Kominato & Isumi Lines, Chiba
Jan 2, 2014 | 6:39 pm
#1
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Kominato & Isumi Lines, Chiba
Furaiaatooku no minasama, akeome kotoyoro!
In April, I'm considering going for a little retro diesel train adventure by taking the Kominato & Isumi Lines across the Boso Peninsula in Chiba, east of Tokyo. The Chiba tourism board (yes, apparently one exists) has a nice English summary:
http://www.chiba-tour.jp/eng/local-railway_eng.html
And this guy has some slick photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kagiroh...7632952162741/
Anybody been, and/or interested?
In April, I'm considering going for a little retro diesel train adventure by taking the Kominato & Isumi Lines across the Boso Peninsula in Chiba, east of Tokyo. The Chiba tourism board (yes, apparently one exists) has a nice English summary:
http://www.chiba-tour.jp/eng/local-railway_eng.html
And this guy has some slick photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kagiroh...7632952162741/
Anybody been, and/or interested?
Last edited by Prospero; Jan 3, 2014 at 12:30 pm Reason: Title correction
Jan 2, 2014 | 7:29 pm
#2
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Yes, I have rode on Kominato Line (小湊鉄道) and Isumi Line (いすみ鉄道) cutting right through middle of Boso peninsula. I enjoyed the ride where train go through some rural area which is big change from big city of Tokyo or Osaka.
However, I am a train geek who enjoy riding trains like that. So my honest thought is how average person will take riding Kominato Line or Isumi Line for leisure? It is great day trip on slow pace train ride. I am assuming that you asked such question means you are little bit of train geek also? If then I think you will enjoy the ride.
However, I am a train geek who enjoy riding trains like that. So my honest thought is how average person will take riding Kominato Line or Isumi Line for leisure? It is great day trip on slow pace train ride. I am assuming that you asked such question means you are little bit of train geek also? If then I think you will enjoy the ride.
Jan 4, 2014 | 4:39 am
#3
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Keep in mind that the Kominato Railway was affected by torrential rain from Typhoon 26 last fall, so the section between Yoro-Keikoku and Kazusa-Nakano Stations is being operated by a replacement bus service.
Jan 4, 2014 | 9:13 am
#4
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Yes, but that add extra flavor to the trip for train geeks. 
Hence, I asked if OP is sort of a train geek or not. I know train geeks like me will enjoy the trip, but for average travelers I am not sure how many will enjoy spending most of the day traveling slow pace on a train in rural area of Japan. However, for people who only have seen tourists places in Japan it will be nice change to have a hike around Yorokeikou (time permitting) to experience non-tourist rural area of Japan. Where area can be described as Satoyama (里山) which become little popular lingo these days. 
Hence, I asked if OP is sort of a train geek or not. I know train geeks like me will enjoy the trip, but for average travelers I am not sure how many will enjoy spending most of the day traveling slow pace on a train in rural area of Japan. However, for people who only have seen tourists places in Japan it will be nice change to have a hike around Yorokeikou (time permitting) to experience non-tourist rural area of Japan. Where area can be described as Satoyama (里山) which become little popular lingo these days.
Jan 5, 2014 | 10:42 pm
#5
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The replacement bus is no problem, it's only for a small section and we're probably getting off at Yoro Keikoku anyway.
Jan 8, 2014 | 5:15 pm
#7
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Jan 9, 2014 | 12:10 am
#9
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That's pretty cool. Nice to hear about people from other countries coming to Japan to try adventures off the beaten path.
Boso Peninsula is so close to Tokyo, yet feels like such a far-off existence. I went to Kamogawa Sea World when I was a kid, but that's about all I know of Boso Hanto... that, and the beaches. Looks like the most far-flung rural train, looking at those flickr photos.
I'm no train geek, but there are some local trains I'd like to go try one of these days. Tadami-sen (Aizu to Niigata) is one.
Jan 9, 2014 | 5:04 pm
#10
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