Sawairi Station (Watarase Valley Railway)

At Sawairi Station, encounter the overlapping scene of the Watarase Gorge Railway and the autumn leaves.

Sawairi Station, located on the border between Gunma and Tochigi prefectures, is a famous photo spot on the Watarase Gorge Railway for its beautiful autumn foliage. In autumn, the area around the station is covered with maple trees and maples, and the view of the train and the autumn leaves of the valley from the platform is breathtaking. In the morning, soft light shines through the train, bringing out the colors of the train body and the autumn leaves. In the afternoon, backlight turns the train around, creating a dramatic silhouette of the train and the mountain range. The combination of the simple station building and the sound of the train echoing through the mountains is reminiscent of a Showa-era movie. The best time to view the autumn leaves is usually from early to mid-November. Sawairi Station is a must-visit photo spot where you can enjoy the "railroad x natural beauty" that only Watarase Gorge Railway can offer.

Key points for photography

The key to taking photographs is to know in advance when the train will pass by, and to choose the best position for the direction of the light. In the morning, the light is more favorable, so it is easy to reproduce the colors of the autumn leaves and the train's body, and adding the canyon side from the platform adds depth. In the afternoon, the light is a bit backlit, so a silhouette effect can be achieved by slightly reducing the exposure to bring out the atmosphere of the mountainous area. It is also effective to use the station building and the roof of the platform in the frame to preserve the simplicity typical of Sawairi Station.

Best viewing and photography timing

Best Season

秋

Recommended times

昼

Access & Basic Information (Check Before Shooting)

The day I visited this place in the past