Joyful Train Explained

is the name given to railway rolling stock or train sets operated by the JR Group in Japan primarily for charters, special events, tourist excursions, and other similar purposes.[1] Traditionally, this term is only used for chartered trains dedicated to large group travel, but in recent years, it has expanded to include sightseeing trains and tourist trains as well, as their distinctions are made ambiguous. This page includes all trains considered "Joyful trains" and "Sightseeing trains".

History

Origins

The "Joyful Train" concept can be traced back to 1960, when a 1935-vintage SuHaShi 29 dining car was converted into a Japanese-style o-zashiki train with tatami flooring and shoji paper screens on the windows. This could be coupled to regular service trains for use by charter parties. A second car was similarly modified in April 1961.[2]

The first train to directly be called "Joyful Train" was the Salon Express Tokyo, a European styled train. The term has since been applied in retrospect to all trains produced before then that fits the descriptions. Many conversions of trains were done due to surplus rolling stock after the abolishment of certain express lines, and purpose-built Joyful Trains are rare. All cars on a Joyful Train are considered Green Cars.

Recent years

Since the bursting of Japan's Bubble Economy, small group travel using buses have become more mainstream, and opportunities to use group trains have decreased, and so have been the demand of European style salon trains. Some JR companies such as JR Kyushu has at once completely abolished chartered trains in order to save costs, and European-styled Salon Trains disappeared from JR Central's rolling stock after the retirement of the Euroliner in 2004.

On the other hand, this shift has led JR companies to target individual travellers directly with sightseeing trains, in an attempt to increase regional development. Onboard such tourist-oriented trains, one can enjoy local products, famous sake, or other activities. Sometimes, JR companies has not used the term "Joyful Train" to refer to tourist trains, but since tourist trains are often operated as group trains as well, railway hobby magazines often use both terms, if not use them interchangeably.

Locomotive-hauled Joyful Trains tend to be retired due to the time consumed in changing locomotives, as well as the aging of the rolling stock itself. Currently, the only loco-hauled Joyful Trains in service are the Seven Stars in Kyushu of JR Kyushu, the Salon Car Naniwa, the SL Yamaguchi, and the Banetsu Monogatari.

JR Hokkaido

DMU

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Converted from Depot/region Remarks
Dōhoku Ryūhyō no Megumi 道北 流氷の恵み 1 Seating 2018 KiHa 40 - Part of the Hokkaidō no Megumi (Blessings of Hokkaido) set. Name means "Northern Hokkaido: Blessing of Drift Ice".
Dōtō Mori no Megumi 道東 森の恵み 1 Seating 2018 KiHa 40 - Part of the Hokkaidō no Megumi (Blessings of Hokkaido) set. Name means "Eastern Hokkaido: Blessing of the Forest".
Dōnan Kai no Megumi 道南 海の恵み 1 Seating 2018 KiHa 40 - Part of the Hokkaidō no Megumi (Blessings of Hokkaido) set. Name means "Southern Hokkaido: Blessing of the Sea".
Dōō Hana no Megumi 道央 花の恵み 1 Seating 2018 KiHa 40 - Part of the Hokkaidō no Megumi (Blessings of Hokkaido) set. Name means "Central Hokkaido: Blessing of Flowers".
Sanmei 山明 1 Seating 2019 KiHa 40 - Part of the Sanshisuimei set. Both converted due to popular demand after the unveiling of the Hokkaido no Megumi trains.
Shisui 紫水 1 Seating 2019 KiHa 40 - Part of the Sanshisuimei set.

JR East

EMU

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Converted from Depot/region Remarks
Nagomi 和 5 Seating July 2007 Purpose-built Tokyo Also used as the train of the Emperor of Japan
The Royal Express ザ・ロイヤルエクスプレス Izukyu 2100 series 8 Seating July 2017 Izukyu 2100 Series Izu Jointly operated by Tokyu Corporation, JR East and Izukyu Corporation
B.B.Base BOSO BICYCLE BASE 209-2200 series 6 Seating 2018 Makuhari

