The Post Road Train, Japan.

This video shows a trip up the ancient post road train in Japan. The Nakasendo line is featured between pages 162-165 in Lonely Planet’s “Amazing Train Journeys”. The train runs between Matsumoto and Nagoya although we travelled in the opposite direction. It is covered by the Japan Rail Pass and runs through the Kiso Valley, along the route of the Nakasendo Highway, the old postal route between Tokyo and Kyoto. Three towns along the way have some very well preserved features and are well worth a visit: Narai, Tsumago and Magome. Narai is on the train line. Tsumago and Magome are best accessed from Nagiso or Nakatsugawa. These old post towns served the weary traveller, who would make the journey from Kyoto to Tokyo by foot.

We travelled at the end of September. The villages were traditionally beautiful, although quiet as we travelled out of high season. It was clear that all the mountain villages were set up to receive tourists and in high season I guess the line would be buzzing.

We travelled first from Shin Osaka to Nagano where we picked up the post train. We were using a Japanese Rail Pass which is accepted throughout the line, and enables you to ‘hop on’ and ‘hop off’ at intermediate stations. Most village stations had left luggage facilities so you could leave bags whilst you explored and there was further informaation in English written on signs posted on the station windows.

We begun our trip up the line mid morning and we arrived in Matsumoto early evening. It would be better to get on the first train as early as possible to give you more time in the villages, especially if you are travelling in high season.

You can see in the video, we travelled with a two year old. It was all manageable and we enjoyed a comfortable journey up the Kiso Valley.

For further information about Japanese rail travel visit and thetrainhacker.com

Music Credits

1) Night of the Yakuza – Sigh of Wonders (c) of Epidemic Sound
2) Tokyo Dreaming (Instrumental Version) (c) of Epidemic Sound
3) Tokyo Highball Matt Large (c) of Epidemic Sound

epidemicsound.com