[Kosaka Town, Kazuno District, Akita Prefecture] “Kosaka Railway Rail Park” where you can stay on the Blue Train, which will thrill even non-railway fans

"Kosaka Railway Rail Park" is a railway theme park that uses the former Kosaka Station of the Kosaka Railway, which was abolished in 2009, and the depot and marshalling yard that were located at Kosaka Station.

Kosaka Railway is a private railway that connected Kosaka Station (Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture) and Odate Station (Odate City, Akita Prefecture) on the Ou Main Line, and features facilities such as the station building that have been in use since its founding, as well as railways that were used by Kosaka Railway. Vehicles, as well as the former Japanese National Railways (JR) Blue Train vehicles, are preserved and exhibited.

Part of it has been preserved and the cars of the Blue Train ``Akebono'' are used as lodging facilities, making it popular not only with railway fans but also with a wide range of generations.

Kosaka Railway was established as a dedicated railway for the Kosaka Mine.

This railway was built between Kosaka Town in Akita Prefecture and Odate Station on the Ou Main Line (Odate City, Akita Prefecture), and its purpose was to transport the products of the Kosaka Mine, which was one of the leading copper mines in Japan . It started operations long ago, in 1909 (Meiji 42), and along with the development of the mine, passenger train service began in 1912 (Taisho 1).

The Kosaka Mine reached its peak in the late Meiji period, and Kosaka Town developed into a large town boasting the second largest population in Akita Prefecture. However, production gradually decreased after that, and the mine was finally closed in 1990 due to ore depletion.

Kosaka Railway also ceased handling passenger service in 1994 (Heisei 6), and ceased carrying freight in 2009 (Heisei 21).

Kosaka Railway Rail Park, a railway theme park that everyone can enjoy

The charm of Kosaka Railway Rail Park is that there are many preserved rolling stock, a station building that is a nationally registered tangible cultural property, and a roundhouse, but the best part is that you can stay on the Blue Train, which has been preserved in working order.

The Blue Train, which is preserved in working condition at the Kosaka Railway Rail Park, was once used by the overnight sleeper express ``Akebono,'' which ran between Ueno Station (Tokyo) and Aomori Station and Akita Station via the Ou Main Line. There are four 24-series sleeping cars, three passenger cars, and one power car.

The 24 series passenger car is a sleeper passenger car that was mass-produced by the former Japanese National Railways (currently JR) from 1973 to 1980, and was nicknamed the "Blue Train" because its exterior was painted a single dark blue color. It was popularly known by its name and traveled all over the country.

The breakdown of the three passenger cars is A-berth private room (Surone 24-551), B-berth private room (Ohane 24-555), and B-berth open (Ohanefu 24-12) . All three cars were manufactured in 1973 (Showa 48). it was done. Since then, it has undergone several renovations to create the style that is preserved today. All manufactured by Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.

A sleeper private room

It is a single-person A private sleeper car/single DX (vehicle symbol RO [A = Green car] Ne [sleeper]) , and the weight of the vehicle is 37.3 tons, so the symbol is S. It was originally a two-tier A-sleeper car, but was renovated into a single-person private room for the Akebono. Although it is designed for one person, there is a bed at the top of the private room, so two people can actually stay, so there are 11 rooms in total, with a capacity of 22 people. It is used as a lodging facility.

B sleeper private room

a single-person B private sleeper car/solo (vehicle code: C [B=regular car] Ne [sleeper car]) , and its weight is 35.5 tons, so the symbol is O. When it was first manufactured, it was a three-tiered B sleeper car, but it was renovated into a two-tiered sleeper, and then became a two-tiered private room with a bed set parallel to the tracks, and the roof was modified to have a window for light. I did. Capacity: 28 people. It is used as a lodging facility.

B berth open

B-berth open: Manufactured as a 3-tier B-berth, later converted to a 2-tier. This train has a conductor's room called a slow train. Therefore, the symbols are O (dead weight 32.2 tons), Ha (regular car), Ne (sleeper car), and Fu (regular car). This is used as a dining and rest area for guests

power car

Power supply car: As the name suggests, this is a train that sends electricity to equipment such as lighting and air conditioning equipment. There is a diesel generator and a luggage compartment. The symbol is Ka (dead weight 48.8 tons) and D (luggage vehicle) (there seems to be no symbol for power supply vehicle). It sends electricity to the other three cars.

