SL Gunma

SL Gunma

A scenic trip through the Gunma countryside aboard a historic steam locomotive

Features

The magnificent natural beauty of Gunma

Journey through the scenic landscapes of Gunma, set to the soundtrack of a roaring steam locomotive.

Restored classic passenger cars

The passenger cars were restored to their former glory in April 2020, bringing back the classic wood grains of the era they were first made. A new lounge car was also added.

Seats

Classic passenger car

The classic passenger car evokes the days before the creation of the Series 10 passenger cars, manufactured between 1938 and 1955. You'll ride aboard cars restored in April 2020, experiencing the wood grains of the era when they were first made, complete with a new lounge car.

Series 12 passenger car

This passenger car, manufactured in 1978, features striking blue seating built to accommodate the post-1970 increase in passengers. These were the first equipped with air conditioning, heating and automatic doors, and served as the model for later Japan National Railways (JNR) passenger cars.

Routes & Timetables

SL Gunma route map
Trains Routes
Joetsu Line (Outbound) Takasaki - Minakami
Joetsu Line (Inbound) Minakami - Takasaki
Shinetsu Main Line (Outbound) Takasaki - Yokokawa
Shinetsu Main Line (Inbound) Yokokawa - Takasaki
Ryomo Line (Outbound) Takasaki - Kiryu
Ryomo Line (Inbound) Kiryu - Takasaki
Timetables & Calendar
(English Only)

Tickets & Reservations

Both a basic fare ticket (or pass) and a reserved seat ticket are required to board.

SL Gunma is reserved seats only (non-smoking). Advance purchase required.

Option 1: Purchase a basic fare ticket and reserved seat ticket

Basic Fare Ticket

Reserved Seat Ticket

  • Purchase online Basic Fare Ticket icon Reserved Seat Ticket icon

    1. Go to the  JR-EAST Train Reservation  (opens in a new window)  website  and click "Purchase tickets".

    2. Click  "Joyful Trains" in the "Ride Joyful Trains" section.

    3. Select a train.

    4. Choose the car, seat type (Green Car, box seats, etc.) and route.​​

    5. Click "Reserve Now" to proceed to the reservation details.

    6. Enter the date of travel, departure and arrival stations, and the number of adults and children, and click "Reserve Now".

    7. Choose from the available train times, check the box by the train, then click "Select".

      To choose a different time, select "Previous train" or "Next train" to view time for the trains before and after that currently selected.

    8. Confirm purchase details, and if correct, click "Buy Tickets" to proceed to the purchase screen.

    9. A JR-EAST Train Reservation account is required for purchase.

Option 2: Purchase a pass and reserve a seat

JR EAST PASS

Reserved Seat Ticket
(No Charge)

Holders of a rail pass issued by JR EAST (JAPAN RAIL PASS, JR EAST PASS, etc.) valid for within the service area can reserve a seat free of additional charges.

Seats can be reserved at a ticket office or online.

JR EAST PASS icon

Recommended passes for riding the SL Gunma

Holders of any of the following rail passes who are traveling in the applicable service area can ride free of additional charges.
Reserved seat ticket required in advance. Reserve for free at any sales location or on the JR-EAST Train Reservation website.

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