The Oigawa Railway began operating Japan's first preserved steam locomotive in 1976, and has been a pioneer in the field ever since. Now the company operates 4 steam trains that run more than 300 days a year. Join us as we discover the amazing efforts that make this possible, from their popular "Thomas the Tank Engine" service which has been gaining attention in recent years, to the vital inspections and repairs expertly carried out at the company's own workshop.

In 2015, the Hokuriku Shinkansen connected between Tokyo and Kanazawa. 3 years on, hotel construction around Kanazawa terminal is ongoing, tourist numbers have increased and the number of luxury liners stopping at Kanazawa Port has tripled. Meanwhile, the number of people visiting nearby Toyama City has decreased and the city is working hard to attract more visitors. See the economic effects of the Hokuriku Shinkansen after 3 years.

The 21-story "JR OITA CITY" complex, with over 200 stores, opened at JR Kyushu's Oita Station in 2015. Thanks to this new shopping complex, ridership has increased significantly, positively affecting shops and businesses in the area. See how JR Kyushu worked together with the local community to successfully revitalize the region. In Hands-on Railway History, we also discover the historical BUNGOMORI ROUNDHOUSE MUSEUM, a significant part of Japan's Heritage of Industrial Modernization.