Travel Japan by Train! 3 Recommended Unique Trains

Japan is well known for the highly developed railway systems. If you have visited Tokyo before, you might have been surprised at its complicated subway systems.

As you might know, railways systems are not limited to Tokyo; they are all over Japan. You can go almost everywhere by train except remote islands.

Some visitors from Asia want to try riding Japan's trains; many want to travel around Japan by train too.

These days, traveling by train is gaining great popularity in Japan since not only can you get to enjoy the beautiful views, the meticulous design of the trains attract people.

In this article, we will be introducing three unique trains which provide pleasant travel experiences.

Let’s take a closer look at the trains' interior using Google street view. You will be surprised at their quality.

1. Feel the Warmth of the Wood, Kagoshima “Hayato no Kaze”

“Limited Express Hayato no Kaze (特急はやとの風)” has a pitch-black body and gold characters engraved on it. It runs along Kagoshima (鹿児島県), the southernmost prefecture in Kyushu (九州).

The train's interior is constructed so that you can feel the wood's warmth. You can also get to enjoy the beautiful view from the observation space. Please take a look at the screen above to see what it is like. You can also click and drag the screen to check out more.

Related Article:
Kagoshima Prefecture in South Kyushu: Its Nature
The train's doors and even the washrooms are so meticulously designed that the ride is sure to amaze you. If you are going to Kagoshima (鹿児島), this is the train you must take.

Please go to the JR Kyushu official website to check out more details.

Related links:
JR Kyushu (Japanese)
JR Kyushu (English)
JR Kyushu (Korean)
JR Kyushu (Traditional Chinese)
JR Kyushu (Simplified Chinese)

2. Cafe on a Rail, Fukushima "Fruitea Fukuoka"

“FruiTea Fukushima (フルーティアふくしま)” is also known as "cafe on the rail" as you can get to enjoy local sweets from Fukushima (福島) while taking this train. Just asthe name of the train suggests, it runs in Fukushima Prefecture (福島県).

Fukushima is famous for various kinds of fruits like apples, pears, peaches and grapes. You can get to eat original sweets, hot coffee and juices made from local fruits picked in Fukushima on your way.

Sweets with seasonal fruits are really delicious.

If you go to the first car, there is a elegant and spacious counter.

You feel like you are spending time in an elegant place which let you forget that you are on a train.

If you want to know more, please go to the JR-EAST Sendai Branch (JR東日本仙台支社 only in Japanese).

3. The Train of the Good Old Days, Kumamoto "A-TRAIN"

"Limited Express A-TRAIN (特急A列車で行こう)" runs in Kumamoto (熊本県), Kyushu(九州).

The interior of this train was designed with the theme of "the namban (南蛮 lit. southern barbarians) culture introduced to Amakusa (天草) in the 16th century"(※1). The western and romantic atmosphere will really make you savor the moment.

The sunlight dances through the stained-glass windows, making you feel like you are in one of the scenes of a movie. A truly unique experience where you'll feel like shouting out "Let's go!"

※1…Amakusa (天草): refers to the islands in the western part of Kumamoto (熊本県). Namban culture (南蛮文化) refers to the western culture introduced into Japan during medieval times.
This train ride can not only be enjoyed by adults, but by children as well; small chairs by the window let children enjoy the scenery.

How about taking the extravagant "Limited Express A-TRAIN"?

For more details, check out the JR Kyushu official website.

Related links:
JR Kyushu (Japanese)
JR Kyushu (English)
JR Kyushu (Korean)
JR Kyushu (Traditional Chinese)
JR Kyushu (Simplified Chinese)