The Torocco's open-air carriages feature no windows and a glass ceiling, immersing you completely in the fresh air and natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. Warm wooden seats add to the nostalgic ambiance, making you feel as though you've stepped back to a bygone era. As the train chugs along, you'll pass through dense agricultural areas, cross over river gorges, and stop at beautifully preserved wooden station houses—some unchanged since the 1930s. Kazusa Tsurumai Station, designated as a tangible cultural property of the state, is a particular highlight representing Japan's train culture of the time.

The Torocco typically runs two round-trips daily on weekends, with additional services during peak seasons, and tickets cost an extra ¥600 per person on top of regular train fares. Consider purchasing an all-day pass for ¥1,840 (adults) or ¥920 (children) to hop on and off at different stations and explore charming rural communities along the way. Start your adventure at Goi Station, easily accessible from Tokyo via the JR Sōbu Line. Before boarding, visit the "Waiting Room and Cafe" next to the tracks for light meals and train-themed souvenirs, or reserve a tour of the railway headquarters' vintage steam locomotive storehouse. For travelers seeking an authentic slice of rural Japan without venturing far from Tokyo, the Satoyama Torocco delivers a memorable journey where slowing down is the whole point. Photo courtesy of Kominato Railway Co., Ltd.