Luke Bridgford travels to eastern Kochi Prefecture in Shikoku where he embarks on his 200-kilometer long eastward journey along the Pacific coastline. He starts on the TOSA KUROSHIO Railway, exploring the epic nature of the Shimanto River basin. He then boards a Limited Express Nanpu with speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour. He alights in Kuroshio -- an old fishing village. Later in the old castle town of Kochi, Luke gets around on Japan's oldest tram, the Tosaden. He reaches the eastern end of his journey on the Gomen-Nahari Line and his goal, Cape Muroto.

Traverse the sublime winter wonderland in the northern reaches of Honshu on local lines. Tsugaru Railway is famous for the coal-fired stove on its train. Wonder at the rugged coastline along the Sea of Japan on the JR Gono Line. The Konan Railway is a lifeline for local residents. Visit the old temples, sake breweries, and wooden buildings designated as important cultural properties, and savor the local dishes. Enjoy a slow journey through tranquil snowscapes and sense the passing of time.

We travel from Kyoto Prefecture along the western coast of Lake Biwa and beyond to Tsuruga on the Sea of Japan. Admire the late fall scenery on the cable car and rope way to the peak of Mt. Hiei, where we catch a glimpse of Japan's largest lake. We visit vestiges of the locally funded, now-defunct Kojaku Railway, and we meet a blacksmith, an antique shop owner and a cooper who all relocated to the area. We arrive at Tsuruga, once the international train's boat connection to the Trans-Siberian Railway.