Just 90 mins away from Tokyo by train. This small private railway has its own spotlight: retro trains.
Situated in Chiba prefecture. This 22km railway stretches from Ohara to Kazusa-Nakano. While you reach Ohara by modern and futuristic JR trains, you might be surprised while you walk to Isumi Railway platform at Ohara station. In contrast with JR, it has kinda nostalgic Showa era ambience on its trains and stations. While you can hear departure melody and see eye-catching LED signboards in most JR stations, on this line the trains will honk their horn as they leave the station and the signage are also antique. Here’s an example of comparison between JR platform and Isumi Railway platform at Otaki station; can you spot the difference?
Its fleets mainly consist of a single and a couple of diesel trains. If you want to explore the area along the line, I’d recommend to buy one day ticket at the vending machine, it costs 1000 Yen, cheaper than buying a single trip. You can hop on and off the train at any stations by just showing the ticket to the staff.
This railway also runs a couple of antique Showa era trains. Those trains run as a trainset for express and special services. I didn’t have the chance to ride, but got some nice photos of it. You can enjoy the vibe of 60s by taking the trains with additional special ticket.
Retro trainset are the railway’s tourist magnet. However, they have another unique trains known as “Moomin Ressha” or Moomin Train. You can quickly recognize it as the carbody is yellow with Moomin stickers around it. Unfortunately, the stickers were removed at the end of March 2019. During my visit, there’s plenty of Moomins merchandise on sale in souvenir shop at Kuniyoshi, Ohara and Otaki station. However, I’m not sure about today. I hope they still sell some of them.
Green and calming
You can’t see mount Fuji from train window here. However, rice fields along the track will ease your stress away. There’s nothing so calming as the train cutting through the rice fields. You can have a breathtaking view in the front section of the train just like the driver. Not only adults love to stay here for the view, but the kids too. When sakura blooms along the track, the view is superb. Too bad, I didn’t have the chance to see that, I went there in summer.
Anything else to see here?
Well, it’s not only retro trains here. The railway company occasionally held some special events, you can look up for new info on their FB page or website (Japanese only). If you’re a history lover, you can get of at Otaki station and pay Otaki Castle a visit. Unlike Osaka castle, you won’t see hordes of tourist and long queue here.
Just spend 200 Yen, you can wander around the museum inside the castle which displays local history from the Sengoku era to Showa. Also, you can get a photo with Samurai costume there for FREE!
Museum visit isn’t complete without souvenirs, there’s a souvenir counter at the lobby. They sell lot of affordable cool stuff there. Don’t forget to buy these, by shopping there you’ll support the growth and maintenance of the museum.
Your stomach grumbling? Need something to eat? You can visit Isumi Poppo no Oka from Kuniyoshi sta by a bicycle that you can rent for free. Ask the station staff for more info. (My Japanese was so terrible when I tried to rent the bike, but the station staff was so kind and helpful, she even gave me a map to reach there. Don’t be afraid to ask).
After you get the bike, then enjoy 20 mins of summer breeze along the rice field on the way to Poppo no Oka. It’s quite hot during summer but far better than Tokyo.
Next, you can enjoy the famous TKG rice here for just 582 Yen and eat it up on board a train behind the kiosk. It’s a mini train museum, it’s free of charge to enter. After lunch, to burn some calories, you can explore the area. There are so many classic trains on display around here. You can even get inside them except for the JNR era blue trains on the top of the hills.
Train journey along Isumi railway might be nostalgic, but there are plenty terrific spots to visit along the line. I had intended to reach the terminus in Kazusa-Nakano to continue my trip using another antique kihas on the Kominato line. Unfortunately, with heavy heart I canceled my plan due to time. I wish I could visit Isumi Railway again during my next visit to Japan. I’d like to say many thanks to the people along the line and railway staff for helping me to explore some famous spots there. This line is perfect choice for those of you who wants to escape from the crowds of big city. Embrace the real Japanese hospitality by visiting less touristy area!
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