JR Kure Line Ride Along the Hiroshima Coast
JR Kure Line Ride Along the Hiroshima Coast
Overview
John Daub embarks on a scenic train journey aboard the JR Kure Line, departing from Mihara Station in Hiroshima Prefecture. This ride-along captures the essence of slow travel in Japan as John explores a lesser-known coastal railway that hugs the beautiful Seto Inland Sea. The one-man operation train—a three-car local—offers an intimate and authentic experience of rural Japanese train travel, with departures roughly once per hour, making every journey feel unhurried and intentional.
Beginning his adventure in Mihara, a city John notes is famous for its local pudding, he settles into the front of the train to narrate the passage. As the train departs the station, it quickly transitions from suburban scenery into wilderness, eventually revealing stunning coastal views of the Setouchi region. John makes a point of contrasting this local train experience with the Shinkansen, arguing that slower rail travel offers a more intimate connection to Japan's landscape and communities.
The journey takes John through increasingly rural territory, past a station called Tsunami (spelled SUNAMI to distinguish it from earthquake-related tsunamis), and finally to Aki-Saizaki, where he disembarks. Throughout the ride, John shares practical travel advice, discusses the history and logistics of Japan's rural rail network, and reflects on the decline of night trains in Europe. The video serves as both a travel guide and a meditation on the joy of taking the scenic route.
Highlights
- 00:00:00 John introduces Mihara Station in Hiroshima Prefecture and explains this is a one-man train operation with three cars
- 00:01:19 Train announcements begin, and John explains the distinction between Sanyo and Tokaido Shinkansen lines
- 00:03:59 John reflects on European night trains and the decline of budget-friendly rail options abroad
- 00:06:35 Train arrives at Tsunami station, described as extremely rural with weeds on the platform
- 00:06:39 John explains the spelling of SUNAMI station to distinguish it from "tsunami" the natural phenomenon
- 00:11:42 John reveals the hourly train schedule, noting how missing a train leaves you stranded for an hour
- 00:13:26 The train rounds the famous curve and dramatically enters the coastal section with stunning sea views
- 00:13:38 John expresses his philosophy on local trains versus Shinkansen: "Going slower is better"
- 00:20:42 Train announces arrival at Aki-Saizaki, John's destination
- 00:22:19 John notes the intense summer heat and prepares to disembark
Timeline / Chapters
- 00:00 – 01:30 Introduction at Mihara Station; John explains the one-man train setup, mentions Mihara's pudding fame, and prepares for departure
- 01:30 – 06:00 Train departs Mihara; John discusses phone etiquette on Japanese trains, compares Sanyo and Tokaido Shinkansen lines, and mentions Seishun Juuhachi Kippu option
- 06:00 – 11:30 Passing through suburban Mihara into wilderness; train reaches Tsunami station (SUNAMI spelling explained); John observes rural platform conditions
- 11:30 – 13:30 Train announces next stop Aki-Saizaki; John prepares viewers for the coastal section; explains hourly train frequency
- 13:30 – 20:00 The scenic highlight: train rounds the famous curve revealing spectacular Seto Inland Sea views; deserted islands visible; John reflects on slow travel philosophy
- 20:00 – 23:03 Approach to Aki-Saizaki; John comments on the intense summer heat (37°C/98°F mentioned); prepares to disembark; final reflections and sign-off
Japan Travel Tips
- Using the JR Kure Line: The line is fully covered by the JR Pass and JR Kansai Hiroshima Pass, making it an excellent option for pass holders exploring the Setouchi region
- Seishun Juuhachi Kippu Option: For budget travelers, the Youth 18 Ticket (青春18きっぷ) still allows unlimited rides on this local line during specific periods
- Train Frequency: Only one train per hour runs on this line—plan your journey carefully or you may wait an hour for the next departure
- Best Seats: Sit in the front car behind the conductor for the best views and most unobstructed photography opportunities
- Slow Travel Philosophy: John advocates for local trains over Shinkansen for certain journeys, noting that "the Shinkansen is almost like an airplane" while local trains let you experience Japan at human speed
- Phone Etiquette: Japanese trains ask for silent mode, not powered-off phones—keep conversations minimal to respect other passengers
