5 Spectacular Sightseeing Trains to Ride in Chubu & Hokuriku, Japan
Japan's sightseeing trains — often called joyful trains — are among the most memorable ways to experience the country. Rather than simply getting from A to B, they invite you to slow down, gaze out of wide picture windows, sip local sake, star-gaze from a moving carriage, or feel the mountain wind on your face as you trundle through a deep alpine gorge. The Chubu and Hokuriku regions are home to some of Japan's finest examples. Here are five you shouldn't miss.
TIPS AND SECRETSJR REGIONAL PASSHOKKAIDOJR PASS 7 DAYSHIDDEN GEMSJR PASS 14 DAYSSIGHTSEEING & JOYFUL TRAINS
Josh K
6/27/202610 min read
Here is your ultimate guide to the five must-ride sightseeing trains in Tohoku and Kanto, including routes, highlights, and booking tips including validity of Japan Rail Pass and JR Regional Passes.
1. Kurobe Gorge Railway (Trolley Train) — Toyama Prefecture
Route: Unazuki Station → Nekomata Station (partial service through late 2026)
Season: Mid-May to late November
Operator: Kurobe Gorge Railway (private — not part of JR)
JR Pass Validity: ❌ Not valid. The Kurobe Gorge Railway is a private operator entirely separate from JR. Tickets must be purchased individually. Note also that the connecting Toyama Chiho Railway leg (Shin-Kurobe → Unazuki Onsen) is likewise not covered by the JR Pass, though the Hokuriku Shinkansen ride to Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station is covered.
If there is one train journey in Japan that truly earns the phrase "raw nature," it is the Kurobe Gorge Railway. Carved deep into the Northern Japan Alps, the Kurobe Gorge is one of the deepest V-shaped gorges in the country — listed among Japan's Three Major Gorges and one of Japan's Top 100 Unexplored Regions. The trolley train winds 20.1 km upstream along the Kurobe River, crossing more than 20 bridges and passing through roughly 40 tunnels, all at a leisurely pace of just 16 km/h.
The open-air carriages have no glass windows, meaning passengers are fully immersed in the sounds and scents of the gorge. For those who prefer shelter, a first-class carriage with windows is also available. The emerald-green river below, dense forests on both sides, and the occasional glimpse of waterfalls and hot-spring steam make for an experience unlike any other.
Key stops along the route include Kuronagi Station, where a short trail leads to an outdoor riverside hot spring, and Kanetsuri Station, famous for its "Mannen Yuki" (ten-thousand-year snow) — a snowbank so deep it often survives into the following winter.
Important note for 2025–2026 visitors: A bridge was damaged in the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, so the line is currently operating only as far as Nekomata Station rather than the full distance to Keyakidaira. Reconstruction is expected to be completed around July 2026, with full-line resumption possible from October 2026 — so check the official website before you travel.
Getting there: From Tokyo, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station, then walk five minutes to Shin-Kurobe Station and board a Toyama Chiho Railway local train to Unazuki Onsen Station. The gorge railway's Unazuki Station is a short four-minute walk away. The total journey from Toyama Station takes around 1 hour 20 minutes.
Tips: Bring a warm layer — tunnels can be cold, especially before mid-June and from late September. Book seat reservations as early as possible, particularly during the autumn foliage season (mid-October to mid-November), when the canyon turns brilliant shades of red and gold.
2. Belles Montagnes et Mer (Bell Monte / Berumonta) — Toyama Prefecture
Route (Saturdays): Takaoka/Shin-Takaoka Station ↔ Johana Station (Johana Line — mountains)
Route (Sundays): Tonami/Shin-Takaoka/Takaoka Station ↔ Himi Station (Himi Line — coast) Operator: JR West
JR Pass Validity: ✅ Valid (base fare covered). The JR Pass and JR West regional passes cover the basic fare. However, a reserved seat ticket (指定席券) is mandatory since all seats are reserved — this costs ¥530 per person and must be purchased separately at a JR ticket office (Midori-no-Madoguchi). Meal packages for the onboard sushi experience are an additional cost regardless of pass type.
