Trains of Japan - A Review Thread

[rbjhan]

Shinano wide view

This is a JR limited express service from Nagoya to Nagano. In that direction only, the front car (green car) has a nice view right behind the driver if you book row 1.

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Looks like Shinano is using the same train as Hida?

 

[frodo]

A couple of pics of the Sunrise express as per post 15.
The Sunrise Seto and Izumo couple and de-couple at Okayama, many locals here watching the coupling process.

 

[frodo]

Aso Boy - one of JR Kyushu's sightseeing trains, some of which have already been mentioned earlier

Train Varieties｜JR KYUSHU RAILWAY COMPANY

JR九州の時刻・運賃検索、列車運行情報や駅情報・路線図、車両案内などご案内です。

www.jrkyushu.co.jp

Did not have the chance to take it so I've only managed a couple of exterior pics

 

[encryptededdy]

Just stumbled across this thread! Looks like most of the trains I've taken have already been covered, but I can contribute two more.

Two Stars Kyushu 4047 (JR Kyushu)
This runs from Takeo-Onsen to Nagasaki and back (different routes in each direction)






Optional bento that you can pre-order to get served on the train - made with ingredients from the local area.

The train makes extended (5~10 minute) stops at the towns along the way, and on many of these stops there’s locals with food and souvenir stalls along the station platform.

Resort Shirakami (JR East)
This runs from Akita to Aomori and back



It's quite nice as you can see out the front of the train in the front carriage (I took this train in April 2023 when it wasn't all that busy), so you can get some nice views out the front


Iyonada Monogatari (JR Shikoku)
Two routes, one from Matsuyama to Iyo Ozu and back, and one from Matsuyama to Yawatahama and back


The plushie on the seat is "Mikyan", the official mascot of Ehime Prefecture (a cross between a dog and a mikan orange)

 

[encryptededdy]

The Iyonada Monogatari also had optional pre-orderable food, here's breakfast and lunch

 

[rbjhan]

The Iyonada Monogatari also had optional pre-orderable food, here's breakfast and lunch
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How did you book this train?
I am interested but couldn't fit into my tight schedule last trip!

 

[encryptededdy]

How did you book this train?
I am interested but couldn't fit into my tight schedule last trip!

Through the Nippon Travel Agency website, here: JR四國觀光列車預約/Reservation for JR Shikoku Sightseeing Trains

It looks like right now they're not taking reservations that far in advance right now.

 

[rbjhan]

Through the Nippon Travel Agency website, here: JR四國觀光列車預約/Reservation for JR Shikoku Sightseeing Trains

It looks like right now they're not taking reservations that far in advance right now.

Thanks!
Not sure when I'll go to Shikoku again but bookmarked for future use!

 

[clifford]

If you'd like a taste of the real rural Japan, I'd suggest taking the Umisachi Yamasachi train from Miyazaki to Nango in southern Kyushu.

Well worth the trip, and you can walk from Nango station to Ōdōtsu Station for the return to Miyazaki (but only if you're quite fit).

 

[VPS]

sigh - why does Japan have such beautiful trains and so much fish

 

[drron]

sigh - why does Japan have such beautiful trains and so much fish

You don't have to have the fish. In those trains that serve a special meal there is usually an extra payment. So instead get a bento box at the station with no fish. And some of them the special meal is beef.

In July we will hopefully add another train to this collection. The Lavender Express.

JR News: Renewal of Furano Lavender Express, Enjoy Hokkaido’s Lavender Fields | JAPAN RAIL CLUB

Have a look at the new features of the Furano Lavender Express, and enjoy a day trip to see summer flowers in Furano and Biei by riding both the Furano Lavender Express and the Furano Biei Norokko Train!

japanrailtimes.japanrailcafe.com.sg

Hokkaido, Japan: Take the Lavender Train to Furano in 2024

Take the lavender train to Furano, Hokkaido - the region is famous in Japan for its blooming flower fields and summer festival (2024)

travelinculture.com

And in April using the Fujikyu railway. probably won't be as good as our previous visit several years ago when on one service the loco was done up as Thomas the Tank engine.

