This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
The Tohoku region boasts a diverse range of railways, from Shinkansen and main lines connecting to the Tokyo metropolitan area and Hokkaido, to local lines supporting the lives of residents, and tourist trains that allow passengers to enjoy the scenery and cuisine along the routes
Throughout its long history, express trains that ran on complex routes unimaginable today, as well as overnight trains that connected long distances beyond Tohoku, have played an active role
This special feature broadly introduces trivia related to Tohoku's railways, including the history and characteristics of the Tohoku Shinkansen, Tohoku Main Line, Ou Main Line, and Joban Line, local lines in the six Tohoku prefectures, nostalgic famous trains, noteworthy new vehicles and railway plans, and famous and challenging spots along the lines
Possible future prospects? Railway plans for the Tohoku region
Tohoku's railways are moving into a new era, aiming for more comfortable and convenient travel
The Tohoku Shinkansen is scheduled to introduce the new E10 series train, which will succeed the E5 series, and a new overnight express train connecting the Tokyo metropolitan area and Tohoku is also being planned. Meanwhile, at Fukushima Station, construction is underway to expand the approach lines to facilitate the operation of the Tohoku and Yamagata Shinkansen lines, and Yamagata and Akita prefectures are also considering plans to realize the "Ou Shinkansen" and "Uetsu Shinkansen" lines
The following article introduces railway plans that have the potential to transform transportation in Tohoku, from the concrete development of new train cars and equipment to the Shinkansen concept, which still faces many challenges before realization, and their future
The Tohoku region is crisscrossed from north to south by extensive railway lines connecting various prefectures and the Tokyo metropolitan area
The Tohoku, Hokkaido, Akita, and Yamagata Shinkansen lines, which are major arteries of high-speed transportation, as well as the Tohoku Main Line, Joban Line, Ou Main Line, and Uetsu Main Line, have long supported the movement of people, the flow of goods, and the development of the areas along their lines
Below, we will introduce the origins and changes of major railway lines that span multiple prefectures, the history of the trains, the characteristics of the areas along the lines, and the current operating conditions
bullet train
The Shinkansen lines running through the Tohoku region include the Tohoku Shinkansen, which connects the Tokyo metropolitan area with Aomori, the Hokkaido Shinkansen which extends to Hokkaido, and the Akita Shinkansen and Yamagata Shinkansen which connect directly to conventional lines
Below, we introduce some interesting facts about the Shinkansen in the Tohoku region
Tohoku Shinkansen
The Tohoku Shinkansen is a major artery of high-speed transportation in the Tohoku region, connecting Tokyo Station to Shin-Aomori Station, passing through stations such as Sendai and Morioka
Currently, the "Hayabusa," "Hayate," "Yamabiko," and "Nasuno" trains are in operation, connecting and running directly to the Yamagata, Akita, and Hokkaido Shinkansen lines
The Yamagata Shinkansen is a bullet train line that connects Tokyo Station to Yamagata Station and Shinjo Station, via Fukushima Station
The "mini-Shinkansen" system is employed, running on the Tohoku Shinkansen between Tokyo Station and Fukushima Station, and on the conventional Ou Main Line between Fukushima Station and Shinjo Station
The Akita Shinkansen is a "mini-Shinkansen" that connects Tokyo Station to Akita Station via Morioka Station
From Morioka Station, the train runs directly to the Tazawako Line and the Ou Main Line, and currently the "Komachi" limited express operates on this line. During the track gauge conversion work for the opening of the line, the "Akita Relay" limited express train ran between Kitakami Station and Akita Station via the Kitakami Line. For only about a year, it supported access from the Tokyo metropolitan area to Akita, and its role ended with the opening of the Akita Shinkansen in 1997
The Tohoku Main Line is a major JR East line connecting Tokyo Station in Tokyo Prefecture to Morioka Station in Iwate Prefecture, passing through Saitama, Tochigi, Fukushima, and Miyagi Prefectures
