Travelled on 12.10.2015 (Mon)
in Japanese: https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/toreiyu.html
in English: https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/joyful/toreiyu.html
Blessing. One of the objective to achieve during my maiden trip to Tohoku region was to ride as many sightseeing trains as possible. When I first got to know about the existence of Toreiyu Tsubasa とれいゆ つばさ, a special themed Shinkansen introduced by JR East to its fleet of sightseeing trains in July 2014, I could not contain my excitement because this train combines two of my favourite elements in Japan - railway travel and onsen! Toreiyu is coined from two words, train (トレイン) and soreiyu, a French word for sun. The ideal climate and terrain, clean waters and air, large temperature differences between day and night favours the growth of fruits in Yamagata Prefecture. In addition, the clear distinction between the four seasons make it possible for a large variety of fruits to be grown here. Because of this attribute, Yamagata Prefecture is affectionately known as a "Fruit Kingdom" in Japan. Sakuranbo (cherries), La France (western pears), grapes, peaches and apples are some of the fruits that most people would relate to when Yamagata Prefecture comes to their mind. These fruits are all harmoniously embedded into the pictorial symbol of Toreiyu Tsubasa which is conspicuously imprinted on the train exterior; while the blue and green colours represents the sky and the land, which mankind constantly strive to achieve peaceful coexistence with. Onsen is brought on board this train in the form of foot bath as Yamagata Prefecture is well known for natural and therapeutic hot spring spots such as Ginzan Onsen 銀山温泉, Akayu Onsen 赤湯温泉 and Tendo Onsen 天童温泉.
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in Japanese: https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/toreiyu.html
in English: https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/joyful/toreiyu.html
Blessing. One of the objective to achieve during my maiden trip to Tohoku region was to ride as many sightseeing trains as possible. When I first got to know about the existence of Toreiyu Tsubasa とれいゆ つばさ, a special themed Shinkansen introduced by JR East to its fleet of sightseeing trains in July 2014, I could not contain my excitement because this train combines two of my favourite elements in Japan - railway travel and onsen! Toreiyu is coined from two words, train (トレイン) and soreiyu, a French word for sun. The ideal climate and terrain, clean waters and air, large temperature differences between day and night favours the growth of fruits in Yamagata Prefecture. In addition, the clear distinction between the four seasons make it possible for a large variety of fruits to be grown here. Because of this attribute, Yamagata Prefecture is affectionately known as a "Fruit Kingdom" in Japan. Sakuranbo (cherries), La France (western pears), grapes, peaches and apples are some of the fruits that most people would relate to when Yamagata Prefecture comes to their mind. These fruits are all harmoniously embedded into the pictorial symbol of Toreiyu Tsubasa which is conspicuously imprinted on the train exterior; while the blue and green colours represents the sky and the land, which mankind constantly strive to achieve peaceful coexistence with. Onsen is brought on board this train in the form of foot bath as Yamagata Prefecture is well known for natural and therapeutic hot spring spots such as Ginzan Onsen 銀山温泉, Akayu Onsen 赤湯温泉 and Tendo Onsen 天童温泉.
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Highlights:
Toreiyu Tsubasa makes one round trip per day and usually operates on weekends and public holidays. For passengers holding on to nationwide JR Pass, JR East Pass (Tohoku area), JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass or JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass, you can make a seat reservation on board this train at no additional cost.
Train schedule correct as of 24 Mar 2019:
- Toreiyu Tsubasa 1: Fukushima (1002 hrs) > Yamagata (1126 hrs) > Shinjo (1216 hrs)
- Toreiyu Tsubasa 2: Shinjo (1500 hrs) > Yamagata (1613 hrs) > Fukushima (1741 hrs)
Foot bath reservation. From JR East website, it is mentioned that foot bath ticket should be purchase together with the train ticket at View Travel びゅう旅行 (a JR owned travel agency normally located in larger train stations). Was holding on to a rail pass (had the early version of JR East Pass at that point of time) and I could only make seat reservations which did not come with foot bath tickets, at conventional train ticket reservation counter (Midori no Madoguchi). However, I was advised by the staff that I could get the foot bath ticket while on board the train, but subjected to availability. Therefore, as soon as I boarded the train at Fukushima JR Station 福島駅, I headed straight to Car 15 and indicated my interest to enjoy the foot bath to the staff at the bar counter. Fortunately, at that point of time I was able to secure a time slot (boarded the train at 1002 hrs and the assigned time slot was 1015 to 1030 hrs) at a nominal fee of 380 yen. Having said that, it is still advisable to make both the seat and foot bath reservation with JR East Pass at View Travel, if you happen to bump into one at any JR train station. The price of foot bath ticket if you reserve via View Travel is slightly cheaper at 350 yen.
Toreiyu Tsubasa makes one round trip per day and usually operates on weekends and public holidays. For passengers holding on to nationwide JR Pass, JR East Pass (Tohoku area), JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass or JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass, you can make a seat reservation on board this train at no additional cost.
