Steam train makes picturesque runs through Shizuoka tea growing districts
An old-fashioned steam train passes through the tea plantations here a couple of times a day has become popular as the first tea of the season is being picked by local farmers.
The private Oigawa Railway runs the trains through the tea growing area of Kawate, and in mid May passengers can watch the tea being picked as they wind their way through some magnificant secenery, which makes for great photo opportunities.
The railway enthusiasts society that runs the trains has a collection of five steam locos all lovingly rebuilt and maintained, including a British Dübs Class 2100 0-6-2 tank engine built in 1892 and a Class C56 2-6-0 tender engine from Thailand!