Enjoy the best foliage views from your window on these Japanese rail lines!

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🤗 JR Rikyu East Route [Miyagi Prefecture - Yamagata Prefecture]

The JR Rikyu Higashi Line is also known as the “Oku no Hosomichi Yume Line” (Oku no Hosomichi Yume Line) because there are many famous sightseeing spots and hot springs along the line that are related to Matsuo Basho's “Oku no Hosomichi”. Naruko Gorge, a famous foliage spot in Tohoku, can be seen from the train window .

The particularly beautiful foliage area is located on the steep slope between Naruko Onsen Station and Nakayamadaira Onsen Station, especially from the Naruko Tunnel to the Daiichi Nakayama Tunnel. Every year during the foliage season, this part of the section is operated at a reduced speed so that passengers can enjoy the beautiful foliage in detail. On the down train, you can see the beautiful combination of the “Review Bridge” in the ravine and the autumn leaves on the right side of the train in the forward direction.

The special autumn rapid train “Yunoyuki” (Japanese: “Rapid Yunokamuri”) offers in-car sales and adjustable seats for those who like to enjoy the autumn leaves in a relaxed manner. For more information, please visit the official website:

https://www.jreast-timetable.jp/cgi-bin/st_search.cgi?rosen=71.

Best viewing period: Mid-October to mid-November

Contact: 050-2016-1600 (JR East Information Center)

Location: Kobuta Station (Misato-machi, Tonoda-gun, Miyagi Prefecture) ~ Shinjo Station (Shinjo City, Yamagata Prefecture)

🤗 Akita Inland Line [Akita Prefecture]

The Tama Prefecture Inland Line runs north-south and is called the “Smile Railway” (スマイルレール), which means that we hope every visitor will smile. It runs through the idyllic scenery of Japan, with small, colorful trains in groups of one or two. The line passes through mountainous areas where beautiful autumn scenery stretches endlessly, with the highest concentration of foliage viewing spots between Inmataegi Station and Maeda Minami Station. The scenery around the classic “Otsukawa Bridge”, “Hirinouchi River Bridge” and “Tosaka Bridge” is especially recommended, and the train slows down at these foliage viewing spots. If you are lucky, you may be able to see a beautiful combination of leaves and snow.

For more information, please visit the official website: https://www.akita-nairiku.com/about/

Best viewing period: Mid-October to early November

Contact: 0186-82-3231 (Akita Inland Longitudinal Railroad)

Areas: Hawks Nest Station (Kita-Akita City, Akita Prefecture) to Kakunodate Station (Senboku City, Akita Prefecture)

🤗 JR Tadami Line [Fukushima Prefecture - Niigata Prefecture]

The JR Only Line connects the Aizu area in Fukushima Prefecture with the Uonuma area in Niigata Prefecture. In October 2022, the line will be restored to its full capacity after being interrupted by the 2011 floods.

A representative foliage spot on the line is the Daiichi Ichimigawa Bridge between Aizu-Hinohara Station and Aizu-Nishikata Station. In autumn, the mountains here are colored in red, yellow, and orange. Another noteworthy area is the restored “Higashi-Jomi-gawa Bridge” between Aizu Shiozawa Station and Aizu Kamei Station, where the river is calm and windless on a good day, and you can see the red leaves reflected on the water's surface.

For more information, please check the official website: https://tadami-line.jp/

Best viewing period: Late October to early November

Contact: 050-2016-1600 (JR East Information Center)

Location: Aizuwakamatsu Station (Aizuwakamatsu-shi, Fukushima-ken) to Koide Station (Uonuma-shi, Niigata-ken)

🤗 Watarase Keikoku Railroad [Gunma Prefecture to Tochigi Prefecture]

The Watarase Keikoku Railroad runs along the upper reaches of the Watarase River in Gunma and Tochigi Prefectures. Since there is an elevation difference of about 500 meters between the starting point, Kiryu Station, and the ending point, Mato Station, the best period for viewing the red leaves extends from the end of October to the end of November.

Between Honjuku Station and Suinuma Station, there is a beautiful scenery called “Kojikan Gorge” in Japanese: “Kojise Gorge”, where the yellow trees and the red leaves reflected on the surface of the river are beautifully reflected. Upstream, between Sawaii Station and Haramata Station, there is a vivid contrast between white granite, crimson foliage and emerald green river.

