Future of trains delivering fresh onions across Japan uncertain

SAPPORO - "Onion trains" that transport fresh onions harvested in Hokkaido, northern Japan, across the Japanese archipelago are now facing an uncertain future as a local train operator reviews its business.

The potential termination of a local train route that is a critical link in the transport network that delivered nearly 29,000 tons of onions in fiscal 2025 from Kitami, the largest producer of the vegetable in Japan, could affect consumers seeking seasonal produce at affordable prices.