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Kosaka Railway Rail Park is a railway theme park that utilizes the former Kosaka Station of the Kosaka Railway, which was closed in 2009 (Heisei 21), as well as the train depot and marshalling yard that was located at Kosaka Station
The Kosaka Railway was a private railway that connected Kosaka Station (Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture) and Odate Station on the Ou Main Line (Odate City, Akita Prefecture). The museum preserves and exhibits facilities such as the station building that has been in use since the railway's founding, as well as rolling stock that was used on the Kosaka Railway, and the former Japanese National Railways (JR) Blue Train cars
Some of them are preserved in working order, and the Blue Train "Akebono" carriages are used as accommodation, making them popular with people of all ages, not just railway fans
Kosaka Railway was established as a private railway for the Kosaka Mine
This railway was laid 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 Kosaka Mine, one of Japan's leading copper mines . It began operation a long time ago, in 1909 (Meiji 42), and as the mine developed, passenger trains began operating in 1912 (Taisho 1).
Kosaka Mine reached its peak in the late Meiji period, and Kosaka Town developed into a large town with the second largest population in Akita Prefecture. However, production gradually declined thereafter, and the mine was eventually closed in 1990 (Heisei 2) due to the depletion of ore
Kosaka Railway also ceased passenger service in 1994 (Heisei 6), and freight transport was discontinued in 2009 (Heisei 21)
Kosaka Rail Park: A railway theme park that anyone can enjoy
The attractions of Kosaka Railway Rail Park include the many preserved carriages, the station building that is a nationally registered tangible cultural property, and the engine shed, but the best part is that you can stay overnight on a preserved, working Blue Train
The Blue Train, preserved in working order at the Kosaka Railway Rail Park, consists of four 24-series sleeping cars that were once used on the overnight sleeper express "Akebono" that ran between Ueno Station (Tokyo) and Aomori Station/Akita Station via the Ou Main Line, as well as three passenger cars and one power car
The 24 series passenger cars were sleeper cars mass-produced by the former Japanese National Railways (now JR) from 1973 (Showa 48) to 1980 (Showa 55).They were affectionately known as the "Blue Train" because their exteriors were painted a single deep blue, and they ran all over the country
The three passenger cars consist of an A-class sleeping compartment (Slone 24-551), a B-class sleeping compartment (Ohane 24-555), and an open B-class sleeping compartment (Ohanefu 24-12) . All three cars were manufactured in 1973 (Showa 48) . After undergoing several renovation works, they have taken on the style that is currently preserved. All were manufactured by Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.
This is a single-person A-class private sleeping car, single DX (car symbol Ro [A = Green car] Ne [sleeping car])and the symbol is S because the car weighs 37.3 tons. Originally a two-tiered A-class sleeping car, it was remodeled into a single-person private room for the Akebono. Although it is for single use, there is a bed above the private room, so two people can actually stay there, so there are a total of 11 rooms with a capacity of 22 people. It is used as accommodation.
a single-person B-class private sleeping car, Solo (vehicle symbol Ha [B = ordinary car] Ne [sleeping car]) , and since its dead weight is 35.5 tons, the symbol is O. When it was first manufactured it was a three-tiered B-class sleeping car, but it was converted into a two-tiered sleeping car, and then further converted into a two-tiered private room with beds arranged parallel to the tracks, and a roof with a skylight. It has a capacity of 28 people. It is used as accommodation.
Open B-class sleeping car: Manufactured as a three-tier B-class sleeping car, it was later converted to a two-tier. This car has a conductor's compartment called a brake van. Therefore, the symbols are O (weight 32.2 tons), Ha (ordinary car), Ne (sleeping car), and Fu (brake van). This is used as a dining and resting area for guests
Power car: As the name suggests, this is a train that supplies electricity to lighting, heating and cooling equipment, and other facilities. It has a diesel generator and a baggage compartment. Its designation is Ka (weight 48.8 tons) Ni (baggage car) (there seems to be no designation for a power car). It supplies electricity to the other three cars
Other facilities at Kosaka Railway Rail Park
・The station building (a nationally registered tangible cultural property) has been in use since the Kosaka Railway first opened
・The Locomotive Shed (a nationally registered tangible cultural property) was built in 1962 and has been restored to its original state
- A steam locomotive (prefecturally designated tangible cultural property) that was in use from the Taisho to Showa eras, and a VIP car (statically preserved) that was used by members of the imperial family
Steam locomotive No. 11 and VIP car with track width of 763 mm (JR Yamanote Line: 1067 mm)
- Four main diesel locomotives of Kosaka Railway (three DD130s and one DD13 / preserved in working order)
- Three motor cars used for on-site work and track maintenance (preserved in working order)
Kosaka Railway Rail Park: A variety of fun experiences
The attractions of Kosaka Railway Rail Park are endless, including the short-distance operation of the Blue Train. This is a theme park that we hope will continue for many years to come, not only for railway fans, but also for the generations who know the Blue Train and children
The attractions of Kosaka Railway Rail Park are endless, including the short-distance operation of the Blue Train. This is a theme park that we hope will continue for many years to come, not only for railway fans, but also for the generations who know the Blue Train and children
Admission fee: Adults (high school students and above) 600 yen, children (elementary and junior high school students) 300 yen, infants free (only when accompanied by a parent)
Experience 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 parent or 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 parent or guardian)
Experience hours: 10:00-16:00
*Generally closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but there are some days when experiences are available (see business calendar)
Admission fees: Adults (high school students and above) 500 yen, children (elementary and junior high school students) 250 yen, infants free (only when accompanied by a parent or guardian)
Train: Approximately 60 minutes by bus from JR Ou Main Line Odate Station to Kosaka, get off at Kosaka Elementary School bus stop, then walk for approximately 2 minutes. Alternatively, approximately 25 minutes by bus from JR Hanawa Line Towada Minami Station to Kosaka, or approximately 90 minutes by express bus "Asunaro" from Tohoku Shinkansen or JR Tohoku Main Line Morioka Station, get off at Kosaka Elementary School bus stop, then walk for approximately 2 minutes
By car: Approximately 3 minutes from Kosaka IC on the Tohoku Expressway
My love of travel grew, and I used to write a travel magazine, and now I'm a travel writer for the web. During my research, I visited all 47 prefectures in Japan, mainly in the Tohoku region, but my fun part is soaking in hot springs and experiencing traditional Japanese culture such as old townscapes, lifestyles, and performing arts and crafts.
