Ai Yoshinogawa Trolley Train: Tokushima – Awa-Ikeda
My day revolved around riding the Ai Yoshinogawa Trolley Train (藍よしのがわトロッコ). I’ve taken many sightseeing trains in Japan, but this one stood out for its open-air trolley car.
Most sightseeing trains in Japan sell out quickly, so I planned to buy my ticket as soon as I landed in Japan. I wanted to ride three weeks later and expected it to be sold out, but there were still plenty of seats available at the ticket machine. I thought I’d need to reserve seats separately for the trolley and covered cars, but one reservation gives you the same seat number in both.
On the day, I arrived 15 minutes early to admire and photograph the train. Only five other passengers joined me. At first, we couldn’t go to the trolley car as it was being prepared.
I had pre-ordered the train’s special bento (reservation required three days in advance). It’s made with local Awaodori chicken, known for its rich, firm meat. The lunch was delivered directly to my seat.
As we departed, onboard commentary introduced the scenery—mountains, farmland, rivers, and bridges. Soon we could move to the open-air trolley car. Dress for the weather; you don’t want to miss the unobstructed views of rural Tokushima.
We stopped at Sadamitsu Station (貞光駅), where local high school students gave a short talk about the area and sold goods to raise funds—a charming touch.
After about two and a half hours, we arrived at Awa-Ikeda Station. It was a wonderful trip, and I’d gladly do it again.
Route Detail
Tokushima Station 徳島駅 →Awa-Ikeda Station 阿波池田駅
Time: 2h 24m (5 stops)
Route note: The train mainly runs on weekends, with very limited weekday service. Always check the schedule before planning your trip.
Transportation & Miscellaneous
Train from Tokushima Station to Awa-Ikeda Station ¥2360
Train Bento ¥1300
Train Souvenir ¥1500
