Key Facts
• Watarase Valley Railway runs 44.1 km between Kiryu Station (Gunma) and Mato Station (Tochigi).
• Originated from Ashio Railway, built for transporting minerals from Ashio Copper Mine.
• Ashio Copper Mine closed in 1973, causing a drop in freight and risk of line closure.
• Local efforts preserved the line; now operated by third-sector Watarase Valley Railway.
• Flowering peach trees bloom along the line from late March to early April.
• About 300 flowering peach trees bloom near Gōdo Station, coloring the train windows pink.
• “Sayo-to & Ohata Flowering Peach Road” features over 2,000 flowering peach trees over 2 km.
• The line runs along the Watarase River, offering scenic valley views.
• Weekend and holiday operation of “Trolley Watarase Valley” allows open-air train rides.
• Visitors can alight at Hanawa Station and walk 15 minutes to the flowering peach avenue.
• Near Mizunuma Station, “Mizunuma Village” resort offers a natural hot spring directly connected to the station.
• Hot spring admission starts at 1,350 yen, including tax.
• Mizunuma Village serves freshly made 100% buckwheat soba with free refills.
• Railway photographer Seiya Nakai highlights the scenic beauty from Gōdo to Mato stations.
• Mizunuma Village address: 264 Yagihara Miyahara, Kurohone Town, Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture.
• Soba restaurant hours: 11:00–16:00, irregular holidays; phone: 0277-32-4411.
Summary
The Watarase Valley Railway, spanning Gunma and Tochigi prefectures, offers a unique springtime experience with its spectacular flowering peach trees blooming from late March to early April. Originating from a historic mining railway, the line now thrives as a scenic tourist route running alongside the Watarase River. Near Gōdo Station, about 300 flowering peach trees create a vivid pink panorama visible from the train, especially on the open-air trolley service operating on weekends and holidays. Further along, the “Sayo-to & Ohata Flowering Peach Road” presents a 2 km stretch of over 2,000 flowering peach trees, a mountain village paradise. Visitors can also enjoy a relaxing stop at Mizunuma Station, where a natural hot spring and freshly made 100% buckwheat soba await at Mizunuma Village, conveniently connected to the station. Railway photographer Seiya Nakai praises the route’s continuous floral beauty, making it a must-visit for nature and train enthusiasts alike.
