TOURIST
INFORMATION

SL TAIJU

Visitors to Nikko can ride on a steam locomotive to Kinugawa Onsen, one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Japan!

This steam locomotive, called “Taiju”, has been operating since August 2017. It runs through an attractive area known as Kinugawa Onsen, one of the most famous hot springs in Japan, and also close to Nikko with its world heritage sites.
“Taiju” is also known as the other name of the Tokugawa Shogun, who is enshrined at Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
Tobu Railway, with its network from the Asakusa area in Tokyo to this Kinugawa Onsen area, was once called one of the biggest “kingdoms of steam locomotives”, as it used to operate as many as 85 steam locomotives mainly for forwarding freight. Although the steam locomotive was a driving force behind the development of modern day Japan, currently it is very difficult to ride or see them in Japan. Steam Locomotive Taiju has been kept in service as a way to keep steam locomotives running into the future. How about enjoying a ride on Taiju on the way to your sightseeing destination?

■How to purchase tickets

All seats on the Taiju are reserved and can be purchased at Tobu Tourist Information Center Asakusa on the first floor of Asakusa Station, or at Shimoimaichi Station from concierges who can communicate in many languages.

Reserved seat ticket: 760 JPY (adult) / 380 JPY (child)

Information about Tourist Information Center Asakusa can be found here.
https://www.tobu.co.jp/en/service/tourist/

■Operating days and timetable

As the Taiju is operated at different times of the day from morning to evening, it is easy to schedule a ride into your itinerary and combine it with other activities such as visiting theme parks around the area, temples and shrines designated as world heritage sites in Nikko, and other places.
Information about other train services that are recommended to combine with scheduled runs of the Taiju can be found here.
https://www.tobu.co.jp/sl/guide/

■Stop on the route

Taiju runs from Shimoimaichi Station to Kinugawa Onsen Station, stopping at Tobu World Square Station in front of the Tobu World Square leisure spot.
Information about Tobu World Square can be found here.

■Photo spot for the steam locomotive

Shimoimaichi Station and Kinugawa Onsen Station are equipped with railway turntables where you can enjoy watching a dynamic steam locomotive in front of you! Don’t miss the steam locomotive turning on the turntable!!

OTHER INFORMATION

Address
Shimoimaichi Station: 1110, Imaichi, Nikko city, Kinugawa Onsen Station: 1390, Ohara, Kinugawa Onsen, Nikko city
Business Hours
Steam Locomotive Taiju is scheduled to be operated mainly on Saturdays, Sundays, and National Holidays. *The timetable can be found above.
Access
To take the Steam Locomotive Taiju, you can also take an express train from Asakusa Station, and get off at “‘Shimoimaichi Station” before Tobu Nikko Station, or “Kinugawa Onsen Station”.
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