Isumi Railway — Rapeseed Blossom Line
A tiny rural railway of 26km running through the rice paddies and cedar valleys of inland Boso Peninsula. In spring, the entire right-of-way is lined with rapeseed (nanohana) blossoms between the stations. Heritage diesel cars painted in vivid colours pass cherry trees and plum orchards — the finest spring countryside train ride near Tokyo.
2–3 hours
Train ticket ¥870 (full route)
Trains run year-round; rapeseed blossom peak: late March–mid April; SL steam locomotive runs weekends in spring
Late March–April (rapeseed)
Ohara Station on JR Sotobo Line (90 min from Tokyo)
Location
Why Visit
- 1
In spring, the entire 26km track is flanked by rapeseed flowers — a yellow corridor through green rice fields
- 2
The diesel railcars are colourfully decorated with local characters — a popular photography subject
- 3
The slowest train near Tokyo — 26km takes 43 minutes, giving long views into the countryside
Local Tips
The 26-station railway through Chiba's rural interior is one of Japan's most charming branch lines. In spring, the trackside rapeseed and cherry blossoms create extraordinary views from the windows. The steam locomotive (SL) weekend service in spring is a bucket-list trip for train enthusiasts. Start from Oami Station on the JR Sotobo Line.
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