Keep reading to discover more about the of steam locomotives in Japan...
While Japan may not boast heritage railways like those found in other countries, it does have several “main” lines where steam locomotives are still in occasional operation.
Operating Steam Locomotives
 | SL Fuyu no Shitsugen SL冬の湿原 |
|---|---|
| Location | Hokkaido - Kushiro wetlands |
| Locomotive | C11-171 |
| Route | Kushiro 〜 Shibecha |
| Distance one way (KM) | 48.1 |
| Operating period | January ~ February / weekends and holidays |
| Operator | JR Hokkaido |
| Official Website | JR Hokkaido Website |
| TSJR Post | n/a |
| Notes | Winter journey through the Kushiro Wetlands. |
 | SL Banetsu Monogatari SLばんえつ物語 |
|---|---|
| Location | Niigata & Fukushima Prefectures - Banetsu West Line |
| Locomotive | C57-180 |
| Route | Niitsu~Aizuwakamatsu |
| Distance one way (KM) | 111 |
| Operating period | April~early December / Most weekends and holidays |
| Operator | JR East |
| Official Website | JR East Website |
| TSJR Post | n/a |
| TSJR YouTube video | TSJR video - SL Banetsu Monogatari |
| Notes | The longest SL run in Japan along the scenic Banetsu West Line |
 | SL Moka SL真岡 |
|---|---|
| Location | Tochigi Prefecture |
| Locomotive | C12-66 |
| Route | Shimodate〜Motegi |
| Distance one way (KM) | 41.9 |
| Operating period | April~early December / Most weekends and holidays |
| Operator | Moka Tetsudo |
| Official Website | Moka Tetsudo - SL Moka Page |
| TSJR Post | n/a |
| TSJR YouTube video | TSJR video - SL Moka |
| Notes | Small museum at Moka Station: Moka Station and Museum buildings are in shape of Steam Locomotive |
 | SL Taiju SL大樹 |
|---|---|
| Location | Tochigi Prefecture; Nikko & Kinugawa area |
| Locomotive | C11-207, C11-325 & C11-123 |
| Route | Shimoimaichi〜Kinugawa Onsen Shimoimaichi ~ Tobu Nikko |
| Distance one way (KM) | Shimoimaichi~Kinugawa Onsen 12.4km / Shimoimaichi~Tobu Nikko 7.1km |
| Operating period | All year round including weekdays |
| Operator | Tobu Tetsudo |
| Official Website | Tobu SL Taiju page |
| TSJR Post | Steam Trains in Japan - SL Taiju |
| TSJR YouTube video | TSJR Video - SL Taiju |
| Notes | Tobu Nikko->Shimoimaichi is diesel hauled with SL on back. Shimomachi~Tobu Nikko does not operate everyday. |
 | SL Gunma Minakami SLぐんま水上 /SL Gunma Yokokawa SLぐんま横川 |
|---|---|
| Location | Gunma Prefecture: Takasaki, Annaka, Yokokawa; Maebashi, Shibukawa, Minakami areas |
| Locomotive | D51 498/C61 20 |
| Route | Takasaki ~Minakami / Takasaki~Yokokawa |
| Distance one way (KM) | SL Gunma Minakami 59.1 / SL Gunma Yokokawa 29.7 |
| Operating period | Weekends & holidays April~December |
| Operator | JR East |
| Official Website | JR East SL Gunma page |
| TSJR Post | n/a |
| TSJR You Tube Video | TSJR Video - SL Gunma Yokokawa |
| Notes | SL Gunma uses 2 SL (not at the same time). For the SL Yokokawa service outbound is SL hauled, but return is EL hauled 8EF65 or 64). At Yokokawa is the Usui Railway Culture museum. The SL Gunma Minakami service is the more scenic route and you can feel the power of the locomotive during the climb up to Minakami. |
 | SL Paleo Express SLパレオエクスプレス |
|---|---|
| Location | Saitama Prefecture: Chichibu area |
| Locomotive | C58-363 |
| Route | Kumagaya 〜 Mitsumineguchi |
| Distance one way (KM) | 56.8 |
| Operating period | Weekends & holidays April~December |
| Operator | Chichibu Tetsudo |
| Official Website | Chichibu Railway SL Paleo Express Page |
| TSJR Post | Steam Trains in Japan - Chichibu's SL Paleo Express |
| TSJR YouTube Video | TSJR Video - SL Paleo Express |
| Notes | The closest SL operation to Tokyo. |
 | Oigawa Tetsudo 大井川鐵道 |
|---|---|
