In Japan, regions operating preserved steam locomotives benefit from vital boosts to the local economy. Discover the secrets behind making these historic workhorses invaluable tourist attractions, and how the practice is gaining popularity. Then meet the experts whose supreme skills preserve the precious boilers and maintain the engines, and see the 300 years of tradition behind the manufacture of a unique shovel specifically designed to efficiently scoop coal. Also, a special guest joining us this time is Rena Matsui, a successful former member of the popular idol group SKE48, and now she is pursuing her career as an actor.

On March 26, 2016, the new Series H5 will enter service on Japan's latest shinkansen line, which runs through the world's longest undersea tunnel between Honshu and Hokkaido. Rena Matsui reports on the build-up to Hokkaido's first shinkansen arrival, the brand new Shin-Hakodate Station, and the latest technology to combat the cold. Also see the challenges of the Shinkansen sharing the line with freight trains, and discover the only place in Japan with presenter Russell Totten where anyone can drive a real steam locomotive.