A Train in Japan Runs on Leftover Ramen Broth and Cooking Oil
In a creative blend of culture, tourism, and sustainability, a sightseeing train in Japan has begun running on biofuel made partly from leftover ramen broth. And honestly, we think it might also serve as a reminder for anyone trying to stick to a diet
The Takachiho Amaterasu Railway, a tourist-focused train line in Miyazaki Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, offers a scenic 30-minute journey through lush landscapes and over Japan’s highest rail bridge. Instead of running on traditional diesel fuel, the train now uses a specially developed biodiesel created from waste products from local restaurants.
This innovative fuel is made by combining about 90 % used cooking oil (such as tempura oil) with roughly 10 % extracted lard from leftover tonkotsu ramen broth. Developers from Nishida Logistics, a transportation company experienced in alternative fuels, refined the recipe to ensure it works reliably in diesel engines, even on uphill stretches.
Riders have noticed a pleasant change: instead of the typical diesel exhaust, the air can carry a savory aroma reminiscent of fried rice or ramen. There is no black smoke or strong smell of exhaust gas, which is common with conventional diesel engines, and the cost of the new fuel is said to be almost the same as that of diesel. This change highlights a key benefit of biodiesel fuel made from organic waste. It can reduce harmful emissions and replace some reliance on fossil fuels without sacrificing performance.
Although this type of biofuel isn’t yet practical for high-speed or large-scale national rail systems, the experiment demonstrates how community creativity and circular economy principles can transform everyday waste into something that literally keeps a community moving forward.
Check out the video by South China Morning Post: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRIpLp1X8U8
Sources:
https://www.kanko-miyazaki.jp/en/sightseeing/1083
https://mainichi.jp/.../arti.../20220804/p2a/00m/0li/017000c
https://www.dailygood.org/.../the-amaterasu-railway-now.../