DMU

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Converted from Depot/region Remarks
Koshino Shu*Kura 越乃Shu*Kura 3 Seating 2014 KiHa 40/48 series Niitsu
Oykot おいこっと 2 Seating 2015 KiHa 110 series Nagano The name "Oykot" comes from a letter reversal of "Tokyo", intending to create a sense of rural Japan, opposite to Tokyo.
POKÉMON with YOU Train POKÉMON with YOU Train 2 Seating 2012 KiHa 100 Ichinoseki
Resort Shirakami "Aoike" リゾートしらかみ「青池」 4 Seating/semi-open compartments 2010 Purpose-built Akita Replaced KiHa 48 series.
Resort Shirakami "Buna" リゾートしらかみ「橅」 4 Seating/semi-open compartments 2016 Purpose-built Akita Replaced KiHa 48 series.
Resort Shirakami "Kumagera" リゾートしらかみ「くまげら」 4 Seating/semi-open compartments April 2006 KiHa 48 Akita
Resort View Furusato リゾートビューふるさと 2 Seating 2010 Purpose-built Nagano
Tohoku Emotion TOHOKU EMOTION 3 Seating 19 October 2013 KiHa 110 series Morioka KiHa 110-701 + KiHa 111-701 + KiKuShi 112-701
High Rail 1375 はいれーる いちさんななご 2 Seating 1 July 2017 KiHa 110 series Nagano
View Coaster Kazekko びゅうコースター風っこ 2 Seating June 2000 KiHa 48 Sendai Side windows are removed, and metal bars were installed with plastic covering.
Kairi 海里 4 Seating 2019 Purpose-built Niigata Features a different headlight design than the sets used on Resort Shirakami services. Successor to 'Kirakira Uetsu'.
Hinabi ひなび 2 Seating December 2023 HB-E300 Series Iwate Converted from former Resort Asunaro set
Satono SATONO 2 Seating April 2024 HB-E300 Series Yamagata Converted from former Resort Asunaro set

Loco hauled

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Converted from Depot/region Remarks
SL Banetsu Monogatari SLばんえつ物語 12 series7 Seating 29 April 1999 12 Niigata
Cassiopeia Travologue カシオペア紀行 E26 Series 12 Sleeping Compartment June 2016 Purpose-Built Ueno Formerly a Limited Express Service and a tourist train, the Cassiopeia trainset has been running as a group charter train since 2016. Its role as a Limited Express service was replaced by the Hokkaido Shinkansen, and its role as a cruise train was replaced by the Train Suite Shikishima.

JR West

EMU

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Converted from Depot/region Remarks
La Malle de Bois La Malle de Bois 2 Seating Spring 2016 213 series Okayama [3]
WEST EXPRESS Ginga WEST EXPRESS 銀河 6 Seating/compartments/Sleeping car May 2020 117 series Kyoto [4]

DMU

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Converted from Depot/region Remarks
Belles Montagnes et Mer ベル・モンターニュ・エ・メール ("べるもんた") 1 Seating October 2015 KiHa 40 Toyama [5] Affectionally referred to as "Belmonta" (べるもんた).
Hanayome Noren 花嫁のれん 2 Seating October 2015 KiHa 48 Ishikawa [6]
Nostalgie ノスタルジー 2 Seating Spring 2016 KiHa 47 Okayama [7] Painted in JNR colors.
Maru Maru No Hanashi ○○のはなし 2 Seating August 2017 KiHa 47 Yamaguchi Converted from former Misuzu Shiosai[8]
Ametsuchi あめつち 2 Seating July 2018 KiHa 47 Gotō
Umiyamamsubi うみやまむすび 1 Seating July 2019 KiHa 40 Hyōgo Converted from former Tenkū no shiro Takedajōato
etSETOra エトセトラ 2 Seating October 2020 KiHa 47 Hiroshima Converted from former Setouchi Marine View
SAKUBI SAKURA SAKU美SAKU楽 1 Seating July 2022 KiHa 47 Okayama

Loco hauled

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Converted from Depot/region Remarks
Salon Car Naniwa サロンカーなにわ 14 series7 Seating September 1983 14 series Miyahara, Osaka
SL Yamaguchi SLやまぐち号 35 series5 Seating September 2017 Purpose-built Yamaguchi Replaced 12 series.

JR Shikoku

Sightseeing trains are operated on each line of JR Shikoku. All of these trains are operated by DMUs, and there are no trains operated by electric trains. This is because most of the lines within JR Shikoku's jurisdiction are non-electrified.

DMU

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Converted from Depot/region Remarks
Shikoku Mannaka Sennen Monogatari 四国まんなか千年ものがたり KiHa 185 series3 Seating April 2017 KiHa 185 Kotohira All 3 cars have distinct paint schemes.
Iyonada Monogatari (KiHa 185) 伊予灘ものがたり KiHa 185 series3 Seating 3 April 2022 KiHa 185 Ehime Replaced former KiHa 47, which was retired in 2021.
Shikoku Tosa Toki no Yoake no Monogatari 志国土佐 時代の夜明けのものがたり KiHa 185 series2 Seating July 2020 KiHa 185 Kochi
Kaiyodo Hobby Train 海洋堂ホビートレイン KiHa 321 Seating July 2011 KiHa 32 Matsuyama Has had 3 different paint schemes.
Tetsudo Hobby Train 鉄道ホビートレイン KiHa 321 Seating March 2014 KiHa 32 Matsuyama Outwardly modified to resemble a 0 Series Shinkansen.

