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Enjoy the abandoned railway tracks of Tohoku! Ride rail bikes and trolleys along the tracks and stay overnight on the Kosaka Railway Blue Train (Part 1) [Akita Prefecture]
Enjoy the abandoned railway tracks of Tohoku! Ride rail bikes and trolleys along the tracks and stay overnight on the Kosaka Railway Blue Train (Part 1) [Akita Prefecture]
The abandoned Kosaka Railway line in northeastern Akita Prefecture has mostly retained its tracks along the Jukai Line (Akita Prefectural Route 2, Odate-Towada Lake Line), giving visitors a glimpse of what it was like back then.
The buildings and railway land from the former Odate Station site to the border with Kosaka Town were transferred to Odate City free of charge, and the town signed a lease agreement for the former Kosaka Station site, providing the station building and rolling stock free of charge.
The remains of these facilities have been turned into museums and parks, and the remaining tracks have been developed into an experiential attraction where people can enjoy riding rail bikes and trolleys on them.
Please note that the prices listed in this article are current as of September 21, 2025.
A local line within a local line! Kosaka Railway
Double-headed DD130 locomotives operated by the former Kosaka Railway, with DD133 at the front and a tank car carrying concentrated sulfuric acid at the back. Source: Wikipedia (public domain)
Officially known as the " Kosaka Smelting Kosaka Line, " this 22.3km long local freight railway line connects Odate City and Kosaka Town and was operated by Kosaka Smelting Co., Ltd., which is still located in Kosaka Town.
The line originally transported ores such as gold, silver, copper, and zinc from the Kosaka Mine, and after the mine closed, it was used to transport concentrated sulfuric acid manufactured by the company, and also operated as a passenger line.
Even after passenger service was discontinued in October 1994, the line continued to transport concentrated sulfuric acid, but this service was suspended in March 2008, and the entire line was closed on April 1, 2009.
The entrance to the bus stop is on the other side of the prefabricated hut (reception office) on the right (the tracks and bus stop are behind the hut, and the bus stop is "Seifuso-mae").
On the way from Odate City to Kosaka Town along the Jukai Line, the starting point is in front of Yukizawa Onsen Seifuso , and is equipped with prefabricated huts, toilets, and parking spaces.
After crossing the footbridge, turn right and go further in to reach the bus stop (after getting off, turn left and you will find a promenade along the river).
This rail bike first appeared in a 2011 film about revitalizing the local area, but at the time it was still a fictional attraction.
A rail bike, likely used in a movie shoot, is placed next to a prefabricated hut.
this film, " Grandma Hana!! - My Mountain God, " the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred, and although Akita Prefecture suffered little direct damage, the number of tourists dropped dramatically.
The course map at the office shows the "Nagaki Valley Course" that can currently be run.
In October of that year, the Japan Tourism Agency decided to use rail bikes as a social experiment, and it was hoped that this would be a way to utilize the tracks of the Kosaka Railway after it was closed.
The back of the platform is a rail bike garage.
This initiative was well-received, and since 2013 it has been operated annually by an NPO, and is now a popular tourist attraction with people coming from overseas just to see it.
A 2km long forest course through nature
We're about to depart! The electric assist switch is on the handlebars, and in front is the powered car of the staff member leading the group.
permanent " Nagaki Valley Course " is a 2km single track with a gentle gradient that runs along the Jukai Line and the valley towards Kosaka. The round trip takes about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on your physical strength and the level of congestion.
Let's get going! Even the long, drawn-out uphill climbs are comfortably navigated with gear changes and electric assist.
Along the course, there are sights to see, such as the Koyukizaka Railway Bridge and the remains of Koyukizawa Station, and the feeling of running through the forest while enjoying the scenery of Nagaki Valley and feeling the wind blow over your entire body is incredibly refreshing.
We arrived at the turnaround point. In the foreground is the staff's motor vehicle. The bike we came on in the background is being turned around by the staff during a break.
This is a forest course with few houses nearby, but a staff member's motorized vehicle will be ahead of you at the turnaround point to help you turn your bike around and will also come to your aid immediately if anything happens.
Koyukizawa Railway Bridge on the way back
Until now, from June to the end of July, the service has been running on the " double railroad bridge course ," which is about 4km long and goes in the opposite direction (towards Odate) from the starting point, but there are currently sections where the route is impassable and the service is suspended.
A wide variety of rail bikes
This time, we boarded car No. 13, which seats four people (4,500 yen per car), with two people (3,500 yen per car). Before departure, the staff gave us a detailed explanation.
There are a wide variety of rail bikes, from Car 1, which is pulled by a motor car, to Car 14, which is electrically assisted, so you can choose one that suits the number of passengers and their physical strength.
In addition to being electrically assisted, vehicle 13 is equipped with three gears, making it easy to ride uphill.
The service will run from mid-April to late November, and in 2025 it is scheduled to run from Saturday, April 12th to Sunday, November 24th.
Reservations can be made online, and the cost is 3,500 yen per two-seater vehicle (tax included, with a commemorative photo taken by a staff member).
Odate-Kosaka Railway Rail Bike <Information>
Facility name: Odate-Kosaka Railway Rail Bike
Address: 30-2 Otaki Yukizawa, Odate City, Akita Prefecture
Phone number: 0186-50-2555
Business hours: 8:30-16:30 (Rail bikes operate every 60 minutes from 9:00-16:00)
Operation period: April 12, 2025 (Sat) - November 24, 2025 (Monday holiday)
Number of flights: 8 flights per day (7 flights per day from October 20th, when the final flight was suspended)
"Akita Inu Village" and "Railway Park" (former Odate Station of Kosaka Railway)
In front of the building is a statue of Hachiko in his prime.
