A ride on JR East’s Joyful Trains with fun and exciting themed rail cars – is a destination in itself.
Holders of the JR East Pass (Tohoku Area) can make reservations for any of these unique trains that operate in various locations throughout Tohoku (except for FruiTea Fukushima and TOHOKU EMOTION, which are only sold as travel packages). The Joyful Trains series offer passengers a more exciting train-riding experience. Some trains, such as the Resort Shirakami, have enlarged windows offering enhanced sightseeing opportunities. Others, such as the POKEMON with YOU Train and Toreiyu Tsubasa trains, are themed for your pleasure and enjoyment.
The JR East Pass for the Tohoku area is a special discounted pass available only to visitors holding foreign citizenship, and with a short-term “Temporary Visitor” visa that does not exceed a total stay of 90 days in the country. More information at www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass_t/index.html
■ Resort Shirakami (Buna, Kumagera, Aoike)
The Resort Shirakami runs along the Gono Line, which travels around the base of the Shirakami Sanchi Highlands World Heritage Site and the Japan Sea with its natural beauty. In July 2016, a new configuration of the Resort Shirakami, called the Buna, went into service. The exterior is decorated with gradated trees and its light and shaded natural green colours remind one of gentle sun beams streaming through the leaves of trees. The interior is full of timber such as “buna”(beech) and ”sugi” (Japanese cedar), which gives a warm and peaceful atmosphere. Delicious local food from around the railway can be enjoyed from the “ORAHO” counter in car number three. You can enjoy good food while watching great views.
Service Railway: From JR Akita station to JR Aomori station
Access via Akita: From Tokyo, take the Akita Shinkansen Komachi to JR Akita station. At JR Akita station, change to the Resort Shirakami and transfer to Gono Line at JR Higashi-Nodai Station.
Access via Aomori: From Tokyo, take the Shinkansen Hayabusa to JR Shin Aomori station. At JR Shin-Aomori station, change to Resort Shizumi on the Gono Line.
Train schedule is subject to change.
■ POKEMON with YOU Train
Bringing smiles to children in the Tohoku region devastated by the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of 2011, the POKEMON with YOU Train was refurbished with a new look to wish for greater Tohoku travels to everyone. The new car concept is “parents and children having fun with Pikachu together.” Enjoy a fun outing with the lively Pikachu!
Service Railway: From JR Ichinoseki Station to JR Kesennuma Station
Access via Ichinoseki: From Tokyo, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to JR Ichinoseki station. At JR Ichinoseki station, change to the Ofunato Line for JR Kesennuma Station.
Train schedule is subject to change.
■ Toreiyu Tsubasa
The name “Toreiyu” is a blend of the Japanese pronunciations of the English word “train” (torein) and the French word “soleil” (soreiyu) meaning sun. The interior is equipped with reserved tatami mat seating – a bar counter stocked with locally brewed Yamagata sake, wine, and juice. And foot baths for relaxing while enjoying the scenery outside the window. While aboard, take a stroll as though in a hot spring town and enjoy this new mode of Shinkansen travel.
Service Railway: From JR Fukushima Station to JR Shinjo Station
Access via Fukushima: From Tokyo, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to JR Fukushima station. At JR Fukusima station, change to the Toreiyu Tsubasa for JR Shinjo Station.
Access via Shinjo: From Tokyo, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to JR Yamagata station. At JR Yamagata station, change to Ou Line for JR Shinjo Station then transfer to the Toreiyu Tsubasa.
Train schedule is subject to change.
Best time to visit: All seasons
Address: JAPAN RAIL CAFÉ, Japan Rail Pass Counter Tanjong Pagar Centre, 5 Wallich Street, #01-20 Singapore 078883
Website: http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/joyful/index.html?src=t_info
Phone: 6385 5422
