A train ride into Japan's past | DW Documentary

DW Documentary・2 minutes read

Japan's railway journey through southern Japan highlights elegance, efficiency, and traditional practices in places like Yame and Bungo Taketa, offering unique experiences and cultural preservation along the way. The journey concludes in Kagoshima and Ibusuki, showcasing volcanic landscapes and hot sand baths, blending quiet contemplation with vibrant city life in southern Japan.

Insights

  • Japan's railway system is renowned for its elegance, efficiency, and commitment to cleanliness, as seen in the orderly movement at Hakata station in Fukuoka.
  • The railway journey through southern Japan offers unique experiences like the Seven Stars luxury train and Ufou Innomori train, showcasing a blend of traditional practices, scenic landscapes, and cultural heritage preservation along the route.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of Hakata station?

    Hakata station is a bustling hub in Fukuoka, Japan, known for its cleanliness, efficiency, and markets selling green tea and fish. It exemplifies the elegance of rail travel in Japan, with a focus on orderliness and traditional practices.

  • What unique experiences does the Seven Stars luxury train offer?

    The Seven Stars luxury train in Japan provides passengers with hand-punched tickets, elegant dining experiences, and a focus on reflection and new encounters. It offers a unique journey through southern Japan, showcasing a commitment to preserving cultural heritage and providing a luxurious travel experience.

  • What can passengers expect on the Ufou Innomori train journey?

    Passengers on the Ufou Innomori train can enjoy scenic routes, bento box meals, and unique experiences like getting their picture taken and receiving commemorative stamps. The train focuses on providing a relaxing and enjoyable journey through stunning landscapes in Japan.

  • What attractions are found near Mount Aso in Japan?

    The volcanic region around Mount Aso in Japan offers stunning landscapes, traditional practices like hot springs and traditional meals, and unique experiences for visitors. Bungo Taketa, near Mount Aso, showcases a relaxed approach to life with a folk song and a cat as the station manager, adding charm to the area.

  • What cultural events can be experienced in Hitoyoshi, Japan?

    Hitoyoshi, a stop along the Hitayushi steam train route in Japan, is known for its local delicacies, production of sochu, and the annual Okunchi festival at the Aoi Arso Shrine. The festival features traditional dances and lion performances aimed at bringing happiness and health to children, adding a vibrant cultural touch to the city.

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Summary

00:00

Luxury Rail Journey Through Southern Japan

  • Japan is a significant railway hub, with our journey taking us through southern Japan, starting in Hakata and ending in Ibusuki.
  • Rail travel in Japan is known for its elegance and efficiency, with cleanliness being a top priority, exemplified by the orderly movement in Hakata station.
  • Hakata station, located in Fukuoka, is a bustling hub with markets selling green tea and fish, including whale meat for scientific purposes only.
  • Traditional practices are upheld in Yame, known for its lantern makers and green tea sellers with centuries-old traditions.
  • A museum in Yame showcases a traditional puppet show, highlighting the town's commitment to preserving cultural heritage.
  • The Seven Stars luxury train offers a unique experience, with hand-punched tickets, elegant dining, and a focus on reflection and new encounters for passengers.
  • The Ufou Innomori train provides a special journey through scenic routes, offering bento box meals and a focus on enjoying the view.
  • Passengers on the Ufou Innomori train can partake in unique experiences like getting their picture taken and receiving commemorative stamps.
  • The volcanic region around Mount Aso offers stunning landscapes, with a focus on traditional practices, such as enjoying hot springs and traditional meals.
  • Bungo Taketa, near Mount Aso, welcomes visitors with a folk song and has a cat as the station manager, showcasing a relaxed approach to life near the active volcano.

28:47

Hitayushi steam train through Kyushu's scenic route

  • Hitayushi steam train is a popular attraction in Kyushu, offering a nostalgic experience with modernized design and a route through the Kumar River Valley lasting about two and a half hours.
  • The train is driven by Japan's oldest operational steam locomotive from 1922, showcasing the fast-flowing Kumar River and local scenery along the way.
  • Hitoyoshi, a stop along the route, is known for its local delicacies like chestnuts and freshwater salmon, as well as the production of sochu, a rice-based spirit crafted for around 200 years.
  • The city of Hitoyoshi also hosts the Okunchi festival at the Aoi Arso Shrine, featuring traditional dances and lion performances meant to bring happiness and health to children.
  • The journey concludes in Kagoshima and Ibusuki, known for their volcanic landscapes and hot sand baths, offering a blend of quiet contemplation and vibrant city life in southern Japan.
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