Japanese Rail Sim: Hakone Town of Natural Beauty and Hot Springs is a single-player simulation game that invites players into Japan’s most picturesque landscapes. It incorporates actual footage captured from the cab of a real train, letting you travel through the stunning landscapes of Japan via live-action video. Developed by Sonic Powered Co. Ltd, it’s available on PC and gaming consoles. 

If you’re looking for games similar to Japanese Rail Sim: Hakone Town of Natural Beauty and Hot Springs, check out Train Sim World® 5, Euro Truck Simulator, SnowRunner, and Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator.

Travel to Japan’s top tourist destinations 

Japanese Rail Sim: Hakone Town of Natural Beauty and Hot Springs is set in a picturesque Japanese sightseeing region, like Kyoto or Hakone, allowing players to explore renowned tourist attractions while experiencing Japan's rich nature, history, and culture. Located near Tokyo and Mount Fuji, Hakone draws many visitors and offers a deep immersion in Japanese culture, with locations where travelers can appreciate the beauty of nature throughout the four seasons. 

In Hakone, you'll discover hot springs that soothe both body and soul and shrines steeped in history. The game focuses on the Hakone Tozan Railway, where players can operate the train during spring and autumn. In this simulation, players manage a round-trip journey from Hakone-Yumoto Station to Gora Station. This railway line features an impressive steep gradient of 80 per mille. 

This feature makes it the steepest unassisted train route in Japan, as the train travels solely on its own power without the aid of cables or other mechanisms. This adds a layer of challenge to the gameplay, as players must skillfully manage speed on these steep inclines while ensuring they stick to a punctual schedule. However, the environment can feel static due to a lack of dynamic interactions or events outside of the train journey.

Experience the spring and autumn seasons 

If you’re into train simulation or driving games, Japanese Rail Sim: Hakone Town of Natural Beauty and Hot Springs is a must-try game. This game lets you drive a train in the beautiful scenery of Japan, specifically in Kyoto or Hakone. Here, you can experience the nature, history, and culture of Japan. Players can also navigate Japan during spring and autumn.