Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive - Hokkaido

Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive / Claus 15 Steam Locomotive (クラウス15号蒸気機関車) is a preserved steam engine, it is located across the street from Horoshin Spa in Horoshin in the town of Numata in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive

Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive Details

Fondly called Klaus 15 by some locals, this steam locomotive has a fascinating history that dates back to the Meiji period in 1889 when it was manufactured in Munich, Germany. It was later imported to Kyushu Railway and played an important role in transporting coal on the railway in Numata Town, Hokkaido.

Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive - Numata town, Hokkaido Prefecture

The Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive is the oldest small steam locomotive in existence, making it a rare piece of history. It was also active as a coal freight car transporter on the dedicated freight line of the Meiji Showa Mining Office until December 1967. Today, this fantastic piece of machinery is on display in front of the Horoshin Onsen Firefly Museum in Hokkaido.

The History of Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive

Numata Town Designated Cultural Property Klaus No. 15 Steam Locomotive

More information about Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive

Visitors to Hokkaido can witness the Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive up close and personal from the beginning of May to the end of October every year. It is a great spot for learning more about Japan's industrial history and how the country grew to be an industrial powerhouse. Since its foundation, the factory has built more than 1,200 locomotives, most of which were exported to overseas countries such as South America, Africa, and Asia.

Photos of Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive

The Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive is not only a cultural attraction, but it also holds important cultural significance. It was designated as a Numata Town cultural property in 1970 and later recognized as a semi-railway monument in 2010. Recently, it has been included in the Japan Heritage "Charcoal Iron Port" Constituent Cultural Property in 2019, showcasing its importance in Japanese history and culture.

Team Nicerio visits Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive

My family and I visited Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive on the first day of our September 9 – 11 Road Trip. It was my 312th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. We were lucky as it was displayed outside during our visit as there are times that it is parked inside its train house to protect it from Mother Nature. There is nothing much to do here but take pictures with the train. Regardless, it is a must-see if you are visiting Horoshin Spa on the outskirts of Numata as it is an important treasure of the town.

Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive Fees

It’s FREE to take pictures of, on, and with Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive. There is also FREE parking nearby.

Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive Operating Hours

You will see Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive on display outside its “train house” from the beginning of May to the end of October.

Why visit Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive?

Overall, Horoshin's Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in the history of steam locomotives or Japanese industrial heritage. It's an excellent example of how technology has evolved, and it's a testament to the dedicated workers who maintained and operated this machine for many years. So, when you're in Hokkaido, don't forget to add this unique cultural attraction to your travel itinerary.

Getting to Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive

 

To get to the Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive, you have several options depending on your starting point. Here are the estimated travel times and routes from different locations:

By car:

From Asahikawa: Take Route 12 and drive for approximately 60 minutes to reach Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive.

From Fukagawa: Follow Route 233, and it will take you around 30 minutes to reach Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive.

From Rumoi: Take Route 233 as well, and it will take you approximately 40 minutes.

From Sapporo: Drive on Route 275, it will take you around 120 minutes.

Please note that these travel times are estimates and can vary depending on traffic conditions and other factors. It's always a good idea to check for any road closures or delays before embarking on your journey.

By train or bus:

There is no public transportation going directly to Klaus 15 Steam Locomotive. However, if you are traveling in a group of 20 people or more and you also plan to go to Horoshin Onsen, you might want to try their free shuttle bus service. 

To qualify for the free shuttle bus service, please note the following conditions:

Group Size: The free pick-up service is available for groups consisting of 20 people or more.

Location: We provide pick-up within a 50-kilometer radius of the hot spring area, which includes Asahikawa, Rumoi, Fukagawa, and Takikawa.

To arrange for the shuttle bus service, please feel free to contact them at TEL: 0164-35-1188. Their dedicated staff will be happy to assist you in scheduling your pick-up and providing any additional information you may need. However, the staff might have little English conversation skills. 

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