ARTICLES
Railways have been an inseparable part of the vast Hokkaido region since ancient times, and we'll introduce you to some recommended railway spots where you can see everything from old vehicles to valuable exhibits!
- Mikasa Railway Village (Mikasa City): Experience driving a real coal-fired steam locomotive
- Karikachi Kogen Eco Trolley Railway (Shintoku Town): Experience what it's like to be a driver on a trolley
- The popular SL Degoichi is on display at the Abira D51 Station Roadside Station (Abira Town)
- Japan's longest distance driving experience: "Furusato Ginga Line Rikubetsu Railway" (Rikubetsu Town)
- Maruseppu Forest Park Ikoi no Mori (Engaru Town): A steam locomotive ride through a lush park
- "Aikoku Station" (Obihiro City), famous for "From Patriotism to Happiness"
- "Happy Station" (Obihiro City) with its happy station name
- The impressive turntable is the attraction of the "Niseko Railway Heritage Site" (Niseko Town)
- Otaru City Museum (Otaru City) displays 50 railway cars
- The atmosphere of the Showa era is preserved at the Nakayubetsu Station Memorial Hall in Kamiyubetsu Centennial Park (Yubetsu Town)
1. Mikasa Railway Village (Mikasa City) - Experience driving a real coal-fired steam locomotive
Mikasa Railway Village, which opened as the birthplace of Hokkaido Railway, displays the steam locomotive "S-304", as well as valuable documents from the Meiji period, timetables, uniforms, steam locomotive parts, and signals actually used during the Taisho and Showa periods.
Mikasa Railway Village
■ Business hours: 9:00-17:00 ■Price (common ticket for Mikasa City Museum, Mikasa City Cultural Arts Promotion Facility, and Mikasa Railway Memorial Museum): Adults (high school students and above) 750 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 350 yen / Free for children under elementary school age ■Closed: Every Monday, closed during winter (October 16th to April 15th) ■Parking: Available (free) ■Address: 2-287 Horonai-cho, Mikasa City (Mikasa Railway Memorial Museum) See details of "Mikasa Railway Village (Horonai Zone)" on Domingo See details of "Mikasa Railway Village (Mikasa Zone)" on Domingo
2. Karikachi Kogen Eco Trolley Railway (Shintoku Town): Experience what it's like to be a trolley driver
This is a facility where you can ride a track maintenance bicycle on the rails within the Shinnai Station premises of the former Karikachi Line, once one of the three best train window views in Japan. The course includes signals, railroad crossings, and various railway signs, allowing you to experience what it's like to be a train driver.
Karikachi Highlands Eco Trolley Railway
■ Business hours: 9:30-16:30 ■Price ・Pedal trolley: Adults 700 yen / Children (ages 3 and over, junior high school students and under) 400 yen ・Battery train: 700 yen for adults (adults only, including those with a regular driver's license) ■Parking: Available (free) ■Location: Former Shinnai Station, Karikachi Plateau, Shintoku Town See details of "Karukachi Kogen Eco Trolley Railway" on Domingo
3. The popular SL Degoichi is on display at the Abira D51 Station Roadside Station (Abira Town)
At the railway museum in the Abira D51 Station Roadside Station, historical materials from the Oiwake area as a railway hub are on display, including the steam locomotive D51 No. 320. In addition, the Hokkaido-specification express train "Kiha 183 series vehicle" is on display outside.
Railway Museum (attached to Abira Roadside Station D51 Station)
■Business hours: 9:00-18:00 (April-October) / 9:00-17:00 (November-March) ■Closed days: New Year's holiday (December 31st to January 3rd) *There may also be temporary closures due to maintenance, etc. ■ Price: Free ■Parking: Available (free) ■Location: 49-1 Oiwake Kashiwagaoka, Abira Town See details of "Railway Museum (attached to Abira Roadside Station D51 Station)" on Domingo
4. Japan's longest distance train driving experience: "Furusato Ginga Line Rikubetsu Railway" (Rikubetsu Town)
You can actually ride and drive trains that were in service on the Furusato Ginga Line. The train driving experience course from the former Rikubetsu Station to the former Bunsen Station, which opened on April 30, 2021, is the longest in Japan at 5.7 km.