JR Kyushu

JR Kyushu officially does not operate any Joyful Trains in the traditional definition. However, the following sightseeing trainsets that they operate are classified as "D&S Trains" (Design and Story trains), as according to JR Kyushu, each train has a design and a story based on the region that they operate in. In addition, the Trans-Kyushu Limited Express is classified as a D&S Train as well despite not appearing on this list. Most D&S Trains are converted from regular rolling stock into sightseeing expresses, and are designed by Eiji Mitooka. The Kampachi Ichiroku was designed by IFOO Corporation instead. However, it is important to note that the Seven Stars in Kyushu is not classified as a D&S train, but a "Luxury Sleeper train".

DMU

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Converted from Depot/region Remarks
Aso Boy あそぼーい！ 4 Seating June 2011 KiHa 183 series Kumamoto Converted from former Yufu DX.
A-Train A列車で行こう 2 Seating October 2011 KiHa 185 series Kumamoto Equipped with a bar that serve local alcoholic beverages, and narration of the legend of Urashima Taro.
Two Stars 4047 ふたつ星4047 3 Seating August 2022 KiHa 47– Converted from former Hayato no Kaze and an additional KiHa 40 car.
Ibusuki no Tamatebako 指宿のたまて箱 3 Seating March 2011 KiHa 47 Kagoshima [10] KiHa 140 series car converted from former Hayato no Kaze car in March 2012. When the door opens, white smoke resembling that from a Tamatebako are dispensed from the top of the door.
Umisachi Yamasachi 海幸山幸 KiHa 125-4002 Seating October 2009 TR 400 Miyazaki Converted from former Takachiho Railway TR 400. Offers handmade picture-stories for sale on board.
Kawasemi Yamasemi かわせみ やませみ 2 Seating 2017 KiHa 47 -
Yufuin no Mori ゆふいんの森 4 Seating 1989 KiHa 58/65 series Chikuho a.k.a."Yufuin no Mori I"
New Yufuin no Mori 新ゆふいんの森 KiHa 72 series4 Seating 1999 Purpose-built Chikuho a.k.a."Yufuin no Mori III"
Aru Ressha 或る列車 2 Seating August 2015 KiHa 47 Oita [11]
Kampachi Ichiroku かんぱち・いちろく 2R Series 3 Seating April 2024 Saga Converted from former Isaburo Shinpei trainset using two KiHa 47 cars and one KiHa 125 car.

Loco hauled

Past Joyful Train sets

JNR

DMU

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Withdrawn Converted from Depot/region Remarks
Batten Nagasaki ばってんNAGASAKI KiHa 58 Series 2 Tatami 1985 December 1986 KiHa 28 series Nagasaki Karaokes and Mahjong tables were installed in the two cars, KiHa 28-2006 and KiHa 28-2114.
Rakuda らくだ KiHa 58 Series 2 (initial), 4 (final) Seating 1983 (initial introduction) 1987 KiHa 58 series Kagoshima Has a Karaoke machine. Retired due to the Privatisation of JNR and was converted into Yutopia and Kichishiroku.

Loco hauled

JR Hokkaido

DMU

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Withdrawn Converted from Depot/region Remarks
Furano Express フラノエクスプレス 4 Seating December 1986 November 1998 KiHa 80 series Naebo KiHa 84-1 + KiHa 80-501 + KiHa 83-1 + KiHa 84-101
Mountain Lake Onuma マウントレイク大沼 3 Seating July 1999 2002 KiHa 80 series Naebo Converted from former "Tomamu & Sahoro Express".
Tomamu & Sahoro Express トマムサホロエクスプレス 5 Seating December 1987 July 1999 KiHa 80 series Naebo Converted to become "Mountain Lake Onuma".
Alpha Continental Express アルファコンチネンタルエクスプレス 3/4 Seating December 1985 1995 Naebo Replaced from "Furano Express".
Niseko Express ニセコエクスプレス 3 Seating December 1988 November 2017 KiHa 183 series Naebo
Asahiyama Dobutsuen 旭山動物園号 5 Seating April 2007 March 2018 KiHa 183 series Sapporo
Crystal Express Tomamu & Sahoro クリスタルエクスプレス トマム・サホロ 4 Seating December 1989 September 2019 KiHa 183 series Naebo Initially 3 cars
North Rainbow Express ノースレインボーエクスプレス 5 Seating July 1992 2023 KiHa 183 series Naebo
Kutsurogi (KiHa 29) くつろぎ KiHa 29 series 3 Tatami 1973 1997 KiHa 27 series Sapporo First iteration of "Kutsurogi". Originally painted in regular JNR colors with a green band. Supplanted by a KiHa 59 based trainset in 1984.
Kutsurogi (KiHa 56) くつろぎ KiHa 56-500 2 Tatami 1984 1997 KiHa 56 series Sapporo The cars were named "Onuma" and "Toyako". Scrapped in 1997 along with the KiHa 29 based set.
Kutsurogi (KiHa 400) くつろぎ KiHa 400-500 3 Tatami 1998 2015 KiHa 56 series Sapporo
Kutsurogi (KiHa 183)くつろぎ 3 Tatami 1999 2015/2022 KiHa 183 series Sapporo KiHa 182-6001 was scrapped in 2015 while the remaining cars operated in a 2 car set. They were repainted into regular JR Hokkaido Limited Express color scheme and the "Kutsurogi" nameplate was dropped. The set was scrapped in 2022.

