Trains of Japan - A Review Thread

[Daver6]

This is the coolest thread on AFF that I didn't know I needed! It makes me smile a lot. Thank you @rbjhan

 

[rbjhan]

I really miss those passes - they were such good value with the non consecutive days, unlike the new passes. We will have a 14 day JR pass this time, despite the price rise. It’s still value for us as we are travelling from Nagano to Kagoshima via Nagoya, Nagasaki, Beppu and Tokyo. But train travel is now very very expensive compared to internal flights. Which is sad as I love train travel.

I don't use JR passes much, even in the old times. They rarely paid off.
But the JR East Tohoku ones were exceptions, those were good value considering how much distance to be covered in Tohoku.

 

[rbjhan]

36+3

Well very detailed report in my TR already...

I'll post some pictures here.




36+3 Weekly Route


Train layout


Car 5


Car 4, lounge


Car 3


Car 2


Car 1

 

[drron]

Agreed. We did use the JR pass initially until we learnt that the Regional passes were better value.

 

[moa999]

I've generally travelled one-way in Japan (eg fly into Fukoaka, out of Tokyo) which has made JR passes about the same price.. with the new pricing and need to travel pretty much every day, just don't see the value.

 

[VPS]

36+3

Well very detailed report in my TR already...

I'll post some pictures here.

View attachment 364287


36+3 Weekly Route
View attachment 364281

Train layout
View attachment 364280

Car 5
View attachment 364286

Car 4, lounge
View attachment 364284

Car 3
View attachment 364282

Car 2
View attachment 364283

Car 1
View attachment 364285

View attachment 364434

I want to go to Japan just to go on that train

 

[rbjhan]

I've generally travelled one-way in Japan (eg fly into Fukoaka, out of Tokyo) which has made JR passes about the same price.. with the new pricing and need to travel pretty much every day, just don't see the value.

To be perfectly honest, I saw many people buying passes when it made no (financial) sense at all - like in Tokyo out Osaka, side trips to Hakone etc...
Not sure what the thinking behind was. As if there's something wrong with buying individual tickets?!

Hopefully the price increase will actually make people stop and think.

 

[rbjhan]

Part E, Non Express Trains

Non Express trains means basic fare only, non reserve seating. Basically your normal daily commuters.
But this being Japan, of course somebody is going to come up with something

E.1 展望列車「きらら」Kirara - Eizan Railway

Eizan is a private rail company operating in Kyoto.

Eizan Railway

Eizan railway has two lines in the northern part of Kyoto called “Rakuhoku”.

eizandensha.co.jp

They have two routes, from Demachiyanagi to Kurama and Hieizanguchi respectively.
Kirara is the one going to Kurama.
Main feature of this train is the large windows. During momiji season it's one of the most scenic rides not just in Kyoto, but anywhere.

Passing through the maple leave tunnel.


Main problem is, you can probably guess....Kyoto is way overcrowded during peak season!
The above picture was taken in Nov 2014. Nov 2022 I was in Kyoto again, also took this train, hmmm, forget about pictures, unless you are 20cm taller than most Japanese? Not me, obviously.

It's still worth it to take the train, just expect to be squashed....

 

[rbjhan]

E.2 Kinme リゾート21 キンメ - Izukyu

Izukyu is a private rail company operating in Izu Peninsula, between Ito and Izukyu Shimoda.

伊豆急－おすすめ電車旅＜観光・海・リゾート・温泉＞

伊豆急の運行状況、時刻表、運賃・料金、電車、リゾートなどの鉄道のご案内をはじめ、伊豆の観光、伝統行事、観光名所、温泉、イベントなど伊豆の旅・旅行に便利な情報をご案内します。

www.izukyu.co.jp

Kinme is short for Kinmedai キンメダイ, 金目鯛 - one of the most expensive fish in Japan.

As you can see the interior...


Since it travels along the coast, those window facing seats are particularly handy.

Picture was taken at Izu-Hokkawa station.

