Japan Railway Journal: Season 4
Season 4 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Japan Railway Journal Season 3.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 4 Progress Shield
Driving Forward With Steam: Oigawa Railway's Strategy
Jan 12, 2018
The Oigawa Railway began operating Japan's first preserved steam locomotive in 1976, and has been a pioneer in the field ever since. Now the company operates 4 steam trains that ru
Hokuriku Shinkansen Update: Re-assessing the Effects and Challenges 3 Years On
Jan 19, 2018
In 2015, the Hokuriku Shinkansen connected between Tokyo and Kanazawa. 3 years on, hotel construction around Kanazawa terminal is ongoing, tourist numbers have increased and the nu
JR OITA CITY: The Station Complex that Changed the Game
Feb 15, 2018
The 21-story "JR OITA CITY" complex, with over 200 stores, opened at JR Kyushu's Oita Station in 2015. Thanks to this new shopping complex, ridership has increased significantly, p
Enoshima Electric Railway: A Good Old 10km Ride
Mar 2, 2018
Enoshima Electric Railway is a 10km local line connecting Kamakura and Fujisawa Stations via Enoshima Station. About 18 million people visit the railway annually. Along the line ar
A New Generation of Commuter Train: Tokyu Corporation's Series 2020
Apr 6, 2018
Tokyu Corporation introduced a new commuter train for the first time in 16 years - the stainless steel "Series 2020", which will operate on the Den-en-toshi Line. The interior has
The Ultimate in Comfort: New Limited Express Super Azusa
Apr 20, 2018
JR East's new Limited Express "Super Azusa", which operates between Shinjuku in Tokyo and Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture, started service in December 2017. Discover how this expres
Tobu Railway's Revaty Express: Moving Forward to a Better Nikko
May 24, 2018
Tobu Railway's new limited express "Revaty", which runs toward Nikko, began service in 2017. A unique characteristic of the 6-car train is its ability to split into 2 separate 3-ca
Gakunan Electric Train: A New Outlook in the Foothills of Mt. Fuji
Jun 8, 2018
Gakunan Electric Train is a 9km private local railway which operates in Fuji City, in Shizuoka Prefecture. The train runs in the foothills of World Heritage Site Mt. Fuji, and it i
Kominato Railway: The Strategy of a Quaint Local Railway
Jul 12, 2018
Kominato Railway is a 39.1km local line, half of which runs through the mountains in Chiba Prefecture. Unfortunately the line has fallen into the red. To combat this, the company b
The Golden Route to Hakone: Limited Express Romancecar and the Mountain Train
Jul 19, 2018
Hakone is located in Kanagawa Prefecture just west of Tokyo. A popular tourist destination, it attracts 21.5 million visitors every year. Many tourists from overseas use Odakyu Ele
New-Look Railway Museum: A Wonderland of Japan's Railway History
Jul 27, 2018
The Railway Museum in Saitama Prefecture boasts a large collection of trains dating back to the dawn of Japan's railway history. The museum is home to classic steam locomotives and
Shinano Railway: Managing the Risks of the Next 30 Years
Sep 21, 2018
In 2016, Shinano Railway (a third sector company operating in Nagano Prefecture) welcomed an executive from a major insurance company as their new president. While the company is c
Chartered Tour Trains: Special Times for Special Tours
Sep 28, 2018
Unlike regular trains, chartered tour trains run to a timetable set by travel agents who create fun and interesting tours anyone can apply for. These unique tours make use of rare
Nagoya Railroad: Advancing with Easy Airport Access and a Famous Castle Town
Oct 19, 2018
Nagoya Railroad is a 444km railway network operating across Aichi and Gifu Prefectures. With the privatization of JR Central in 1987, Nagoya Railroad faced heavy competition. Motor
JR Central: Enticing Tourists with Helpful Services & Events
Oct 26, 2018
Although JR Central derives most of its income from the Tokaido Shinkansen, the company has developed other ways to attract tourists, such as the limited express "Wide View Hida" b
Iwate Galaxy Railway: Launching Services for the Community
Nov 9, 2018
Iwate Galaxy Railway is a third sector company in Iwate Prefecture that has been finding new ways to boost ridership. While local railways in Japan face the challenges presented by
Echizen Railway: Heading into the Future with the Community Onboard
Nov 23, 2018
Echizen Railway is located in Fukui Prefecture just north of Kyoto. In the days prior to Echizen Railway, the line experienced 2 accidents which caused operations to cease. However
Seibu Railway: Setting its Sights on the Chichibu Region
Dec 21, 2018
Seibu Railway operates between western Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture. Facing an aging population and a declining birthrate, the company is working to attract visitors to the Chichib