JR East

EMU

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Withdrawn Converted from Depot/region Remarks
Joyful Train Alpha ジョイフルトレイン・アルファ 3 Seating December 1995 May 2001 165 series Niigata Converted from Shuttle Maihama.
Ayano 彩野 6 Seating March 2006 2011 183 series Nikkō Replaced by 253 series.
IZU CRAILE 伊豆クレイル 4 Seating July 2016 March 2020 651 series Izu The name "CRAILE" came from C (Cool), Rail, and E (Elegant). Jointly operated by JR East and Izukyū Corporation.
FruiTea Fukushima フルーティアふくしま 2 Seating 2015 Dec 24th, 2023 719 series Sendai Will be replaced by SATONO.
Irohaいろは 4 Seating 2018 11 March 2022 2 doors removed per side and LCD screen inserted.
Nanohana なのはな 6 Tatami March 1986 August 1998 165 series Chiba First EMU-based Joyful Train. Replaced by New Nanohana.
New Nanohana ニューなのはな 6 Tatami February 1998 August 2016 485 series Makuhari, Chiba
Resort Yamadori リゾートやまどり 6 Seating 2011 11 December 2022 485 series Takasaki Rebuilt from former Seseragi and two cars of former Yamanami.[13] Last 485 series train in service.
Zipangu ジパング 4 Seating 1 April 2012 10 October 2021 485 series Rebuilt from former Yamanami end cars and two 485-3000 series intermediate cars.[14]
Panorama Express Alps パノラマエクスプレスアルプス 6 Seating March 1987 September 2001 165 series Mitaka, Tokyo Sold to Fuji Kyuko in December 2001.
Seseragi せせらぎ 4 Tatami March 2001 2010 485 series Takasaki Replaced loco-hauled Yasuragi set. Combined with Yamanami and rebuilt as Resort Yamadori.
四季彩 4 Seating April 2001 July 2009 201 series Hachioji, Tokyo A 4-car 201 series set (W1) was modified in 2001 by JR East to become the special Shikisai (四季彩) tourist train, entering service on the Ōme Line from 4 August 2001. This train featured panorama windows and transverse seating bays on one side of the train only. It was repainted into a new livery in June 2005. The train was withdrawn from regular service at the end of June 2009, with a number of special finale runs scheduled for July. 
Irodori 彩 6 Seating/compartments December 2006 30 September 2017 485 series Nagano
No.Do.Ka NO・DO・KA 3 Carpet October 2001 7 January 2018 183/189 series Niigata Formerly Sylphide. Can be diesel-hauled. Cab car uses the same design as that on Panorama Express Alps.
Utage 宴 4 Tatami June 1994 23 February 2019 485 series Oyama
Hana 華 6 Tatami March 1997 30 October 2022 485 series Oyama
Resort Express Yū リゾートエクスプレスゆう 6 Tatami March 1991 2 January 2018 183/189 series Mito Can be diesel-hauled.
Shuttle Maihama シャトルマイハマ 3 Seating March 1990 December 1995 165 series Chiba Converted to become Joyful Train Alpha.
Sylphide シルフィード 3 Seating September 1990 2001 485 series Niigata Converted to No.Do.Ka
Yamanami やまなみ 4 Tatami April 1999 2010 485 series Takasaki Replaced loco-hauled Kutsurogi set. Intermediate cars combined with Seseragi and rebuilt as Resort Yamadori. End cars rebuilt to form Zipangu.
Kirakira Uetsu きらきらうえつ 4 Seating November 2001 29 September 2019 485 series Niigata Replaced by Kairi.
Genbi Shinkansen 現美新幹線 6 Seating 2016 19 December 2020 E3 series Shinkansen Niigata
ToreiyuとれいゆE3-700 series6 Seating (car 11), ozashiki (cars 12 to 14), lounge (car 15), ashiyu foot baths (car 16) 2014 6 March 2022 Yamagata Operations ended in March 2022,[15] with its retirement likely spurred by a decline in ridership caused by COVID-19 restrictions.[16]

