Day Trip from Tokyo to a Ghibli-like Countryside | Kominato Railway & Yōrō Valley

Day Trip from Tokyo to a Ghibli-like Countryside | Kominato Railway & Yōrō Valley

Hello! Today, I’m taking a ride on my favorite train—the Kominato Railway’s Satoyama Torokko—to the nature-filled Yōrō Valley. The breeze and beautiful valley make this a special journey.Let’s enjoy it together! At the starting station, Goi, you’ll find a lineup of retro, adorable trains. Doesn’t it look just like “Thomas the Tank Engine”?It feels like the trains are greeting each other with “Good morning!”—so charming! By the way, this station is called“Goi”— written in English, it becomes… “Go I.” It’s like the station is gently saying, “Go on, you’ve got this!” What a perfect name to start a journey, don’t you think? And these retro trains… they really do make your heart flutter. The Kominato Railway is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. This local line keeps things fun with various events and charming touches. Here it comes! The Satoyama Torokko train we’ve been waiting for! It’s a special ride that takes about two hours from Goi Station to Yōrō Valley.It feels almost like a theme park attraction—so much fun! This train runs only on weekends and holidays, offering a peaceful escape through Japan’s countryside. Some of the cars have roofs but no windows. So the breeze flows right in—it feels amazing. Alright, it’s time to depart! Our slow and easy journey begins♪ Soon, the scenery shifts to peaceful countryside views. The first stop is Kazusa-Murakami Station, where we pause briefly. With its retro station sign and quiet, unstaffed building, everything here feels full of charm—so nostalgic. And there are more lovely little stations like this along the way. Along the route, local townspeople wave to the train. It warms the heart. We naturally wave back with a smile. Even among strangers, you feel a gentle connection. The train continues into even greener, more nature-rich scenery. The fresh green leaves shine in the sunlight, and the breeze pouring in through the windows is just perfect. Calm, slow, and so luxurious—this is true relaxation. At one point, we passed another train with barely any room to spare! With no windows, the other train passes so close—it felt like it was right in my face! I almost said “Whoa!” out loud. 😆 A little kid nearby gave an excited shout— everyone’s having fun like it’s a real attraction. 😄 By the way, the station names on the Kominato Railway are quite unique. There’s actually an announcement explaining their origins onboard, but… In this open-air car, the wind was too soothing— I couldn’t hear the announcements at all! 😊 So on the way back, I’ll ride in a closed car and finally pay attention to what they say! We take a slightly longer break here at Kazusa-Ushiku Station. And look—there’s a coffee stand right on the platform! Well then, it’s the perfect time for a little coffee break. The aroma of freshly brewed drip coffee fills the air… Sipping it on a gently rocking train feels like such a luxury. And now, we’re off again. This time, someone even waved to us from inside a car! Aww… It warms your heart, doesn’t it? The train now heads deeper into nature. The trees come so close, sometimes brushing against the roof and sides of the train with their leaves and branches… It really feels like a jungle cruise—on rails! And today is the perfect day for this torokko train ride. The breeze is refreshing, the sunlight is soft, and the open-air feeling is just so pleasant. Suddenly, it gets dark—we’ve entered a tunnel. Inside, the train lights come on, and for a moment, it feels like we’re on a magical night train. It’s just a short ride, but it adds a little sense of adventure. At Satomi Station, local vendors were selling bento and souvenirs at small stalls. There was such a warm, easygoing atmosphere— you could really feel how loved this railway is by the local community. It’s heartwarming to see locals adding their own touches to this journey. Before we knew it, we reached the final stop.The two-hour ride felt like it passed in the blink of an eye. From here, we transfer to a bus heading toward Yōrō Valley. They used to have rental bikes, but sadly, that service has been discontinued. Though I’m a little sad about that, I’ll enjoy the peaceful scenery from the bus window on the way to our next stop: Awamata Falls. I got off at the “Awamata Falls” bus stop for a short break. Just nearby is a very popular kakigōri (shaved ice) shop— let’s stop by for a treat! It’s so popular that I made a reservation in advance. Wow… doesn’t this look amazing? Covered in strawberries and syrup—just look at it! It’s picture-perfect. There were other tempting flavors, but as a strawberry lover, I just couldn’t pass this one up. And it was absolutely delicious! The fluffy texture melted in my mouth and brought an instant smile. There was syrup even inside! It looked huge, but I finished it in no time. Pure happiness! After a sweet break, it’s time to head to Awamata Falls. Just one step into the trail, and the air felt instantly fresh and clear. A gentle breeze, the