Tsugaru Railway Stove Train 

For much of the year, the Tsugaru Railway quietly connects rural communities across northern Aomori. In winter, the line takes on a completely different character, transforming into the Tsugaru Stove Train, a seasonal journey that celebrates the region’s railway history and Aomori’s distinctive snowy landscape.

Tsugaru Railway Stove Train 

Photo by: PIXTA/ かわこ

Operating each winter from December to the end of March, the Stove Train is one of northern Japan’s most distinctive seasonal rail journeys. The 45-minute ride runs between Tsugaru-Goshogawara Station and Tsugaru-Nakasato Station, crossing the open plains of the Tsugaru Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture. While the route itself serves a small local population, the winter Stove Train has become a beloved tradition, often featured on Japanese television as a symbol of the region’s severe winters and enduring railway culture.

The Tsugaru Railway has been running since 1930 and is now Japan’s northernmost private railway. The Stove Train uses beautifully preserved vintage carriages, complete with original coal stoves that were once vital for keeping passengers warm during the region’s long, severe winters. Today, those same stoves sit at the heart of the experience, giving the journey its distinctive character.

The train consists of two carriages, each fitted with two operating potbelly stoves. Seats near the stoves fill up quickly, but before long the entire carriage is warmed by the heat and the smell of squid grilling over the coals. Attendants walk through the carriage selling snacks and drinks, but the real highlight is the locally produced dried squid, grilled directly on a small metal rack above the coals. A whole squid costs ¥700, with warm sake available for ¥500, both considered an essential part of the Stove Train experience.

Scenery Along the Line 

Photo by: PIXTA/ taka

Once the train departs Tsugaru-Goshogawara, the scenery quickly opens into the wide, snow-covered plains that define this part of Aomori. Between Kase and Kanagi and again between Ashino Park and Kawakura, the view becomes an uninterrupted expanse of white, with snowfields stretching toward distant mountains. Known for some of the heaviest snowfall in Japan, the region feels magical in winter and the slow pace of the train allows you to appreciate the scenery fully.

Many riders stay on board all the way to Tsugaru-Nakasato Station, where the train stops for about 33 minutes before returning. Some passengers use the break to stretch their legs, explore the small station building or snap a few photos before reboarding. Others get off along the way at stops such as Kanagi, a quiet historic town linked to novelist Osamu Dazai, with small museums and traditional shops to explore.