DMU

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Withdrawn Converted from Depot/region Remarks
Furusato ふるさと 3 Seating April 2001 August 2016[17] KiHa 48 Sendai Converted from former Manyū set.
Kogane こがね 3 Seating July 2003 July 2011 KiHa 58 series Sendai Converted from former Gracia set. Shipped to Philippines August 2011.[18]
Resort Minori リゾートみのり 3 Seating October 2008 August 2020 KiHa 48 series Sendai
Kirakira Michinoku きらきらみちのく 3 Seating July 2002 November 2010 KiHa 48 series Aomori Converted into Resort Umineko
Resort Umineko リゾートうみねこ 3 Seating April 2011 March 2020 KiHa 48 series Iwate Converted from Kirakira Michinoku.
Umineko うみねこ 2 Seating 2006 2011 KiHa 48 series Iwate Replaced by Resort Umineko. Train remained in use without Umineko badging till 2017.
Resort Asunaro リゾートあすなろ 2 Seating December 2010 August 2023 Purpose-Built Aomori 2 sets in total. Converted to Hinabi and Satono.
Elegance Acky エレガンスアッキー KiHa 59 3 Seating 1985 1997 KiHa 28/58 Akita Formerly operated by JNR.
Cruising Train クルージングトレイン 2 Seating 2011 2023 KiHa 48 Akita Formerly Resort Shirakami "Aoike" (Replaced by HB-E300, Initially 4 cars).
Akita Cruise Train あきたクルーズ号 4 Seating 2010 2020 KiHa 48 Akita Formerly Resort Shirakami "Buna" (Replaced by HB-E300). Exclusively operated between Akita and Akita Port for passengers of cruise ships calling there. In 2020, the train was replaced by non-dedicated GV-E400 series trains.
Salon Express Arcadia サロンエクスプレスアルカディア KiHa 58 series3 Seating 19811988 KiHa 58/28 series Niigata Formerly 2 cars, central car added in 1985. Destroyed by fire in 1988. End cars repaired and used as spectator transport for 1992's Sanriku Expo, then rebuilt as Kenji.
Kenji Kenji KiHa 58 series3 Seating 2002 2018 KiHa 58/28 series Morioka End cars converted from former Salon Express Arcadia set.
Obako おばこ KiHa 58 series3 Tatami 1984 2004 KiHa 58 series Akita Formerly known as Komachi from 1991 until 1997, when the Komachi name was given to the Shinkansen service.
Edelweiss エーデルワイス KiHa 58 series3 Seating 1988 2002 KiHa 58 series Morioka
Carpet Car カーペット車 KiHa 58 series4 Carpet 1985 2002 KiHa 58 series Niigata Replaced by Nodoka in 2002

Loco hauled

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Withdrawn Converted from Depot/region Remarks
Edo 江戸 12 series6 February 1986 March 2003 12 series Shinagawa
Fureai ふれあい SuRo 81 series 6 Tatami March 1980 July 1990 SuRo 62 series Mito
Fureai Ai ふれあい愛 12 series6 Tatami 1980 1990 12 series Nagano
Fureai Michinoku ふれあいみちのく 12 series6 Tatami July 1986 May 2002 12 series Morioka
Kutsurogi (JR East) くつろぎ 12 series6 Tatami June 1983 September 1999 12 series Takasaki
Nagoyaka なごやか 12 series6 Tatami March 1981 July 1997 12 series Oku, Tokyo
Nostalgic View Train ノスタルジックビュートレイン 2 x 3-car sets Seating 1990 1997 50 series Akita Hauled by dedicated Class DE10 diesel locomotives. Replaced by Resort Shirakami DMU
Orient Saloon オリエントサルーン 12 series6 Tatami January 1987 November 2000 12 series Fukushima
Ozashiki Ressha お座敷列車 ("カヌ座") 12 series7 Tatami July 1981 February 2002 12 series Niigata
Roman 浪漫 14 series6 Tatami November 1995 March 2007 14 series Nagano Repainted to gold and wine red in 2000. Replaced Shirakaba and replaced by Irodori.
Salon Express Tokyo サロンエクスプレス東京 14 series7 Seating August 1983 January 1997 14 series Shinagawa Converted to become Yutori trainset.
Shirakaba 白樺 12 series6 Tatami July 1983 November 1995 12 series Nagano Withdrawn and replaced by Roman.
Super Express Rainbow スーパーエクスプレスレインボー 12/14 series 7 Seating March 1987 March 2000 12/14 series Oku
Yasuragi やすらぎ 12 series6 Tatami April 1986 March 2001 12 series TakasakiSold to Watarase Railway, becoming "Salon de Watarase".
Yutori ゆとり 14 series6 Tatami May 1997 March 2008 14 series Oku, Tokyo Converted from former Salon Express Tokyo trainset.
SL Ginga SL銀河 4 Seating 12 April 2014[19] 11 June 2023 KiHa 141 series Iwate

JR Central

EMU

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Withdrawn Converted from Depot/region Remarks
Train117 トレイン117 4 Seating August 2010 21 July 2013 (final run)[20] 117 series Ōgaki KuHa 116-206 + MoHa 116-45 + MoHa 117-45 + KuHa 117-23
Yū Yū Tōkai ゆうゆう東海 3 Seating July 1989 November 1999 165 series Shizuoka Kumoha 165-701 + MoHa 164-701 + KuHa 165-701