- Timing Your Visit: The coastal section between Tsunami and Aki-Saizaki offers the most dramatic scenery; mid-morning to early afternoon provides the best natural light for photography
Japanese Language & Culture Notes
- One-Man Train (一 人列車, hitori ressha): A single operator handles driving, announcements, and doors on rural lines—a stark contrast to Tokyo's complex train operations
- SUNAMI vs. Tsunami: John carefully explains that this station is spelled S-U-N-A-M-I in Roman letters to avoid confusion with earthquake-triggered tsunamis
- Phone Etiquette: Japanese trains request "silence mode" (マナーモード) rather than powered-off phones, reflecting Japan's trust-based society
- Train Announcement Style: Japanese train announcements blend English and Japanese, creating a distinctive bilingual experience unique to Japan's rail system
- Rural Depopulation: The hourly train schedule and overgrown platform at Tsunami station reflect Japan's rural depopulation challenges
- Seishun Juuhachi Kippu Culture: The Youth 18 Ticket remains a beloved institution, allowing unlimited second-class travel on local trains during school holidays—popular with students and nostalgic adults
Food & Drink Guide
- Mihara Pudding (三原プリン): Mihara is known for its local pudding specialty. John mentions this at the start of the journey, noting the city has a reputation beyond just its train line.
- Octopus (タコ, tako): John overhears or observes octopus being discussed, leading him to speculate that Mihara may also be famous for this seafood, though he remains uncertain.
People
- John Daub — Host and narrator. An American who has lived in Japan for over 30 years, John shares his deep knowledge of Japan's rail system and countryside. His warm, conversational style guides viewers through this journey, offering historical context, travel tips, and philosophical reflections on slow travel.
- Train Conductor — The one-person operator of the JR Kure Line train. Mentioned throughout as John rides in the front car behind them.
- Chat Viewers — John reads comments from viewers named Taylor, Lisa, Nicholas, and others who were watching the livestream and providing real-time reactions to the scenery.
Key Takeaways
- The JR Kure Line offers one of Japan's most beautiful coastal train experiences, hugging the Seto Inland Sea between Mihara and Hiroshima
- Local trains provide a fundamentally different—and often superior—way to experience Japan's countryside compared to the Shinkansen
- Rural Japanese train lines operate with minimal frequency (hourly trains are common), requiring careful trip planning
- Japan's train culture emphasizes quiet consideration for fellow passengers through silent mode rather than phone prohibition
- The Kure Line and rural routes are fully covered by the standard JR Pass, making them excellent value destinations
- Train rides themselves can be the destination, not merely transportation—slow travel reveals parts of Japan that high-speed rail bypasses
Notable Quotes
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00:02:45 "Going slower is better than taking that Shinkansen. Some of you might disagree, but if you disagree, it's because you haven't been in Japan long enough."
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00:03:08 "There's something really awesome about that slow putter going from stop to stop and seeing the local scenery around you changing at a normal speed."
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00:03:19 "The Shinkansen is almost like an airplane, the way it flies by. It's cool, but it's not the end all train experience."
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00:06:42 "They didn't ask you to turn off your phones, just to be clear. They ask you to turn it to silent mode so you don't disturb the other passengers with rings like you hear in the West."
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00:11:50 "There's one every hour. That's it. One train an hour. Sometimes two in the morning and at night. That's pretty amazing. So if you miss your train, you're kind of sol for a while."
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00:14:00 "There's something magical about this area of Japan. The Seto Hiroshima area along the inlet sea."
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00:20:42 "I'm going to another island and bringing you on every adventure as I film for my edited channel."
