Travelled 22.05.2016 (Sun)
in Japanese: https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/fruitea.html
in English: https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/joyful/fruitea.html
Overwhelming response. One more sightseeing train conquered! Fruitea Fukushima フルーティーアふくしま made its inaugural trip in April 2015 and has been a hit since its inception. This sightseeing train runs along Banetsu Nishi line 磐越西線 between Koriyama and Kitakata and was introduced to promote Fukushima Prefecture as a fruit kingdom and also tourist attraction. Similar to Yamagata Prefecture, numerous fruits such as apple, pear, peach and grapes are cultivated here; and such ease of access to this treasure box of fruits allow local pastry chefs to showcase their exemplary craftsmanship. Fruitea Fukushima takes on the theme of a mobile or travelling cafe where original sweets and confectionery infused with seasonal fruits can be enjoyed exclusively on board a scenic train ride. Of course, dessert is not complete without coffee and tea, which is available for free flow! All these enticing elements increased my interest to find out more about this cafe equipped train, and I finally got the chance to come on board this dream train on my second trip to Tohoku region which coincide with its first anniversary celebration.
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Highlights:
Fruitea Fukushima makes one round trip per day and usually operates on weekends and public holidays. When I took the train in May 2016, Fruitea Fukushima commuted between Koriyama and Aizu Wakamatsu on Ban'etsu Nishi line. Realised that the train has extended its journey to Kitakata, a city which is famous for its signature ramen, while compiling information for this posting.
Train schedule correct as of 30 Mar 2019:
- Fruitea Fukushima 1: Koriyama 郡山駅 (0952 hrs) > Inawashiro 猪苗代駅 (1040 hrs) > Aizu Wakamatsu 会津若松駅 (1130 hrs) > Kitakata 喜多方駅 (1152 hrs)
- Fruitea Fukushima 2: Kitakata 喜多方駅 (1530 hrs) > Aizu Wakamatsu 会津若松駅 (1555 hrs) > Inawashiro 猪苗代駅 (1632 hrs) > Koriyama 郡山駅 (1707 hrs)
Elated. As Fruitea Fukushima is considered a Green Car, its train fare is not covered by conventional rail passes (such as nationwide JR pass and JR East passes). Seat reservation has to be made through View Travel びゅう旅行, a JR owned travel agency which is usually located in much larger train stations. Arrived at Ueno JR Station at the first day of my trip and went straight to its View Plaza to inquire about seat availability. Was extremely elated to find out that single seats were still available on my desired day of travel. The travel package includes the reserved seat ticket and a sweets set. For the sweets set, it consists of two original sweets, a can of fruit juice (both sweets and fruit juices are made from fruits produced in Fukushima Prefecture), a cup of hot coffee and free flow of iced tea and coffee. Prices of the travel package differ based on the embarkation and disembarkation points selected for the journey:
* Do take note that for passengers travelling solo, a 200 yen top up to the travel package is required.
Passenger cabin. Fruitea Fukushima is a two carriage train wrapped in black and shades of red. I was immediately aroused by a familiar cafe ambience upon stepping into this train. The passenger carriage has a capacity of 36 people and is comprised of box seats of two, four and single seats. As I was travelling alone, the single seat, which is oriented strategically to face the window, as assigned to me. Conventional train seats were transformed into designer feel, white coloured leather arm chairs and sofa. When I saw the seating arrangement, I could imagine how nice it would be to travel with families or close friends as the box seats are so conducive for bonding over sweets and drinks. The train was full house today and all of us could not wait to commence the journey on board this travelling cafe.
Cafe. The classy cafe counter is situated in a separate train carriage. The arc shaped counter with a glossy black table top spans almost half of the carriage. There are both counter and window seats where passengers can mingle around here with their food and snacks. I helped myself to the iced coffee, tea and water from the glass drink dispensers placed at the cafe counter. Merchandise specially designed for this train are available for sale at the cafe counter; brought back home another badge pin and clear folders to add on to my existing collection of train related souvenirs.
Inserted between the layers of fluffy sponge cake was mango and strawberries and delectable fresh cream was used as icing for the fruit short cake. For the fruit tart, it was filled with a custard layer and covered by chunks of sweet golden pineapple. The beautiful contrast of colours between the yellow pineapple and red cherries just makes one want to tuck into this dessert immediately.
Scenic. While enjoying my sweets and beverages, I was also captivated by the train scenery along Ban-etsu Nishi line. Blessed by good weather on the day of my travel, the majestic looking Mt Bandai could be clearly seen through the train window. As there were plots of irrigated paddy fields located at the foot of the mountain, a clear and beautiful reflection of Mt Bandai was also spotted on the still water in the fields. An hour later, I arrived at Aizu Wakamatsu and ended this enjoyable ride on board Fruitea Fukushima. In my opinion, the concept of a travelling cafe is executed successfully in Fruitea Fukushima. Knowing that the sweets menu changes from time to time depending on the confectionery which the train collaborates with and which fruits are in season makes me want to ride on this train again if I visit Fukushima Prefecture in future!
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Commemorative boarding pass:
in Japanese: https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/fruitea.html
in English: https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/joyful/fruitea.html
Overwhelming response. One more sightseeing train conquered! Fruitea Fukushima フルーティーアふくしま made its inaugural trip in April 2015 and has been a hit since its inception. This sightseeing train runs along Banetsu Nishi line 磐越西線 between Koriyama and Kitakata and was introduced to promote Fukushima Prefecture as a fruit kingdom and also tourist attraction. Similar to Yamagata Prefecture, numerous fruits such as apple, pear, peach and grapes are cultivated here; and such ease of access to this treasure box of fruits allow local pastry chefs to showcase their exemplary craftsmanship. Fruitea Fukushima takes on the theme of a mobile or travelling cafe where original sweets and confectionery infused with seasonal fruits can be enjoyed exclusively on board a scenic train ride. Of course, dessert is not complete without coffee and tea, which is available for free flow! All these enticing elements increased my interest to find out more about this cafe equipped train, and I finally got the chance to come on board this dream train on my second trip to Tohoku region which coincide with its first anniversary celebration.
