Alishan Forest Railway tickets can also be used in Japan — free exchanges at 2 sister stations before year-end

▲ Following the collaboration between Pingxi Line and Japan’s Enoshima Electric Railway, Alishan Forest Railway tickets can now also be exchanged at sister stations in Japan. (Photo / from the official Facebook page of Alishan National Scenic Area Administration)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Following the “exchange ticket stubs for a free one-day pass” event jointly held by Pingxi Line and Japan’s Enoshima Electric Railway, the Alishan Forest Railway has announced a collaboration with two sister stations in Japan — “Oigawa Railway” and “Kurobe Gorge Railway.” From April 20 until the end of the year, simply present one used round-trip ticket to get a free ticket at a sister station.

Japan’s “Oigawa Railway” and “Kurobe Gorge Railway” became sister railways with Alishan Forest Railway in 1986 and 2013 respectively. The two railways share similarities with Alishan Forest Railway: the main line of “Oigawa Railway” in Shizuoka Prefecture is famous for preserving and operating steam locomotives (SL), which continue to run to this day. The narrow, retro platforms are always packed with tourists hoping to snap photos of the classic scene of an old steam train arriving at the station.

%A classic steam locomotive arrives at the narrow platform of Oigawa Railway. (Photo / from Wikimedia Commons)

Located in Toyama Prefecture, “Kurobe Gorge Railway,” which opens annually only from April to November along with the opening of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, is like Alishan Forest Railway, also a 762mm gauge mountain railway. Running from Unazuki Station at 224 meters above sea level to Kushigadani Station at 599 meters, visitors can not only enjoy Unazuki Onsen but also the stunning natural scenery of Kurobe Gorge. This makes it one of Japan’s Three Great Gorges and among the 100 Best Hidden Places in Japan, as well as a must-visit destination for backpackers during the opening season.

The Chiayi Forest District Office stated that to encourage cross-border railway travel between Taiwan and Japan, it has been agreed that until December 31 of this year, any passenger holding one used Alishan Forest Railway round-trip ticket (including full fare and half fare) for the “Chiayi–Fenchihu” route can exchange it for one one-way ticket of the same class on the Oigawa Railway’s “Shin-Kanaya–Chūbu” section or one round-trip ticket on the Kurobe Gorge Railway’s “Unazuki–Kushigadani” section.

%Only by taking the nostalgic “inner railway trip” can you witness the vintage charm within. (Photo / fromthe official Facebook page of Kurobe Gorge Railway Co., Ltd.))

Oigawa Railway Ticket Exchange Method

Geographic Location:Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
Promotion Period:April 20, 2014, to December 31
Eligible Ticket Types and Sections:One one-way ticket between “Shin-Kanaya–Chūbu”
Car Class:Ordinary carriage (if upgrading to an SL steam train, additional fare is required; full fare surcharge is 800 yen, half fare surcharge is 400 yen).
Exchange Method:Exchange at Plaza Loco opposite “Shin-Kanaya Station” — one ticket for one ticket, full fare for full fare, half fare for half fare.
Exchange Restrictions:Must be one used Alishan Forest Railway round-trip ticket for the “Chiayi–Fenchihu” route; cannot be two one-way tickets for either direction.

Kurobe Gorge Railway Ticket Exchange Method

Geographic Location:Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
Promotion Period:May 3 to November 30, 2014. (May 3 is the expected date when the full line reopens)
Eligible Ticket Types and Sections:Round-trip ticket for the "Unazuki-Kukizaki" section, one-for-one exchange.
Carriage class:Ordinary passenger car, special passenger car, relax passenger car (リラックス客车).
Exchange method:All exchanges must be requested by reservation. From three months to 15 days before the intended travel date, first check the train schedule, then fill out the request in the specified format and fax it to the Kurobe Gorge Railway Sales Center to apply for a reservation (FAX: +81-765-62-1724). The railway will reply to the passenger by fax regarding the success of the reservation.
Exchange restrictions:It must be one round-trip ticket on the Alishan Forest Railway “Chiayi-Fenchihu” line; it cannot be two one-way tickets (either outbound or return).

For details, please visitthe Chiayi Forest District Office official websitefor more information.