In Nagano Prefecture, third-sector Shinano Railway came up with a unique strategy to replace their old trains. Investing half of received funds, they gave the remaining half back to their supporters, offering rides on their tourist train, etc. By May 2021, the company reached its 30-million-yen target. See how Shinano Railway utilized this one-of-a-kind strategy to purchase new trains.

Currently, many places in Japan are utilizing discontinued railways such as tracks and station buildings to revitalize their local community. Visitors can enjoy trekking along a discontinued line or riding a preserved train on the remaining track. Join us as we take a deeper look at a section of Noto Railway's discontinued line in Ishikawa Prefecture transformed into a contemporary art festival - Oku-Noto Triennale 2020+ and a fun rail bicycle experience.

Third-sector Asa Coast Railway, which runs between Tokushima and Kochi Prefectures in the Shikoku region, has introduced what may be the world's first dual-mode vehicle (DMV) in an effort to revitalize the region and attract tourists. The DMV can run on both tracks and roads, making transportation in the area more convenient. See how the DMV works, as well as local efforts that lead to its introduction.