Loco hauled

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Withdrawn Converted from Depot/region Remarks
Ikoi いこい 12 series6 Tatami 1982 February 1997 12 series Numazu → Nagoya The cars remained in regular 12 Series paint scheme, unlike other Joyful Train sets. It's the second time the name Ikoi has been used for a named train in Japan, as it was used before by JNR.
Euroliner ユーロライナー 12-700 series7 SeatingAugust 1985 April 2005 12 series Nagoya Euroliner liveried locos:
EF64 35/66
EF65 105/106/112
DD51 592/791/1037
Ozashiki Ressha お座敷列車 ("ナコ座") 12 series6 Tatami March 1983 October 1999 12 series Nagoya

JR West

DMU

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Withdrawn Converted from Depot/region Remarks
Edel Tango エーデル丹後 KiHa 65 series2 Seating July 1988 March 1996 KiHa 65 series Kyoto KiHa 65 601 + KiHa 65 1601
Operated in conjunction with 183-800 series Kitakinki EMU services between Osaka.
Edel Tottori エーデル鳥取 KiHa 65 series4 Seating March 1989 October 1999 KiHa 65 series Kyoto
Edel エーデル KiHa 65 series4 Seating December 1989 October 2004 KiHa 65 series Kyoto
YUtopia ゆぅトピア KiHa 65 series2 Seating/Carpet December 1986 March 1995 KiHa 65 series Kanazawa KiRo 65 1 + KiRo 65 1001
Operated in conjunction with 485 series Raichō EMU services between Kyoto and Osaka.
Resort Saloon Festa リゾートサルーン・フェスタ KiHa 58 series3 Seating July 1988 November 2001 KiHa 58 series Hiroshima KiRo 59 552 + KiRo 29 553 + KiRo 59 553. The "mouth" in the front of the train can open.
VIVA West ビバ・ウエスト 2 Seating August 1989 March 1999 KiHa 58 series Yamaguchi KiHa 59 501 + KiHa 29 501
Seychelle セイシェル KiHa 58 series3 Seating/Carpet October 1989 January 2005 KiHa 58 series/12 seriesFukuchiyama KiRo 59 554 + KiSaRo 59 501 + KiRo 59 555
Golden Express Astre ゴールデンエクスプレスアストル KiHa 65/KiHa 58 series3 Seating March 1988 December 2006 KiHa 65/KiHa 58 series Kanazawa KiRo 65 551 + KiRo 29 552 + KiRo 65 1551
Fureai Pal ふれあいパル KiHa 58 series2 Carpet April 1986 October 2007 KiHa 58 series Hiroshima KiRo 59 504 + KiRo 29 503
Fureai Sun-in ふれあいSUN-IN KiHa 58 series3 Tatami April 1986 July 2008 KiHa 58 series Yonago KiRo 59 506 + KiRo 59 505 + KiRo 29 507
Honobono Sun-in ほのぼのSUN-IN KiHa 58 series2 Tatami November 1987 November 2009 KiHa 58 series Yonago KiRo 59 551 + KiRo 29 551
Misuzu Shiosai みすゞ潮彩 2 Seating July 2007 January 2017 KiHa 47 Yamaguchi Converted to become Maru Maru No Hanashihttps://www.westjr.co.jp/press/article/2016/08/page_9065.html https://web.archive.org/web/20170202234710/http://www.jr-odekake.net/train/misuzu/index.html
Tenkū no shiro Takedajōato 天空の城 竹田城跡号 1 Seating March 2015 May 2019 KiHa 40 Hyōgo Converted to become Umiyamamusubi
Setouchi Marine View 瀬戸内マリンビュー 2 Seating October 2005 December 2019 KiHa 47 Hiroshima Converted to become etSETOrahttps://www.westjr.co.jp/press/article/2019/11/page_15291.html

Loco hauled

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Withdrawn Converted from Depot/region Remarks
Holiday Pal ホリデーパル /14 series8 CompartmentsJune 1984 September 1997 20/14 series Hiroshima
Ozashiki Kyakusha Joyful Train お座敷客車ジョイフルトレイン 12 series6 Tatami July 1981 1989 12 series Wakayama Withdrawn 1989 and converted to become Ikiiki Salon Kinokuni.
Ikiiki Salon Kinokuni いきいきサロンきのくに 12 series6 Tatami September 1989 June 2007 12 series Wakayama Converted from former Ozashiki Kyakusha Joyful Train.
Fukuchiyama Ikoi いこい 12 series1 Mixed April 1985 1989 12 series FukichiyamaHalf in Japanese style, half in Western style. Later incorporated into Seychelle.
Tabiji 旅路 12-800 series6 Tatami July 1981 30 September 2007 12 series Hiroshima [21]
Wakuwaku Danran わくわく団らん 12 series6 Tatami July 1982 December 2006 12 series Kanazawa
Yuu Yuu Salon Okayama ユウユウサロン岡山 12 series6 Seating November 1985 March 2011 12 series Okayama Originally named "ゆうゆうサロン岡山". Refurbished and repainted in January 1994.
Asuka あすか 12 series/14 series7 Tatami/Seating November 1987 31 March 2018 12/14 series Miyahara, Osaka[22]
SL Yamaguchi (12 series) SLやまぐち号（12系） 12 series5 Seating July 1988 September 2017 12 series Yamaguchi Sold to Ōigawa Railway in February 2018.
Okuizumo Orochi 奥出雲おろち号 12 series2 Seating April 1998 November 2023 12 series Goto Replaced by Ametuchi. Had a dedcicated locomotive.
SL Kita-Biwako SL北びわこ号 12 series5 Seating August 1995 November 2019 12 series Shiga