FUJIKYUKO

The Fujikyu group, mainly comprised of transportation, amusement, leisure, real estate, and distribution services, is aiming for the realization of its management philosophy, 'Always happiness, always sensation.'

www.fujikyu.co.jp

 

[VPS]

You don't have to have the fish. In those trains that serve a special meal there is usually an extra payment. So instead get a bento box at the station with no fish. And some of them the special meal is beef.

In July we will hopefully add another train to this collection. The Lavender Express.

JR News: Renewal of Furano Lavender Express, Enjoy Hokkaido’s Lavender Fields | JAPAN RAIL CLUB

Have a look at the new features of the Furano Lavender Express, and enjoy a day trip to see summer flowers in Furano and Biei by riding both the Furano Lavender Express and the Furano Biei Norokko Train!

japanrailtimes.japanrailcafe.com.sg

Hokkaido, Japan: Take the Lavender Train to Furano in 2024

Take the lavender train to Furano, Hokkaido - the region is famous in Japan for its blooming flower fields and summer festival (2024)

travelinculture.com

And in April using the Fujikyu railway. probably won't be as good as our previous visit several years ago when on one service the loco was done up as Thomas the Tank engine.

FUJIKYUKO

The Fujikyu group, mainly comprised of transportation, amusement, leisure, real estate, and distribution services, is aiming for the realization of its management philosophy, 'Always happiness, always sensation.'

www.fujikyu.co.jp

I know I don't have to but the risk for my health is significant and with the translation issues I don't want to risk it while travelling alone

 

[Black Duck]

I know I don't have to but the risk for my health is significant and with the translation issues I don't want to risk it while travelling alone

Re translation - I know Google is not all that wonderful but there is a good app from South Korea -Naver papago. I use it for English to Korean as that's where I usually am but they also do Japanese. The Korean version is really good and so I imaging the Japanese one is likely to be as well. My Korean friends say it is but they mostly use it Korean to Japanese of course.

It's best if online but they have off-line packs as well. We'll worth trying. It's free.

 

[rbjhan]

X.13 Kamameshi Bento 峠の釜めし
From Oginoya in Gunma Prefecture, very famous especially in Kanto region.


Clockwise from top
Chicken, shiitake mushroom, bamboo shoots, burdock roots, chestnut, quail egg, peas, apricot & ginger.



Very popular so sell out quickly, this was the last one available.
Wish I had the clay pot version though!

峠の釜めし | 荻野屋

www.oginoya.co.jp

 

[rbjhan]

Green Car on Hokuriku Shinkansen.
I think the colourways are way better than Tokaido Shinkansen!





Good leg room, very comfy seats.
And not crowded!


Drink holder on armrest, very clever.

 

[frodo]

Looks like Shinano is using the same train as Hida?

Looked quite similar but now the old Hida trains have all been replaced by new trains since 2023. No more looking out of the driver's compartment out the front...

New Hida train


Standard car


I did not get a good picture of the green car but it is also in a 2-2 config with extras such as carpet, adjustable headrest and footrest.

 

[rbjhan]

Looked quite similar but now the old Hida trains have all been replaced by new trains since 2023. No more looking out of the driver's compartment out the front...

New Hida train
View attachment 390239

Standard car
View attachment 390241

I did not get a good picture of the green car but it is also in a 2-2 config with extras such as carpet, adjustable headrest and footrest.

Yeah I don't quite get these Green cars when you get practically nothing....
The Azusa is the same.
NEX also...

 

[elanshin]

Just stumbled onto this thread.

I don't quite have pictures of it as we didn't manage to catch it but there is a Pikachu themed train in Tohoku just past Sendai at ichinoseki.

We were there to go to the beautiful Geibikei Gorge.

https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/joyful/pokemon.html

Its quite popular with the kids as you can imagine but for those that like Pokemon, this is a pretty cool train and on a line to take you to a nice tourist location.


I'll see if I can dig up my old photos for the Hakone Romance Car. I took it once but this would've been 2011 or so.

 

[CaptJCool]

Ooo lovely

 

[rbjhan]

Ooo lovely
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I probably don't need this , but off to search my local library!

Edit, and I found it! New book incoming!