Travelled on 21.10.2016 (Fri)
in Japanese: https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/shukura.html
in English: https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/joyful/shukura.html
Pride. On this trip to explore Nagano and Niigata Prefecture, I managed to insert two special themed trains into my itinerary - Koshino Shu*Kura (from Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 to Tokamachi 十日町駅) and Genbi Shinkansen 現美新幹線 (from Echigo Yuzawa 越後湯沢駅 to Niigata 新潟駅). Introduced by JR East in 2014, the concept of Koshino Shu*Kura was inspired by Japanese wine or sake, the pride of Niigata Prefecture. Fifth largest prefecture by geographical size, Niigata Prefecture is home to the highest number of sake breweries in Japan - as many as 89 sake breweries. Its name, Shu*Kura means sake storehouse (shu 酒 = sake, kura 蔵 = storehouse) and the asterisk symbol (*) represents rice (Niigata is famous for producing top quality rice which is also the main ingredient in brewing sake) and snow (Niigata is also a popular skiing destination).
Cruise. Koshino Shu*Kura covers several railway lines during its journey between Joetsu Myoko to Tokamachi. The train departs from Joetsu Myoko and travels along Myoko Haneuma Line 妙高はねうまライン to Naoetsu 直江津駅. Next, the train continues its journey along Shin Etsu main line 信越本線 until it reaches Nagaoka 長岡駅. As the section of Shin Etsu Main line between Naoetsu to Kashiwazaki runs alongside the Sea of Japan coastline, passengers can enjoy a panoramic sea view from the comfort of their seats while on board this train. From Nagaoka, the train moves further inland along Joetsu line 上越線 to Echigo Kawaguchi 越後川口駅. Lastly, it completes its final lap along Iiyama line 飯山線 and ends at Tokamachi 十日町駅.
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Highlights
Apart from the route between Joetsu Myoko to Tokamachi, the train also covers two other routes. The name is changed to Yuzawa Shu*Kura [ゆざわ Shu*Kura] when the train commutes between Joetsu Myoko to Echigo Yuzawa, and to Ryuto Shu*Kura [柳都 Shu*Kura] when the train commutes between Joetsu Myoko to Niigata. The train usually operates on weekends and public holidays; and makes a round trip on its day of operation. For passengers holding on to nationwide JR Pass, JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata area), JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass or JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass, you can make a seat reservation at no additional cost.
Train schedule correct as of 30 Apr 2020:
(1) Koshino Shu*Kura [越乃 Shu*Kura]:
Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1002 hrs) > Tokamachi 十日町駅 (1232 hrs)
Tokamachi 十日町駅 (1450 hrs) > Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1838 hrs)
(2) Yuzawa Shu*Kura [ゆざわ Shu*Kura]:
Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1002 hrs) > Echigo Yuzawa 越後湯沢 (1309 hrs)
Echigo Yuzawa 越後湯沢駅 (1445 hrs) > Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1838 hrs)
(3) Ryuto Shu*Kura [柳都 Shu*Kura]:
Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1002 hrs) > Niigata 新潟駅 (1306 hrs)
Niigata 新潟駅 (1456 hrs) > Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1838 hrs)
Seats. The three carriage train is donned in contrasting navy blue and white colours. The entire train is made up of reserved seats in Car 1 and 3 and a event space in Car 2. Car 1 is reserved for passengers who have purchased travel packages with View Travel びゅう旅行. The package includes a meal (menu specially designed for this train and changes with season), served together with Koshino Shu*Kura's original Daiginjoshu 大吟醸酒. There are three types of seats in Car 1 - box seats catering to groups of four, observation pair seats and kutsurogi (relaxing) pair seats, both oriented to face the wide windows for a better view. We were assigned to seats in Car 3 which has conventional train seating plan and a free space with sofa seats for up to 8 people.