Rikubetsu Railway
■ Business period (2023): April 22nd (Sat) - October 31st (Tue) *The menus available vary depending on business days, so please check the official website in advance. ■ Business hours: 9:30-16:00 (last admission at 15:30) ■ Closed: Every Tuesday and Wednesday ■ Price (Station Ride Experience): Adults 300 yen / Elementary school students 200 yen / Infants free (accompanied by a guardian) ■Parking: Available (please use the roadside station parking lot) ■Location: 69-1 Rikubetsu Genno Base Line, Rikubetsu Town See details of "Rikubetsu Railway" on Domingo
5. Maruseppu Forest Park Ikoi no Mori (Engaru Town): Ride a steam locomotive through a lush park
The Amemiya 21, the only moving forest railway steam locomotive in Japan, runs 2 kilometers through the park. The park is rich in nature and also has a local museum, campsite, and various playground equipment.
Maruseppu Forest Park Recreation Forest
■ Business hours: 9:00-17:00 ■ Closed: None ■ Admission: Free ■ Parking: Free (outside the park) ■Address: 80, Maruseppu, Kamitake, Engaru Town See details of "Maruseppu Forest Park Recreation Forest" on Domingo
6. Aikoku Station (Obihiro City), famous for the saying "From patriotism to happiness"
At Aikoku Station on the former JNR Hiroo Line, which is now used as a transportation memorial museum, tickets, panels, and steam locomotives used at the time are on display. The "Kofuku Yuki" ticket monument in front of the station building is a popular photo spot.
Aikoku Station
■Opening hours: March to November (9:00-17:00), December to February (open only on Sundays/9:00-17:00) *The steam locomotive cannot be viewed during the winter (December to March). ■Closing days: None (March to November), open only on Sundays (December to February) ■ Price: Free ■Parking: Available (free) ■Address: 39-40 Kisen, Aikokucho, Obihiro City See details of "Aikoku Station" on Domingo
7. "Koufuku Station" (Obihiro City): A station with a happy name
Like Aikoku Station, Koufuku Station was also on the former JNR Hiroo Line. It was originally scheduled to be closed, but it continues to exist as a tourist spot due to the auspiciousness of its name. The commemorative ticket "From Aikoku to Koufuku" sold at the kiosk is the most popular souvenir.
Happiness Station
■Opening hours (shop): Summer 9:00-17:30 / Winter: 9:30-15:00 ■ Closed: None ■Parking: Available (free) ■Location: Obihiro City Koufukucho East 1 Line See details of "Happiness Station" on Domingo
8. The impressive turntable at Niseko Railway Heritage Site (Niseko Town)
This is a railway heritage site that opened in 2021 adjacent to Niseko Station. The site of the former Colonization Railway Makkari Line Karita Station, steam locomotive "9643", the former Shintoku Locomotive Depot turntable, and the Niseko Express (Kiha 183-5001) are all on display.
Niseko Railway Heritage Site
■ Business period ・Steam locomotive "9643" and "Former Shintoku Locomotive Depot Turntable": Open daily from April 28th (Fri) ・Niseko Express (Kiha 183-5001): Saturdays, Sundays, etc. from May 13th to October 9th ■ Closed: None ■ Price: Free ■Address: 144 Chuodori, Niseko Town See details of "Niseko Railway Heritage Site" on Domingo A must-see for railway fans! "Niseko Railway Heritage Site" with steam locomotives, express trains, and turntables
9. Otaru City Museum (Otaru City) displays 50 railway cars
In addition to displaying 50 railway cars, the museum also provides a detailed introduction to the history of Hokkaido Railway. The museum also has a planetarium and a science exhibition room, and in the summer you can ride the SL Iron Horse, making it a spot that can be enjoyed by both adults and children.
Otaru City Museum
■ Business hours: 9:30-17:00 ■Admission fee: 400 yen for adults (300 yen in winter) / 200 yen for high school students and city residents aged 70 and over (150 yen in winter) / Free for junior high school students and younger *Please enquire during the winter season ■Closed: Tuesdays (or the following weekday if Tuesday is a public holiday), New Year's holiday (December 29th to January 3rd) ■Parking: Available (free) ■Location: 1-3-6 Temiya, Otaru City See details of "Otaru City Museum" on Domingo
10. Kamiyubetsu Centennial Park Nakayubetsu Station Memorial Hall: A place that preserves the atmosphere of the Showa era (Yubetsu Town)
Part of the old Nakayubetsu Station of the abandoned JR Nayoro Line and Yuno Line has been preserved as it was at the time, with the platform, rails, snowplow and two brake vans on display. It is a tasteful facility that retains the atmosphere of the Showa era.
Kamiyubetsu Centennial Memorial Park Nakayubetsu Station Memorial Museum
■Business period: May to October ■ Closed: None ■ Price: Free ■Parking: Available (free) ■Location: Nakayubetsu-Nakamachi, Yubetsu Town See details of "Kamiyubetsu Centennial Park Nakayubetsu Station Memorial Hall" on Domingo