It was once the main railway artery of the Tohoku region, extending all the way to Aomori Station, but with the extension of the Tohoku Shinkansen, the section north of Morioka Station was transferred to a third-sector railway company. It still connects the Tokyo metropolitan area with Tohoku, supporting commuter traffic, intercity transport, and freight transport in various parts of the region along the line
The Ou Main Line is a major JR East line connecting Fukushima Station in Fukushima Prefecture to Aomori Station in Aomori Prefecture, passing through Yamagata and Akita Prefectures
Running north-south along the western side of the Ou Mountains, it serves as a major transportation link connecting the four prefectures of Tohoku, supporting the region's transportation needs. The Yamagata Shinkansen "Tsubasa" operates between Fukushima Station and Shinjo Station, while the Akita Shinkansen "Komachi" operates between Omagari Station and Akita Station. A distinctive feature of the line is that the track gauge and operating patterns differ depending on the section
The Joban Line is a main line operated by JR East, connecting Nippori Station in Tokyo to Iwanuma Station in Miyagi Prefecture, passing through the Pacific coast of Chiba, Ibaraki, and Fukushima Prefectures
From Iwanuma Station, trains connect to the Tohoku Main Line, and some "Hitachi" limited express trains operate directly between Shinagawa Station and Sendai Station. Due to the effects of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, some sections of the line were closed for a long period, but full service resumed on March 14, 2020, and it continues to play an important role in connecting the Tokyo metropolitan area and Tohoku
Famous trains and sightseeing trains that ran through Tohoku
There are trains that have operated not just on a single line, but have connected multiple lines and regions
This exhibition introduces the history of unique trains that once played a vital role in wide-area transportation, including express and limited express trains that ran long distances, trains that operated on complex routes, and special trains that connected Tohoku with various other regions, as well as their little-known operational patterns
The history of overnight trains on long-distance routes
In the past, overnight trains in the Tohoku region played an important role in long-distance transportation, allowing passengers to travel to the Tokyo metropolitan area or Hokkaido while they slept
Sleeper express trains such as "Yuzuru," "Hakutsuru," and "Akebono" that connected Ueno Station and Aomori Station, as well as overnight express trains, and "Hamanasu," the last regularly scheduled JR express train that ran between Aomori Station and Sapporo Station via the Seikan Tunnel
Below, we will introduce the history of overnight trains that ran in Tohoku and the reasons why they disappeared over time
The "Resort Shirakami" is a sightseeing train that you'll want to ride at least once
The "Resort Shirakami" is a sightseeing train that connects Akita Station with Aomori Station and Hirosaki Station via the Gono Line
From the train windows, you can enjoy magnificent views of the Sea of Japan and the Shirakami Mountains, a World Natural Heritage site. Along the route, there are numerous attractions such as Senjojiki Coast, Juniko Lakes, and Furofushi Onsen. Onboard, you can also experience local culture through events such as live performances of Tsugaru shamisen and storytelling in the Tsugaru dialect
The following article introduces the charm of the "Resort Shirakami" train, where the train ride itself becomes the purpose of the trip, along with its three different train configurations, seating options, boarding procedures, and attractions along the route
A moving restaurant? The sightseeing train "TOHOKU EMOTION"
"TOHOKU EMOTION" is a sightseeing train that connects Hachinohe Station in Aomori Prefecture and Kuji Station in Iwate Prefecture via the Hachinohe Line
The entire three-car train is designed to resemble a restaurant, featuring a live kitchen where you can enjoy course meals and desserts made with ingredients from the Tohoku region. The interior design incorporates traditional crafts from various parts of Tohoku, and the scenery of the Sanriku coast unfolding outside the windows is also a major attraction
The following article introduces the passenger compartments, cuisine, boarding procedures, and points of interest along the route, such as Tanesashi Coast and Kabushima Island, along with how to enjoy this "restaurant on wheels."
The "Nihonkai Hakucho" was Japan's longest daytime express train.
