Sponsored by Higashisonogi Town.
Sitting in a comfortable seat, watching the landscape whizzing by at high speed, all the while getting from point A to point B… Taking the train is definitely my favorite means of transportation. This is especially so in Japan where trains are always on time, exceptionally clean and very comfortable. Shinkansen are a prime example!
- Taking a Dutch-Themed Train
- What You’ll See Aboard the Seaside Liner
- How to Take the Seaside Liner
- Access Information
No wonder that the best train ride I ever experienced was in Nagasaki, Japan, on a small local train riding along Omura Bay. This particular train offers its passengers a look at the area’s out-of-this-world scenery.
Get your ticket and follow me aboard the Seaside Liner!
Taking a Dutch-Themed Train
If, like me, you are on your way to Higashisonogi from Fukuoka, I recommend traveling there by train. Although driving is slightly faster, the train is a wonderful experience. Certainly for the stunning landscapes I mentioned earlier, but also for the trains themselves!
Before boarding the Seaside Liner and enjoying the view of the sea, you will start by riding another rather special train: the Huis Ten Bosch train. Yes you read that correctly (or maybe not, actually, Dutch can be tricky)! You will immediately spot this very Dutch and very orange train in Fukuoka Hakata Station.
If you are wondering where all that Dutch influence comes from, look no further than the nearby city of Nagasaki! Merchants from the Netherlands came to Nagasaki in the 1600s to trade goods. They were some of the few foreigners allowed into an otherwise closed Japan.
Keep your eyes wide open while the train approaches its final stop, Huis Ten Bosch Station. The landscape will start changing as the train approaches the coast. Huis Ten Bosch is a sort of theme park, recreating many famous Dutch buildings, including wind mills and tulip gardens. So don’t be surprised if you suddenly spot red brick houses when approaching the station.
A very amusing european parenthesis on the way to the Japanese countryside!
What You’ll See Aboard the Seaside Liner
Once you get off the Huis Ten Bosch train, next is JR Kyushu’s Seaside Liner, a cute little blue train. Make sure to get a seat by the window on the right side for the best view of Omura Bay. It’s also nice to have control over the window blinds. Many people had pulled them down because of the sun on the day I took this trip.
The train quickly approaches the sea, offering a beautiful view of local houses and fields against a deep blue background. The most impressive part of the trip is when the railway comes within a few meters from the seashore.
On a clear day, it truly feels like you are gliding on the water and into the blue. You’ll feel just like Chihiro in the animated movie Spirited Away…
A magical train ride, in which your journey is as important as your final destination! Getting off at Chiwata Station, the magical feeling continues as you watch the Seaside Liner disappear in the distance. And the sea is right by your side the entire time!
How to Take the Seaside Liner
Taking the Huis Ten Bosch train does not require much guidance. You simply buy your ticket at a ticket counter or machine and board the train normally. On the other hand, the local Seaside Liner can be a bit more tricky for travelers who don’t speak Japanese and have never been to the countryside.
Starting with the opening of doors (or the non automatic opening of the doors in this instance). When this local line is operated by a single person, only the doors of the first car will open. If the doors don’t open automatically, simply press the button near the door. Make sure to enter the car from the back door and exit through the front door.
If you did not purchase a ticket at the station, you can do so on board the train. Just pick up a numbered card when getting on, which will determine how much you will pay when getting off. You can also check how much you need to pay on a fee table by the exit door. Put your ticket and money in the machine (or give it to the driver) and you are good to go. Please note that only coins and 1000 yen bills will be accepted.
Access Information
Higashisonogi might feel like deep rural Japan, but it is very easily accessible (as exemplified in this article).
It will take 2 hours and 30 minutes by train or 1 hour and 30 minutes by car to get there from Fukuoka. From Sasebo, it should take around 30 minutes by train or 1 hour by car. Expect a 1 hour train or 40 minutes car journey from Nagasaki.
Nagasaki Airport is only 20 minutes away by car, so you can get there easily with a domestic flight. There are frequent direct flights from Tokyo last just 1 hour and 30 minutes. However, please note that a rental car is the best way to get around the area and explore it fully (rentals are available at Nagasaki Airport).
