In this trip, I hopped aboard the steam locomotive SL Gunma Minakami, tracing the roots of railways and soaking in the timeless rural landscapes of Japan on the way to the famous Gunma Prefecture's Minakami Onsen. We indulged in delicious soba noodles, a must-try in the region. Japan offers countless places to explore, and the SL Gunma Minakami operates every weekend, not as a JR "Express" but as a "Local Rapid," making it cost-effective for travelers with passes like the Seishun 18 Kippu. This time, we were pulled by the iconic C61 steam locomotive. Despite the fully reserved seating at an astonishingly affordable rate of 530 yen per person, the interior was comfortable, and the on-board sales added to the overall experience. With views of snowy landscapes and the allure of hot springs in various seasons, I can't wait to ride again and experience the changing scenery. Upon arriving at Minakami Station, the encounter with the luxurious cruise train "Shikishima" was a moving experience that transcended eras. Apologies for fewer shots during the latter part due to some health issues, impacting captures of the soba shop, the onsen, and the return journey. Feel free to share your thoughts, ask questions, or suggest other trains you'd like to see in the comments. Likes and channel subscriptions are greatly appreciated and will support the growth of this channel. Your support, even in small steps, means a lot! Thank you for continuing to be a part of our journey. Fare: 530JPY/3.5USD per person (Express fare) and 990JPY/6.6USD (Ticket fee), *Used Seishun 18 Kippu this time,Potato Snacks (Jagariko): 200JPY/1.3USD,Beer (Autumn Flavor): 260JPY/1.7USD,Seasonal Wild Vegetable Soba: 1,650JPY/11USD,Sake (Tanigawa Peak): 550JPY/3.6USD,Beer (Tanigawa Peak Weizen): 550JPY/3.6USD Route: Takasaki（Gunma-ken） - Minakami（Nigata-ken） Train: SL Gunma Minakami Type: Regular seating Impression: Nostalgic 0:00 Introduction 0:12 Start 0:19 Current Location 0:27 At the Platform 1:47 Boarding the Train 2:02 Today's Seat 2:12 The Chosen Route 2:25 Departure 4:05 Toilet Tour 5:05 Event 1 (Shin-Maebashi Station) 6:19 Event 2 (Shibukawa Station) 8:48 Event 3 (Numata Station) 11:15 Arrival at Minakami Station 12:40 Encounter with Shikishima 14:19 At the Turntable 16:34 Lunchtime 17:27 Homeward Journey Thank you for watching until the end! Japan's First Class Sleeper Train Experience: West Express Ginga Premier https://youtu.be/WkO-Od0bAEA Luxury Sleeper Train in Japan: West Express Ginga Couchette Compartment Experience Japan's First Class Private Compartment : Saphir Odoriko https://youtu.be/DDHVDgMfohE Embark on a Japanese Journey: First Class lounge New SPACIA X, Beer and Unforgettable Moments https://youtu.be/5qPG0XFcCOM Discover First Class Luxury on Japan's Saphir Odoriko Premium Green Train Journey　https://youtu.be/W2RJjest1ac Japan's Shinkansen First Class Seat Most LUXURIOUS | Gran Class https://youtu.be/6Npd3G86blQ #train #experience #japan