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Oigawa Railway Timetable, Fares & Discount Passes Guide
Introduction: Two Types of Lines
When planning your trip, understand the difference between the two lines. You need to transfer at Senzu Station.
| Route | Section | Feature | Train |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Line | Kanaya - Senzu | Flat Line | SL / EL / Old Coach |
| Ikawa Line | Senzu - Ikawa | Mountain Line | Red Trolley |
- Main Line: Runs along the Oigawa River. The Steam Locomotive (SL) and Thomas run here.
- Ikawa Line: Also known as the "Southern Alps Abt Line". A mountain railway climbing steep slopes using the Abt system (the only one in Japan).
⚠️ Bus Substitution Due to natural disasters, some sections may be operated by bus. Please check the Official Website for the latest operation status.
1. Fare Guide (One-way / Adult)
Estimated fares for major sections.
Basic Fares
| Section | Fare (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Kanaya ⇔ Shin-Kanaya | 150 JPY |
| Kanaya ⇔ Senzu | 1,800 JPY+ |
| Senzu ⇔ Okuoikojo | 700 JPY+ |
| Senzu ⇔ Ikawa | 1,300 JPY+ |
- Kanaya - Shin-Kanaya: Transfer from JR to the SL departure station.
- Kanaya - Senzu: Traveling the entire Main Line.
- Senzu - Okuoikojo: Going to the famous "Station on the Lake".
- Senzu - Ikawa: Traveling the entire Ikawa Line (Trolley).
Extra Charges (Express Ticket)
To ride the SL or Thomas, you need an Express Ticket in addition to the basic fare.
| Type | Extra Charge | Note |
|---|---|---|
| SL Express | 1,000 JPY+ | Reserved Seat |
| EL Express | 500 JPY+ | Reserved Seat |
| Thomas | Special Price | Check Official Site |
2. Best Discount Passes
Buying a "Free Pass" is usually cheaper than buying tickets individually.
| Pass Name | Valid | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oigawa Excursion | 2-3 Days | 5,000 JPY+ | All Lines |
| Sumatakyo Pass | 2 Days | 2,500 JPY+ | Sumatakyo Only |
- Oigawa Excursion Pass: Unlimited rides on Main Line, Ikawa Line, and Buses. Best for overnight trips or visiting Okuoikojo.
- Sumatakyo Pass: Round trip from Kanaya to Senzu + Bus to Sumatakyo. (Ikawa Line NOT included).
3. Useful Q&A
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| IC Card | ❌ NO |
| Credit Card | △ Major Stn |
| Locker | ◯ Available |
| Toilet | △ Check |
- IC Card (Suica/Pasmo): Cannot be used at most stations. Cash is essential for Senzu and Ikawa Line.
- Credit Card: Accepted at major station ticket windows/shops. Cash only on trains and unstaffed stations.
- Locker: Available at Kanaya, Shin-Kanaya, and Senzu stations.
- Toilet: Available at major stations and on SL trains. May not be available at unstaffed stations.
Advice from Editor
The Oigawa Railway retains a nostalgic "inconvenience" like manual ticket gates and paper tickets. Please enjoy the retro atmosphere away from the modern city life where everything is smooth with IC cards.