What is the Tsugaru Railway Stove Train and when does it operate?

The Stove Train is a winter service with coal-burning stoves inside vintage railway cars, operating from December through March. It runs from Goshogawara to Tsugaru-Nakazato Station on the private Tsugaru Railway line. Separate tickets are required as JR passes are not valid.

What can I see near Goshogawara Station?

The Tachineputa Museum is within walking distance, displaying festival floats reaching 23 meters in height. The station provides access to Lake Jusanko and Kanagi town, where author Osamu Dazai's former residence operates as a museum.

Are luggage storage facilities available at Goshogawara Station?

Coin-operated lockers are available at the station. Basic facilities include a ticket office and waiting area.

Can I use my JR Pass on all trains from Goshogawara Station?

JR passes are valid on JR Gonō Line services to Aomori, Hirosaki, and Fukaura. The Tsugaru Railway is a private company requiring separate ticket purchases. IC cards work for JR services only.

Can I use my JR Pass on all trains from Goshogawara Station?

JR passes are valid on JR Gonō Line services to Aomori, Hirosaki, and Fukaura. The Tsugaru Railway is a private company requiring separate ticket purchases. IC cards work for JR services only.

Goshogawara Station

3.9 (248)Train StationTransit StationTransportation ServicePoint Of InterestEstablishment

Last updated Mar 12, 2026

Goshogawara Station serves as the primary railway gateway to the city of Goshogawara in Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan. Located approximately 40 kilometers west of Aomori City, the station functions as a crucial transportation hub connecting the region's conventional rail services with the unique Tsugaru Railway line. The station building reflects typical mid-20th century Japanese railway architecture, having been established as part of the JR East Gonō Line network that links coastal and inland communities across western Aomori.

The station's primary significance lies in its role as the departure point for the Tsugaru Railway, a privately operated local line famous for its seasonal Stove Train services during winter months. This nostalgic coal-stove heated train attracts visitors seeking authentic rural Japanese railway experiences. The station area also provides access to Goshogawara's main cultural attraction, the Tachineputa Museum, located within walking distance. This museum houses enormous festival floats reaching heights of 23 meters, used in the annual Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival held each August.

Visitors typically use Goshogawara Station as a base for exploring the surrounding Tsugaru region, including nearby Lake Jusanko and the historical port town of Kanagi, birthplace of renowned author Osamu Dazai. The station provides coin lockers for luggage storage and basic amenities including a small waiting area and ticket office. The surrounding station district contains local shops, restaurants serving Tsugaru regional cuisine, and business hotels catering to travelers.

Goshogawara Station is accessible via the JR Gonō Line from Aomori Station, with journey times of approximately 40 to 50 minutes depending on train type. The same line continues westward toward Fukaura and connects with services to Akita Prefecture. From Hirosaki, the journey takes roughly 35 minutes. The station accepts major IC transportation cards including Suica, though visitors planning extensive travel on the Tsugaru Railway should note that this private line requires separate tickets purchased at the station.

Traveler reviews

Simple, quiet, easy to access, nice people. Hotel Sun Route 3 minutes walk and good Izakaya 5 minutes walk.

Sake Sommelier

Jul 16, 2022

This place is a perfect place for you in the winter. There're 2-3 heaters inside the station and you can go Stove Train from this Station. Must try/buy the "Coal" biscuit, the taste real goooooooood

there are stamp in both stations here

It's a hub station, but be aware that there are no convenience stores in front of the station. There are also direct buses from Shinjuku Bus Terminal. There's a cafe that opens at 7 AM, but it seems to be primarily for takeout, and they don't even serve water, so be aware of that. The scenery changes quite a bit after 9 AM. I wonder if Elm is the main shopping area of this town?

March 2, 2023 From March 2nd to 4th, 2023, I enjoyed a solo, leisurely trip through the Aomori and Tsugaru regions, using the 150th Anniversary of Railway Opening Final JR East Pass, visiting the stove train, Goshogawara Tachineputa festival, Shayokan (Museum of the Setting Sun), Hirosaki Castle, Senjojiki (a large wooden floor), Tsugaru shamisen (a type of Japanese music), Kubota Castle, and local izakayas (Japanese pubs). On the first day, I enjoyed the stove train, Goshogawara Tachineputa festival, and Shayokan, and stayed overnight in Hirosaki. I boarded a local train from Shin-Aomori Station, transferred at Kawabe Station, and arrived at JR Goshogawara Station. JR Goshogawara Station is a major hub on the Gonō Line and a transfer station for the Tsugaru Railway, making it the center of transportation and tourism in the Tsugaru region. The historic station building has been renovated to be more user-friendly and functions as the gateway to Goshogawara, the town of Tachineputa festivals. ◆ 1. Basic Information Line: JR East Gono Line Opening: September 25, 1918 (Taisho 7) → Opened as the terminal station of the Mutsu Railway Station Structure: Ground-level station with one island platform and two tracks, connected by a pedestrian overpass Management: Management station under the Hirosaki Management Center (major management station of the Gono Line) ◆ 2. Historical Points 1918: Opened as the terminal station of the Mutsu Railway 1924: JNR Goshogawara Line opened 1930: Tsugaru Railway began service (later renamed "Tsugaru Goshogawara Station") 2013: Station building renovated in a brick style 2024: Waiting room renovated with a "Showa Retro" theme ◆ 3. Station Characteristics ● Major station on the JR Gono Line ・Was the only station on the Gono Line with staff present all day (until March 2025) ・Currently unstaffed during certain hours, but continues to function as a management station ● Connection with Tsugaru Railway • Located next to Tsugaru Goshogawara Station (Tsugaru Railway), sharing a pedestrian overpass. • This is the starting station for the Tsugaru Railway. ● Station Building Brick-style exterior (renovated in 2013) Waiting room renovated in 2024 to a Showa retro style Automatic ticket vending machines and voice-activated reserved seat ticket vending machines are installed. ◆ 4. Surrounding Environment Located in the center of Goshogawara City, close to government offices, banks, and shopping streets. There is a Konan Bus information center in front of the station, with buses departing for various destinations. Tachineputa Museum (exhibiting giant Tachineputa floats) is a 5-minute walk away. → Central tourist spot in Goshogawara

Goshogawara Station

Overview

Places & attractions near Goshogawara Station

Towada City Government Office Street

Kamegaoka Archaeological Site

Seibien Garden

Hirosaki Apple Park