Taiwan Sugar Corporation (TSC) and Japan Wakasa Railway have signed a tourism cooperation agreement this year. Starting January 31, travelers visiting the Wakasa Railway in Tottori Prefecture, Japan, can exchange a ticket from Tainan Wushulin Sugar Railway for a free Wakasa Railway 1-Day Pass. Similarly, holders of a Wakasa Railway ticket can enjoy a ride on the Wushulin Sugar Railway. This reciprocal promotion will be effective for one year. Through this international exchange, TSC aims to raise awareness of the historically significant local railways in both Taiwan and Japan, while promoting cultural preservation and tourism to preserve the generational memories and cultural heritage carried by these railways.

The signing ceremony for this tourism cooperation was held with great fanfare on January 23 at the Wushulin Cultural Park in Tainan. Under the witness of many guests, TSC's Chairman Wu Ming-chang signed the agreement alongside Kamikawa Motoharu, President of Wakasa Railway Co., Ltd., Yoshida Hideto, Chairman, and Yabe Masahiko, Executive Director. Moving forward, both parties will engage in multifaceted collaboration across railway cultural exchange, tourism promotion, educational experiences, and international marketing. This partnership aims to introduce more travelers to the profound historical heritage of both the Taiwan Sugar Railway and Japan Wakasa Railway.

To commemorate this cross-border milestone, TSC specially featured the SL-370 steam locomotive, which appeared in the film A Foggy Tale, at the signing ceremony. The locomotive whistled and pulled the No.109 inspection car, built in 1941, moving forward slowly in a ceremonial procession. Accompanied by a display of various other sugar railway locomotives, the spectacle served as a heartfelt blessing for the burgeoning partnership between Taiwan and Japan.

TSC stated that the Taiwan Sugar Railway has been traversing this land for over 120 years, evolving from its origins in transporting sugarcane to its modern role in providing tourism experiences. Similarly, Wakasa Railway, which is 96 years old, has shared a parallel path with the Wushulin Sugar Railway, both undergoing industrial transformation and local revitalization. They have evolved from their original transportation functions into cultural assets with immense tourism value, serving as the best witnesses to regional revitalization and the changing times. Through this one year reciprocal ticket partnership, TSC hopes to invite more travelers to visit Tainan's Wushulin and Japan's Wakasa. By experiencing the moving landscapes born from the heritage and rebirth of these two locations, the railway will serve as a bridge connecting the cities and cultures of Taiwan and Japan.


TSC News Contact Person:
Chang Mu-Jung
Public Relations, Department of Secretariat, TSC
Contact Number: 886-6-337-8819 / 886-920-636-951
Email:[email protected]