Tsugaru Tetsudo “Stove Train”

Tsugaru Railway spans about 20km from north to south between Tsugaru-Goshogawara Station and Tsugaru-Nakasato Station. Limited to winter, from December to March, the tourism train called “Stove Train” runs, which uses coal stoves for heating passenger cars.

The diesel train runs mightily through the drifting snow on frigid Tsugaru Valley. The retro cars reflect the Showa Era in the nostalgic design. Dried squid is sold in the train which you can toast on the stove. It goes well with the original Sake. Local staff are assigned to the train and share some funny tourism tips in Tsugaru dialect.

The Stove Train makes three round trips during the day. On top of the regular fare, an additional 500 yen per one-way is charged. The seats right next to the stove are hot. Look for seats at a little distance from the stove. Besides the Stove Train, summer features Furin (wind chime) Train and Suzumushi (bell cricket) Train runs from late summer through early fall.