r/japanrail

Hi friends, figured some fellow 在来線 zairaisen & local train-enjoyers might be interested in my trip report I just finished writing, of some slow travel from Nagoya to Tokushima & Kochi (via the Kii Peninsula) that I took last year over Golden Week, as a nice lead-in as we approach this year's GW. I've only had time/energy to cover the first half for now, so this writeup has me actually spending more time in the eastern half of Shikoku – exploring Tokushima with a quick jaunt to Kagawa – but Kochi & Ehime stuff will come later. :)

I tried to focus a lot on details of ticketing, interesting infrastructure, and give details about a lot of the lines & systems I rode, which in this case covered (in case typing this out helps anyone searching in the future wanting to hear about English-language experiences on) the…

JR Kisei (Kinokuni) Line
Nankai Ferry from Wakayama -> Tokushima ports
JR Tokushima Line & around the Miyoshi area
Dosan Line to Oboke Gorge/Iya Valley, and up to Tsubojiri & Kotohira
Kotoden's complete network around Takamatsu, plus the Yakuri cable car
JR Kotoku Line & the Naruto Line だってばよ
Mugi Line towards Cape Muroto
Asato Coast Railway's weird gadgetbahn dual-mode vehicles!

Plus obviously a healthy dose of photos of trains, train stations, and all that… and a good amount of IC card-related things too, inevitably (strangely enough, since Shikoku is probably the place in Japan that screams "IC cards" the least) :P

This was one of my favorite trips I've done and would love to hear if anyone else's explored the area via public transit too, or has plans/hopes to visit!

Tried sticking a speedometer on when I rode the Yurikamome in Japan 😆

My 4 Year Old, Train Enthusiast

This train goes under the ocean 🌊🚃

3rd windscreen wiper on E235?

On the train to the airport ✈️ Narita’s kinda far, so this is way more convenient.

Japan Ministry of Finance say inflation have worsened Hokkaido Shinkansen B/C ratio to a level that construction "should terminate immediately"

Some train videos that was filmed by らいとにんぐ (Lightning)

Still my favorite Shinkansen! So fast and it looks so cool, right?

KAI-style train announcement in Indonesian language, Indonesian flag, and "Tanjung Priok" signage at Mitsumineguchi station, Saitama, Japan

I went from Nagoya to Southern Shikoku by local trains (and buses, a ferry, and a DMV) and wrote about it here!

The Enoden 300 series. Recently the 700 series has started running, but which one does everyone like more?

This is a special train with a headmark attached. Do other countries also have a culture of using headmarks on trains?

Trains with panoramic viewing seats are the best, right? 😁

“Mildly air conditioned” car?

This is the train to Mt. Takao in Japan 🚃 Tunnels just hit different—kinda exciting, right?

【JAPAN】JR East has decommissioned EF64-1030, and electric locomotives have disappeared from JR East's fleet. However, railway enthusiasts intentionally pressed the emergency button at a level crossing in order to photograph the train in daylight, delaying the train by about 80 minutes.

The Enoden feels so nostalgic, right? So many songs about Enoshima and Shonan too.👀

For my first visit in tokyo I'm staying in Suginami next to a train station. I barely hear any noise. I'm impressed.

I like how it feels like it's popping out 😊

Why are there no direct trains from Sendai/Fukushima/Koriyama to Niigata?