Useful Contacts / Frequently Asked Questions

Inquiries about our steam locomotive hauled trains

Are reservations required on steam trains?

All passengers are required to have seat reservations on our steam trains. Please make your reservations on our online booking form.

How many days in advance am I able to reserve seats for steam trains?

We start accepting reservations 30 days prior to departure. Reservations close 2 days prior to departure

Can I book seats on the day of departure?

On-day bookings are subject to seat availability. Please ask our ticketing staff at our ticket office for availability.

Which Locomotives are in operation?

Oigawa Railway operates 4 Steam Locomotives, but due to its delicate mechanics, we cannot pre­announce which ones will be running. This is the same for local trains.

Are there toilets on steam trains?

There is a carriage with facilities connected to the Steam(Electric) Locomotive Express train, but there are no hand rails. There are no toilets on the local trains.

Inquiries about tickets

Can I use my Japan Rail Pass?

No – Oigawa Railway and JR are different rail operators, and JR’s tickets are not acccepted on our railway. Please purchase valid tickets at Kanaya, Shin-Kanaya and Senzu stations.

How do you buy tickets at an un­staffed station?

While major stations served by our steam express trains tend to be staffed with stations attendants, smaller stops are unstaffed. Our local trains are driver-only operated, and conductors / guards are not present. When travelling on local trains, you will either
A) pay the train driver when you get off the train, or
B) pay the station staff at staffed stations.
Please do not forget to pick up a boarding ticket (a small piece of paper dispensed from a ticketing machine near the boarding door inside of the train which will validate your boarding station) when you board . The following 7 stations are staffed: Kanaya, Shin­-Kanaya, Ieyama, Suruga­Tokuyama, Senzu, Okuizumi and Ikawa.

How do you apply for a group discount?

Passengers travelling with over 15 people are eligible for a group discount. Please send in an application with the following information 2 weeks before your journey:

① Group Name
② Company Name（You can leave this blank, if traveling as a private group )
③ Contacts (Telephone/Fax)
④ Name of the person responsible
⑤ Number of people (Adult/Child)
⑥ Date(s) of travel, and relevant seat bookings
⑦ Payment Methods
⑧ Itinerary for your trip (optional)

Telephone: +81(0)547454112
Fax : +81(0)547454116
Email: contact@oigawarailway.co.jp

Inquiries about timetables and local trains

How many trains are running each day?

We operate around 4 local trains and 1-2 express trains (seasonal) each day. Please note that some trains, especially steam locomotive hauled trains, usually only operate on weekends and bank holidays. Please make sure to check our timetable before your plan your itinerary.
Please also note that we are rural rail operator, and train frequencies are limited. Please make sure to plan out a firm itinerary before you travel.

Other questions

Can I travel with my pets?

You are required to buy a single possession’s ticket (270 yen) for your pets. Please make sure your pets are kept in an enclosed carrier throughout the journey.
※ If you are traveling on both lines (Oigawa Main Line and Ikawa Line), you are required separate tickets for each line.

Can I travel with my bicycle?

As above, you are required to buy a single possession’s ticket (270 yen) for your bike.
※ If you are travelling on both lines (Oigawa Main Line and Ikawa Line), you are required to buy 2 tickets as noted above.

Can I board the trains with my wheelchair?

We would ask your wheelchairs to be folded when boarding Steam Locomotives. We regret that wheelchairs, which cannot be folded, are not allowed on board. All foldable wheelchairs can be taken on local trains. As for electric wheelchairs please do not hesitate to contact us before your journey.

What time in advance should I be there to take trains?

Please be at the station at least 15 mins prior to departure. If you are travelling on tourist trains, you will have to pick up your tickets before departure, so please make sure to arrive well in advance of the stipulated departure time.

When is Thomas operating?

Please check the updated information from the page below:
https://daitetsu.jp/eng/thomas

Bookings and inquiries for Steam Locomotives

Dai­Tetsu Sales Team (Office Hours: 09:00­-17:00)
Telephone: +81(0)54-7­45­-4112