A tourist train that brings happiness to your journey through Kada

• Table of Contents
• What is auspicious train?
• [Sachi] Bringing happiness to everyone
• [Kai] Making friends with sea creatures
• [Nana] Brings wonderful connections
• [Kashira] I love adventure and music.
• [Kanata] Thoughts from ancient times to the future
• Hop aboard the auspicious train and enjoy a happy future!

What is auspicious train?

The "Medetai Densha" operated by Nankai Electric Railway is a special tourist train that runs on the Wakayama Kada Line, an hour's train ride from Kansai Airport.

The exterior of the train has a cute design based on a sea bream motif. As of July 2024, five carriages have been released in pink, red, blue, black, and rainbow colors, each with its own unique charm.

Below we introduce each vehicle (in chronological order).

[Sachi] Bringing happiness to everyone

"Sachi" was the first auspicious train to debut in 2016. Its pink-based design, which evokes the image of "Awashima Shrine's matchmaking," has a theme of "happiness."

The carriages are decorated with heart and cherry blossom motifs, giving them a cute atmosphere. The interior is decorated with warm wood grain interior decor and seat covers with illustrations of sea bream, providing a bright and fun space.

[Kai] Making friends with sea creatures

Next, in 2017, the light blue "Kai" will begin running. The light blue color is used as the base color to express the bounty of the sea and the abundant nature of Kada, and the refreshing design is characterized by its coloring that evokes the sea. The interior of the car is decorated with a sea image, allowing you to enjoy a cool atmosphere.

Marriage

In 2018, Kai proposed to his co-worker Sachi and they got married. Incidentally, their wedding day, November 23rd, is also known as "Good Couple Day." How romantic!

[Nana] Brings wonderful connections

In 2019, Sachi and Kai had a child, named Nana. This means that the train will run along the seven stations of the Kata Sakana Line, connecting them with auspicious fate. The initials of Sachi, Kai and Nana make up the name "Sa-Kana".

The interior is filled with auspicious motifs and designs related to Kada, creating a festive atmosphere inside the car. There is a lottery on the floor, so you can have your fortune read. What will be your fortune today?

[Kashira] I love adventure and music.

"Kashira" debuted in 2021. He is the older brother of "Sachi" who has returned to Kada after a long journey. His name is derived from "Kashira", which means captain or leader of a ship.

Unlike the conventional auspicious trains that are mainly bright, this is a cool auspicious train with a black base color that evokes the image of an adventure ship. The interior of the train is based on the theme of "legend, treasure, adventure, and music." There are lots of treasures and fun gimmicks, as well as musical notes, sheet music, and images of the crew playing musical instruments scattered here and there.

Our destination is Kata, so let's start the adventure together with Kashira!

[Kanata] Thoughts from ancient times to the future

In July 2024, "Kanata" was discovered in an egg that had fallen from a certain ancient time. And it turns out to be everyone's distant ancestor. The "Auspicious Train of the Beginning," which connects the present and future from ancient times, starts running with thoughts for the future in mind.

"Kanata" consists of two cars and is divided into an "Ancient Memories Area" and a "Thoughts for the Future Area."

Ancient Memory Area

Some of you may already know this, but Wakayama was once home to many ancient creatures.

These ancient creatures are depicted inside the Kanata train, including the complete skeletal fossil of Megapterygius wakayamaensis (commonly known as the Wakayama Soryu), which was described as a new genus and species in 2023. Get on board the Kanata and explore the ancient creatures.

Thoughts for the Future Area

Not only in ancient times, but also in modern times! Wakayama is home to beautiful seas and a diverse range of creatures.

The vehicle was designed with hopes for a future where a "sustainable world" can be created, with the near-threatened beach rose blooming on the seating area and Kada hydrangeas planted to protect the forest.

It would be nice if the time you spend sitting in the car gazing at the rainbows hanging all around could become a happy time to think about the future.

Hop aboard the auspicious train and enjoy a happy future!

The "Happy Train" operates as a regular train that anyone can easily board, and tickets can be purchased at the regular fare. The short 30-minute journey from Wakayamashi Station to Kada Station will surely be filled with happy feelings.

There are also gachapon machines at Nankai Wakayamashi Station and Kada Station, where you can get a logo key holder for each train. Why not try your luck and take home a logo of happiness?