🗺️ Watarase Keikoku Railway Mini Train

The Watarase Keikoku Railway is a local railway connecting Kiryu Station in Gunma Prefecture to Tōno Station in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, with a one-way journey taking about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The small trains running on this railway feature open-type carriages without glass windows, allowing passengers to enjoy the refreshing breeze while taking in the beautiful natural scenery of the changing seasons along the valley. It is a popular sightseeing train throughout the Kanto region (during winter operations, glass windows are installed). There are two types of small trains on the Watarase Keikoku Railway. One is the retro-style "Watarase Keikoku-go," which is pulled by a locomotive; the other is the diesel multiple unit "WASSHI-go," marked with the railway's mascot, "Wataru WASSHI." Both types of trains mainly operate during peak tourist seasons, on weekends, and national holidays. Riding the Watarase Keikoku small train allows passengers to fully appreciate the cherry blossoms and peach flowers in spring, the lush greenery in summer, the autumn leaves, and the winter snow scenery. Among the four seasons, the best recommended time to ride is during the summer when the new green foliage is abundant. The newly sprouted green trees reflect on the clear surface of the Watarase River, creating a dazzling view under the sunlight that is truly delightful. The refreshing and pleasant breeze enters the open carriages, allowing passengers to feel the essence of nature while being immersed in the picturesque scenery. Along the Watarase Keikoku Railway, there are many exciting tourist attractions where passengers can get off and explore. For example, there are the Katuzudō Gorge, the Ashio Copper Mine sightseeing area, and the onsen at Mizunuma Station. Additionally, there are many traditional buildings and ruins that retain their historical appearance, such as the wooden station often seen in Japanese movies and television, which has been registered as a national cultural heritage of Japan. The Watarase Keikoku small train does not operate every day, so it is best to check the operating dates in advance on the official website. Additionally, when boarding, passengers need to purchase a numbered ticket (adult 520 yen) in addition to the train ticket. The numbered ticket can be reserved up to one month in advance, but if there are available seats on the day, passengers can board without a reservation.

There are two types of small trains: one is the retro-style "Watarase Keikoku-go," which is pulled by a locomotive and operates passenger cars; the other is the diesel multiple unit "WASSHI-go." Among the four seasons, the best time to ride is during the summer when the fresh greenery is abundant. The Watarase Keikoku small train does not operate every day, so it is best to check the operating dates in advance on the official website.