| Location | Shizuoka Prefecture: Oigawa Area |
| Locomotive | C10 8; C11 190; C11 227; C56 44 |
| Route | Shin Kanaya~Senzu (currently part of Oigawa Railway Main Line is closed so SL only running to Ieyama |
| Distance one way (KM) | 37.2 (14.8 to / from Ieyama) |
| Operating period | Weekends & holidays through out most of the year. Except for Day Out With Thomas runs all SL services are suspended between June 2nd and Oct 10th 2025 due to locomotive inspections. |
| Operator | Oigawa Tetsudo |
| Official Website | Oigawa Railway SL Page |
| TSJR Post | Oigawa Railway - Steam Trains, Scenery and more... |
| TSJR YouTube Video | TSJR Video - Oigawa Tetsudo |
| Notes | Although a corporate, full time railway, Oigawa Tetsudo is probably the nearest Japan has to a Heritage Railway with 4 Sis operating and old EL & EMU also in operation. Oigawa is famous for its Thomas the Tank Engine events. Part of the railway's Main Line is currently out of service due to storm damage caused in 2022. |
 | SL Yamaguchi SL山口 |
|---|---|
| Location | Yamaguchi Prefecture: JR Yamaguchi Line |
| Locomotive | D51-200 |
| Route | Shin Yamaguchi〜Tsuwano |
| Distance one way (KM) | 62.9 |
| Operating period | Weekends & holidays |
| Operator | JR West |
| Official Website | https://www.c571.jp |
| TSJR Post | n/a |
| Notes | Some services operated by D51 DL. The SL Yamaguchi travels on the JR Yamaguchi Line which is also a scenic line. The area around Tsuwano is particularly scenic. |
 | SL Hitoyoshi SL人吉 |
|---|---|
| Location | Kyushu - Kumamoto & Saga Prefectures |
| Locomotive | 58-654 |
| Route | |
| Distance one way (KM) | |
| Operating period | SL HITOYOSHI HAS BEEN RETIRED |
| Operator | JR Kyushu |
| Official Website | |
| TSJR Post | n/a |
| TSJR You Tube Video | TSJR video SL Hitoyoshi |
| Notes | 58-654 was the oldest SL in Japan in operation, however it was retired from regular service in Spring 2024. Although the SL Hitoyoshi operated between Kumamoto and Tosu previously used to operate on the Hisatsu Line but was transferred to the Kagoshima Main Line after the former was closed due to heavy storm damage. |
Railway Museums
Japan has lots of railway museums, and many have a steam locomotive on display.
Kyoto Railway Museum
The JR West Kyoto Railway Museum is a must-visit destination for all railway enthusiasts, especially those with a keen interest in Steam Locomotives. Located at the former Umekoji railway depot, the museum boasts a grand round engine shed and turntable, housing various steam locomotives. Some of these locomotives are regularly fired up for display.
Omiya Railway Museum
Railway enthusiasts should also definitely make it a point to visit the JR East Omiya Railway Museum in Omiya, as it is another impressive museum worth exploring. Although not so many SL on display as the Kyoto Railway Museum it is still worth visiting.
Both Kyoto and Omiya have many other railway exhibits and both museums you can spend many hours visiting. The JR Tokai SCMaglev & Railway Park (Nagoya) & the JR Kyushu Railway History Museum (Mojiko) as are many of the non JR railway museums are worth visiting.
Plinthed Steam Locomotives
The railways have played a significant role in Japan's modern history, leading to numerous towns and cities have connections with the railways. Consequently, there are numerous steam locomotives that have been statically preserved throughout the country. These locomotives can often be found in local parks or near major railway stations. Although some are not in good condition, many are and provide an insight into Japan's railway history.
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