The Tsugaru Railway’s "Stove Train" on the morning of December 1. Tsugaru-Goshogawara Station, Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture.
The famed Stove Train of the Tsugaru Railway, a cherished winter tradition in Aomori Prefecture, began its winter operations on December 1. The retro-style passenger cars are warmed by traditional coal-fired potbelly stoves.
They traverse the chilly Tsugaru Plain as the region enters the cold depths of December. This seasonal service will run until the end of March.
A departure ceremony was held on December 1 at Tsugaru-Goshogawara Station. The first train of the season left at noon.
Unique Travel Experience
Passengers enjoyed the scenic views along the route. They captured photos and soaked in the nostalgic atmosphere. A unique highlight of the journey is the grilled surume (dried squid) sold onboard, which passengers can char over the stoves. Many pair it with a toast of local sake.
Yukari Saito, a traveler from Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, shared her thoughts. “The nostalgic atmosphere of the train is heartwarming. The surume tastes even better when enjoyed here,” she said.
The train operates two to three round trips daily. It covers a roughly 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) stretch to Tsugaru-Nakasato Station. Each leg of the journey takes about 40–50 minutes. An additional fee of ¥1,000 JPY ($6 USD) on top of the standard fare is required to ride in the cars with stoves.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
