Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

The Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park, known as Yokokawa's Rail Park, sits at Yokokawa in Annaka, southwestern Gunma, at the foot of the historic Usui Pass rail route. It preserves the legacy of the steep Yokokawa-to-Karuizawa line, which used the Abt rack-and-pinion system to climb the pass.

The park displays historic locomotives and carriages, offers a mini railway and EF63 electric-locomotive driving experiences, and adjoins the famous Megane Bridge trail.

This is a paradise for railway fans and a fun outing for families, centred on the dramatic engineering of the old Usui Pass line. Visitors can see, board and even drive historic locomotives, and walk the scenic Abt-no-Michi trail to the iconic Megane Bridge.

Combined with local Kamameshi rail-bento history, it offers a rich slice of Japanese railway heritage.

The collection of preserved locomotives and carriages, including EF63 engines, is the core attraction. The hands-on EF63 driving experience, the mini railway ride, and the walk to the brick Megane Bridge (Meganebashi) are other highlights.

The railway museum exhibits and the historic Yokokawa Station setting complete the visit.

Explore the outdoor and indoor exhibits of locomotives and rail history, ride the mini railway, and, with booking, try driving an EF63 electric locomotive. Walk the Abt-no-Michi trail through old tunnels to the Megane Bridge.

Sample the famous Yokokawa Kamameshi pot rice-bento nearby.

The preserved EF63 locomotives and the railway exhibits are the essential sights, telling the story of the Abt-system climb over Usui Pass. The Megane Bridge, a graceful four-arch brick viaduct along the trail, is a must-see.

The EF63 driving experience and the mini railway are standout hands-on features.

The atmospheric old tunnels along the Abt-no-Michi trail, cool and echoing, are a memorable part of the walk to the bridge. Detailed exhibits on the Abt rack system reveal engineering few visitors know.

The nearby remains of the old line and Kumanodaira offer quieter historical exploration.

The park preserves a pivotal chapter of Japanese railway history, when the Abt system conquered the steep Usui Pass before the modern Shinkansen bypassed it. The Yokokawa Kamameshi tradition, a beloved rail bento served in a ceramic pot, is a cultural highlight.

Hands-on locomotive experiences connect visitors directly to this heritage.

The Abt-no-Michi trail to the Megane Bridge is a scenic walk through forest, tunnels and the wooded Usui valley, especially lovely in autumn. The surrounding Myogi and Karuizawa foothills offer wider nature.

The walk combines gentle exercise with heritage sightseeing.

Families love the mini railway, boarding historic trains and the novelty of the EF63 driving experience for eligible participants. The walk to the Megane Bridge is manageable and rewarding for children.

The Kamameshi bento and open-air exhibits add to the family appeal.

The park is a daytime attraction with no nightlife; evenings are spent in nearby Annaka, Karuizawa or Isobe onsen. The historic setting is best enjoyed in daylight.

Most visitors combine it with other regional sights.

The four-arch brick Megane Bridge, framed by forest and especially striking in autumn, is the signature shot. The lined-up historic locomotives and the old tunnels along the trail make evocative subjects.

The EF63 engines and the vintage Yokokawa Station setting are also photogenic.

The Yokokawa-Karuizawa line opened in 1893 using the Abt rack system to climb the steep Usui Pass, a major feat of Meiji-era engineering. When the Nagano Shinkansen opened in 1997, the difficult section closed, and the heritage park opened to preserve its story.

The EF63 locomotives that once pushed trains over the pass are its centrepiece.

The Usui Pass line and its Kamameshi bento are cherished parts of Gunma's and Japan's railway culture. The park keeps this heritage alive for enthusiasts and families.

Yokokawa's identity remains tied to its role as the foot of the historic mountain crossing.

Autumn, roughly late October to mid-November, is superb for foliage along the Megane Bridge trail, while spring and summer offer pleasant walking. Winter is quieter and cold.

Weekends and holidays are busier for the driving experiences; check schedules when planning.

The area has warm, humid summers and cold winters at the foot of the pass, with comfortable spring and autumn conditions. Autumn brings vivid foliage to the trail.

Winter can be cold with occasional snow, and summer walking is best in the cooler morning hours.

Railway-themed events, seasonal exhibits and the EF63 driving experiences are the park's main draws. Autumn foliage along the trail is a peak attraction.

Check the official Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park site for current events and driving-experience schedules.

Start at the park exploring the locomotives and exhibits, then ride the mini railway or, if booked, drive an EF63. Buy a Yokokawa Kamameshi bento for lunch.

