Japan Railway Journal

JR Okayama Branch: Using Old Trains to Attract Tourists (2022x12)

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The Okayama Destination Campaign - one of Japan's most extensive tourism campaigns, ran in Okayama Prefecture from July to September 2022. During the campaign, there were many interactive events, but the highlight was the revival and operation of diesel trains owned by the Okayama Branch of JR West that originally ran on Japanese National Railways back in the day. In addition, a new tourist train created especially for the campaign made its debut. With the demand for travel on the rise, the local governments and tourism industry had high expectations for JR's Okayama Branch. See how the company used its old trains to attract visitors and the efforts of the mechanics who supported the campaign.