Related Topics
- JR Pass usage and value optimization
- Seto Inland Sea islands and coastal destinations
- Rural Japan and regional depopulation
- Train photography and videography
- Japanese railway history and operations
- Hiroshima Prefecture tourism beyond Hiroshima City
Search Tags
#only-in-japan-go #jrkureline #hiroshima #mihara #setouchi #seto-inland-sea #trainride #trainjourney #coastaltrain #ruraljapan #japantrain #slowtravel #localtrain #japanrailpass #onlyinjapango #hirodai #akisaizaki #japanbytrain #trainstagram #japantravel
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Full Transcript
00:00:00 John Daub: Hello everybody. Good morning and welcome to Mihara in Hiroshima Prefecture. Next stop, Tsunami. How you doing? This is going to be another ride along. I'm going to be on the JR Kure line. Kure is one of the neighboring cities to Hiroshima City. Hiroshima is quite a large prefecture. It stretches the coast along the inlet sea. It's so beautiful. The Kure line is a one-man train, meaning there's one operator, three cars. It's leaving in just a couple of minutes and we're going to get on board. Mihara seems to be famous for pudding and some other stuff. So over the course of this live stream we're going to look at some really beautiful scenery. And I'm getting off not too far after this train takes off. But for a little bit we're going to hug the coast. The first couple of minutes are kind of slow, but once we get to the water, you're going to feel it. I believe it's on the left side. That's where I'm sitting as this train departs. Next up is us. Are you ready?
00:01:19 Train Announcement: Notify train crew by pressing the SOS button. Attention. We're right behind the conductor on the train. Please set your mobile phone to silent mode.
00:01:30 John Daub: And so is a Shinkansen stuff.
00:01:33 Train Announcement: And when the train is, it's only on the—
00:01:35 John Daub: On the which is the local Sanyo line. Now from Shin Osaka going up to Tokyo it's the Tokaido line. And from Shin Osaka going west to Hakata it becomes the Sanyo line. So the Sanyo line is also a local line that runs the length of the pretty much the same as the Shinkansen. Not a lot of commuters here early morning. Not to compare it to Tok— and I'm getting the vibe that Mihara might be famous for its octopus. What do you think? Hey, is here. How you doing? All right. To be polite, there are some customers, some passengers here. So I'll be talking in a louder voice if I'm talking at all. Because I think the scene—I think the scenery doesn't really need much explanation, right? I think sometimes enjoying the sounds and the sights of a train ride can be a lot of the pleasure. At least it is for me. So I'll try to keep my comments to a minimum. And you can enjoy the Kure Line. I like to ride. You can ride this in the JR rail pass if you have it. But you can also get a Seishun Juuhachi Kippu which I believe is still— I think you can get that right now. It's five days of limited local travel. And sometimes going slower is better than taking that Shinkansen. Some of you might disagree, but if you disagree, it's because you haven't been in Japan long enough. There's something really awesome about that slow putter going from stop to stop and seeing the local scenery around you changing at a normal speed. Because the Shinkansen is almost like an airplane, the way it flies by. It's cool, but it's not the end all train experience. This one might be. Again, we're in Hiroshima prefecture and we've got just about a minute to go before the train departs. Look at that. Hey, Nicholas.
00:03:59 Train Announcement: Welcome.
00:04:01 John Daub: Isn't Europe the land of the train? It used to be until you started having budget flights everywhere. Now you can't find a decent night train anywhere. I was so disappointed with the Eurail pass. The options are so limited. Actually, Eastern Europe trains are a lot better than the Western Europe ones. When no one rides the trains, you start to—you start to—I don't know, you start to lose them. One of my favorite night trains in Europe was the Paris to Rome line or the Paris to Venice. That's been taken over by private line. It was with the filthiest train I've ever ridden on. There's another octopus down there. He's got a teeny—just like me. At this— Attention, please.
00:05:55 Train Announcement: Thank you for your request.
00:05:58 John Daub: This is—
00:06:04 Train Announcement: On this train. Please inform the driver if you need assistance. Attention please. While on the train, please enter the—
00:06:18 John Daub: So after Suami, I believe we hit the coast. So the first stop is just—
00:06:23 Train Announcement: Please turn off your phone.