The limited express "Hakucho" once connected Osaka Station and Aomori Station via the Sea of Japan coast, covering a distance of over 1,000 km
When it first began operation in 1961, the journey took approximately 16 hours, making it the longest-running daytime express train on conventional lines in Japan
The following article introduces the history of long-distance express trains connecting the Kinki, Hokuriku, and Tohoku regions, from the birth of the "Nihonkai Hakucho" and "Shin'etsu Hakucho" to the transition from diesel railcars to electric trains and their discontinuation in 2001
The legend of the express train "Rikuchu," which had an extremely complex operating pattern
During the Japanese National Railways era, there were express trains in the Tohoku region with operating patterns that were far more complex than anything imaginable today
A prime example of this is the express train "Rikuchu," which debuted in 1961. The second generation Rikuchu, in particular, took a roundabout route from Sendai Station to Akita Station, passing through Miyako, Morioka, and Odate stations, and repeatedly coupled and uncoupled with other trains such as "Kurikoma," "Murone," "Michinoku," and "Mutsu" along the way
The following article will introduce the complex and bizarre history of the line, showing how its route changed over time and how it was eventually succeeded by the rapid train "Hamayuri" in 2002
The history of the express train "Oga" that connected Ueno and Akita
The express train "Oga" was a long-distance train that connected Ueno Station and Akita Station via the Tohoku Main Line and Ou Main Line
It was launched in 1961 as the overnight express "Oga," and later renamed "Oga." At its peak, it operated three round trips a day, including daytime and overnight services, with some services extending to Odate Station and Oga Station. Although its service was gradually reduced with the introduction of the sleeper limited express "Akebono" and the Tohoku Shinkansen, it continued as a temporary train with modified routes until the 1990s
The following article introduces the evolution of the "Oga" train, which continuously connected the Tokyo metropolitan area and Akita, and the reasons why it was so widely used
The Shirayuki express train that connected Kanazawa and Aomori in 12 hours
The express train "Shirayuki" was a long-distance train during the Japanese National Railways era that connected Kanazawa Station and Aomori Station via the Japan Sea Main Line
The train began operation in 1963, covering a distance of over 770 km in more than 12 hours. Even after the entire line was electrified, it continued to operate with diesel trains until its discontinuation, thanks to factors such as coupling with other diesel express trains and the use of multiple electrification systems. Although it disappeared in 1982 when it was upgraded to the limited express "Hakucho," the name "Shirayuki" was revived for rapid and limited express trains
The following article will cover its origins, discontinuation, and two instances of its nickname being revived
The limited express train "Inaho" has been connecting the Sea of Japan side of Tohoku with the Tokyo metropolitan area and Niigata Prefecture
The limited express "Inaho" was launched in 1969 as a train connecting Ueno Station and Akita Station, becoming the first direct connection between the Sea of Japan side of the Tohoku region and the Tokyo metropolitan area
The service was later extended to Aomori Station, but with the opening of the Joetsu Shinkansen, it shifted to operating only from Niigata Station. Currently, it connects Niigata Station with Sakata Station and Akita Station via the Hakushin Line and Uetsu Main Line
The following article introduces the evolution and role of the "Inaho" train, which has been running in the Shonai region for over half a century, along with the vehicles that have been passed down from diesel railcars to the 485 series and E653 series
The "Harbor Rainbow" was a special train that connected Akita Prefecture and Hokkaido
From the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, a special train called the "Harbor Rainbow" ran between Akita Station and Hakodate Station, via Aomori Station and the Seikan Tunnel
The train used was JR Hokkaido's diesel railcar, the "North Rainbow Express." Despite the entire route being electrified, it used a diesel train, and was unusual in that it was pulled by an electric locomotive between Aomori Station and Hakodate Station, including the Seikan Tunnel
The following article outlines the operation, its numerous unique features, and why it would be difficult to set up a similar train today
A diesel express train that ran only under overhead wires
Unlike electric trains that run on electricity from overhead wires, diesel railcars, which use diesel fuel, are generally used on non-electrified lines where there are no overhead wires
However, during the Japanese National Railways era, there were express and limited express trains that were operated by diesel railcars, even though the entire line from the starting point to the final destination was electrified