Sake. The main highlight of the entire train ride awaits in Car 2. Kuramori 蔵守 is a service counter where both alcoholic and soft drinks, snacks, bento and train exclusive merchandise (sake cup, beer cup, key ring, towel, etc) are sold. There is a sake tasting corner where passengers can try up to five different types of sake, all manufactured in Niigata Prefecture. Though none of us are sake connoisseurs, we decided to give it a try in support of their effort to promote locally brewed sake. Chose three out of the five sake and bought grilled scallops to go along with the drinks. One of them was Daiginjoshu, high quality sake brewed from rice grains milled to 50% of weight or less and the other two were Junmaiginjoshu 純米吟醸酒, sake brewed from rice grains milled to at least 60% of weight and without addition of distilled alcohol.
Sea. About 40 minutes after departing from Joetsu Myoko Station, the train pulled into Omigawa Station 青海川駅 and made a brief stop here. Passengers were allowed to alight the train to explore this unmanned station along Shin Etsu main line. Said to be the train station closest to the Sea of Japan in Japan, the relaxing sounds of waves crashing onto the shore could be heard immediately when the train doors opened. From the platform closest to the shore, I could feel the cooling sea breeze sweeping towards me and see the whitewash waves hitting the rocky coastline just beneath my feet.
Music. What pairs well with alcohol? Music, of course! The atmosphere in the event space (in Car 2) is completely liven up during two jazz band performance sessions held during the train cruise. Passengers gathered around the band, with drinks in their hands and swaying gently to the rhythm of the songs. One other event which took place on board the train was a complimentary sake tasting session organised by one of the sake breweries from Niigata Prefecture. On the day of our train ride, we had the opportunity to try four different types of sake (Daiginjoshu, Junmai Ginjoshu and Junmaishu 純米酒) brewed by Echigo Sakura Brewery 越後桜酒造 located in Agano city 阿賀野市. The entire session was pretty engaging, as the representative from the brewery did a brief introduction of their sake and welcomed everyone to taste their signature sake; while the audience responded with queries, followed by sake sampling. This is the first time I was exposed to so many different types of sake. After this experience, I have become slightly more receptive to Japanese wine and I like Daiginjoshu the most out of all, for its light and refined taste.
in Japanese: https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/shukura.html
in English: https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/joyful/shukura.html
Pride. On this trip to explore Nagano and Niigata Prefecture, I managed to insert two special themed trains into my itinerary - Koshino Shu*Kura (from Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 to Tokamachi 十日町駅) and Genbi Shinkansen 現美新幹線 (from Echigo Yuzawa 越後湯沢駅 to Niigata 新潟駅). Introduced by JR East in 2014, the concept of Koshino Shu*Kura was inspired by Japanese wine or sake, the pride of Niigata Prefecture. Fifth largest prefecture by geographical size, Niigata Prefecture is home to the highest number of sake breweries in Japan - as many as 89 sake breweries. Its name, Shu*Kura means sake storehouse (shu 酒 = sake, kura 蔵 = storehouse) and the asterisk symbol (*) represents rice (Niigata is famous for producing top quality rice which is also the main ingredient in brewing sake) and snow (Niigata is also a popular skiing destination).
Cruise. Koshino Shu*Kura covers several railway lines during its journey between Joetsu Myoko to Tokamachi. The train departs from Joetsu Myoko and travels along Myoko Haneuma Line 妙高はねうまライン to Naoetsu 直江津駅. Next, the train continues its journey along Shin Etsu main line 信越本線 until it reaches Nagaoka 長岡駅. As the section of Shin Etsu Main line between Naoetsu to Kashiwazaki runs alongside the Sea of Japan coastline, passengers can enjoy a panoramic sea view from the comfort of their seats while on board this train. From Nagaoka, the train moves further inland along Joetsu line 上越線 to Echigo Kawaguchi 越後川口駅. Lastly, it completes its final lap along Iiyama line 飯山線 and ends at Tokamachi 十日町駅.