00:06:25 John Daub: Going through Mihara suburbs for one more stop. It's not a very big city, but it's a really nice city. I think I've been through here once, like 20 years ago.
00:06:35 Train Announcement: The next stop is Tsunami. Thank you.
00:06:39 John Daub: All right, here we go. Tsunami. Wow, it's so—it's so local. Just one train line. Look. There's no train able to go in the other way. So when this train passes, the other train can go. So they probably wait at a station somewhere halfway while we're going over. They didn't ask you to turn off your phones, just to be clear. They ask you to turn it to silent mode so you don't disturb the other passengers with rings like you hear in the West. Everybody has it on manor mode or silent mode in Japan, so you can hear the train. I'm actually about three, four meters away from everybody. As long as I stand in the front. Good. I love this. We're going through the wilderness. Look at this. And after the station, we—we hug the coast. There's a—is that a rock tunnel? Look at that. Oh, no, it's not. It's a greenhouse. I thought we go through there. All right. Tsunami. This is a rural station. It—see over there. Now that's so beautiful. All right. If the signal gets weak, we should get stronger once we come around the corner. This is so beautiful. It's—certainly local.
00:11:31 Train Announcement: Attention, please. We will soon be making a brief stop at Tsunami. Thank you.
00:11:42 John Daub: Roman letters for tsunami is S-U-N-A-M-I. So it's different than Tsunami, which has a T in it. Just for those of you that are trying to track where I'm going, this is the Kure line heading from Mihara towards Hiroshima along the Hiroshima coast. Wow. This station is really local. Look at the weeds on the platform. It's awesome. Nature wins eventually. There's the train schedule. There's one every hour. That's it. One train an hour. Sometimes two in the morning and at night. That's pretty amazing. So if you miss your train, you're kind of sol for a while. I only have three stops, by the way. I gotta get off at the third stop.
00:13:26 Train Announcement: Attention, please. The next stop is Akis— Aki Saizaki. Thank you.
00:13:38 John Daub: All right, this is going to be really cool because we come around the curve and hit the sea. And this is where the Kure line gets super beautiful. Here's the curve. Oh, we're picking up steam. This is awesome. There's no actual steam, but we're picking up speed. That means the rest of you—it's 25 km per hour. Is that what that means? There it is. Look how beautiful this area is. There's something magical about this area of Japan. The Seto Hiroshima area along the inlet sea. Oh, man, it's so pretty. Oh, look at that beach. I can't see it. Someone's got to prune these trees down. For a while. There's a pool down there. Are all of you kind of getting why the local train lines might be better than the Shinkansen? Have to know which train line to run. All right, we might not—might be out of touch right here. Oh, here's a beautiful curve here. This is the one I was telling you about. And that's all C to the left now. Oh, man. Really open things up. Start to see little—little deserted islands that could be a private island. Doesn't it look like somebody's private—? Thank you. Breakfast. Signal's still strong. Everybody. You're enjoying this. And glorious. Almost HD. Thanks. Taylor and Lisa appreciate the feedback. Thanks. They share the line so and Aki Saizaki. Now the train can pass.
00:20:42 Train Announcement: Attention please. We will soon be making a brief stop at Aki Saizaki. Thank you.
00:21:06 John Daub: So the next stop is my stop. So I gotta get ready but it's kind of nice for the next step. Wow, it is really local. It's getting hot outside. 19— not much of a breeze outside. It's really hot like a furnace. It feels like a sauna outside. It's going to get even hotter today.
00:22:19 Train Announcement: Attention please. The next stop is—please get off and try to meet the next station. Thank you.
00:23:03 John Daub: Wow. Back on the sea coast, Hiroshima coastline again. Awesome. If you like these rides, if you like these ride alongs, don't forget to click the like button. Let me know in the comments below your suggestion for some of the most beautiful train rides in Japan. And I'll be back with more. I'm going to another island and bringing you on every adventure as I film for my edited channel. Wow. Just catch the beach here. All right everybody. Time for me to get ready for my stop. I love these train rides. Oh man. Bye everybody. Have a good day. See you soon.