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A Railfan's Dream: 10 Must-Visit Heritage Railway Spots in Hokkaido
In the vast expanse of Hokkaido, railways have long been an indispensable part of life. Here are our recommendations for the best railway spots where you can see everything from historic train cars to precious exhibits!
- Drive a Real Coal-Fired Steam Locomotive at Mikasa Railway Village (Mikasa City)
- Feel Like a Conductor on a Trolley at Karikachi Kogen Eco-Trolley Railroad (Shintoku Town)
- See the Famous "Degoichi" SL at Roadside Station Abira D51 Station (Abira Town)
- Japan's Longest Driving Experience at Furusato Ginga Line Rikubetsu Railway (Rikubetsu Town)
- Ride an SL Through a Lush Park at Maruseppu Forest Park Ikoi no Mori (Engaru Town)
- Famous for "From Aikoku (Love Country) to Kofuku (Happiness)" Tickets: Aikoku Station (Obihiro City)
- A Station with a Happy Name: Kofuku Station (Obihiro City)
- The Impressive Turntable at Niseko Railway Heritage Group (Niseko Town)
- 50 Railway Cars on Display at Otaru City General Museum (Otaru City)
- Preserving the Showa-Era Atmosphere at Kamiyubetsu Centennial Memorial Park Naka-Yubetsu Station Memorial Hall (Yubetsu Town)
1. Drive a Real Coal-Fired Steam Locomotive at Mikasa Railway Village (Mikasa City)
Mikasa Railway Village, opened in the birthplace of Hokkaido's railways, features the steam locomotive "S-304," as well as precious materials from the Meiji era, and timetables, uniforms, SL parts, and signals actually used during the Taisho and Showa periods.
Mikasa Railway Village
■Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
■Admission (Combined ticket for Mikasa City Museum, Mikasa City Facility for Promotion of Culture and Arts, and Mikasa Railway Museum): General (High school students and older) 750 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 350 yen / Preschoolers free
■Closed: Every Monday, winter closure (October 16 - April 15)
■Parking: Available (free)
■Location: 2-287 Horonai-cho, Mikasa-shi (Mikasa Railway Museum)
See details for "Mikasa Railway Village (Horonai Zone)" on Domingo
See details for "Mikasa Railway Village (Mikasa Zone)" on Domingo
2. Feel Like a Conductor on a Trolley at Karikachi Kogen Eco-Trolley Railroad (Shintoku Town)
This facility allows you to ride a maintenance track bicycle on the rails of the former Niinai Station on the old Karikachi Line, once known for having one of Japan's three greatest train window views. The course features signals, crossings, and various railway signs, giving you the feeling of being a train conductor.
Karikachi Kogen Eco-Trolley Railroad
■Hours: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
■Fares
・Pedal-powered Trolley: Adults 700 yen / Children & Toddlers (3 years old to junior high school) 400 yen
・Battery-powered Train: Adults 700 yen (only for adults, including those with a regular driver's license)
■Parking: Available (free)
■Location: Former Niinai Station, Karikachi Kogen, Shintoku-cho
See details for "Karikachi Kogen Eco-Trolley Railroad" on Domingo
3. See the Famous "Degoichi" SL at Roadside Station Abira D51 Station (Abira Town)
The railway museum at Roadside Station Abira D51 Station exhibits historical materials about the Oiwake area's history as a railway hub, including the steam locomotive "D51 320." Outside, a Hokkaido-spec limited express train, the "KiHa 183 series," is also preserved and displayed.
Railway Museum (attached to Roadside Station Abira D51 Station)
■Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (April - October) / 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (November - March)
■Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays (December 31 - January 3)
*May have temporary closures for maintenance, etc.
■Admission: Free
■Parking: Available (free)
■Location: 49-1 Oiwake Kashiwagaoka, Abira-cho
See details for "Railway Museum (attached to Roadside Station Abira D51 Station)" on Domingo
4. Japan's Longest Driving Experience at Furusato Ginga Line Rikubetsu Railway (Rikubetsu Town)
You can experience riding or driving a train that was actually used on the Furusato Ginga Line. The train driving experience course, which opened on April 30, 2021, runs from former Rikubetsu Station to former Bunsen Station and boasts the longest distance in Japan at 5.7 km.
Rikubetsu Railway
■Operating Season (2023): April 22 (Sat) - October 31 (Tue)
*Available experiences vary by day, so please check the official website in advance.
