Akechi Railroad

The Akechi railroad is a really small and really rural railway line!

• It opened in 1933. It became too unprofitable to continue to be run by JR in 1985. So, the local government took it over and now run it mainly for a few school children, elderly people and tourists.

• The result is an adorable one carriage train that connects beautiful little towns and villages over the Japanese countryside. Trains are very infrequent so plan accordingly.

• There are 11 stops on the line that runs between Ena and Akechi.

• Access is definitely easiest from Ena, which is only a short 40 minute train ride from Nagoya.

• Most of the stations are super duper rural and beautiful. By all means get out and explore wherever you wish! But the main points of interest for tourists are Iwamura, Hanashiro Onsen and Akechi.

• They also run gourmet train trips where the carriage is transformed into a dining room and you can eat seasonal food and even do sake tasting in a delightfully gimmicky Japanese way.