Steam Trains of Japan
Click each photo to learn more.
Our Services
Japan is home to some of the world's last steam trains. They are extremely popular both domestically and internationally and securing a seat on one of them is very difficult for overseas tourists. In fact, tickets sell out within minutes of going on sale, leaving the ticket-buying process infeasible for most overseas tourists. That's where we step in. We will make sure to secure tickets for you as soon as they go on sale, helping you enjoy the last steam locomotives in the world!
Recommended Trains
Departing from Tokyo
We recommend the SL Yokokawa & Gunma if you're staying in Tokyo. The departure station, Takasaki, is a only an hour away from Tokyo. It's an easy day trip and will take you deep into the mountains of Japan. One of the highlights is visiting Ichi-no-Kurasawa (pictured). This is the most popular Steam Locomotive.
Ichi-no-Kurasawa is one of the highlights of the Joshinetsu National Park.
Departing from Sapporo & the rest of Hokkaido
The SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen is a must-do if you're in Hokkaido during the winter. The train departs from the eastern city of Kushiro. You can enjoy breakfast at the Washo Fish Market before boarding the Steam Locomotive. The train will allow you to explore the Kushiro Wetland National Park and spot the Red-Crowned Crane (pictured) if you're lucky! Every year, roughly 1,000 Red-Crowned Cranes migrate to the Kushiro Wetlands to mate.
A pair of Red-Crowned Cranes flying off in Kushiro. Red-Crowned Cranes are revered in Hokkaido because they mate for life.
Departing from Osaka, Hiroshima, & Fukuoka
The SL Yamaguchi is the premier Steam Locomotive in Western Japan. Accessible from Osaka, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka, the SL Yamaguchi cuts across from the Inland Sea to the Sea of Japan. On the Sea of Japan, you can visit the Motonosuri Inari Shrine, which features 123 Torii gates that lead to the ocean (pictured).
The Motonosuri Inari Shrine is a popular tourist destination for its 123 Torii Gates which lead to the Sea of Japan.
Depart from Tokyo, Sendai, & Niigata
The SL Banetsu-Monogatari runs through Northern Japan. It links the inner-city of Aizu-Wakamatsu with Niigata on the Sea of Japan. One of the highlights of the Aizu-Wakamatsu area is Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro (pictured). Mt. Bandai is a 1816 meter tall volcano which is affectionately called Aizu-Fuji, a portmanteau of the words Aizu (the local area) and Fuji (after Mt. Fuji). Meanwhile, Lake Inawashiro is the third-largest lake in Japan, and is a popular destination for a weekend retreat from Tokyo.
Mt. Bandai reflected off of Lake Inawashiro.
Delivery Process
The tickets can be mailed internationally or delivered in-person if you are in the Greater Tokyo Area. Payment can be completed via bank transfer for mailed tickets or by cash for in-person delivery.
Please note that, according to Japan Post, it can take up to two weeks for tickets to arrive overseas. Please provide ample time if you wish for your tickets to be sent.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!
For more information, please email info@sunriseexpresstickets.com.
Sunrise Express Tickets
©2024 by Sunrise Express Tickets.