What Kind of Line Is the Yuri Kogen Railway?
The Yuri Kogen Railway’s Chokai Sanroku Line is a regional railway connecting Ugo-Honjo Station and Yashima Station in Yurihonjo, Akita Prefecture, and is well suited to a short trip centered on enjoying the views from the train window.
The entire line is 23.0 km long, running through rural landscapes and along the Koyoshi River with views toward Mount Chokai.
Rather than a train for visiting one major tourist facility after another, it is ideal for a small journey that lets you savor the scenery itself as it shifts from town to countryside.
Connecting 12 Stations from Ugo-Honjo to Yashima
The line has 12 stations: Ugo-Honjo, Yakushido, Koyoshi, Ayukawa, Kurosawa, Magarisawa, Maego, Kubota, Nishi-Takisawa, Yoshizawa, Kawabe, and Yashima.
Boarding at Ugo-Honjo, the connection with JR lines, lets you follow the gradual transition as the train leaves the city and enters the countryside.
Traveling in the opposite direction from Yashima reveals a flow from tranquil mountain scenery toward the areas where people live.
What the Name Chokai Sanroku Line Means
The line was named to promote Mount Chokai, the landmark that represents the area along the railway.
The train nickname “Obako” was chosen through an open call for suggestions, combining a word long familiar to local people with the image of a train crossing rural fields.
Three Views to Watch for from the Train Window
The appeal of this line lies not in a single picture-postcard attraction but in the gradually changing distances among the mountains, fields, and river.
Weather and season alter the way the landscape appears, so even the same section will not necessarily look identical on every ride.
Watch Mount Chokai Together with the Moving Clouds
Mount Chokai is a major landmark along the line, but clouds, precipitation, and the train’s orientation can sometimes make it difficult to see.
Instead of searching only for the summit, take in the ridgelines at the mountain’s base and the sweep of the sky, and you can also enjoy the moments when visibility changes.
Do not lean too close to the window; observe quietly from a position that does not block other passengers’ views.
Notice How the Fields Continue into the Settlements
The rural scenery of the Yuri area includes not only farmland but also homes, shrines and temples, irrigation channels, and farm roads in one continuous landscape.
With the seasons, the colors shift among water surfaces, seedlings, rice ears, and the soil after harvest, while the brightness of the view from the train also changes.
Avoid keeping your camera pointed at people working in the fields or at private homes, and remember that the train passes through places where people live.
Look for the Koyoshi River and Its Tributaries
The train runs along the Koyoshi River, and the continuing scenery of water and fields is another feature of the line.
The distance between the tracks and the river is not constant, with some sections offering a close view of the water and others where it is hidden beyond trees or levees.
Look not only at the instant the train crosses a bridge but also at the changing terrain as the landscape opens toward the river.
Plan the Window Views for Each Direction of Travel
There is no single correct seat location, and changing sides between the outward and return journeys lets you compare different views.
Because views of Mount Chokai depend on the weather, a practical approach is to check the sky through the windows before boarding and choose your seat flexibly.
| Direction | Flow of the Scenery | How to Enjoy It |
|---|---|---|
| Ugo-Honjo to Yashima | From the city to fields and the mountain side | Follow the way the view gradually opens |
| Yashima to Ugo-Honjo | From the mountain side to fields and the city | Watch the return toward the region’s everyday life |
| Round trip | The side and time of day change | Compare different expressions of the same places |
Grasp the Overall Picture on the Outward Journey
On your first ride, rather than focusing only on a specific place, note the sequence of city, farmland, river, and mountain to make the whole line easier to understand.
If you watch while checking the station names, you can remember which sections you want to see again on the return trip.
See the Side You Missed on the Return
On a round trip, choosing the opposite-side window on the return can reveal scenery that was hidden by seats or buildings on the outward journey.
The direction of the light and the position of the clouds will also change, turning the ride into a different window-view journey rather than a simple return.
Leave Room in Your Trip at Intermediate and Terminal Stations
If you check train frequency and connections in advance, time spent at a station can also become part of the trip.
Avoid packing your schedule too tightly, and choose a station where you can comfortably wait for the next train.
Experience the Atmosphere of an Intermediate Station at Maego
Maego Station is an intermediate stop between Ugo-Honjo Station and Yashima Station.
When waiting for a train at the station, take care not to obstruct the movements of crew members or station staff.
Inside the station, give priority to signs and staff instructions, and do not lean out toward the tracks.
Check the Turnaround Time at Yashima Station
Yashima Station is the terminus of the Chokai Sanroku Line and a place where it is easy to feel a natural break in the journey.
The waiting room at Yashima Station has the station café “Obako.” Its days off are irregular, so do not rely too heavily on it being open and check operations on the day of your visit.
If you are returning, confirm the departure time and platform for your train before looking around the station area.
Operations and Tickets to Check Before Boarding
Service on a local railway may change due to weather, inspections, or the scheduling of event trains.
On the day of your trip, check the timetable and service status, and allow ample time to transfer from JR lines.
| Item to Check | Where to Look | Point to Note |
|---|---|---|
| Train times | Timetable | Check weekdays, holidays, and temporary changes |
| Service status | Notices and service information | Check again shortly before traveling after heavy rain or strong winds |
| Tickets | Fare and ticket information | Check the section you will use and where to buy tickets |
| Train car | Train car service information | The scheduled train car may change |
Consider JR and Chokai Sanroku Line Tickets Separately
Sales of connecting tickets for JR lines formerly handled at Yashima and Maego stations ended on March 13, 2026.
It is easier to avoid confusion if you obtain JR tickets from ticket machines at JR stations and treat them separately from tickets for the Chokai Sanroku Line.
Because the system may change, confirm how to purchase tickets before boarding.
Check the Day’s Schedule for Event Trains
Distinctive trains such as the Chokai Toy Train also operate, but their schedule is announced in the afternoon of the previous day and may change on the day.
If a particular train is your main goal, check the latest information and make a plan that will still let you enjoy the scenery from a regular train if the schedule changes.
Taking Photos from the Window and Spending Time Comfortably on Board
The basic rule is to take photos safely from your seat without blocking the aisle, doors, or area around the driver’s cab.
One person’s movements are especially noticeable in a small train, so consideration for others helps protect everyone’s time to enjoy the scenery.
Reduce Reflections in the Window
Without using a flash, moving your camera or smartphone closer to the window can reduce reflections from inside the train.
However, do not press the device hard against the glass or put it outside a window that can be opened.
Be considerate about burst and shutter sounds, and if passengers’ faces appear in a photo, reconsider how you handle it before publishing.
Keep Luggage and Movement to a Minimum
Place large luggage at your feet or in a designated area, and do not occupy empty seats or the aisle.
Avoid changing seats while the train is moving; if you must move, watch for swaying and use a handrail.
Keep eating, drinking, and conversation subdued according to the circumstances, and give priority to the rules posted inside the train.
Summary: Slowly Follow the Changing Scenery
On a window-view trip aboard the Yuri Kogen Railway, the character of the line emerges when you notice not only a fleeting view of Mount Chokai but also the continuous landscape of fields, the Koyoshi River, settlements, and stations.
Check the timetable, service status, and ticket information before boarding, and choose a comfortable way to see the scenery, such as switching window sides on the return.
Remember respect for the train that supports local life and good manners on board as you enjoy Akita’s slowly shifting landscapes.
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