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In 2006, a local railway line faced a severe management crisis. With fare revenue alone unable to cover losses and a trust-damaging embezzlement incident making loans impossible, closure seemed imminent. However, a single internet post changed everything.
“Please buy our Nure-Senbei (moist rice crackers). We need to earn money for train repairs.”
This desperate appeal touched the hearts of over 10,000 people in just 10 days. A miracle sparked by a simple rice cracker - this was the beginning of Choshi Electric Railway's revival story.
This small railway, just 6.4 kilometers long, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023. With retro stations exuding Showa-era charm, nostalgic trains, and spectacular Pacific Ocean views, each of its 10 stations offers unique tourist attractions, making it an essential part of any Choshi sightseeing experience.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to the charms and highlights of this miracle railway line. Join us on a journey aboard vintage trains to discover the allure of Choshi.
Choshi Electric Railway (Choshi Dentetsu) is a local railway running through Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture. Despite its short length of just 6.4 kilometers, it’s popular as a tourist railway offering vintage trains and a nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere. The line connects 10 stations from Choshi to Togawa in 20 minutes, with trains and scenery that evoke Japan’s railway history.
| Number | Station Name | English Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Choshi Station | Choshi |
| 2 | Nakanocho Station | Nakanocho |
| 3 | Kannon Station | kannon |
| 4 | Moto - Choshi Station | Moto - Choshi |
| 5 | Kasagami - Kurohae Station | Kasagami - Kurohae |
| 6 | Nishi - Ashikajima Station | Nishi - Ashikajima |
| 7 | Ashikajima Station | Ashikajima |
| 8 | Kimigahama Station | Kimigahama |
| 9 | Inubo Station | Inubou |
| 10 | Togawa Station | Togawa |
Riding the Choshi Electric Railway lets you experience the nostalgia of old-time rail travel while fully enjoying Choshi’s charm. It offers a journey that embodies the leisurely pace unique to local railways.
The currently operating vintage trains are Series 22000 models (manufactured in 1969) acquired from Nankai Electric Railway (operating since March 29, 2024). They’re popular not only with railway enthusiasts but also with those seeking nostalgia.
Additionally, the retired DeHa 801 series (manufactured in the 1950s) is preserved and displayed at Togawa Station.
These vintage trains are part of what makes Choshi Electric Railway special.
Tourist attractions are scattered around each station along the Choshi Electric Railway line. Moreover, each station preserves its nostalgic retro architecture, making visitors feel as if they’ve stepped back into the Showa era.
The starting point of Choshi Electric Railway. Connected to JR Sobu Main Line, it serves as the hub for Choshi tourism. From here, buses take visitors to attractions like Choshi Port Tower and Wosse21.
Home to Choshi Electric Railway’s headquarters, the station maintains its retro atmosphere. Visitors can tour the railway depot here, making it a favorite spot for railway enthusiasts.
Though small, Kannon Station is uniquely styled after Swiss mountain railways. Years of weathering have added to its retro charm, creating a deeply nostalgic atmosphere.
Within walking distance is Iinuma Kannon (Enfukuji Temple), a famous Kannon pilgrimage site in the Kanto region that attracts many worshippers.
Moto-Choshi Station’s building gained attention in 2017 when television personality HIROMI renovated it through DIY for the TV program “24-Hour Television.”
The most notable feature of Kasagami-Kurohae Station is its waiting room.
While looking quite old on the outside, the interior has been renovated in an elegant Taisho Romance style.
Inubo Station’s building is designed to resemble a white lighthouse and houses souvenir shops and exhibition areas.
From Inubo Station, you can walk to Inubosaki Lighthouse, famous for offering Japan’s earliest sunrise view, where you can enjoy magnificent Pacific Ocean vistas. Next to the lighthouse is Inubo Terrace Terrace, a commercial facility featuring restaurants and souvenir shops.
Read more about Inubosaki Lighthouse
Read more about Inubo Terrace Terrace
Walking west from the station leads to The Earth Viewing Hill Observatory and Manganji Temple.
The terminus Togawa Station preserves its original wooden building from opening day, with such authentic retro atmosphere that it’s often used as a filming location for movies and TV dramas. The station displays historical items like old station staff caps and photographs, offering glimpses into Choshi Electric Railway’s history.
