Everyone remembers their first experience in Japan—whether it’s the sensory whirlwind of Tokyo, the serene beauty of the countryside, or the countless small surprises in between that leave you in awe. For me, one of those magical surprises was discovering Japanese trams for the first time. My journey began in Nagasaki, home to two charming tram lines, where this nostalgic, rattling mode of transportation stole my heart.
I even considered commemorating it with a tattoo! Join me as we dive into the rich history of Japan’s quirky trams and explore their unique role in today’s society. Japan’s first tramway opened in 1895 in Kyoto and operated until 1970. The Fushimi Line (伏見線, Fushimi-sen) emerged during Japan’s Meiji industrial revolution, a time when modernization swept the nation and public tramways became symbols of progress.
Like its Western counterparts, Japan embraced this era of technological advancement, with the tramway system marking a pivotal step forward. The photos below evoke a sense of nostalgia for this bygone era, capturing a glimpse of the route that once turned left to one of its last stops, Chushojima (中書島, Chushojima). Today, a commemorative stone stands in Fushimi, inscribed with “The Birthplace of the Electric Railway Business” (電気鉄道事業発祥の地, Denkitetsudoujigyou Hasshonochi), making it a must-see off-the-beaten-track destination on my Kyoto list.
Fushimi Line Train Leaning Tram Trams gained popularity in Japan.