You can enjoy the foliage well enough on regular trains, but if you want to take your time, we recommend taking the trolley bus, which operates mainly on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. In addition to the fare, a trolleybus ticket is required.

For more details, check the official website: https://watetsu.com/

Best Viewing Period: Late October to late November

Contact: 0277-73-2110 (Watarase Keikoku Railway Company)

Location: Kiryu Station (Kiryu-shi, Gunma) to Mato Station (Nikko-shi, Tochigi)

Remarks: You are not allowed to get off the train in the middle of the ride on the wagon train.

🤗 Hakone Tozan Railway [Kanagawa Prefecture]

The Hakone Tozan Train connects Odawara Station (approx. 14 meters above sea level), the starting point in Kanagawa Prefecture, with Gora Station (approx. 541 meters above sea level), and makes the steep ascent of Mount Hakone by performing what is known as a “track change” three times during its journey.

There are many foliage spots along the route, especially the 61-meter-long “Hayakawa Bridge (Railway Bridge over Mt. Izanami)” between Tanozawa Station and Oodai Station. From the 43-meter-high bridge, you can overlook the colorful foliage.

Transferring to the Hakone Tozan Ropeway from Gora Station, the final stop of the Hakone Tozan Train, you can view the autumn foliage of Hoshinoyadake, one of Hakone's outer mountain ranges, from the window of the train.

For more information, please visit the official website: https://www.hakonenavi.jp/hakone-tozan/

Best Viewing Period: Early to late November

Phone number: 0465-32-6823 (Railroad)

Location: [Hakone Tozan Train Operating Area] Odawara Station (Odawara-shi, Kanagawa-ken) - Gora Station (Hakone-machi, Ashigara-shimo-gun, Kanagawa-ken) [Hakone Tozan Ropeway Operating Area] Gora Station (Hakone-machi, Ashigara-shimo-gun, Kanagawa-ken) - Sawaiyama Station (Hakone-machi, Ashigara-shimo-gun, Kanagawa-ken)

🤗 Kurobe Gorge Trocco Train [Toyama Prefecture]

The Kurobe Gorge Trocco Train is a sightseeing railroad that runs along the Kurobe River through the Kurobe Gorge in eastern Toyama Prefecture. It starts at Unazuki Station and ends at Kashira Station, and is 20.1 kilometers long with 10 stations, taking about 1 hour and 20 minutes each way.

There are many sightseeing spots along the route, and the Lake Unazuki and Lake Bridge between Unazuki Station and Yanagibashi are especially recommended. The bright red bridges contrast beautifully with the red leaves in the ravine and the emerald green water of the lake. In addition, Yamana Gizan, which rises 1,949 meters above sea level, is surrounded by colorful foliage between Cataract Station and Bell Fishing Station. The combination of snow at the top of the mountain, red foliage in the mountain's belly, and green at the foot of the mountain is known as the “Five Colors of the Kurobe Gorge”. The train runs from mid-April to the end of November every year.

For more information, please visit the official website: https://www.kurotetu.co.jp/

Best Viewing Period: Late October to mid-November

Contact: 0765-62-1011 (Kurobe Gorge Railway Co., Ltd.)

Location: [Operating Areas] Unazuki Station (Kurobe City, Toyama Prefecture) - Kashira Station (Kurobe City, Toyama Prefecture)

🤗 Oi River Railroad [Shizuoka Prefecture]

The Ooi River Railway runs along the Ooi River in Shizuoka Prefecture and is famous for its steam locomotives (SL) and “Thomas trains”. The railroad runs from Sento Station to Ooi in the upper reaches of the Ooi River, and was originally constructed for dam construction in the Ooi River system, but is now operated as a sightseeing train where passengers can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Southern Alps.

The area around Oku-Oi Kogami Station is famous for foliage viewing. The station is situated on a peninsula on Lake Odaiba (Lake Sangyo), and is an unmanned station with a bright red “Ooi Rainbow Bridge” on both sides of the platform, making it look as if it is suspended over the lake. The Ooi River Railway in Shizuoka Prefecture has special trains that passengers can win by lottery, so it's a good idea to make reservations in advance.

