On April 16, 2025, the 14th Rail Travel Observers Award ceremony took place at the Railway Museum in Saitama, recognizing the best railway travel products in Japan. This prestigious award not only honors exceptional tours organized by travel companies but also invites dream railway travel plans from passionate railway enthusiasts.
This year, the competition was fierce, with a total of 127 entries: 85 products from travel companies and 42 submissions from individual railway fans. The awards celebrate creativity and originality in railway travel, with a focus on experiences that captivate travelers.
The grand prize was awarded to Yomiuri Travel for their innovative tour titled 'Hitachinaka Seaside Railway Kiha 205 "First and Last" Overnight Train 2-Day Trip.' This unique experience allows participants to spend a night on the vintage Kiha 205 diesel train, which has been a favorite among railway enthusiasts for its nostalgic Showa era atmosphere.
Takeshi Takefuji from Yomiuri Travel expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, "This award is thanks to everyone involved with Hitachinaka Seaside Railway and Hitachinaka City. I hope many more people will come to experience the charm of the Hitachinaka Seaside Railway." His remarks highlighted the collaborative effort behind the tour's success.
The award ceremony was hosted by popular railway comedian Masaaki Yoshikawa and announcer Chiemi Hisano, who have been mainstays of the event since its inception. Their engaging presentation style kept the audience entertained and informed throughout the ceremony.
In addition to the awards, a special talk event titled 'Special Project: 2025 Railway Trend Forecast!' featured a discussion on emerging trends within the railway fan community. Yoshikawa, Hisano, and Yusuke Minamida, a railway enthusiast and manager, predicted new categories of railway fans that have emerged recently.
Hisano introduced the concept of 'Momi-tetsu,' referring to fans who frequent massage parlors located in train stations, and 'Seko-tetsu,' who possess extensive knowledge about railway companies. She also mentioned 'Gamu-tetsu,' enthusiasts who capture photographs of trains during construction periods.
Yoshikawa humorously predicted the rise of 'Doctor-tetsu,' fans who are also medical professionals, and 'Tore-tetsu,' those who enjoy yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) along railway lines. He also introduced 'Tori-tetsu,' dedicated to yakitori.
Minamida contributed to the discussion by presenting categories like 'Unchinbako-tetsu' (fans interested in fare collection boxes), 'Ikehana-tetsu' (flower arrangement enthusiasts), 'Yakyu-tetsu' (baseball fans), and 'Settai-tetsu' (fans involved in entertaining guests). He even mentioned a category specifically for fans of Yoshikawa, dubbed 'Yoshikawa-tetsu.'
The lively discussion showcased the diverse interests within the railway fan community and set the tone for future trends in railway travel.
The awards were categorized into two main sections: travel company entries and general entries. The winners in the travel company category included:
- Escort Category Award: Tokyu Sports System for their 'Izu Kyuko Adventure Tour: Mystery Solving Train Rally Course/Izu Kyuko Quiz King Course.'
- Personal Category Award: Meitetsu Kanko Service for 'Oka Jazz Train Jazz Appreciation Journey.'
- DC Category Award: Nippon Travel for 'Hokuriku Destination Campaign: Connecting the Three Hokuriku Prefectures - A Journey of 13,000 Feet.'
In the general category, the Best Amateur Award was presented to Takashi Makino for his work titled 'Stepping Off the Luminous Night Train into the Future: A Time Travel Journey to the Osaka Expo - 2 Nights and 3 Days.'
The Rail Travel Observers Award has become a significant event in Japan's railway culture, celebrating not just the travel products but also the passion and creativity of those who love trains. The enthusiasm shared by the participants and the audience alike reflects the enduring charm of railway travel in Japan.
As the event concluded, it was clear that the love for trains and railway travel continues to thrive, with enthusiasts eagerly anticipating what the future holds for this unique form of adventure.