"Kosaka Railway Rail Park" and other facilities

・"Station building" that has been used since the opening of Kosaka Railway (nationally registered tangible cultural property)

・“Locomotive shed” built in 1962 (Showa 37) and restored to its original state (nationally registered tangible cultural property)

・"Steam locomotives" that were active from the Taisho to Showa periods (prefecture-designated tangible cultural properties) and "honored guest cars" used by the imperial family (statically preserved)

・4 main diesel locomotives of Kosaka Railway (3 DD130 type and 1 DD13 type / preserved in working condition)

・Russell train called Ki115 (snow plow train/dynamic preservation)

・Three motor cars used for on-site work and track maintenance work (preserved in working condition)

Kosaka Railway Rail Park offers a variety of fun experiences

Kosaka Railway Rail Park also offers short-distance Blue Train services and other attractions that never end. This is a theme park that I would like to see continue for a long time, not only for railway fans, but also for the generation and children who know about the Blue Train.

Sightseeing trolley pulled by a motor car

Rail bike running on old railway tracks

Kosaka Railway Rail Park's other attractions are endless, such as the short-distance Blue Train service. This is a theme park that I would like to see continue for a long time, not only for railway fans, but also for the generation and children who know about the Blue Train.

Kosaka Railway Rail Park <Information>

• Facility name: Kosaka Railway Rail Park
• Location: 20-9 Furukawa, Kosaka Mine, Kosaka-machi, Kazuno-gun, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0186-25-8890
• Business period: April 1st to November 23rd
• Business hours: 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30)
• Official URL: Kosaka Railway Rail Park
• Rides are closed on: Every Tuesday and Wednesday
• Admission fee: Adults (high school students and above) 600 yen, Children (elementary and junior high school students) 300 yen, Infants free (only if accompanied by a guardian)
• Trial fee
• Rail bike/Adults (high school students and above) 500 yen, Children (elementary and junior high school students) 250 yen, Infants free (only when accompanied by a guardian)
• Sightseeing Trolley/Adults (high school students and above) 300 yen, Children (elementary and junior high school students) 150 yen, Infants free (only when accompanied by a guardian)
• Trial business hours: 10:00-16:00
• *Basically, we are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but there are days when you can try it out/see business calendar)

[Blue Train Akebono]

• Available dates: See business calendar
• hotel fee:
• A private room (capacity 2 people) 7,000 yen per room
• B sleeper private room (capacity 1 person) 4,500 yen per room
• Entrance fees to Kosaka Railway Rail Park (on the day of your stay and the next day) are included in your accommodation fee.
• Bedding, yukata, shower room, shampoo, body soap, rest room available
• Bring towels and toothbrushes
• Accommodation reservation: Dedicated phone only
• Phone number: 0186-29-3890
• Reception hours: 9:30-16:00
• URL: Kosaka Railway Rail Park – Blue Train Akebono

[Blue Train Akebono trial ride only for hotel guests]

• Operating days: Check on the business calendar
• Price: Adults (high school students and above) 500 yen, Children (elementary and junior high school students) 250 yen, Infants free (only if accompanied by a guardian)
• Business calendar
• URL: Business Calendar (2024)
• access:
• Railway: Approximately 60 minutes by bus bound for Kosaka from Odate Station on the JR Ou Main Line, then approximately 2 minutes on foot from Kosaka Elementary School bus stop, or approximately 25 minutes by bus bound for Kosaka from Towada Minami Station on the JR Hanawa Line, Tohoku Shinkansen, JR Approximately 90 minutes by express bus "Asunaro" from Morioka Station on the Tohoku Main Line, get off at Kosaka Elementary School bus stop, and walk for approximately 2 minutes.
• Car: Approximately 3 minutes from Kosaka IC on the Tohoku Expressway
• URL: Kosaka Railway Rail Park – Blue Train Akebono

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