From Togawa Station, visitors can stroll through traditional fishing village scenery (Choshi Togawa townscape) designated as Japan Heritage.
The retired DeHa 801 series train is also displayed here and can be viewed free of charge.
While railway companies typically focus on their trains and tracks, Choshi Electric Railway is famous for two unique products: “Nure-Senbei” (moist rice crackers) and “Mazui-bo” (literally “bad-tasting stick”) snacks.
Unlike regular senbei, Nure-Senbei has a distinctive moist texture. Made using a unique method where soy sauce thoroughly permeates the cracker, each bite releases rich soy sauce flavors.
Choshi City, where the railway runs, is not only famous for rice but is also Japan’s premier soy sauce production region, making Nure-Senbei a natural local specialty.
To help improve the railway’s chronic financial difficulties, local Nure-Senbei specialist "Ishigami" offered their support by providing their technology free of charge, launching Choshi Electric Railway’s Nure-Senbei production and sales. Later, these rice crackers would create a miracle that saved the railway.
Today, they operate their own factory in Choshi City and run the "Choshi Electric Railway Nure - Senbei Station" direct sales store, which doubles as a “Senbei Museum.”
Mazui-bo is a parody of Japan’s popular “Umai-bo” (delicious stick) snacks. While the snack itself is tasty, it’s named “Mazui-bo” (bad-tasting stick) as a play on the railway’s “bad-tasting” financial situation.
Mazui-bo has become as popular as Nure-Senbei, with its comedic packaging and variety of flavors attracting many fans.
“Riding the Choshi Electric Railway,” “visiting tourist spots along the line,” and “buying Nure-Senbei and Mazui-bo as souvenirs” have become essential parts of the Choshi tourism experience. These products are now iconic symbols of both the railway and Choshi tourism.
Choshi Electric Railway became famous for overcoming its financial difficulties through the sale of unique products like “Nure-Senbei” and “Mazui-bo.” The “Nure-Senbei” in particular gained support not just from passengers but from railway enthusiasts and supporters nationwide, significantly contributing to the railway’s survival.
In 2006, Choshi Electric Railway faced a severe management crisis.
On top of an embezzlement scandal by the then-president, the railway needed over 60 million yen for aging facility repairs and mandatory vehicle inspections. At the time, Choshi Electric Railway was losing 9 million yen monthly in fare revenue. With their credit damaged by the embezzlement incident, bank loans were impossible, and closure seemed inevitable.
The company’s only hope was their side business of selling “Nure-Senbei.” However, even with staff desperately trying to sell them, the situation didn’t improve.
Then one day, the company made an honest appeal on their website: “Please buy our Nure-Senbei. We need to earn money for train repairs.”
This sincere plea touched many hearts through the internet. In just 10 days, over 10,000 people responded with overwhelming orders. This unexpected sales surge provided the necessary funds.
Choshi Electric Railway celebrated its 100th anniversary on July 5, 2023, and continues operations today, pledging to remain a railway that brings joy to passengers in gratitude for the support received. The “Nure-Senbei” that became their lifeline remains a beloved specialty of Choshi Electric Railway.
Just 6.4 kilometers long, this small line offers vintage trains and stations rich in Showa-era atmosphere, nostalgic townscapes, spectacular Pacific Ocean views, and unique specialties like Nure-Senbei and Mazui-bo. All these elements combine to create the unique charm of Choshi Electric Railway.
Even when facing potential closure, support poured in from across the country through the internet. The miracle story that began with a single rice cracker continues to touch hearts today.
In 2025, Choshi Electric Railway celebrates its 102nd anniversary. For over a century, it has served as a vital local transportation link, a tourist destination, and a stage for countless memories. With new train acquisitions and station renovations, Choshi Electric Railway continues to evolve while preserving its traditions, ensuring it will attract visitors for years to come.
The Choshi scenery passing by the windows, the gentle sway of vintage trains, the Showa-era charm preserved in the stations - Choshi Electric Railway offers something unique to every visitor. Be sure to experience this historic line for yourself.
▼ Access to Choshi Electric Railway
▼ Recommended Sightseeing Plans