Its name is French for "beautiful mountains and sea," and the Belles Montagnes et Mer — affectionately nicknamed Berumonta — delivers exactly that. This single-car, 39-passenger sightseeing train operated by JR West is a rolling gallery of Toyama's finest landscapes and traditional crafts.
Step inside and the interior immediately sets the mood: moss-green velvet upholstery, warm wooden furnishings, windows styled like picture frames, and intricate Inami wood carvings from Nanto City depicting gassho-zukuri thatched-roof houses, mountain wildflowers, and the traditional Kokiriko dance. Leather strap handles are adorned with motifs inspired by Takaoka copperware, and a glass display case near the rear showcases Shogawa woodwork and Ecchu Sansuke ware. This really is a gallery on wheels.
The two routes offer distinctly different scenery. On Saturdays, the Johana Line carries passengers inland through the rural scattered-village landscape (sankasson) of the Tonami plain, past the UNESCO World Heritage thatched-roof houses of Gokayama, and toward the foot of the mountains. In spring, the tulip fields around Tonami are in spectacular bloom. On Sundays, the Himi Line hugs the coast of the Sea of Japan, offering one of the prefecture's most coveted views: the jagged Amaharashi Coast, with the great rock Onnaiwa rising from the waves and — on a clear winter's day — the snow-capped 3,000-metre Tateyama Mountain Range reflected in Toyama Bay behind it.
The onboard experience adds another layer. Sushi chefs prepare nigiri to order using freshly caught Toyama Bay seafood, and a selection of locally brewed Toyama sake accompanies the meal. Volunteer guides share stories about the sights passing by, and locals wave enthusiastically from the platforms and roadsides. Every passenger receives a commemorative ticket as a keepsake.
Getting there: From Tokyo, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Shin-Takaoka Station, where you can transfer directly onto the Berumonta. The journey from Tokyo takes around 2 hours 45 minutes.
Tips: All seats are reserved and must be booked in advance. Meal reservations for the sushi experience require separate advance booking. The train runs mainly on weekends.
3. Koshino Shu*Kura — Niigata Prefecture
Route (main): Joetsumyoko Station ↔ Tokamachi Station (Koshino Shu*Kura)
Also operates: Joetsumyoko ↔ Echigo-Yuzawa (Yuzawa Shu*Kura) and Joetsumyoko ↔ Niigata (Ryuto Shu*Kura)
Season: Weekends, spring through autumn
Operator: JR East
JR Pass Validity: ⚠️ Partial. The Japan Rail Pass and JR East regional passes (including the JR EAST PASS Nagano, Niigata area) cover Car 3 (standard seating) with a free seat reservation. Car 1, the dining/package car, is exclusively for passengers with a paid meal package (approx. ¥8,500/person) and cannot be accessed with a rail pass alone. Car 2 (the event and sake-tasting space) is open to all passengers, including pass holders in Car 3.
If you love sake, this is the train you've been waiting for. The Koshino Shu*Kura is one of JR East's celebrated "joyful trains," and it is built around a single magnificent obsession: Niigata's rice wine. The name itself tells the story — "Koshi" refers to the ancient name for Niigata, "Shu" means sake, and "Kura" means brewery.
Niigata is arguably Japan's most celebrated sake-producing region, and the reason lies in its geography: heavy winter snowfall melts into pure, mineral-rich water that irrigates vast fields of Koshihikari rice — the two essential ingredients of exceptional nihonshu. The train travels through this very landscape, allowing passengers to taste the local sake while gazing out at the rice paddies that produce it.