 

[rbjhan]

D.8 Odakyu Romancecar
Shinjuku - Hakone Yumoto

Okay I missed this one earlier! Damn going through old pictures are not great fun.

Probably more people are familiar with it?
Chances are if you want to go to Hakone, this will be recommended.



I'm not exactly sure what is romantic about it though as in, compared to other trains...


Pretty sure the one I took actually went to Gotemba instead of Hakone Yumoto...
But the trip was back in 2017 and memories are fuzzy now

 

[randompunter]

Part E, Non Express Trains

Non Express trains means basic fare only, non reserve seating. Basically your normal daily commuters.
But this being Japan, of course somebody is going to come up with something

E.1 展望列車「きらら」Kirara - Eizan Railway

Eizan is a private rail company operating in Kyoto.

Eizan Railway

Eizan railway has two lines in the northern part of Kyoto called “Rakuhoku”.

eizandensha.co.jp

They have two routes, from Demachiyanagi to Kurama and Hieizanguchi respectively.
Kirara is the one going to Kurama.
Main feature of this train is the large windows. During momiji season it's one of the most scenic rides not just in Kyoto, but anywhere.

Passing through the maple leave tunnel.
View attachment 364512

Main problem is, you can probably guess....Kyoto is way overcrowded during peak season!
The above picture was taken in Nov 2014. Nov 2022 I was in Kyoto again, also took this train, hmmm, forget about pictures, unless you are 20cm taller than most Japanese? Not me, obviously.

It's still worth it to take the train, just expect to be squashed....

I almost did this on last year's trip but I was scared off by the hoards of tourists. A few years ago (2016??) I played an arcade style train sim on the Nintendo 3DS where you got to drive the Eizan railway and it has been on my bucket list ever since. The game was a bit mediocre though! Looks like it has been re-released on Steam for PC more recently so maybe that version is worth a look:

Japanese Rail Sim: Journey to Kyoto on Steam

 

[rbjhan]

I almost did this on last year's trip but I was scared off by the hoards of tourists. A few years ago (2016??) I played an arcade style train sim on the Nintendo 3DS where you got to drive the Eizan railway and it has been on my bucket list ever since. The game was a bit mediocre though! Looks like it has been re-released on Steam for PC more recently so maybe that version is worth a look:

Japanese Rail Sim: Journey to Kyoto on Steam

It was a most beautiful ride, back in 2014!
Especially on my way back, upon entering the tunnel the train was slowed down and lights were all off! We all just went WOW

2022, all I remember was, in your words, hoards of tourists! yeah I know I was one of them...but holy cough the train was packed

 

[rbjhan]

Part X Ekiben 駅弁

The word Ekiben in Japanese literally means Train station+bento. Note, bento needs to be bought in major stations (or at least shops attached to a station), getting one from home and bring it onto the train doesn't count.

Generally ekibens will use regional ingredients and promotes the taste of said region. And often you can only buy certain ones at their local stations.

The exception is Tokyo Station, where you can buy almost any ekiben from all over the country.
*However more concentrated with JR East regions.



This one in Shin Osaka also has varieties!
Notice the Ekiben logo on many of the boxes...



Note, you should not be eating and drinking on local commuter trains. However for long distance trains it is not only acceptable, it's almost expected. If not sure, I find one simple rule is to look at your seats, if there are tray tables, go for it!

 

[rbjhan]

(In no particular order )

ひっぱりだこ飯 Hipparidako Meshi, from Hyogo Prefecture.
Probably the most famous ekiben from Kansai region!



Hero of the bento is octopus.


It is made by Awajiya so best chance to get it would be near Akashi or Kobe station, I bought it in Shin Osaka.

