Spots Topics

Trip on Gakunen Electric Train, 
looking at a Magnificent View of Mt. Fuji

Gakunan Electric Train is a local train with a track length of 9.2 km (5.7mi) and 10 stations. It runs from the first station, Yoshiwara, to the last Gakunan Enoo, all within the industrial area of Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture. It is now becoming popular among railway lovers as the railroad from which you can see Mt. Fuji at all stations. We call this railway Gakutetsu in a friendly manner.

Let’s trace back to its history together. Gakunan Electric Train began operations as an industrial railway on August 5, 1936 under the name of Nissan Heavy Industrial Railroad. After the World WarⅡ, it changed its original name into Gakunan Railway and recently to its present name. This railway was established to carry the products manufactured in this area. There are many paper manufacturing companies which utilize groundwater from Mt, Fuji. Nowadays it is also used by citizens as an important transportation. It is thrilling that the train runs through these factories. You cannot see such a scene anywhere else in Japan.

Gakutetsu was designated as a Night View Heritage Site in Japan by the YAKEI Convention & Visitors Bureau in 2014. It is thought that the nostalgic atmosphere of the night view was considered in the evaluation. This train company also offers you various events such as Jazz Train and Beer Train in the summer. On the fourth Saturday night of the month, you can take a special night train which turns off its lights so that you can enjoy the night views of the illuminated factories alongside railway. If you are interested in these events, please contact the website www.fujikyu.co.jp/gakunan/home.html

While the full route is only a 21 minute ride, there are several places to see on the Gakutetsu line. I recommend buying a 1-day pass and stopping at Yoshiwara-Honmachi Station. This town doesn’t have a department store nor a shopping mall, but instead has small retail shops selling sweets, vegetables, fish, meat, clothes, toys and so on. It reminds us of a Showa Era town in the 20th century. When you are hungry, there are 25 restaurants that serve you Tsuke-Napolitana Spaghetti, the local specialty that each chef creates using his own recipe to revitalize this town. Why don’t you enjoy strolling around Yoshiwara-Honmachi, with a map of restaurants in hand and talking with people? If you have more time, please visit Tagonoura Port and Taketori Park, the location of the old tale of Princess Kaguya.

(By Prudence )
＊Not only Hiro but also other FUSION members can guide you through these places!