Main Attractions
Railway Museum
The Railway Museum uses the former building of the Yokokawa Train Operations Depot. Exhibits include an HO-scale railway diorama and historical materials related to the Usui Pass railway.
The first floor features a shop and rest area, while the second floor houses valuable historical documents. The third floor is used as a classroom for the EF63 Driving Experience.
Railway Exhibition Hall and Outdoor Display Area
Numerous historic locomotives are preserved in their former appearance, including the ED42 electric locomotive, which was used on the Abt rack railway, and the EF63 electric locomotive that later played an important role on the Usui Pass railway.
At the grassy View Plaza, visitors can enjoy a picnic lunch while viewing the historic railway vehicles up close. It is a relaxing place to take a break while exploring the park.
EF63 Driving Experience
One of the park’s most distinctive attractions is the EF63 Driving Experience, an opportunity to actually operate an EF63 electric locomotive. After completing both classroom and practical training and passing the required examination, participants can drive the locomotive on a specially prepared approximately 400-meter experience track based on the former Shinetsu Main Line.
Participants who continue the experience over multiple sessions can earn titles ranging from “Apprentice Engineer” to “Honorary Engineer.” This makes it possible to enjoy a remarkably authentic railway experience that cannot easily be found elsewhere.
Trolley Train “Sherpa-kun”
The “Sherpa-kun” trolley train runs along approximately 2.6 kilometers of the former down track of the Shinetsu Main Line. The journey takes about 20 minutes from Bunkamura Station to the area near Toge-no-Yu.
From the train windows, passengers can enjoy the changing scenery of the four seasons together with historic railway structures. The trolley train is particularly popular with visitors who want to combine sightseeing with the history of Usui Pass.
“Apt-kun” and Miniature Steam Locomotives
“Apt-kun” is a full-scale sightseeing train using a 610 mm gauge track that circles the park. The grounds also feature a 5-inch-gauge miniature steam locomotive and family train-driving experiences.
These attractions provide fun opportunities for parents and children to experience the world of railways together.
Preserved Railway Vehicles and Conservation Efforts
The park preserves a large collection of railway vehicles, particularly electric locomotives. Maintaining operational vehicles requires considerable financial resources, and in recent years, conservation activities have been supported through a supporter program and crowdfunding campaigns.
Preserving railway heritage for future generations depends on the support of both the local community and visitors. Simply visiting the park can therefore contribute to efforts to protect and pass on this important part of railway history.
The History of Usui Pass and the Birth of the Railway
Usui Pass has been an important transportation route since ancient times. During the Edo period, the area was home to Usui Checkpoint, one of the major checkpoints protecting Edo along the Nakasendo route, alongside the famous Hakone Checkpoint.
The steep and difficult terrain of the pass presented an enormous challenge to transportation. In the early Meiji period, the area was considered as a possible route for a trunk railway connecting Tokyo and Kyoto. However, the engineering difficulties were considered so great that the plan was temporarily abandoned.
Japan’s First Abt Rack Railway Opened in 1893
In the 1880s and early 1890s, plans to construct a railway across Usui Pass were reconsidered. Various solutions, including switchbacks and loop lines, were studied. Eventually, engineers adopted the Abt rack railway system, based on the technology used by the Harz Mountain Railway in Germany.
In 1893, after an exceptionally difficult construction project involving 26 tunnels and 18 brick bridges, the railway between Yokokawa and Karuizawa was opened.
The line overcame a maximum gradient of 66.7‰ and an elevation difference of approximately 553 meters. Abt-system steam locomotives imported from Germany took about 80 minutes to make the journey across the pass.
However, the line had significant limitations. The maximum speed was only about 9.6 km/h, while the railway could operate only around 24 round trips per day. Smoke from steam locomotives also created serious problems inside the tunnels. These challenges eventually led to further technological innovation.
Japan’s First Electrified Trunk Railway Section, 1912
To increase transportation capacity and improve safety, the Usui Line was electrified in 1912, becoming Japan’s first electrified section of a trunk railway.
Large-scale infrastructure improvements were carried out, including the construction of the Yokokawa Thermal Power Station and the installation of substations. German-made EC40 electric locomotives were introduced to operate the line.
Later, domestically produced ED42 electric locomotives were introduced, reducing the journey between Yokokawa and Karuizawa to approximately 49 minutes.
Further improvements followed. In 1966, the line was fully double-tracked, and dedicated EF63 auxiliary locomotives were introduced. Travel times were dramatically reduced, allowing trains to cross the pass in approximately 17 minutes uphill and 24 minutes downhill.
From Abandoned Railway to Cultural Heritage
As railway technology and transportation changed, including the opening of the Nagano Shinkansen, the Usui Line was discontinued in 1997, bringing its 104-year history to an end.
However, many elements of the former railway remain valuable examples of Japan’s modern industrial heritage. These include the former Maruyama Substation, the Usui Third Bridge (Megane Bridge), and preserved railway vehicles such as the ED42 and EF63.
Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park was established to preserve these historic assets and communicate their importance to future generations. Through its exhibits and hands-on experiences, visitors can learn about the technology, ingenuity, and challenges involved in crossing one of Japan’s most difficult mountain passes by railway.
A Center for Regional Revitalization
Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park was created as part of efforts to revitalize the local area following the closure of the Shinetsu Main Line.
The park opened on April 18, 1999. The facility is owned by Annaka City and operated under designated management by the Usui Pass Exchange Memorial Foundation.
Approximately 290,000 people visited during its first year, and the park has continued to serve as one of Annaka’s major tourist attractions.
In recent years, the park has expanded its activities beyond traditional museum exhibits, hosting night events, camping events, and collaborative projects with local businesses. These programs offer new ways for visitors to enjoy the railway heritage of Usui Pass.
Summary
Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park offers a unique opportunity to experience the story of challenge and innovation that shaped the history of Japanese railway technology.
The development of the railway—from the Abt rack system and steam locomotives to electrification, double-tracking, and eventually the closure of the line—reflects the technological development of modern Japan.
Through preserved locomotives, historic railway structures, and hands-on programs, visitors can experience the determination and engineering achievements of the people who tackled the formidable Usui Pass. More than simply a railway museum, the park functions as a living historical space where visitors can connect with more than a century of railway history.
When visiting Gunma Prefecture, be sure to include Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park in your itinerary and discover the fascinating history of the railway that conquered one of Japan’s most challenging mountain routes.