What other travelers are saying about Takachiho Amaterasu Railway Co., Ltd.
We went in the dead of winter on a real cold day. We should've known better than to do this open air train ride on a day like this 😂
The overall experience was...fine.
This is the tallest railway bridge in Fukuoka...if you're into that sort of thing.
The staff try to make a good deal of it, but let's be honest. It's a 15 minute train ride one way, a brief stop on the end of the train tracks, then a 15 minute ride back.
...cool.
The bubbles through the valley was pretty surreal, I suppose.
Takachiho Amaterasu Railway Co., Ltd. is a scenic railway company operating the Takachiho Line in Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. The railway runs through the picturesque Takachiho Gorge area, offering tourists spectacular views of Japan's legendary landscapes associated with Amaterasu, the sun goddess in Japanese mythology.
Takachiho Amaterasu Railway ticket prices vary by season and train type, typically ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 yen for adults. Tickets can be purchased at Takachiho Station, through authorized travel agents, or online via the official Takachiho Amaterasu Railway website. Advanced booking is recommended during peak tourist seasons.
Takachiho Amaterasu Railway operates multiple daily departures, typically running from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with trains departing every 1-2 hours. The exact Takachiho Railway timetable varies by season, with extended hours during summer months and Japanese holidays. Check the official schedule before visiting as services may be suspended during severe weather.
Takachiho Station is accessible by bus from major Kyushu cities including Kumamoto, Fukuoka, and Miyazaki City. The most common route is taking a highway bus from Kumamoto to Takachiho, which takes approximately 2.5 hours. Local shuttle services connect the station to Takachiho Gorge and other tourist attractions in the area.
The Takachiho Amaterasu Railway journey offers breathtaking views of Takachiho Gorge, Manai Falls, ancient cedar forests, and volcanic landscapes of Mount Aso region. Passengers can experience the famous Takachiho Bridge crossing and see traditional Japanese countryside villages. The railway also provides access to Amanoiwato Shrine and other mythological sites connected to Japanese folklore.
A fun ride, designed for kids but also enjoyable for adults, with beautiful countryside vistas. We went there on a misty day and the clouds made the panoramas even more mysterious. Fans of NHK Japan Railway Journal will love it.
Perfect for a sunny day. Only takes 30 minutes and you get an excellent view as you ride through the mountains. Some sessions do sell out but get there early and you should be able to get the times you want, they come every 40 minutes from 9am
We take ride at 4.30pm on 6 Nov 2025. The train ride was fun. The view at the bridge was stunning yet frightening because they stopped right at the middle of the bridge. The conductor then blew bubbles to make the scene more memorable! An unforgettable experience!
Train schedule is posted on their website. Runs every 20 min. ¥2000 for a 30 min RT ride. Not cheap but it’s tourist attraction & they do run the trains on biodiesel fuel recycled from ramen soup grease! Tickets sell out fast. No advance reservation. Suggest U go early to buy the desired timed tickets then tour Takachiho, have a leisure lunch & return.