The three-car train is beautifully fitted out. Car 1 is the package-only dining car, with large picture windows, wood-grain finishes, and rotating reclining seats. Passengers with a dining package are treated to a colorful bento using local seasonal Niigata ingredients, a bottle of original Koshino Shu*Kura daiginjo sake, a sparkling sake welcome drink, and an ochoko (sake cup) set in an original design. Car 2 is the event car, designed to evoke the interior of a sake brewery, with sake-barrel tables and circular bookcases. This is where free sake tasting sessions are held — with a different brewery presenting on different days — and where live jazz performances serenade passengers. A service counter sells a rotating selection of five local sake brands, snacks, and exclusive Koshino Shu*Kura merchandise. Car 3 offers standard seating accessible with a JR Pass.
The one-way journey on the main route covers approximately 127.6 km and takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, winding along the Sea of Japan coastline and through the verdant rice-growing valleys of the Hida and Echigo mountains. One highlight is Omigawa Station, said to be the train station closest to the sea in all of Japan, where the Pacific Ocean opens up dramatically beyond the tracks.
Getting there: Both Joetsumyoko and Tokamachi stations are accessible from Tokyo via the Hokuriku Shinkansen (about 2 hours). The train operates weekends from spring to autumn; routes rotate on a weekly schedule.
Tips: The dining package for Car 1 costs approximately ¥8,500 per person (one-way) and must be reserved well in advance — at least 10 days ahead on weekends. Rail pass holders can board Car 3 with a seat reservation only. Seasonal menus change every three months, so the sake and food you experience will reflect the time of year you visit.
4. HIGH RAIL 1375 — Nagano Prefecture
Route: Kobuchizawa Station (Yamanashi) ↔ Komoro Station (Nagano) via the Koumi Line
Services: HIGH RAIL 1 & 2 (daytime) / HIGH RAIL Hoshizora (evening stargazing)
Operator: JR East
JR Pass Validity: ✅ Valid (seat reservation required, no extra charge). The Japan Rail Pass and JR East regional passes fully cover the HIGH RAIL 1375 fare. A seat reservation is mandatory (all seats are reserved), but the reservation itself is free for pass holders — make it at any JR ticket office or Reserved Seat Vending Machine up to one month in advance. The Koumi-sen Kogen bento box, if desired, must be pre-ordered separately at an additional cost.
The name says it all. The Koumi Line holds the record for the highest elevation of any JR railway in Japan, peaking at 1,375 metres above sea level between Nobeyama Station and Kiyosato Station — and the HIGH RAIL 1375 was purpose-built to celebrate that extraordinary altitude. Its design concept is simple and wonderful: "the train nearest the heavens."
The train's exterior is painted in a deep midnight blue to evoke the night sky, scattered with stars. Inside, the stellar theme continues: seats decorated with the constellations of the four seasons, blackboard-style art panels, and — most impressively — Car 2's "Gallery HIGH RAIL", a space featuring circular bookshelves filled with astronomy titles and a hemispherical dome on the ceiling onto which the night sky is projected. It is, quite literally, a planetarium on rails.
The 78.9 km route between Kobuchizawa and Komoro passes through some of Nagano and Yamanashi's most dramatic highland scenery. Passengers are treated to panoramic views of the Yatsugatake Mountain Range, ancient volcanic peaks that dominate the skyline along much of the route. On clear days, Mount Fuji can be glimpsed in the distance as the train approaches the Yamanashi border. Rice paddies, highland vegetable fields, and mountain villages complete the pastoral picture, all framed at a quiet, contemplative pace.
The most coveted service is undoubtedly the HIGH RAIL Hoshizora (Star Sky) evening train. Departing in the early evening, the train makes an extended stop of around 40 minutes at Nobeyama Station — the highest JR station in Japan, and recognized as one of Japan's top three spots for stargazing. On clear nights, passengers disembark and, guided by train staff, are shown the major constellations visible directly overhead. It is an unforgettable experience, far from city lights at over 1,300 metres altitude.
For daytime riders, a special highland bento (the "Koumi-sen Kogen brunch") can be reserved in advance and delivered to your seat after departure. Nothing is sold on the train without a prior reservation, so plan ahead.
