Photo/Illutration A deer appears along the tracks at 8:04 p.m. on Aug. 12 in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture. (Koichiro Yoshida)

A financially struggling northern railway operator is turning “disruptive pests” into an attraction in a bid to increase ridership.

Sanriku Railway Co. in Iwate Prefecture not only has to deal with dwindling passenger numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has also been menaced by wildlife, including deer and bears, roaming on the tracks.

Operations were disrupted by at least 177 train-animal collisions last year.

A young driver proposed a “Night Jungle Train” to let passengers view the animals in their natural environment along a coastal area of Iwate Prefecture.

Two runs of the nighttime “safari” have been held so far, and both were quickly sold out.

A mountainous route between Kamaishi Station and Otsuchi Station with the most confirmed animal collisions was picked for the one-car tour train service.

In the pitch-black night of Kamaishi at 8 p.m. on Aug. 12, the tour train slowed down and the lights within the carriage were turned off.

“We are now at a spot for deer,” a crew member told the passengers. “Open the windows.”

The windows were unlatched, and the passengers began scanning the landscape with searchlights.

“There’s a herd at the left,” someone announced. Another person said a deer could be seen on the right.

Families with small children cheered as they pointed at deer and other animals while trying to snap pictures of the creatures.

The director of a zoo in Morioka briefed passengers about the ecology of the animals.

The passengers could also taste local specialties in the carriage and on the terminal station’s platform, as well as hear a story about daimyo hunting deer in the area during the Edo Period (1603-1867).

Like the first tour run a month earlier, the quota of 35 passengers was quickly reached for the latest run.

Railway staff were concerned about whether the wild animals would show up on the tour days.

But over the past few years, an increasing number of deer and bears have been sighted in the area, often near human settlements.

More than 30 creatures, including deer and raccoon dogs, were spotted on the first tour. Around 10 animals made an appearance during the second event.

Nagisa Kato, 10, who joined the tour with her parents and two younger sisters from Morioka, appeared content.

“I found a lovely small deer,” Nagisa said.

After recovering from the devastation wrought by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami in 2011, Sanriku Railway became known as the operator of the longest semi-public rail line in Japan, with its 163-kilometer track.

The line, part of which was previously managed by East Japan Railway Co. (JR East), allows passengers to take in views of the magnificent natural surroundings along the coast of the Sanriku region.

The novel coronavirus outbreak, however, dealt a heavy blow to Sanriku Railway. Ridership dropped to 607,000 last fiscal year, two-thirds of the pre-pandemic level.

The company ran a deficit of 690 million yen ($5.1 million).

Sanriku Railway officials are pitching new train trip packages, including one that teaches passengers about natural disasters, in hopes of luring customers.

The Night Jungle Train will again be organized, but a date has not been set, Sanriku Railway said.

Related News