JR Shikoku

DMU

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Withdrawn Converted from Depot/region Remarks
Island Express Shikoku II アイランドエクスプレス四国II 2 Seating August 1999 2021 KiHa 185 series Takamatsu KiRo 186 4 + KiRo 186 8
Iyonada Monogatari (KiHa 47) 伊予灘ものがたり 2 Seating 2014 2021 KiHa 47 series Tadotsu Replaced by a KiHa 185 based train with the same name.
Tabidachi旅立ち KiHa 58 Series 4 Seating March 1987 April 1987 KiHa 58 series Takamatsu Modified to accommodate group excursions over the Great Seto Bridge.

Loco hauled

JR Kyushu

DMU

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Withdrawn Converted from Depot/region Remarks
Aso 1962 あそ1962 KiHa 58 series2 Seating July 2006 26 December 2010 KiHa 58 series Kumamoto
Hayato no Kaze はやとの風 2 Seating March 2004 March 2022 KiHa 47 Kagoshima Former KiHa 140 series car converted to become Ibusuki no Tamatebako car in March 2012.[23] Rest of the train was converted to become Two Stars 4047.
Holland Village Express オランダ村特急 4 Seating 20 March 1988 July 1992 Purpose-built – Operated in conjunction with 485 series Ariake EMU services between Kokura and Hakata. Converted to become Yufuin no Mori II.
Siebold シーボルト 4 Seating March 1999 March 2004 KiHa 183-1000 series – Converted from former Yufuin no Mori II. Converted to become Yufu DX. Named after German botanist Philipp Franz von Siebold.
Toro-Q TORO-Q KiHa 58 + ToRa 70000 + KiHa 655 Seating October 2002 August 2010 KiHa 58 + ToRa 70000 + KiHa 65 – DMU cars repainted and reverted to regular use following withdrawal of train.
Yufu DX ゆふDX 4 Seating March 2004 January 2011 KiHa 183-1000 series Oita Formerly Holland Village Express, Yufuin no Mori II, and Siebold.
Withdrawn 10 January 2011 and converted to become Aso Boy.[24]
Yufuin no Mori II ゆふいんの森II 4 Seating July 1992 March 1999 KiHa 183-1000 series – Converted from former Holland Village Express. Converted to become Siebold.
Isaburo Shinpei いさぶろう・しんぺい 3 Seating 2009 March 2023 KiHa 47 series – Converted to become Kampachi Ichiroku.

Loco hauled

Name Japanese Classification No. of cars Accommodation Introduced Withdrawn Converted from Depot/region Remarks
Panorama Liner Southern Cross パノラマライナーサザンクロス 12 series6 Seating March 1987 March 1994 12 series Mojiko
SL Aso BoySLあそBOY 3 Seating August 1988 2005 50 series Kumamoto The train is nicknamed SL Hitoyoshi due to the engine's former static preservation location in Hitoyoshi. The steam engine used for the SL Aso Boy service broke down in August 2005, necessitating repairs and was eventually replaced by a JNR DE10 series diesel locomotive. Out of service due to repairs until 2009, the train was brought back into service as the SL Hitoyoshi.
SL Hitoyoshi SL人吉 3 Seating 2009 March 2024 50 series Kumamoto In 2009, the SL Hitoyoshi name is made official with Aso 1962 taking over the Aso line from the former SL Aso Boy. Ran as SL Kimetsu no Yaiba in 2020 as collaboration with the movie. Due to the age of the locomotive, JR Kyushu withdrew the SL Hitoyoshi from service in March 23 2024.

