A special 1-night, 2-day railway camp is scheduled for February 7-8, 2026, offering children the unique experience of staying overnight in a real Azusa (limited express train) car, operating a chartered train, and exploring railway heritage. The program takes place primarily at "Yume House Azusa" in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture.
Program Highlights
Stay Overnight in the Real Azusa Limited Express Train
Participants can sleep inside an actual Azusa limited express train car that was previously in active service. Before bedtime, children have the opportunity to enter the driver's cabin and experience operating door controls, making announcements, using the chime, brake handle, and buzzer. This overnight stay offers a dream-come-true experience that only a "sleepable train car" can provide.
Private Chartered Train Experience on Ueda Electric Railway
An Ueda Electric Railway train will be specially chartered exclusively for participants. During the ride, children can observe the driver's cabin while the train is in motion and practice making announcements. The program also includes a visit to the normally restricted train depot and hands-on experience operating train controls, providing an in-depth look at the behind-the-scenes world of railways.
Visit to Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park
On the second day, participants visit Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park in Gunma Prefecture. The facility features locomotives and valuable train cars from the Japanese National Railways era on display. Children can observe railway history and technology up close and take commemorative photos in front of their favorite train cars.
Program Overview
Travel Type: Package Tour
Dates: February 7 (Sat) to February 8 (Sun), 2026 (1 night, 2 days)
- Application Deadline: February 3 (Tue), 2026
Eligible Participants: Elementary school 1st grade to Junior high school 3rd grade (boys only)
*Based on age as of tour departure date
Location: "Yume House Azusa," Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture
Accommodation: Japanese-style rooms at "Yume House Azusa"
Meals Included: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Transportation: Shinkansen and regular trains (departing from Tokyo)
Tour Price:
- Elementary school students: ¥54,450
- Junior high school students: ¥65,450
*Price includes transportation, accommodation, meals, activity fees, and travel accident insurance
Capacity: 12 participants (minimum 6 participants required)
*A tour conductor will accompany the entire journey (1 staff member per 5-8 students)
Details: https://ec.riso-plus1.co.jp/products/detail/1650
Detailed Schedule
Day 1
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM - Depart Tokyo (Shinkansen) to Ueda
- Departure on chartered Ueda Electric Railway train
- Practice making announcements on the chartered train
- Observe the driver's cabin up close while the train is in motion
- Tour Ueda Electric Railway depot
- Experience operating train controls
- Hands-on experience at "Azusa" accommodation including driver's cabin access
- Experience using chime, brake handle, buzzer, and automatic doors
Day 2
- Enjoy "Azusa" until checkout time
Ueda (Shinkansen) to Takasaki (Regular train) to Yokogawa - Arrive 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Tour Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park
- View many railway exhibits
- Take commemorative photos in front of favorite train cars
Yokogawa (Regular train) to Takasaki (Shinkansen) to Tokyo - Arrive 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
About STS (School Tourship)
STS is a specialized educational institution supporting children's character development and emotional education through experiential learning programs. The philosophy is to help children discover their "plus one" - something they can become passionate about, whether it's music, sports, play, or anything else. These are experiences that cannot be learned from textbooks alone.
Spring tour applications are currently being accepted. Some tours fill up quickly with waiting lists, so early application is recommended. More information is available at the STS tour application website: https://sts.riso-plus1.co.jp/
