The Botchan Ressha train is a detailed replica of the original trains that used to huff and puff around town long ago.
The Botchan train runs from Matsuyama Station and the downtown Matsuyama City station to the famous Dogo Onsen area. It makes for an interesting journey as you head to Dogo for a hot spring and more of those nostalgic vibes
For 67 years, from 1888, this iconic steam train was a famous sight and means of getting around town for citizens. It was nicknamed “Botchan Ressha” (literally, “Botchan Train”) since the main character in Soseki Natsume’s classic novel “Botchan” would often ride on it.
At that time, the train ran on coal and beached black smoke up into the air, but today the restored version runs on a diesel engine.
The conductor who operates the train is dressed in a manner reminiscent of those long-gone days adding to the Meiji era nostalgia that jumping on the Botchan Train seems to conjure up.
How Much Is The Fare For The Botchan Train?
One way fare
Adults: 1,300 yen
Children: 650 yen
Note that if you are heading to Dogo Onsen, there is also a very convenient and frequent tram service running. So most will choose to catch the botchan train only one way.
How Do You Ride The Botchan Train?
You can board the Botchan Train at Dogo Onsen Station, Daimaido Station, Matsuyama-shi Station, JR Matsuyama Station, and Furumachi Station.
Please purchase a ticket from the conductor when you board the train.
When busy, the train might not be able to accommodate all hopeful passengers due to overcrowding.
If traveling from Dogo Onsen, numbered tickets will be given at the Dogo Ticket Counter from 8:30 a.m., and then tickets will be available for purchase.
What Are The Botchan Train Departure Times?
As the Departure times may change, it’s best to check the timetable at the official site. The page is in Japanese, but the times are easily visible.
https://www.iyotetsu.co.jp/botchan/timetable/
Botchan Train Stop Information
There are 2 services. One from Matsuyama JR Station to Dogo Onsen and another to and from the more central Matsuyama City Station.
Line 1: Dogo Onsen⇔Matsuyama City Station
- Dogo Onsen
- Okaido (undercover shopping street)
- Matsuyama City Station
Line 2: Dogo-Onsen⇔JR Matsuyama Stn.⇔Furumachi
- Dogo Onsen
- Okaido
- JR Matsuyama Station
- Furumachi
History Of The Botchan Train
The concept of bringing back the iconic Botchan train as a symbol of the reemergence of Matsuyama as a popular travel destination had been floated several times over the years.
The idea was a matter of interest to those involved in tourism, especially those involved in Dogo Hot Springs, who hoped to increase the number of attractions and add a memorable way to travel between Matsumoto’s downtown and Dogo.
The biggest challenge was the soot and smoke associated with steam locomotives. Since Iyo Railway’s current local fleet of trams run along the main street in the city center, there was likely to be social criticism if new pollution was generated for the sake of tourism.
Some believed that the train should be restored to its original steam train form despite the objections. While others argued that it should be designed in a modern way with some compromises to eliminate soot and smoke.
In the end, the opinion for a modern remake won out over the traditionalists. In 2001, Iyo Railway announced the restoration of the Botchan train and put it into operation. The train was modeled after the Boccchan trains of the past and was powered by diesel engines.
Keeping It Real
The steam whistle was reproduced with Iyo Railroad’s alumni keeping a keen eye to ensure it remained faithful to the original. The uniforms were made to resemble those of the past as much as possible. The steam locomotive’s distinctive draft sound blares out from a speaker, and a smoke generator emits plumes of dummy smoke from the chimney using water vapor.
Dummy view gels (called “path controllers”) are mounted on the roofs of the carriages to activate the trolley contactors that operate the points at the turnouts. This equipment is used exclusively for control during the shunting process and does not collect power since the power cars are diesel locomotives, not trains or electric locomotives.
The Little Engine That Can’t Turn Around – The Shunting Process
Unlike the standard trams on the network, the Botchan Ressha Train must be turned so that it always faces forwards. After all, it is a steam locomotive at heart. It just wouldn’t look right to see it cugging along down the main street facing backwards.
To solve this dilemma, the locomotive has a built-in direction-changing device (hydraulic jack), in the lower section, and during the changeover, after the coaches are detached, this direction-changing device is used to raise the whole engine, as it is turned 180 degrees by the driver and conductor before the jack is dropped back down.
Where Are The Trans Stored?
Two sets of locomotives are stored at night and on days when not scheduled at the dedicated pull-in line at Dogo Onsen Station, where tourists take pictures in front of the locomotives (see photo above). The other train is kept at the Furumachi garage.
More Questions and answers about the train
Here’s some further question about the train that have been answered by Iyo Railway. The company responsible for the train.
Why Is It Called The Botchan Train?
The name “Botchan Train,”, is taken from the famous Japanese novel “Botchan” written by none other than Soseki Natsume, a great writer of the Meiji era. In the novel, Soseki described the Botchan Train as “a train like a matchbox.”
“I knew immediately where the train stopped. I bought a ticket without any difficulty. When I got on the train, I found it was a train like a matchbox. After five minutes of moving around, it was time to get off the train. No wonder I thought the ticket was cheap. It was only three sen”
– Soseki Natsume – Botchan
Soseki Natsume was an English teacher at Matsuyama Middle School in 1895, and his novel “Botchan” loosely based on his experiences at that time.
When and for how long did the original Botchan trains run?
Since commencing operation in 1888, the train operated for 67 years (until 1954), spanning the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras. This was the oldest light railway in Japan and the third privately operated railroad to exist.
Is there a train or a full-size model of the original Bocchan train?
The Botchan Train at Umezu-ji Temple Currently, the actual locomotive and passenger car No. 1 are located in Umezu-ji Temple Park. There’s also a full-size model of the locomotive displayed at the Bocchan Train Museum and Ehime Prefectural Museum of General Science in Niihama City.
Where was the Botchan Train constructed?
The Botchan train was made by Krause in Munich, Germany, and imported by Iyo Railway for use in Matsuyama city.