For more information, please visit the official website: https://daitetsu.jp/

Best Viewing Period: Late October to mid-November

Tel: 0547-45-4112 (Oi River Railroad)

Location: [Operating Areas] Chitose Station (Shimada-shi, Shizuoka-ken) - Inukawa Station (Kawanemane-cho, Harahara-gun, Shizuoka-ken)

🤗 Sagano Trolley Train [Kyoto Prefecture]

The Sagano Trocco Train is an excellent way to enjoy the foliage season of the Arashiyama Mountains in Kyoto. The main viewing point is the “Temple's Fishing Ground” viewing area between the train's Hozu Gorge Station and the trailer's Kameoka Station, where passengers can enjoy a colorful view of Hozu Gorge. If the time is right, you can also see boats traveling upstream on the Hozu River.

In the evening during the foliage season, the train also features the “Light Fantasy Train,” which illuminates approximately 1,000 foliage trees with approximately 900 lights along the route, and a light show at Hozu Gorge Station. During the light show, additional temporary trains will be operated, allowing visitors to enjoy a fantasy atmosphere that is very different from that of the daytime.

Same-day tickets for the mini-train are available, but due to the high volume of people during the foliage season, it is recommended that you make reservations and purchase tickets in advance through the JR West network.

For more information, please check the official website: https://www.sagano-kanko.co.jp/

Best viewing period: Mid-November to early December

Contact: 075-861-7444 (Sagano Kanko Railway Co., Ltd.)

Locations：【Operating Areas 】Little Train Saga Station (Kyoto-shi, Kyoto) ~ Little Train Kameoka Station (Kameoka-shi, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto)

🤗 Minami Aso Railway Takamori Line [Kumamoto Prefecture]

The Takaumori Line in Minami Aso Village is ideal for enjoying the Japanese countryside and magnificent views of Mt. Aso. The line runs 17.7 kilometers from Tachino Station to Takaumori Station, passing through 10 stations. While a regular train takes only 30 minutes, the Yuzuga, a sightseeing trailer train, takes about an hour to travel slowly, allowing passengers to fully enjoy the scenery along the way. Due to the Kumamoto Earthquake in 2016, the line was suspended for a while, but after a partial resumption of service, it finally resumed operation in July 2023 for the entire line.

The most notable feature of the line is the Daiichi Shirakawa Bridge between Tachino Station and Nagayo Station. Trailer trains stop at the bridge and passengers can enjoy the colorful scenery of the Tachinohe Valley. Riding this train is a unique experience where you can feel the beauty of nature at a relaxed pace.

For more information, please check the official website: https://www.mt-torokko.com/

Best Viewing Period: Mid to late November

Contact: 0967-62-0058 (Minami Aso Railway Takamori Station)

Location: 1537-2 Takamori, Takamori-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture (Minami-Aso Railway Takaumori Station) [Operating Areas] Tachino Station (Minami-Aso-mura, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture) to Takaumori Station

🤗 Takachiho Amaterasu Railway [Miyazaki Prefecture]

The Takachiho Amaterasu Railway utilizes the old Takachiho Railway line, which was abandoned in 2005 due to a typhoon. Passengers can experience a 5-kilometer, 30-minute round trip from the old Takachiho Station to the Takachiho Railway Bridge on the original diesel-powered “Grande Super Truck”.

This open truck with no roof or windows gives passengers a great sense of openness, especially in the fall, when the breeze makes it possible to enjoy the gorgeous red foliage of Takachiho. The highlight of the journey is the Takachiho Railway Bridge, which is located just after the old Ama Iwato Station. With reinforced glass in the bottom center of the coach, passengers can enjoy an extraordinary visual experience as they look through the glass to see the details of the railroad tracks and the spectacular view of the railroad bridge below.

For more information, please check the official website: https://amaterasu-railway.jp/

Best Viewing Period: Early to mid-November

Contact: 0982-72-3216 (Takachiho Amaterasu Railway Co., Ltd.)

Location: 1425-1 Mitai, Takachiho-cho, Nishi-Usugata-gun, Miyazaki Prefecture