Below, we will examine trains that ran on the Tohoku Main Line, Joban Line, Ou Main Line, Senzan Line, and Japan Sea Main Line, and unravel the reasons why diesel trains deliberately ran under overhead wires and the complex history of their operation, including how they adapted to different electrification systems and how they coupled with trains coming from non-electrified lines
The six prefectures of Tohoku are home to a diverse array of local railway lines that run through mountainous areas, rural regions, and along the coast, supporting the lives of the local communities
The reasons behind these lines vary widely, including routes where passengers can enjoy the scenery of each season, routes that operate tourist trains, routes that have recovered from disasters, and routes that are at a crossroads for their continued existence due to declining ridership
Below, we introduce the characteristics, history, rolling stock, and points of interest along the local railway lines that run through Aomori, Iwate, Akita, Miyagi, Yamagata, and Fukushima prefectures
Aomori Prefecture
Aomori Prefecture, located at the northernmost tip of Honshu, boasts a variety of unique local railway lines that run through the Tsugaru Plain, the Mutsu Bay coast, and snow-covered regions
This section introduces the charm, history, and current situation surrounding the survival of various railways, including the famous trains of the Tsugaru Railway, the Konan Railway, the JR Tsugaru Line, and the Nanbu Railway and Towada Kanko Dentetsu, which once supported the region
In Iwate Prefecture, which has a vast land area, railways connecting the inland areas with the Sanriku coast have supported people's lives
From the Sanriku Railway, Yamada Line, Kamaishi Line, and IGR Iwate Galaxy Railway, to freight railways, tourist trains, and lines that have left their mark on Tohoku's railway history, we will explore the unique charm of Iwate's railways
Akita Prefecture's local railway line runs through diverse landscapes, from the Sea of Japan coast to lush, mountainous areas
This program introduces the charm of the scenery from the train windows and the unique characteristics of each line, including the battery-powered "ACCUM" train on the Oga Line and the Akita Inland Railway, which connects the north and south of the inland region, all of which support local life and tourism
From commuter lines in the Sendai metropolitan area to lines extending into mountainous regions and along the Sanriku coast, Miyagi Prefecture's railways exhibit a variety of characteristics depending on the area
This program features the Senseki Line, which has a history as Japan's first underground railway, as well as local lines throughout the prefecture, showcasing the evolution of the rolling stock, the scenery along the lines, and their connections to the local communities
On the local train lines in Yamagata Prefecture, which connect the Okitama, Murayama, Mogami, and Shonai regions, you can enjoy the scenery from the train windows throughout the seasons, including majestic mountains, the Mogami River, and rural landscapes
This section introduces railways that serve as vital transportation links for the region, including lines that cross prefectural borders and connect to Miyagi, Akita, and Niigata prefectures, as well as the unique attractions along their routes
Fukushima Prefecture, with its distinct regions of Nakadori, Aizu, and Hamadori, boasts a diverse network of local train lines
In addition to the Tadami Line, the Fukushima Kotsu Iizaka Line, and the sightseeing train "SATONO," this program also covers abandoned lines such as the Nichu Line and the Bandai Express Railway, unraveling the charm and history of railways that have been passed down to the present day
From famous landmarks to challenging routes... Railway spots in the Tohoku region
The Tohoku region boasts numerous scenic spots where magnificent nature and railways intertwine, as well as many stations, bridges, and tunnels that evoke a sense of wanderlust
On the other hand, the challenging mountain passes, with their steep gradients, heavy snowfall, and rugged terrain, are also indispensable when discussing the history of railways in Tohoku. From scenic spots to admire from the train window to challenging locations that showcase the progress of railway technology, we introduce the charm and history of railway spots remaining throughout the region
For children, trains are not only a familiar mode of transportation, but also something special that can transport them to a world of imagination
This article introduces picture books that can be enjoyed by parents and children alike, ranging from works depicting real trains and stations to stories that unfold with railways as the backdrop, allowing you to discover new charms of railways
This collection brings together a wide range of topics related to railways in the Tohoku region, topics that cannot be fully covered by classifications such as routes, trains, and railway spots
This section features articles that will make your experience of trains even more enjoyable, covering topics such as trivia about stations and trains, the equipment and systems that support railways, and the services that have changed over time