======
Highlights:
Fruitea Fukushima makes one round trip per day and usually operates on weekends and public holidays. When I took the train in May 2016, Fruitea Fukushima commuted between Koriyama and Aizu Wakamatsu on Ban'etsu Nishi line. Realised that the train has extended its journey to Kitakata, a city which is famous for its signature ramen, while compiling information for this posting.
Train schedule correct as of 30 Mar 2019:
- Fruitea Fukushima 1: Koriyama 郡山駅 (0952 hrs) > Inawashiro 猪苗代駅 (1040 hrs) > Aizu Wakamatsu 会津若松駅 (1130 hrs) > Kitakata 喜多方駅 (1152 hrs)
- Fruitea Fukushima 2: Kitakata 喜多方駅 (1530 hrs) > Aizu Wakamatsu 会津若松駅 (1555 hrs) > Inawashiro 猪苗代駅 (1632 hrs) > Koriyama 郡山駅 (1707 hrs)
Elated. As Fruitea Fukushima is considered a Green Car, its train fare is not covered by conventional rail passes (such as nationwide JR pass and JR East passes). Seat reservation has to be made through View Travel びゅう旅行, a JR owned travel agency which is usually located in much larger train stations. Arrived at Ueno JR Station at the first day of my trip and went straight to its View Plaza to inquire about seat availability. Was extremely elated to find out that single seats were still available on my desired day of travel. The travel package includes the reserved seat ticket and a sweets set. For the sweets set, it consists of two original sweets, a can of fruit juice (both sweets and fruit juices are made from fruits produced in Fukushima Prefecture), a cup of hot coffee and free flow of iced tea and coffee. Prices of the travel package differ based on the embarkation and disembarkation points selected for the journey:
- Koriyama 郡山駅 <> Inawashiro 猪苗代駅 = 4,300 yen
- Koriyama 郡山駅 <> Aizu Wakamatsu 会津若松駅 = 4,800 yen
- Koriyama 郡山駅 <> Kitakata 喜多方駅 = 5,000 yen
* Do take note that for passengers travelling solo, a 200 yen top up to the travel package is required.
Passenger cabin. Fruitea Fukushima is a two carriage train wrapped in black and shades of red. I was immediately aroused by a familiar cafe ambience upon stepping into this train. The passenger carriage has a capacity of 36 people and is comprised of box seats of two, four and single seats. As I was travelling alone, the single seat, which is oriented strategically to face the window, as assigned to me. Conventional train seats were transformed into designer feel, white coloured leather arm chairs and sofa. When I saw the seating arrangement, I could imagine how nice it would be to travel with families or close friends as the box seats are so conducive for bonding over sweets and drinks. The train was full house today and all of us could not wait to commence the journey on board this travelling cafe.
Cafe. The classy cafe counter is situated in a separate train carriage. The arc shaped counter with a glossy black table top spans almost half of the carriage. There are both counter and window seats where passengers can mingle around here with their food and snacks. I helped myself to the iced coffee, tea and water from the glass drink dispensers placed at the cafe counter. Merchandise specially designed for this train are available for sale at the cafe counter; brought back home another badge pin and clear folders to add on to my existing collection of train related souvenirs.
Sweets set. The cafe is opened for business as soon as the train set off from Koriyama. The staff, donned in cafe uniform, appeared in the passenger cabin with the catering trolley and began distributing the sweets and drinks to every passenger. The glossy black table was laid with a contrasting red coloured mat, with the symbol of Fruitea printed on it, and another paper lace doily placed on top of it. Was handed over a white box containing two different types of sweets, a cup of hot coffee and a can of peach juice. In addition, a cookie with a picture of Fruitea printed on it, was given to every passenger as part of the train's first anniversary celebration. Opened the lid and the sides of the white box carefully to reveal two sweets, both came from fruits peaks フルーツピークス, a western confectionery which originated from Koriyama city. The sweets comprised of a slice of fruit short cake with a Fukushima produced cherry placed on top of it and a slice of tart filled with pineapple chunks with Fukushima produced cherries toppings. Both of them were equally delicious!
Inserted between the layers of fluffy sponge cake was mango and strawberries and delectable fresh cream was used as icing for the fruit short cake. For the fruit tart, it was filled with a custard layer and covered by chunks of sweet golden pineapple. The beautiful contrast of colours between the yellow pineapple and red cherries just makes one want to tuck into this dessert immediately.
Scenic. While enjoying my sweets and beverages, I was also captivated by the train scenery along Ban-etsu Nishi line. Blessed by good weather on the day of my travel, the majestic looking Mt Bandai could be clearly seen through the train window. As there were plots of irrigated paddy fields located at the foot of the mountain, a clear and beautiful reflection of Mt Bandai was also spotted on the still water in the fields. An hour later, I arrived at Aizu Wakamatsu and ended this enjoyable ride on board Fruitea Fukushima. In my opinion, the concept of a travelling cafe is executed successfully in Fruitea Fukushima. Knowing that the sweets menu changes from time to time depending on the confectionery which the train collaborates with and which fruits are in season makes me want to ride on this train again if I visit Fukushima Prefecture in future!
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Commemorative boarding pass:
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