Welcome to the world of Kenji Miyazawa! I will introduce the spots that were the model of “Night on the Galactic Railroad”! From Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture.

Kenji Miyazawa is a writer of children’s story who represents Japan. He is from Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture and in Hanamaki City, there are many spots related to one of his representative work “Night on the Galactic Railroad”.

It is said that the model of Galactic Railroad was a “Iwate Light Railway” which is a railroad company used to be in Iwate Prefecture. Iwate Light Railway traveled the line corresponds to the later Kamiishi Line of JR East.

The elementary school that Giovanni attended

In the story of “Night on the Galactic Railroad”, there is a scene that the leading character, Giovanni, learns about the Milky Way in elementary school class. The model of this elementary schools is considered to be “Kajo Elementary School” which Kenji Miyazawa graduated. In the parking lot of Hanamaki City Hall, the stone sign and the monument are set as the site of “Kajo Elementary School”.

The printing shop where Giovanni worked part-time

When the class was over, Giovanni was worked part-time for selecting the printing type according to the manuscript at the “large printing office that three turns at the town”. The model of this printing office is “Taisho Printing Office” that printed Kenji Miyazawa’s collection of poems “An Asura in Spring”. Now the building is still there but the first floor became a confectionery store.

“Swan Stop” that appears in “Night on the Galactic Railroad”

The bus stop at “English Beach” is a reproduction of “Swan Stop” where Giovanni and his friend Campanella made a stopover. That bus route was originally a route for Iwate Light Railway. There is also a ginkgo tree near the bus stop.

In “Night on the Galactic Railroad”, “Swan’s Terminal” is at the entrance of “Pliocene Coast”. Like Giovanni and Campanella went to “Pliocene coast”, you will get to “English Beach” after get off at “English Beach” bus stop and walk a little.

“English Beach” appears as “Pliocene coast”

“English Beach” is a levee of the west coast of Kitakami River, which Kenji Miyazawa gave a name by comparing it to the chalk coast of strait of Dover in England. He is interested in the white mudrock layer that expands like a playground along the river. It was Kenji Miyazawa’s favorite levee and he visited here a over and over again.

In “Night on the Galactic Railroad”, “English Beach” appears as “Pliocene coast” which is a levee of galaxy. The episode of “Pliocene coast” is modeled after the episode when a university professor collected fossils at “English Beach” under Kenji Miyazawa’s guidance.

Asahi Bridge described as “Yagura scaffold of the Big Bridge” 

The area near Asahi Bridge is a place described as a “Yagura scaffold of the big bridge” in “Night on the Galactic Railroad” is a model of search area of Campanella who has fallen in a river.

Kenji Miyazawa Fairy Tales Village

“Kenji Miyazawa Fairy Tales Village” is the theme park where you can experience the world of Kenji Miyazawa. “Galactic Station” that Giovanni and Campanella traveled to the galaxy is reproduced at the entrance of the village. When you go through the station, you can dive into the fantasy world of Kenji Miyazawa.

Mural inspired by “Night on the Galactic Railroad”

Near the east exit of JR Hanamaki Station, a fantastic picture of galaxy that is an image of “Night on the Galactic Railroad” will appear in the evening on a concrete wall of 10m high and 80m long. It was drawn in 1994 because Hanamaki City wanted to reduce the pressure of retaining walls at the side of the road. It cannot be seen in the daytime because this picture is drawn with a special paint. It will be lit up from sunset to 10pm.

Railroad bridge called “Megane Bridge”

It is said when Iwate Light Railway operating Kenji Miyazawa saw a steam locomotive cross a bridge and wrote “Night on the Galactic Railroad”.

At Miyamori district of Tono City, Iwate Prefecture, there is a railroad bridge called “Megane Bridge (Spectacles Bridge)”. In front of “Megane Bridge” that has 5 series of arches, there is some part of remaining of fallen bridge column from Iwate Light Railway period. It will be lit up from sunset to 10pm everyday. Since SL Ginga of JR East operates regularly, you can experience the scenery of the time when Kenji Miyazawa was alive.

Access to Miyazawa Kenji Memorial Museum

It takes about 3 hours from JR Tokyo Station to JR Shin-Hanamaki Station by Tohoku Shinkansen. Get off at JR Shin-Hanamaki Station and from Shin-Hanamaki-ekimae bus stop, it takes about 2 minutes by local bus (Tsuchizawa Line) to get to Kenji Kinenkan-guchi bus stop.

Access to Miyamori River Bridge (Megane Bridge)

From JR Shin-Hanamaki Station, transfer to the JR Kamaishi Line and get to JR Miyamori Station in about 25 minutes. About 10 minute-walk from JR Miyamori Station.