======
Highlights
Apart from the route between Joetsu Myoko to Tokamachi, the train also covers two other routes. The name is changed to Yuzawa Shu*Kura [ゆざわ Shu*Kura] when the train commutes between Joetsu Myoko to Echigo Yuzawa, and to Ryuto Shu*Kura [柳都 Shu*Kura] when the train commutes between Joetsu Myoko to Niigata. The train usually operates on weekends and public holidays; and makes a round trip on its day of operation. For passengers holding on to nationwide JR Pass, JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata area), JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass or JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass, you can make a seat reservation at no additional cost.
Train schedule correct as of 30 Apr 2020:
(1) Koshino Shu*Kura [越乃 Shu*Kura]:
Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1002 hrs) > Tokamachi 十日町駅 (1232 hrs)
Tokamachi 十日町駅 (1450 hrs) > Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1838 hrs)
(2) Yuzawa Shu*Kura [ゆざわ Shu*Kura]:
Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1002 hrs) > Echigo Yuzawa 越後湯沢 (1309 hrs)
Echigo Yuzawa 越後湯沢駅 (1445 hrs) > Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1838 hrs)
(3) Ryuto Shu*Kura [柳都 Shu*Kura]:
Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1002 hrs) > Niigata 新潟駅 (1306 hrs)
Niigata 新潟駅 (1456 hrs) > Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1838 hrs)
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| Sneaked into Car 1, dedicated for passengers who have purchased travel packages with View Travel. |
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| Our seats were in Car 3. |
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| Sofa seats in the free space of Car 3. |
 |
| Sake tasting corner of Kuramori. There are five different types of sake to try and the selection of sake is changed every two months. |
Sake. The main highlight of the entire train ride awaits in Car 2. Kuramori 蔵守 is a service counter where both alcoholic and soft drinks, snacks, bento and train exclusive merchandise (sake cup, beer cup, key ring, towel, etc) are sold. There is a sake tasting corner where passengers can try up to five different types of sake, all manufactured in Niigata Prefecture. Though none of us are sake connoisseurs, we decided to give it a try in support of their effort to promote locally brewed sake. Chose three out of the five sake and bought grilled scallops to go along with the drinks. One of them was Daiginjoshu, high quality sake brewed from rice grains milled to 50% of weight or less and the other two were Junmaiginjoshu 純米吟醸酒, sake brewed from rice grains milled to at least 60% of weight and without addition of distilled alcohol.
Sea. About 40 minutes after departing from Joetsu Myoko Station, the train pulled into Omigawa Station 青海川駅 and made a brief stop here. Passengers were allowed to alight the train to explore this unmanned station along Shin Etsu main line. Said to be the train station closest to the Sea of Japan in Japan, the relaxing sounds of waves crashing onto the shore could be heard immediately when the train doors opened. From the platform closest to the shore, I could feel the cooling sea breeze sweeping towards me and see the whitewash waves hitting the rocky coastline just beneath my feet.
Music. What pairs well with alcohol? Music, of course! The atmosphere in the event space (in Car 2) is completely liven up during two jazz band performance sessions held during the train cruise. Passengers gathered around the band, with drinks in their hands and swaying gently to the rhythm of the songs. One other event which took place on board the train was a complimentary sake tasting session organised by one of the sake breweries from Niigata Prefecture. On the day of our train ride, we had the opportunity to try four different types of sake (Daiginjoshu, Junmai Ginjoshu and Junmaishu 純米酒) brewed by Echigo Sakura Brewery 越後桜酒造 located in Agano city 阿賀野市. The entire session was pretty engaging, as the representative from the brewery did a brief introduction of their sake and welcomed everyone to taste their signature sake; while the audience responded with queries, followed by sake sampling. This is the first time I was exposed to so many different types of sake. After this experience, I have become slightly more receptive to Japanese wine and I like Daiginjoshu the most out of all, for its light and refined taste.
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Commemorative stamps:
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Video: Ryuto Shu*Kura was previously featured in NHK's Train Cruise programme.
Commemorative stamps:
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Video: Ryuto Shu*Kura was previously featured in NHK's Train Cruise programme.
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