sound of water, and the rustling green leaves… Even the joyful voices of children playing added to the peaceful scene. This is Awamata Falls. It stretches about 100 meters and flows gently down the rocks— what’s known as a “slide waterfall.” Unlike roaring waterfalls, this one flows softly over the surface, and it’s truly beautiful. There’s a walking path along the river. Normally you can walk all the way downstream,but it was closed today due to recent typhoon damage. Well then… sounds like it’s time for lunch. Actually, I picked up a bento earlier at Satomi Station. Just look at it—it already looks delicious! A generous portion of sweet and savory grilled pork over fluffy rice. Oh, and take a look at the tea that came with it! The retro-style packaging was so nostalgic and cute— I couldn’t help but smile. And it even came with a special commemorative sticker! Enjoying lunch with the sound of waterfalls and the greenery around… this was truly the perfect meal. Downstream from the falls, the river opens up— and the water is crystal clear. Looking closely, I could see little fish swimming around, and even a tiny crab peeking out from behind the rocks! Playing in the water and feeling the breeze— it cools not only your body but your heart too. After soaking in all this nature, let’s stop for some delicious gelato. We visited “Yamaneko,” a local gelateria in the mountains. It’s run by the same people as the shaved ice shop from earlier. They serve authentic gelato made with care, using locally grown, pesticide-free ingredients. Today, I chose two flavors: Lemon Milk and Green Tea & Matcha Milk. The Lemon Milk was so refreshing— bright citrus flavor with a smooth, clean finish. Perfect for a hot day! The Green Tea & Matcha Milk had a deep, roasted aroma and richness— a little more grown-up in flavor. Yet the aftertaste was so light and pleasant, I could eat it again and again. Enjoying gelato in the breeze and green mountains. I’d love to stay, but it’s time to head back. But first, let’s grab a drink. I stopped by a shop near the station called Satomono-ya. They had “Kuromoji Herb Tea”—I’d never heard of it before, but let’s give it a try! It’s made with kuromoji herbs grown in the satoyama of Yōrō Valley.Some people even call it the “Japanese Earl Grey.” It had a clean, refreshing taste—just right to reset the palate at the end of a journey. For the return trip, I got a seat in a car with windows. From here, the scenery looks a little different than it did on the way out. The open-air cars were nearly full, but the enclosed car was quiet and spacious— a perfect place to relax and reflect on the journey. Next up, we passed Kazusa-Ōkubo Station. It looked like time had stopped— such a quaint and retro little station. And look! There’s a Totoro at the station! It was drawn by local elementary school students,bringing a smile to everyone who visits. I really wanted to get off and take a closer look… but the train gently started moving again. Still, that fleeting moment felt like stepping into a dream. Before I knew it, the journey was nearing its end. But instead of wishing I had more time, I just felt full—calm and content. The nostalgic scenery and warm local hospitality truly soothed my heart. Then, out of the window, I spotted a cute little building in Kominato Railway colors. Believe it or not, it’s a villa you can stay at! The design matches the trains—how unique is that? Actually, I visit the Kominato Railway almost every year. Just an hour from Tokyo, and it feels like time moves slower here. The scenery changes with the seasons, and every visit feels fresh. The journey begins at “Go I”— like a gentle push to get going. And ends at “Yoro,” which, in English slang, stands for “You Only Rock Once.” Nature, kindness, and the gentle pace of Kominato Railway… How did it feel to you? I hope you felt relaxed too, and that we shared a peaceful moment together. I recorded this journey with the hope that it might gently ease someone’s heart, even just a little. And I’d be so happy if it made you feel like you were traveling with me. If you enjoyed this, I’d be so happy if you subscribed, liked, or left a comment. Thank you so much for watching until the end. See you again in the next journey.

A relaxing countryside trip from Tokyo on the Kominato Railway.
With retro trains, waterfalls, and peaceful scenery—it feels like a world from a Miyazaki film.
Subscribe for more peaceful journeys from Japan.

00:00 Start at Goi Station
01:55 Torokko train ride
07:21 Awamata Falls
09:27 Gelato stop
11:10 Totoro at the station

【Places Featured】
◇ Kominato Railway (Goi Station to Yōrō Keikoku Station)
https://www.kominato.co.jp
◇ Satoyama Torokko Train
https://www.kominato.co.jp/satoyamatorocco/
◇ Yamaneko Gelateria

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◇ Awamata Falls (Yōrō Valley)
https://www.town.otaki.chiba.jp/kanko_iju_bunka/kanko_iju/kanko_jyouho/5/4/1482.html
◇ Satomono-ya (Kuromoji Herb Tea)
https://www.instagram.com/satomonoya?igsh=MTQ3bHBtanVwZTg3eQ==

#JapanTravel #DayTripFromTokyo #KominatoRailway #SlowTravel #HiddenJapan #GhibliVibes #Japanesefood