Getting there: Kobuchizawa Station is accessible from Tokyo's Shinjuku via the JR Limited Express Azusa on the Chuo Line. Alternatively, board at Sakudaira Station, which connects directly to the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Tips: The Hoshizora evening service is popular and sells out quickly — book as soon as reservations open (one month before departure). Clear weather is essential for stargazing; check forecasts in advance. Autumn foliage (October–November) turns the route spectacularly colorful.
5. Resort View Furusato — Nagano Prefecture
Route: Nagano Station ↔ Minami-Otari Station (Shinonoi Line / Oito Line)
Season: Mainly weekends and public holidays; much of August
Operator: JR East
JR Pass Validity: ✅ Valid (seat supplement applies). The Resort View Furusato is classified as a rapid train, making it one of the most pass-friendly options in this list — it is covered by the Japan Rail Pass, the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area), and even the budget Seishun 18 Ticket. A flat ¥530 seat reservation supplement is required on top of any pass, as all seats are reserved. No extra meal fees are built into the fare — snacks and drinks are purchased separately on board.
"Furusato" means hometown in Japanese, and this gentle, nostalgic train is designed to evoke exactly that feeling — a return to the peaceful countryside, to the sound of shakuhachi flutes and taiko drums, to views of mountain villages and terraced rice fields that feel timeless. Launched in October 2010, the Resort View Furusato was one of the first of JR East's hybrid diesel-electric HB-E300 series trains, making it a greener way to explore Nagano's spectacular landscape.
The two-car train's interior prioritizes comfort: wide reclining seats with a generous 120 cm pitch (the most spacious regular seating in JR's entire fleet), large windows designed for landscape gazing, and small open observation areas at both ends of the train where you can settle into a sofa chair and enjoy unobstructed views. Screens throughout the carriages display live footage from the front of the train as well as information about approaching sights.
The roughly four-hour full route from Nagano to Minami-Otari is one of scenic variety. Shortly after departure, the train makes an extended stop at Obasute Station, one of Japan's most celebrated viewpoints — officially designated one of "Japan's Three Best Train Window Views." From the platform, the panoramic view of the Zenkoji Plains spread below is breathtaking in every season: flooded rice paddies in June, golden harvests in September, and a glittering sea of city lights on the Night View Obasute evening special service. Obasute is also famous for its nearly 2,000 rice terraces, accessible on a ten-minute walk from the station.
The train continues through Matsumoto (a great stop for visiting the iconic black castle), on to Hotaka for the famous Hotaka Shrine, then Shinano-Omachi — the gateway to the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route — and finally into the stunning mountain resort area of Hakuba, site of the 1998 Winter Olympic alpine events, before reaching the terminus at Minami-Otari.
On Saturdays and holidays, local residents board the train to perform folk tales in the Azumino dialect, shakuhachi (bamboo flute), and taiko drum — a warm, community-driven experience you won't find on any express service. Train staff sell Nagano apple products and local snacks throughout the journey.
Getting there: The Resort View Furusato departs from Nagano Station, directly accessible from Tokyo via the Hokuriku Shinkansen (approximately 80 minutes). It is covered by the JR Pass, JR East Nagano-Niigata Pass, and even the Seishun 18 Ticket (a flat ¥530 seat reservation supplement applies).
Tips: For the best views on the outbound Nagano-to-Matsumoto section — including the Obasute overlook — sit on the right side of the train. If visiting the Alpine Route from Shinano-Omachi, confirm connection times in advance, as crowds at transfer points can be significant in peak season.
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Planning Your Trip
All five trains are weekend-centric and operate primarily from spring through autumn (with some exceptions).
The Hokuriku Shinkansen connects Tokyo to Toyama, Kanazawa, and Nagano with ease, making it possible to combine several of these journeys into a single trip. A JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) is excellent value if you plan to ride multiple Joyful Trains in the region.
Whichever train you choose, the reward is the same: the slower, richer Japan that exists just beyond the shinkansen window — valleys, mountains, sea, and the warmth of the communities that call this remarkable region home.
Also check these guides: The Ultimate Guide to Japan's Sightseeing & Joyful Trains