The only Abt rack railway in Japan, running through a valley surrounded by the magnificent nature of Oku-Oi in the upper reaches of the Oi River.Southern Alps Apt LineBoard the train and embark on a journey to a hidden paradise!
The "Southern Alps Apt Line" isOigawa Railway Co., Ltd.Also known as the "Igawa Line," this railway line has a history of being built for the construction of dams in the Oigawa River system, and is now operated as a tourist train in Oku-Oigawa, known as the "Oigawa Railway."Senzu StationIt departs from " and the final stop is "Igawa StationIt will run until "[location]!"
Due to the effects of a landslide that occurred in May 2018, currentlyKanzō StationDue to the suspension of service between Igawa Station and Igawa Station, the final stop will be the station before Igawa Station, Kanzō Station, and the journey will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
On this line, you can witness the coupling process of the "Abt system locomotives" as they ascend Japan's steepest gradient, encounter the "Sekinosawa Bridge," Japan's highest railway bridge at 70.8m above the riverbed, and see the "Lake Sesso" which appears to float on the water.Oigawa Railway Okudaigojo StationWith breathtaking views from various vantage points, this secluded train journey is packed with attractions!
Buying the "Ikawa Line Round Trip Ticket" for the Southern Alps Apt Line at the station ticket window for 1,800 yen for adults is a great deal because it's a round-trip ticket that allows you to get on and off freely within the designated section!
The station attendant let me punch my ticket!
The station is equipped with mist showers to help alleviate the heat, creating a pleasant atmosphere for enjoying summer leisure time!
These bright red vehicles were originally built as trolleys to transport materials for the construction of a hydroelectric power plant. Small vehicles were used to accommodate the curves and small tunnels that wind through the mountains! The retro atmosphere is irresistible!
After the conductor's pre-departure check, he blew his whistle, and off we went, right on time!
The sight of the bright red trolley train rattling and shaking as it travels through the lush green mountains is truly an exhilarating experience that takes you to another world!
The section of track has a whopping 61 tunnels in total, and the sight of the train running precariously close to the tunnel ceilings and along the edge of cliffs creates a thrilling and heart-pounding experience! (lol)
During the train ride, the conductor made announcements about the sights along the Ikawa Line, allowing us to relax and refresh ourselves while enjoying the mountain scenery created by nature and the flow of the Oi River!
The windows of the trolley train are fully open, so you can feel the pleasant breeze while it's moving, and you'll feel closer to nature!
However, there is no air conditioning on the train, and the intense heat hits you every time it stops at a station, so don't forget to stay hydrated to prevent heatstroke!
Each train station, standing alone in the countryside unnoticed by the public, has its own charm and is enveloped in a somewhat nostalgic atmosphere!
The Southern Alps Apt Line has as many as 55 railway bridges.Okuizumi Station"from"Apt Ichishiro StationBetween these points, you can see the Sekinosawa Bridge, the tallest railway bridge in Japan, and enjoy the beauty of the railway bridge connecting the mountains!
Upon arriving at "Apt Ichishiro Station," it appears that the Abt system locomotive ED90, nicknamed "Apt-kun," will push the main "Kuha 600" car from behind, preparing for Japan's steepest gradient, as it attempts to overcome the 90 per mille incline. Many railway enthusiasts can be seen eagerly anticipating this coupling process!
As we slowly made our way up Japan's steepest incline, supported by the "Apt-kun" train, we could see many families enjoying camping at the campsite below. They seemed to notice our trolley train and waved, so we immediately waved back to say hello!
After passing through Japan's steepest incline, you'll find yourself in a breathtaking "Nagashima DamThe dam made its debut, and the dynamic, unique world created by the massive concrete structure instantly lifted my spirits! I remember hearing rumors before about the rapid increase in "dam girls," and I can understand why!
「Nagashima Dam StationThen, we encountered a trolley train bound for Senzu!
"Apt-kun," who has been supporting us from the rear, will be detached here, and we say goodbye!
As you go upstream, you can see the lake becoming clearer and bluer!
Next, we'll finally arrive at the much-talked-about remote station, "Oku-Oi Lake Station"!
Appearing midway across the Oku-Oi Rainbow Bridge, this station has become a hot topic on social media as a hidden gem, and it attracts the most tourists on the Southern Alps Apt Line!
As the train journey neared its end, we arrived at Sessokyo Onsen, a hot spring known as the "Rejuvenating Hot Spring," which gushes forth from a deep gorge.Sessokyo Onsen StationA few tourists get off at "[station name]!"
The further you go into the interior, the deeper the mountains become, the lusher the greenery gets, the clearer the water of the Oi River seems, and the fresher the air!
The train journey, which lasted approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, arrived safely at the current terminal station, "Kanzō Station," where we were greeted by an adorable raccoon dog!
From here, we'll board a bus at the bus stop a few minutes away and head back to Senzu Station on a bus with the air conditioning blasting!
The approximately 1 hour and 30 minute ride on the trolley train and the 30 minute bus ride back made for a two-hour round trip to this secluded area, which was even more enjoyable than I had imagined. I was able to connect with the mountains, rivers, greenery, and nature, and felt completely refreshed!
To help you get through this year's intense heat, how about a secluded train journey to a summer resort?
Oigawa Railway / Southern Alps Apt Line
Southern Alps Apt Center
TEL: 0547-59-2137 (Weekdays 9:00 AM - 4:40 PM)
http://oigawa-railway.co.jp/
