Train Cruise

This time, we travel through Fukushima and Miyagi Prefectures, a region that has maintained a close relationship with nearby rivers and mountains. We start off heading north alongside Japan's 6th largest river, visiting a mini steam locomotive and enjoy some river boating along the way. In the city, we find a subway train that climbs up mountains and crosses rivers, and at times offers some nice scenery. Our journey ends with a specialty tourist train and a visit to 1,000-year-old hot springs.

We travel from Osaka Station, the gateway to western Japan, through neighboring Hyogo Prefecture. We explore a rural line that was revitalized by local residents, then travel to the Seto Inland Sea to relish fresh oysters. Next, we ride the futuristic Super Hakuto. At a 400-year-old post town that has changed little over time, we hear tales about master swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. Further on, we travel through mountains on the Hamakaze to a bag-producing town where we meet Japan's sole wicker-trunk weaver. At our final destination Kinosaki, we relax in 1,400-year-old hot springs and reflect on the treasures Hyogo has to offer.

Luke Bridgford travels to eastern Kochi Prefecture in Shikoku where he embarks on his 200-kilometer long eastward journey along the Pacific coastline. He starts on the TOSA KUROSHIO Railway, exploring the epic nature of the Shimanto River basin. He then boards a Limited Express Nanpu with speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour. He alights in Kuroshio -- an old fishing village. Later in the old castle town of Kochi, Luke gets around on Japan's oldest tram, the Tosaden. He reaches the eastern end of his journey on the Gomen-Nahari Line and his goal, Cape Muroto.

Reporter JJ starts his journey through Kanagawa Pref. in the naval city of Yokosuka and heads to Kamakura. This ancient seat of political power is alive with samurai culture and history. From there he heads to Enoshima on the nostalgic Enoden line that lazily runs through the streets and along the Pacific coast. Then he takes to the skies for a thrilling ride on a suspended monorail. And for the climax, he rides a train into the mountains of Hakone in search of a stunning view of the heavens.

Discover modern railways and colorful local lines in Chiba Prefecture, just a stone's throw from Tokyo. We start on "Japan's doorstep", at Narita Airport, riding the Shibayama Line into Chiba City and glide through the sky on the Chiba Urban Monorail, the world's longest suspended railway. Then we cross the prefecture on the Kominato Line, passing stations and bridges built more than 90 years ago, meet the people who saved the Isumi Railway from closing, and finally arrive at a menagerie of trains.

Izu Peninsula is a famous hot springs area located about 1 hour by Shinkansen bullet train southwest of Tokyo. On this Train Cruise, we ride on 2 railways that travel the peninsula. On the eastern shore's Izu Kyuko Railway, we visit an attractive and mysterious area designated as a Geopark by UNESCO. On the Sunzu Line of the Izu Hakone Tetsudo, we are delighted by the train's popular animation character decorations and visit a retro unmanned station and historical temple. This is an opportunity to enjoy hot springs and taste the other attractions of Izu.

This time, we travel the Miyagi coastline across northeast Japan, an area that was devastated by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. We travel in trains with unique designs and experience a new method of transportation while indulging in delicious seafood and tasting local Japanese sake crafted to pair with the fish of this area. We also meet a famous symbol of Miyagi Prefecture that has made a major impact on recovery efforts after 2011. Don't miss this special recovery episode of Train Cruise.

Miyazaki, located in southeastern Kyushu, is a sun-drenched prefecture facing the Pacific Ocean. In this episode, we travel 170 kilometers from north to south along its coastline, hopping on different trains named "Sunshine" or "Nichirin", which means the "sun" in Japanese. On our way, we have a spectacular view of the "Devil's Washboard", the huge wave-like rock formations on the seashore, savor sweet, delicious mangoes, and come across designer handbags and lampshades made of Japanese cedar. We enjoy the blessings from the sun and the sea in Miyazaki.

Our journey takes place in Hokkaido Prefecture, the northern part of Japan. From Asahikawa Station surrounded by mountains, we head to Shiretoko-Shari Station, located on the Sea of Okhotsk and the gateway to the world famous Shiretoko Peninsula. The trains we ride pass through beautifully lit mountains covered with autumn leaves turning deep red and gold. On our way, we taste the unique local food, made with freshly harvested produce grown along the lines, and see people who have been waiting for coastal waters to become teeming with fish. We also discover a station that is in use for a limited time each year and a steam locomotive that has been preserved by local townspeople. Let's enjoy the vibrant autumn of Hokkaido!