The SL Taiju is a sightseeing steam train operated by Tobu Railway, running between Shimo-Imaichi and Kinugawa-Onsen Stations in the Nikko region of Tochigi Prefecture. It operates mainly on weekends and national holidays, offering three round trips per day, each lasting about 35 minutes through scenic countryside.
Launched in August 2017, the SL Taiju revives steam travel on the Tobu network, where such trains had not run since 1966. It has become a popular attraction for tourists and rail enthusiasts alike.
The name “Taiju” means “big tree,” referencing both the Tokugawa Shogun—whose spirit is enshrined at Nikko’s Toshogu Shrine—and the Tokyo Skytree, which is part of the Tobu network.
The locomotive, C11 207, is a restored JNR Class C11 built in 1941. Previously used by JR Hokkaido, it features distinctive double headlights, nicknamed kani-me (“crab eyes”), originally added to navigate Hokkaido’s foggy routes.
Each car of the train has been carefully restored or sourced to recreate the charm of Japan’s steam rail era, blending nostalgia with scenic travel.
Kinugawa-Onsen Station, Kinugawa Onsen 鬼怒川温泉, Nikkō, Tochigi, Japan
Photo Taken: April 13, 2024
High resolution
Flickr Gallery
Did you like this post?