2016 sees the Sagano Scenic Railway in Kyoto mark its 25th year of operating tourist trolley trains that wind through a beautiful river gorge. The company started out with only 9 employees, who decided it would be good enough if the company could survive for 3 years. Now, 25 years on, the railway attracts over 1.2 million visitors annually, making it a popular tourist attraction in Kyoto. Discover how the collaborative teamwork of the employees made this railway so successful, the first CEO's business strategies, and the unique ideas the company is employing to welcome tourists from overseas.

The Iiyama Line in Nagano Prefecture operates in one of Japan's snowiest regions. 7.85m of snow has been recorded along the line, which is the record among Japanese railways. Heavy snow is an obstacle that cannot be avoided in this region, so clearing it is crucial to maintaining scheduled operations. In this program, we introduce the latest vehicle that operates as both a snow plow and blower, various countermeasures used to combat snow, and the railway's battle against the long harsh winter.

Many new express, commuter and tourist trains, as well as a sleeper train, began service in 2020. See the latest express trains, including the Tokaido Shinkansen "N700S," Kintetsu Railway's "HINOTORI" and JR East's luxurious "SAPHIR ODORIKO." Also, see the tourist train "etSETOra," which operates in the Setouchi region, and JR Kyushu's richly designed "36 Plus 3." In addition, see the "WEST EXPRESS GINGA," the first new sleeper train to be introduced in 21 years. Join us as we take a look back at Japan's latest trains and trends.

Thirteen new trains, including express, commuter and tourist trains, made their debut in 2022. Compared to last year, many tourist trains started service despite the pandemic, such as trains that transformed the common area into a lounge and the entire car into a private room. Among express trains, JR Central's Series HC85 gained attention. It uses a hybrid system that combines electricity generated by a diesel engine and electricity stored in batteries. Also, subways and commuter trains with distinctive designs were introduced. Join us as we look back at Japan's latest trains and trends.