Exploring Japan’s Beauty: New Steam Train Adventure!｜SL Minakami

Exploring Japan’s Beauty: New Steam Train Adventure!｜SL Minakami

Hello! Happy New Year! Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture Today I enjoyed a wonderful trip on a Japanese Steam Locomotive (SL) train. Not many SLs are running in Japan now. They have been revived by many people. I like the atmosphere of the event! The sound is kind of amazing.

It is hot when you get close. It’s as different as a train that runs on electricity. The weight of this SL is approximately 127 tons. The current train weighs about 35 tons, so that’s a huge difference. Today, a train called C61 will be pulling the train.

The name “C” is said to refer to the number of driving wheels, which is three. It appears that the pistons are driven forward by steam from the coal-fired steam. If you know more, please let me know in the comments.

Departure time is approaching, so I board the train. $ 3.75 (limited express fee) and $ 7.00 (ticket fee) per person Carriages like the old days. Simplicity. There is no inconvenience. 36 miles total. Now it’s time to go! The door is cute. Oh, great whistle! Everyone is seeing us off!

I’m glad to hear that! We will go to a place called Mizukami in Gunma Prefecture. This train is said to be fast! There was a prosecution in the car and I had it stamped. Now for a quick tour of the restrooms. It has been very nicely renovated! Marble style.

The windows open a little too. In the past, the toilet bowls were Japanese style, but they have been remodeled to Western style. We arrived at the first station as soon as possible! Each station has its own events. It is hot, so close the windows. Hmm? Another free ride

Oh, let’s get a card from this guy! Wow, so cute… lol But it looks hot… It is very popular and hard to take pictures. It is cool inside the car, but the stuffed animals do their best. Seat cushions are slightly displaced. The cards are handmade!

If you are so inclined, open the window and feel the bravery! It’s a bridge! Be careful not to fall off! We are up in the mountains and the smoke is great! SL is working hard. We went deeper and deeper into the mountains. Some of you are fishing!

I wonder if it will not flow. The person in white is the stationmaster! Handmade flags are handed out! I’m glad to hear that! Thank you! Take advantage of on-board sales as well. Beer needs snacks. Sweets (Jagariko) $ 1.41 There is a wind chime to give a sense of the windy atmosphere.

Feel the sound of wind chimes to cool off. The trash cans are also large. There is also a place to put large luggage. The super-powerful spot is a must-see! That’s a powerful run! The Tone River’s mountain stream can also be seen! I can’t see very well. Ahh! It’s already the last stop!

It was an enjoyable trip! Enjoy the hot springs of Minakami! The inside of the car is also very exciting! Many people went down. Everyone is enjoying the trip. The engineer is friendly! You must be a gentle man because you are so kind as to move this lump of iron!

A view from the top that is not often seen. Oh, that! This is a modern, ultra-luxury, state-of-the-art sleeper train! I want to get on it! The SL was built in 1947 and this train, Shikishima, debuted in 2017, so there is a 70-year difference, but both are full of wonderful charm!

I hope to feature this train someday. We appreciate your support! Now, it looks like we are headed for maintenance! Let’s head to the turntable. Ah, it’s already spinning! It’s very slow, so use 3x speed! Is it service rotation? That’s cool. It looks great against the green of the mountains.

Please also see the angle from below! There are indeed three large moving rings! Great power! Well, let’s have lunch. Sake first. Sake (Tanigawadake) $ 3.89 Excuse me for starting lunch. After all, it is soba! Seasonal wild vegetable soba (with tempura) $ 11.67 Served with tempura!

We also took a hot spring bath and rode back home with beer in hand! Beer (Tanigawadake Weizen) $ 3.89 Thanks for a fun trip! I will return to Kanto again! They will see you off! I’ll be back! Thank you! Thank you for taking the time to read this to the end!

See you in the next video!

In this trip, I hopped aboard the steam locomotive SL Gunma Minakami, tracing the roots of railways and soaking in the timeless rural landscapes of Japan on the way to the famous Gunma Prefecture’s Minakami Onsen. We indulged in delicious soba noodles, a must-try in the region. Japan offers countless places to explore, and the SL Gunma Minakami operates every weekend, not as a JR “Express” but as a “Local Rapid,” making it cost-effective for travelers with passes like the Seishun 18 Kippu.

This time, we were pulled by the iconic C61 steam locomotive. Despite the fully reserved seating at an astonishingly affordable rate of 530 yen per person, the interior was comfortable, and the on-board sales added to the overall experience. With views of snowy landscapes and the allure of hot springs in various seasons, I can’t wait to ride again and experience the changing scenery.
Upon arriving at Minakami Station, the encounter with the luxurious cruise train “Shikishima” was a moving experience that transcended eras.

Apologies for fewer shots during the latter part due to some health issues, impacting captures of the soba shop, the onsen, and the return journey. Feel free to share your thoughts, ask questions, or suggest other trains you’d like to see in the comments. Likes and channel subscriptions are greatly appreciated and will support the growth of this channel. Your support, even in small steps, means a lot! Thank you for continuing to be a part of our journey.

Fare: 530JPY/3.5USD per person (Express fare) and 990JPY/6.6USD (Ticket fee), *Used Seishun 18 Kippu this time,Potato Snacks (Jagariko): 200JPY/1.3USD,Beer (Autumn Flavor): 260JPY/1.7USD,Seasonal Wild Vegetable Soba: 1,650JPY/11USD,Sake (Tanigawa Peak): 550JPY/3.6USD,Beer (Tanigawa Peak Weizen): 550JPY/3.6USD
Route: Takasaki（Gunma-ken） – Minakami（Nigata-ken）
Train: SL Gunma Minakami
Type: Regular seating
Impression: Nostalgic

0:00 Introduction
0:12 Start
0:19 Current Location
0:27 At the Platform
1:47 Boarding the Train
2:02 Today’s Seat
2:12 The Chosen Route
2:25 Departure
4:05 Toilet Tour
5:05 Event 1 (Shin-Maebashi Station)
6:19 Event 2 (Shibukawa Station)
8:48 Event 3 (Numata Station)
11:15 Arrival at Minakami Station
12:40 Encounter with Shikishima
14:19 At the Turntable
16:34 Lunchtime
17:27 Homeward Journey
Thank you for watching until the end!

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