In the afternoon, walk the Abt-no-Michi trail through the tunnels to the Megane Bridge before returning or continuing to Karuizawa.

The park and exhibits take 1.5 to 2 hours, and the round-trip walk to the Megane Bridge adds about 2 hours. A full visit with the trail and lunch fills most of a day.

The EF63 driving experience requires additional booked time.

Take the JR Shinetsu Line to Yokokawa Station, the terminus, right by the park; from Takasaki this is about 30 minutes. Takasaki is about 50 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen.

By car, the park is near the Matsuida-Myogi interchange, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours from Tokyo.

The park and its exhibits are explored on foot, with the mini railway on site and the Megane Bridge reached via the walking trail. Yokokawa Station is adjacent.

A car helps for combining the site with Karuizawa or Myogi, but the train reaches the park directly.

Yokokawa Station, the terminus of the JR Shinetsu Line, is right beside the park, connected to Takasaki. Buses continue over the pass toward Karuizawa.

The rail access makes this one of the more transit-friendly attractions in the area.

The park generally opens daytime hours, roughly 9:00 to 17:00, with the EF63 driving experience run on a booked schedule. The Megane Bridge trail is an outdoor route accessible in daylight.

Check the official park website for current hours and driving-experience times.

Park admission is modest, typically a few hundred yen for adults, with the mini railway and EF63 driving experience charged separately. The Megane Bridge trail is free.

Confirm current admission and driving-experience fees on the official park website.

The famous Yokokawa Kamameshi pot bento is sold near the station and park, a must-try local specialty. Cafes and shops nearby offer additional light meals.

Karuizawa, a short ride over the pass, has wider dining.

Yokokawa's Kamameshi, a rice bento with chicken and vegetables served in a ceramic pot, is the celebrated local dish, dating back to the railway era. Soba, udon and Gunma specialities are also available.

The reusable ceramic pot doubles as a souvenir.

Nearby Annaka and Isobe onsen offer inns and hot-spring stays, while Karuizawa over the pass has a wide range of hotels and resorts. Takasaki provides business hotels.

Many visitors day-trip to the park from Takasaki or Karuizawa.

A visit with modest admission, the mini railway and a Kamameshi bento might run 2,000 to 4,000 yen beyond transport. The EF63 driving experience adds a larger booked fee.

The free Megane Bridge trail keeps overall costs low.

The park and station shops sell railway souvenirs, EF63 goods and the reusable Kamameshi pots. Local produce and Gunma crafts are also available.

Rail-themed gifts are especially popular with enthusiasts and children.

On the Abt-no-Michi trail, watch footing in the dark, sometimes damp tunnels and bring a light. Stay behind barriers around exhibits and the bridge.

Dress for cool tunnel temperatures and changeable weather, and supervise children around the railway.

The park's main areas are relatively flat and partly accessible, though the walking trail to the Megane Bridge involves distance, tunnels and some uneven ground. Certain historic vehicles have steps.

Contact the park for advice on accessible areas and the driving experience.

The park has some English signage, though detailed rail exhibits and the driving experience are Japanese-oriented, so a translation app helps. Staff may offer basic English.

Romaji station names ease train travel to Yokokawa.

Book the EF63 driving experience in advance if desired, and allow time to walk the trail to the Megane Bridge, ideally in autumn. Buy a Kamameshi bento for an authentic lunch.

Bring a torch for the tunnels and good walking shoes, and consider combining with Karuizawa.

Bring comfortable walking shoes and a torch for the trail tunnels, plus warm layers, as tunnels stay cool. Water and snacks help on the walk.

Carry cash for admission, the mini railway and the Kamameshi bento, and a camera for the bridge and locomotives.

Reach the park by train to Yokokawa, one of the area's greener options, and walk the heritage trail rather than driving. Respect the historic structures and stay on marked routes.

Support local Kamameshi makers and shops, and take rubbish away.

The Megane Bridge and Abt-no-Michi trail adjoin the park, and the resort town of Karuizawa lies just over the pass in Nagano. The dramatic peaks of Mount Myogi are close.

Isobe onsen, the Tomioka Silk Mill and Gunma Safari Park are within reach for a fuller itinerary.

The Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park and Yokokawa Station information provide maps, exhibit guides and driving-experience booking details. Staff advise on the Megane Bridge trail and connections.

See the official park and Annaka tourism websites for current hours, admission and driving-experience schedules.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.