Viewing Ice and Snow by Train (3) / The Dreamy Steam Train SL Winter Moorland

By Wu Yongcheng

Taking a single-car local train from Abashiri, traveling along the snowy Kushiro Main Line, passing through the most famous Kushiro Marsh in Kushiro, and finally arriving at Kushiro, a major city in the southern part of Eastern Hokkaido, this journey takes about 4 hours, which is quite a tough ride for a regular train.

The highlight of visiting Kushiro is naturally Japan’s largest marsh: the Kushiro Marsh, which is also Japan’s 28th national park. However, as the marsh covers a vast area and is difficult to access without a car, the best way to get there is by train. In addition to regular local trains, during the summer (from late April to the end of September), there is a limited-time “Kushiro Moorland Norokko Train,” which allows you to enjoy the lush green scenery of the marsh. As for winter, when the marsh turns into a somewhat desolate white world, there is the “SL Winter Moorland,” a steam locomotive pulling passenger cars. Its 2010 operating dates were January 23–24, and January 30 to March 7.

Japanese people really love steam trains—not only do many tourists come to ride them, but during operation, you can also see many photography enthusiasts and railfans waiting by the roadside to take pictures, capturing the scene of steam trains speeding through the white world. Although Taiwan Railways also has an occasionally running CK124, being able to ride a passenger car pulled by a steam locomotive in the icy and snowy landscape is still very appealing to Taiwanese people, who rarely see snow.

This “SL Winter Moorland” departs from Kushiro, travels north along the Kushiro Main Line through the Kushiro Marsh, and heads to “Shibecha” Station, where it stops for a while before returning to Kushiro, making one round trip per day. However, for tourists, coming all the way to Eastern Hokkaido just to ride a train might feel a bit monotonous. The most common arrangement is to transfer to a local train to Kawayu Onsen for accommodation and a hot spring soak after arriving at Shibecha, or vice versa—soak in the hot springs first, then go to Shibecha to take the steam train back to Kushiro. Additionally, transferring to a bus to visit Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, or Lake Kussharo is also a common itinerary.

★★★ Extended Reading = Shiogama Lookout

Shiogama Lookout is a representative scenic spot in the Kushiro Marsh, as it is located on a hilltop with a great view, earning it the reputation of the “Great Viewing Spot.” From here, you can see the Kushiro River meandering through the marsh, and in the distance, you can also view mountains such as Mount Oakan, Mount Meakan, and Mount Akan-Fuji...Click for detailed attraction information
 

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