Odate, known as the hometown of Hachiko, the iconic Akita dog, is home to Odate Station, the starting point of the Kosaka Railway, adjacent to JR Odate Station.
Akita dogs and dogs from all 47 prefectures will welcome you
On the site of the former Odate Station, " Akita Inu no Sato " has been built, which includes an exhibition room and museum where you can see cute Akita dogs. There is also a terrace with free admission and a view of the railway park, as well as a souvenir corner selling Akita dog goods and local specialties.
Sakura-chan relaxes in the "Akita dog room" under the watchful eye of Tokyu Corporation's 5000 series train, commonly known as the "Blue Frog."
The site also houses a "railway park," where a popular attraction is riding a "hand-powered trolley" on the remaining railroad tracks.
A panoramic view of the railway park. On the right side, there are tracks for trolleys. On the distant mountain, there is the famous Daimonji character of Odate.
A hand-pulled trolley runs along the abandoned Kosaka Railway line
At the Supervision Office counter, you will be informed of the level of congestion and the approximate waiting time.
Purchase your ticket at the management office counter inside Akita Inu no Sato, and then walk a short distance from the parking lot to the rowed trolley departure and arrival point, where you can take turns riding the trolley.
The trolley is quite spacious, can comfortably seat four people, and is equipped with child seats for small children.
It works by raising and lowering a lever in the middle of the cart, similar to a well pump. It requires quite a bit of strength to get started, so it is recommended that two adults paddle it.
Immediately after the start, you have to stand up to pedal, otherwise it's difficult to move forward
The course is a 300-meter single track, but from the start to the halfway point there is a slight incline, and it is difficult to move forward unless you stand up and pedal hard.
The turning point is a railroad crossing. Staff are waiting.
Once you gain speed, you'll be able to move forward simply by moving the lever up and down while remaining seated.
A pleasant downhill slope from the turnaround point
The starting point is just around the corner, and you can move forward without pedaling. Be careful not to go too fast on the downhill slope on the way back.
The return journey from the turning point is downhill, so it's very refreshing to cut through the wind with just a little effort.
There are staff members waiting at the starting point, turnaround point, and halfway points, so you can ride with peace of mind knowing that they will come to your aid immediately if anything happens.
We're almost at the finish line! "Welcome back!"
The trolley operates from 10:00 to 16:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from late April to early November every year. Up to four people can ride in one car, and the fare is 200 yen per person per ride.
The materials are set up so that they can be seen from the trolley, but you may not have time to look at them while frantically pedaling.
Along the trolley tracks, there is a "Railway Park" lined with exhibition panels depicting the history of the Kosaka Railway, allowing you to learn about the history of the Kosaka Railway while riding the trolley.
The nostalgic Tokyu "Blue Frog"
The popular 5000 series "Blue Frog" with its small, round body
Also on display in the lawn area is an old Tokyu Corporation 5000 series train, commonly known as the "Blue Frog," which once ran through Shibuya Station, and you can tour the interior of the train for free.
This vehicle has become popular due to its cute frog-like appearance.
Inside the Blue Frog, there are exhibits containing information. During the winter, the building is covered with a blue tarp and goes into hibernation, so be sure to check it out now.
This is an old Tokyu Railway carriage that runs through Shibuya Station, where Hachiko waited for Professor Ueno's return. It was donated to Shibuya Ward and then given to the "Akita Inu Village," which is modeled after the old Shibuya Station.
When it comes to Odate gourmet food, Hanazen's chicken rice is the best!
The headquarters is located across from JR Odate Station, next to the Akita Inu Village. The restaurant and gallery (2nd floor) are on the right, and the bento shop is on the left.
Hanazen located in front of JR Odate Station , is a long-selling ekiben that represents Akita Prefecture and is loved by locals, but you can also enjoy a warm bowl of chicken rice at the restaurant in the Hanazen main store.
A spacious floor with a raised floor
The restaurant serves it as a set meal, with options including Inaniwa udon, Kiritanpo, Hinai chicken salt ramen, and Zaru soba noodles, as well as chicken and rice fried rice and Hinai chicken minced meat rice bowls.
"Chicken rice with dashi broth" Chicken rice is filled with deliciously seasoned chicken
The writer's recommendation is the " Chicken Rice Dashi Chazuke ." The more you chew the chicken rice, the more delicious it becomes. You can enjoy the sweet and spicy flavor of the chicken rice, and pour chicken broth over it to make ochazuke, making it a great value dish.
"Hinaichi Chicken Salt Ramen" set, the small bowl in the front is ginger flavored oil for a different taste
The set that my companion ordered, " Hina Jidori Shio Ramen ", is also recommended, as the soup is delicious and packed with the flavor of Hinai Jidori chicken, and the flavor change is enjoyable with the fragrant ginger oil.
In this article, we visited two recommended spots related to the Kosaka Railway in Odate City and introduced the rail bike and trolley that travel along the abandoned railway line.
After the interview, we said hello to the Akita dogs at Akita Inu no Sato, picked up the chicken rice bento we had reserved at Hanazen, and headed east along the Jukai Line, heading for the site of the old Kosaka Station.
Tonight's accommodation is a private room A on the nostalgic sleeper express train "Akebono" (to be continued in the second part).
I am a former Edo guy who loves Morioka, loves the six prefectures of Tohoku, and loves history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. We'll introduce you to some interesting, delicious, and good things about Tohoku!
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