VOL.215 MAY 2026
[SPRING SPECIAL ISSUE] ENJOYING JAPAN’S SPRING BY LOCAL TRAINS
Riding Kochi’s Beloved Streetcars: An Experience That Blends into Everyday Life
A Tosaden streetcar, ideal for a leisurely tour around downtown Kochi.
Photo: Tosaden Traffic Co., Ltd.
Known as “Nangoku Tosa,” meaning “Tosa, the warm southern land ”—the former name of the region—Kochi Prefecture is sometimes the first place in Japan where the cherry blossoms are officially declared in bloom. It is also home to the country’s oldest surviving streetcar system, which still runs through the city. As the first signs of spring bring a sense of anticipation, riding these historic streetcars offers a front-row seat to the changing scenery outside the window. Step aboard for a journey that blends seamlessly into everyday life in Kochi.
Route map of Tosaden Streetcar
In Kochi City, the central city of Kochi Prefecture, streetcars that have long been cherished by residents continue to run more than 120 years after their introduction. Opened in May 1904 as the 10th streetcar system in Japan, the line is the country’s oldest still operating on its original track alignment.
From Harimayabashi—Kochi City’s transportation hub—the network extends east on the Gomen Line, west on the Ino Line, north on the Ekimae Line, and south on the Sambashi Line. With a total length of 25.3 kilometers and 76 stops, it forms one of the longest streetcar networks in Japan.
Connecting the city center with the suburbs, the streetcars are also an easy and convenient mode of transportation for visitors.
TAKAHASHI Miho of the streetcar planning section of the railway operations department at Tosaden Traffic Co., Ltd., explains: “For the people of Kochi, the streetcars are an indispensable part of the city’s social infrastructure. At the same time, for many visitors, riding the streetcar itself becomes a highlight of their trip. Traveling while experiencing the rhythms of daily life and the local culture is part of the appeal.”
Photo: Tosaden Traffic Co., Ltd.
Spring is the best season to explore Kochi City, when attractions are scattered along the streetcar lines. Just a one-minute walk from Saembacho Stop, visitors can admire a row of more than 120 cherry trees blooming along the Hori River. The arching branches intertwine overhead to form a spectacular tunnel of blossoms. Viewing the cherry blossoms from a sightseeing boat offers yet another memorable experience.
Just a three-minute walk from Kochijo mae Stop, Kochi Castle is another landmark that takes on a special charm in spring. Within its main enclosure (honmaru), where the feudal lord once resided, Kochi Castle is the only castle in Japan to have all its original buildings reconstructed on their original sites and preserved together as they were at the time of its founding. Fifteen of its structures are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan.
Surrounded by approximately 220 cherry trees, the castle presents a particularly striking scene in bloom. In the evening, illuminations create a magical nighttime display of cherry blossoms that captivates visitors.
Kochi Castle can be viewed from inside the streetcar as it passes through the Kenchomae intersection in front of the prefectural office, and in spring it becomes a popular spot for enjoying cherry blossoms set against the backdrop of the castle.
Photo: Kochi Castle Management Office
The appeal of Tosaden’s streetcars extends beyond the scenery along the line. The fleet is also known for its variety, including retro cars that retain their nostalgic wooden plank flooring; the Ishingo, a restored Tosaden’s original streetcar; vintage cars formerly used in other parts of Japan; and foreign cars from Austria, Norway, and Portugal .2
One of the streetcars’ charms is their wide variety of designs. The car on the left is the Ishingo, a restored recreation of Tosaden’s original streetcar, while the cars on the right are several foreign models.
Photo: Tosaden Traffic Co., Ltd.
“In 1984, on its 85th anniversary, the ‘World Streetcar’ project was launched, and old foreign streetcars were introduced. By running these foreign vehicles, the aim was to have people rediscover the appeal of the streetcars,” says TAKAHASHI.
Special tours featuring the foreign streetcars, as well as the Okyaku3 Train, where passengers can enjoy a party on board, are also organized as streetcar-centered events that serve as a stage for bringing people together.
Photo: Tosaden Traffic Co., Ltd.
Streetcars have been running through the heart of the city for more than 120 years. On board these slow-moving trams, visitors can watch people returning from Hirome Market, students commuting to school, and families admiring the cherry blossoms outside the window, giving a sense of blending into everyday life. Streetcars traveling through the city serve as the perfect guide to experiencing the character and rhythms of the local streets at a leisurely pace.
- 1. A grade-level crossing, where tracks intersect at an intersection.
- 2. The Ishingo and foreign streetcars are now operated only for private charters or special events; they do not run on regular schedules.
- 3. In the local Kochi dialect, okyaku refers to a gathering or party.
By YANAGISAWA Miho
Photo: Tosaden Traffic Co., Ltd.; Kochi Castle Management Office; PIXTA
