Taiwan Today

Taiwan Railways Administration and Enoshima Electric Railway Co. Ltd. in Japan renewed early May for 11 months an agreement allowing passengers to enjoy reciprocal one-day tourist pass privileges, underscoring the strength of the growing rail tourism market in both countries. “Railway cultures form significant tourist draws,” said TRA Director-General Chou Yung-hui regarding the state-run operator’s recent moves to enhance awareness of railway attractions through overseas exchange programs, adding that TRA efforts reflect “a revival of interest in the country’s railway systems,” which dates back to the final years of the Qing dynasty (1684-1895). The agreement, which has run annually since May 2013, covers TRA’s 12.9-kilometer Pingxi Line in New Taipei City and privately owned EER’s 10-kilometer line in Kanagwa prefecture, part of the Greater Tokyo. The former passes through the historic mountainous districts of Ruifang and Pingxi, a famous spot in northern Taiwan for launching “sky lanterns” or small hot air balloons as part of traditional festivities, while the latter connects Kamakura and Fujisawa cities in an area renowned for its beaches, mountains, shrines and restaurants. Both railways are popular with sightseers and close to the respective capitals of Taipei and Tokyo. The tie-up is part of ongoing TRA efforts to boost links with Japanese railway lines, stations and trains through a series of tourism promotion and marketing initiatives. Chou said most of TRA’s international cooperation agreements are with Japanese companies, a trend he attributes to historical and geographical relations between Taiwan and Japan. In February, Chou signed a friendship agreement between TRA and Shikoku Railway Co.—one of seven companies comprising the Japan Railways Group—at JR Shikoku’s Matsuyama Station. The facility has maintained a sister relationship with TRA’s Songshan Station in Taipei since October 2013. A similar twinning agreement between TRA’s Hsinchu Station in northern Taiwan and Tokyo Station operated by JR Group’s East Japan Railway Co. was concluded in February 2015. Both more than 100 years old and designed by Japanese architects in a Renaissance style, the buildings are among the most significant transportation hubs and cultural heritage sites in their respective nations. Taiwan recorded more than 1.62 million visits from Japan last year, representing the second largest source of overseas travelers. Many of these came to experience the nation’s historic railway assets and related tourist attractions. (JSM) Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw