards Shiraikaigan Station on the south side, and the other is Akkawa River Bridge on the north side. Both bridges have a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. Kuji, located at the northernmost point of the Ria Line, is the area for ama (sea diving) fishing. Inside the Kuji Station Building is an exhibition of resources related to ama and a corner where costumes can be tried on.
Refer to the following for more information on the facilities mentioned in this article.
https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/tohoku/
https://www.tohokukanko.jp/en/index.html
Enjoy Famous Snow Events in Tohoku
https://www.japan.travel/en/my/fascinating-suburb-japan/enjoy-famous-snow-events-tohoku/
Fun Times in Winter Night! The Famous Illuminations in Hokkaido and Tohoku Region
https://www.japan.travel/en/my/solo-japan/fun-times-winter-night-famous-illuminations-hokkaido-and-tohoku-/
JR EAST
Flower Nagai Line
https://flower-liner.jp/en/
(Youtube video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwjJmlxpbBM&feature=emb_logo
Tsugaru Railway Company
https://tsutetsu.com/ensenguide.html
Sanriku Railway
https://www.sanrikutetsudou.com/en/