Train schedule correct as of 24 Mar 2019:
- Toreiyu Tsubasa 1: Fukushima (1002 hrs) > Yamagata (1126 hrs) > Shinjo (1216 hrs)
- Toreiyu Tsubasa 2: Shinjo (1500 hrs) > Yamagata (1613 hrs) > Fukushima (1741 hrs)
Foot bath reservation. From JR East website, it is mentioned that foot bath ticket should be purchase together with the train ticket at View Travel びゅう旅行 (a JR owned travel agency normally located in larger train stations). Was holding on to a rail pass (had the early version of JR East Pass at that point of time) and I could only make seat reservations which did not come with foot bath tickets, at conventional train ticket reservation counter (Midori no Madoguchi). However, I was advised by the staff that I could get the foot bath ticket while on board the train, but subjected to availability. Therefore, as soon as I boarded the train at Fukushima JR Station 福島駅, I headed straight to Car 15 and indicated my interest to enjoy the foot bath to the staff at the bar counter. Fortunately, at that point of time I was able to secure a time slot (boarded the train at 1002 hrs and the assigned time slot was 1015 to 1030 hrs) at a nominal fee of 380 yen. Having said that, it is still advisable to make both the seat and foot bath reservation with JR East Pass at View Travel, if you happen to bump into one at any JR train station. The price of foot bath ticket if you reserve via View Travel is slightly cheaper at 350 yen.
Unforgettable. Toreiyu Tsubasa is made up of six carriages. Car 11 to 14 are passenger seats and Car 15 is Yuagari Lounge 湯上がりラウンジ. Reported punctually at the entrance of Car 16, where the foot bath facility is located in. We were each handed over a small drawstring bag which contained a towel with the symbol of Toreiyu Tsubasa printed on it, that we would use to wipe our feet with after the soak. There are two foot bath pools and each can hold up to 4 people every time. Wooden louvers act as dividers between the safflower coloured foot bath pools. Both the cleanliness and temperature of water in the foot bath are properly and continuously regulated to ensure the best experience can be enjoyed by all passengers utilising this facility. The seats on the foot bath were also oriented such that passengers get to admire the scenery along Yamagata Shinkansen line while having a relaxing and therapeutic soak. In the allocated 15 minutes, we got to indulged in a moment of luxury and were extremely impressed by this entire concept of foot bath on board a train which is a one of its kind experience in Japan.
Interior. In this what I would refer to as a designer train, the seats are oriented in box of four and two, separated by an aisle in between them. Each box seat comes with a wide birch table, safflower red coloured back rest and tatami mat laid seats; a harmonious combination of traditional and modern elements. Various motifs of fruits, such as cherry, pear and grapes, that are harvested in Yanagawa Prefecture, are decorated on the ceiling and partitions found throughout the train. Toreiyu Tsubasa is an aesthetically pleasant train which elevates train ride experience and creates newfound interest / meaning to modern and future train travel.
Lounge. In Car 15's Yuagatari Lounge, there is a bar counter and spacious seating area featuring tatami mat laid seats and tables made of sakura wood, where passengers can hang out in with their food and drinks purchased from the bar counter. The bar counter is stocked up with a variety of locally brewed sake, wine and juices, bentos, light snacks, desserts and exclusive merchandise specially created for Toreiyu Tsubasa. Bought Yonezawa's Beef Domannaka 牛肉どまん中 bento and Yamagata's apple juices for our lunch on board the train, and a pin badge depicting the iconic symbol of the train as souvenir.
Interior. In this what I would refer to as a designer train, the seats are oriented in box of four and two, separated by an aisle in between them. Each box seat comes with a wide birch table, safflower red coloured back rest and tatami mat laid seats; a harmonious combination of traditional and modern elements. Various motifs of fruits, such as cherry, pear and grapes, that are harvested in Yanagawa Prefecture, are decorated on the ceiling and partitions found throughout the train. Toreiyu Tsubasa is an aesthetically pleasant train which elevates train ride experience and creates newfound interest / meaning to modern and future train travel.
Lounge. In Car 15's Yuagatari Lounge, there is a bar counter and spacious seating area featuring tatami mat laid seats and tables made of sakura wood, where passengers can hang out in with their food and drinks purchased from the bar counter. The bar counter is stocked up with a variety of locally brewed sake, wine and juices, bentos, light snacks, desserts and exclusive merchandise specially created for Toreiyu Tsubasa. Bought Yonezawa's Beef Domannaka 牛肉どまん中 bento and Yamagata's apple juices for our lunch on board the train, and a pin badge depicting the iconic symbol of the train as souvenir.
Delicious. Beef Domannaka was created in conjunction with the opening of Yamagata Shinkansen (in 1992) and has become a signature bento of Yonezawa since then. Domannaka, a type of rice produced in Yamagata Prefecture, is topped with sliced and minced Yonezawa beef cooked in a sweet and savoury special sauce. All of us nodded in consensus after relishing the first mouthful of rice and meat. Till today, this is still one of the most delicious bento I have come across so far!
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Commemorative stamp:
Hi Hsuchia
ReplyDeleteThank you indeed for sharing your travels as they have given me a deeper insight into the less-travelled areas of Japan. I will be in Tohoku next week and hope to ride on one of the Resort Shirakami trains. Although I have a JR East Tohoku Pass, do I still need to purchase additional tickets to ride the joyful trains. Or are these rides free for passengers with the JR East Pass? Any advice would be appreciated. Regards, gh
Hi gh! For Resort Shirakami trains, they are covered by JR East Tohoku Pass. As the entire train is reserved seating, you can reserved the seats at JR train stations ticket counter with the pass at no additional charge. The Gono line which Resort Shirakami trains commute on, has one of the most beautiful railway scenery in Japan. Hope you will enjoy your upcoming trip in Tohoku region.
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