You can also buy online, with all different containers! OMG trust the Japanese to make this thing into a whole new level

商品検索 - 【お弁当の淡路屋】全国配送 ONLINE SHOP

創業明治36年。お弁当の淡路屋のオンラインショップです。

all.awajiya.co.jp

I brought that container home, it is a brush holder now

 

[rbjhan]

X.2 飛騨牛しぐれ寿司
Hida Beef Bento

「飛騨高山 牛しぐれ寿司」駅弁情報｜高山駅の駅弁

「飛騨高山 牛しぐれ寿司」の駅弁をご紹介！柔らかい絶品飛騨牛ローストビーフと控えめな甘さとしっかりした肉感の牛肉のしぐれ煮を楽しめる駅弁。飛騨高山の思い出の一つとなるでしょう。（旧：飛騨牛ローストビーフ しぐれ寿司→飛騨牛ローストビーフ寿司。）駅弁を食べた感想クチコミや駅弁の価格、駅弁の販売情報などをご案内

next.jorudan.co.jp

Hida beef is synonymous with Takayama, almost.

I bought it at JR Takayama, before boarding the Wide View Hida.
Cannot be more cliche than that!

 

[rbjhan]

X.3 輪島朝市弁当 Wajima Morning Market Bento - JR Kanazawa station

「輪島朝市弁当」駅弁情報｜金沢駅の駅弁

「輪島朝市弁当」の駅弁をご紹介！輪島の朝市をイメージした駅弁で、輪島朝市組合公認の駅弁となっています。かきめし、かき、厚焼き玉子、白身魚ふんわり揚げ(魚肉ねり製品)、いかとわかめの酢の物、サザエいしる煮、たらこ旨煮、ぶり角煮などがはいっています。駅弁を食べた感想クチコミや駅弁の価格、駅弁の販売情報などをご案内

next.jorudan.co.jp

Sigh, Wajima morning market used to be a major tourist attraction on Noto Peninsula...I guess everyone knows where this is going...yeah it's one of the heavily hit areas (and big fires afterwards), the bulidngs were mostly burnt down ;((

【動画】なぜ輪島朝市で火災が広がったのか　専門家に聞くと複数の要因…焼け落ち、瓦だけが散らばる　能登半島地震：東京新聞デジタル

石川県輪島市の観光名所「輪島朝市」周辺で起きた大規模火災。なぜここまで火災は広がったのか。防災の専門家に話を聞いた。地震発生から3日目...

www.tokyo-np.co.jp

Back to the bento, it's seafood from Noto. Squid, oysters, sea snails, yellowtail, seaweed, etc.

 

[rbjhan]

X.4 田舎庵鰻丼弁当 Unagi Bento - JR Hakata Station

出前・お持ち帰り

お持ち帰りや出前のメニューです

inakaan.com

Well technically unagi is not a specialty of Fukuoka, that I know of....
Inakaan is a famous restaurant in KitaKyushu though, I guess that works And my serious weakness towards ugani played no part in it of course!

 

[rbjhan]

X.5 元祖博多めんたい重 Mentaiko Bento - JR Hakata Station

お持ち帰り | 元祖博多めんたい重

お持ち帰りに関する情報は情報はこちらから

www.mentaiju.com

This one however, is a Fukuoka specialty - you see mentaiko everywhere!
And I LOVE it

 

[OZDUCK]

Have you tried any of these 'self heating' ekiben?

THE TEINEI LIFE

Where to experience that unique Japanese concept known as ‘teinei’ Think of Japanese culture and these words and phrases would come to mind: respect, politeness, mindfulness of others, and attention to detail. Wonder how the Japanese people developed such ideals, much to the envy of the...

theteineilife.com

 

[rbjhan]

Have you tried any of these 'self heating' ekiben?

THE TEINEI LIFE

Where to experience that unique Japanese concept known as ‘teinei’ Think of Japanese culture and these words and phrases would come to mind: respect, politeness, mindfulness of others, and attention to detail. Wonder how the Japanese people developed such ideals, much to the envy of the...

theteineilife.com

No, don't think it's all that interesting I'm afraid...

Why? Coz I have had many self heating instant hot pot in Melbourne