■Hours: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM (last admission at 3:30 PM)
■Closed: Every Tuesday and Wednesday
■Fares (On-site ride experience): Adults 300 yen / Elementary school students 200 yen / Toddlers free (with accompanying guardian)
■Parking: Available (please use the roadside station parking lot)
■Location: 69-1 Rikubetsu Genya Kisen, Rikubetsu-cho
See details for "Rikubetsu Railway" on Domingo
5. Ride an SL Through a Lush Park at Maruseppu Forest Park Ikoi no Mori (Engaru Town)
The "Amemiya 21," Japan's only operational forest railway steam locomotive, runs a two-kilometer course through the park. In this nature-rich park, you can also visit a local history museum, a campground, and various playgrounds.
Maruseppu Forest Park Ikoi no Mori
■Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
■Closed: None
■Admission: Free entry
■Parking: Free (outside the park)
■Location: 80 Kamimuri, Maruseppu, Engaru-cho
See details for "Maruseppu Forest Park Ikoi no Mori" on Domingo
6. Famous for "From Aikoku (Love Country) to Kofuku (Happiness)" Tickets: Aikoku Station (Obihiro City)
At Aikoku Station on the former JNR Hiroo Line, now used as a transportation memorial hall, you can see tickets, panels, and an SL used at the time. The monument of the "To Kofuku (Happiness)" ticket in front of the station is a popular photo spot.
Aikoku Station
■Hours: March - November (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM), December - February (open Sundays only / 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
*The SL car cannot be viewed during the winter period (December - March)
■Closed: Open daily (March - November), Open Sundays only (December - February)
■Admission: Free
■Parking: Available (free)
■Location: 39-40 Aikoku-cho Kisen, Obihiro-shi
See details for "Aikoku Station" on Domingo
7. A Station with a Happy Name: Kofuku Station (Obihiro City)
Like Aikoku Station, Kofuku Station was on the former JNR Hiroo Line. Although it was scheduled to be closed, it has been preserved as a tourist spot due to its auspicious name. The commemorative "From Aikoku to Kofuku" ticket sold at the shop is the number one best-selling souvenir.
Kofuku Station
■Hours (Shop): Summer 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM / Winter: 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
■Closed: None
■Parking: Available (free)
■Location: Kofuku-cho Higashi 1-sen, Obihiro-shi
See details for "Kofuku Station" on Domingo
8. The Impressive Turntable at Niseko Railway Heritage Group (Niseko Town)
This collection of railway heritage was established in 2021 next to Niseko Station. On display are the "Former Shokumin Kidō Makkari Line Kaributo Stop Ruins," steam locomotive "9643," the "Former Shintoku Engine Depot Turntable," and the "Niseko Express (KiHa 183-5001)."
Niseko Railway Heritage Group
■Operating Period
・Steam Locomotive "9643" and "Former Shintoku Engine Depot Turntable": Open daily from April 28 (Fri)
・Niseko Express (KiHa 183-5001): Saturdays, Sundays, etc., from May 13 to October 9
■Closed: None
■Admission: Free
■Location: 144 Chuo-dori, Niseko-cho
See details for "Niseko Railway Heritage Group" on Domingo
A treat for railfans! The "Niseko Railway Heritage Group" features an SL, an Express train, and a turntable all in one place.
9. 50 Railway Cars on Display at Otaru City General Museum (Otaru City)
In addition to the 50 railway cars on display, the history of Hokkaido's railways is presented in detail. The museum also has a planetarium and a science exhibition room. In the summer, you can ride the SL Iron Horse, making it a spot that can be enjoyed by everyone from adults to children.
Otaru City General Museum
■Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
■Admission: General 400 yen (winter 300 yen) / High school students & city residents aged 70+ 200 yen (winter 150 yen) / Junior high school students and younger free
*Please inquire about the winter period.
■Closed: Tuesdays (or the next weekday if Tuesday is a holiday), year-end and New Year holidays (December 29 - January 3)
■Parking: Available (free)
■Location: 1-3-6 Temiya, Otaru-shi
See details for "Otaru City General Museum" on Domingo
10. Preserving the Showa-Era Atmosphere at Kamiyubetsu Centennial Memorial Park Naka-Yubetsu Station Memorial Hall (Yubetsu Town)
A portion of the former Naka-Yubetsu Station from the discontinued JR Nayoro and Yumo Lines has been preserved as it was. The platform, rails, a snowplow car, and two cabooses are on display. It's a charming facility that retains the atmosphere of the Showa era.
Kamiyubetsu Centennial Memorial Park Naka-Yubetsu Station Memorial Hall
■Operating Period: May - October
■Closed: None
■Admission: Free
■Parking: Available (free)
■Location: Nakayubetsu Nakamachi, Yubetsu-cho
See details for "Kamiyubetsu Centennial Memorial Park Naka-Yubetsu Station Memorial Hall" on Domingo
