Choshi railway and Inubosaki Lighthouse 2023

Monday 05 June 2023, Choshi, Japan

I was visiting Japan from Taiwan and managed to score a day off. Thanks to this video, I heard about the Choshi electric railway:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgtoFS_wsCk&t=151s&ab_channel=NHKWORLD-JAPAN

It wasnt far from Tokyo so I went to take a look. The 6.4km railway will be 100 years old this year, and was electrified at 600 VDC in 1925. In a story straight out of Rev W Awdry, the railway has been verging on bankrupcy for decades, but seems to come up with a never ending string of initiatives to stay afloat, in the process of which it has rejuvinated tourism in the area and highlighted the issues of rural depopulation and poverty. In this video you can see their operation and the vintage rolling stock that they use. 700 yen buys a day pass.

I also had a look at the impressive Cape Inubosaki lighthouse, which is easily reached with the railway line. Built by a Scotsman in 1874, a very modest 300 yen fee allows full access to the grounds, including the lighthouse itself. Maintanence staff were replacing a bulb when I visited so we get to see the rotating mechanism in operation.

I forgot to mention in the video that the original lighthouse mechanism was clockwork.

If you get a chance I can reccomend the area. I had an excellent day out. If you feel like it, please visit the railway website and have a read.

Choshi electric railway official site:
https://www.choshi-dentetsu.jp/

Choshi electric railway online shop:
http://chodenshop.com/

Choshi electric railway youtube site
https://www.youtube.com/@user-xy5up7gg6k

Inubosaki lighthouse
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inub%C5%8Dsaki_Lighthouse

The lighthouse, Choshi electric railway, and return tickets from Tokyo cost around 5000 yen, or around £30. A very cost effective trip.

I was experimenting with my new camera and clearly have much to learn, not least the fact that I appear to have alcaholics hands. But this will hopefully improve in future.

Видео Choshi railway and Inubosaki Lighthouse 2023 канала drawingboard82