PC: miyazaki_shunnavi/Instagram
Japan’s Amaterasu Railway has switched to biodiesel gleaned from leftover ramen broth
A warm bowl of ramen is nothing short of magic, especially on a chilly winter night. Turns out, it is also quite the multitasker and capable of running trains! Before you judge our sense of judgement, let us tell you about Japan’s Amaterasu Railway, which procures leftover ramen broth from food suppliers and uses it as biodiesel to feed its engines.
The railway offers a 30-minute train ride across the Miyazaki Prefecture, giving you a tour of Japan’s bucolic landscape lined with mountains and rice fields. Let us warn you though, you might be left in a constant state of hunger during the journey, as the biodiesel from the broth fills the air with a delicious aroma. But hey, you can always treat yourself to a nice bowl of ramen once you hop off this quick train ride.
While for most of us, this unusual idea might sound more exciting or even unbelievable, biodiesel (made from vegetable oil or animal fat) is known to be a great alternative to fossil fuels, and is also being used in parts of Europe and the US.
We only hope we keep coming up with ideas like these to better apply the concept of sustainable travel. As for the ramen, well, we’ll let our stomachs sustain them.