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: ja: JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 . JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009. Neko Publishing . 2009 . Japan . ja . 410. 978-4-7770-0836-0. Jēāru zensharyō handobukku: Rail Magazine 2009.
  2. Book: Ogano, Minoru . ja: ジョイフルトレイン図鑑 . Joyful Train Directory . JTB Can Books . 2009 . Tokyo, Japan . 978-4-533-07720-3. ジョイフルトレイン図鑑: 国鉄からJrへ。時代を駆け抜けた花形列車の記録 .
  3. Web site: せとうちを中心とした広域的な観光の推進に向けた観光列車の導入について 車両名称「ラ・マル・ド・ボァ」：JR西日本. westjr.co.jp.
  4. 新たな長距離列車の列車名・エクステリア・設備愛称名の決定について. 2019-03-19. 2019-03-21. 西日本旅客鉄道.
  5. Web site: 城端線・氷見線観光列車「べるもんた」の車両が完成しました：JR西日本. westjr.co.jp.
  6. Web site: 七尾線観光列車の列車名決定について 「花嫁のれん」：JR西日本. westjr.co.jp.
  7. Web site: 岡山県北部エリアへ向けた観光列車の導入について 車両名称「ノスタルジー」：JR西日本. westjr.co.jp.
  8. Web site: 絶景の山陰線を駆ける、新観光列車の列車名とデザインについて：JR西日本. westjr.co.jp.
  9. 黒い787「36ぷらす3」2020年 秋 運行開始！ . Kyushu Railway Company. 21 November 2019. ja . 27 July 2020.
  10. ja: JR九州 キハ47形改造車 "指宿のたまて箱". JR Kyushu converted KiHa 47 Ibusuki no Tamatebako. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine . 40. 324. 80–81. Kōtsū Shimbun . Japan . April 2011.
  11. ja:「或る列車」としてデビュー！ キロシ47形 . KiRoShi 47 series debuts as "Aru Ressha". . 55. 654 . 66–68 . Koyusha Co., Ltd. . Japan . ja . October 2015.
  12. Web site: http://mainichi.jp/select/news/20120529k0000m020082000c.html . ja:JR九州:豪華列車「ななつ星」 来年10月から運行 . JR Kyushu deluxe train Seven Stars in service from October 2013 . 28 May 2012 . Mainichi jp . The Mainichi Newspapers . Japan . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20120701193455/http://mainichi.jp/select/news/20120529k0000m020082000c.html . 1 July 2012 . 29 May 2012 . dead .
  13. ja:JR東日本 485系改造車"リゾートやまどり". JR East converted 485 series "Resort Yamadori". Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine . 40. 327. 70. Kōtsū Shimbun . Japan . July 2011.
  14. ja: 485系ジョイフルトレイン「ジパング」. 485 series Zipangu Joyful Train . . 52. 614. 90. Kōyūsha Co., Ltd.. Japan . June 2012.
  15. Web site: ありがとう とれいゆ つばさ:JR東日本 . 2023-01-22 . jreast.co.jp . Japanese.
  16. Web site: Farewell Toreiyu Tsubasa: It's hard to say goodbye.... 2023-01-22 . JR Times .
  17. Web site: http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2016/09/jr_2195.html. ja: JR東 "ふるさと"廃車回送 . JR East "Furusato" sent for scrapping. 7 September 2016 . RM News. Neko Publishing Co., Ltd.. Japan. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20160907135152/http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2016/09/jr_2195.html. 7 September 2016. live . 7 September 2016.
  18. ja: 車両のうごき2011-2012. Rolling Changes 2011-2012. . 52. 615. 88–89. Koyusha Co., Ltd.. Japan . July 2012.
  19. Web site: http://railf.jp/news/2014/04/14/180500.html. ja: "SL銀河"が営業運転を開始. "SL Ginga" enters revenue service. 14 April 2014. Japan Railfan Magazine Online. Koyusha Co., Ltd.. Japan. ja. 14 April 2014.
  20. Web site: http://railf.jp/news/2013/07/22/163000.html. ja: JR東海「Train117」の運用終了. JR Central "Train117" withdrawn from service. 22 July 2013. Japan Railfan Magazine Online. Koyusha Co., Ltd.. Japan. ja. 6 August 2013.
  21. Web site: http://rail.hobidas.com/photo/?09261300. ja:消えた車輌写真館. Disappeared Rolling Stock Photo Gallery. 26 September 2011. Tetsudo Hobidas. Neko Publishing. Japan. ja. 26 September 2011.
  22. [交友社]
  23. Web site: http://railf.jp/news/2012/03/20/100000.html. ja:キハ140 2066が「指宿のたまて箱」仕様になって出場. KiHa 140 2066 outshopped as Ibusuki no Tamatebako car. 20 March 2012. Japan Railfan Magazine Online. Koyusha Co., Ltd.. Japan. ja. 20 March 2012.
  24. ja: 観光列車「あそ1962」、特急「ゆふDX」さよなら企画について. Details of "Aso 1962" and "Yufu DX" Sayonara Schedule. JR Kyushu. 20 October 2010. http://www13.jrkyushu.co.jp/newsreleaseweb.nsf/9dd28b8cb8f46cee49256a7d0030d2e6/18da528c55e44b8a492577c20057fa89?OpenDocument. ja. 21 October 2010.

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