Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective
Joyful Train
Japanese train sets used for charters, special events and tourist excursions From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
Joyful Train (ジョイフルトレイン, joifuru torein) 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, often called notte tanoshii ressha (のってたのしい列車; lit. 'fun-to-ride train') in Japanese, and their distinctions are made ambiguous. This page includes all trains considered "Joyful trains" and "Sightseeing trains".
Remove ads
History
Summarize
Perspective
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. The first JR-operated train to be referred to as a 'tourist train' was the Nostalgic View Train, launched by JR East in 1990. Unlike previous Group trains, the Nostalgic View Train exclusively operated on the Gono Line as a primarily sightseeing-oriented service. Due to the popularity of the train, it was later supplanted and replaced by the Resort Shirakami which continue to operate today, and other JR East lines followed suit with Kirakira Uetsu on the Uetsu Line (later replaced by the Kairi) and Kirakira Michinoku in the Nanbu area of Aomori. 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.
Remove ads
Lines in operation
![]() | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (March 2025) |
JR Hokkaido
DMU
- Dōhoku Ryūhyō no Megumi
- Dōō Hana no Megumi
- Sanmei, 2020
- Shisui, 2021
Loco hauled
JR East
EMU
- Nagomi on an Imperial Train run, 2012
- B.B.Base, January 2021
- The Royal Express in 2022
DMU
- Pokemon With You Train in updated livery, January 2018
- Pokemon With You Train in initial livery, December 2012
- View Coaster Kazekko, November 2005
- Interior of View Coaster Kazekko
- Tohoku Emotion, 2014
- Oykot, 2015
- Kairi, July 2022
- Hinabi, October 2023
- Satono, April 2024
- High Rail 1375, July 2017
Loco hauled
- The Banetsu Monogatari trainset hauled by D51 498, April 2011
- Cassiopeia Travologue, 2016
Remove ads
JR West
EMU
- La Malle de Bois 213-7000 series operating the La Malle Setouchi service, Spring 2016
- WEST EXPRESS Ginga 117-7000 series, April 2020
DMU
- Belles Montagnes el Mer KiHa 40 series, May 2016
- Maru Maru No Hanashi KiHa 40 series, October 2022
- Nostalgie
- Umiyamamsubi
- Hanayome Noren, May 2016
- Ametuchi KiHa 47 series, October 2022
- etSETOra
- Sakubi Sakura
Loco hauled
- SL Yamaguchi 35-4000 series, September 2017
Remove ads
JR Shikoku
Summarize
Perspective
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
- Tetsudo Hobby Train, March 2014
- Shikoku Mannaka Sennen Monogatari
- Shikoku Tosa Toki no Yoake no Monogatari
- Kaiyodo Hobby Train in its most recent paint scheme
Remove ads
JR Kyushu
Summarize
Perspective
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".
EMU
- 36 + 3, October 2020
DMU
- Aso Boy, January 2023
- A-Train, January 2023
- Ibusuki no Tamatebako, February 2011
- Ibusuki no Tamatebako dispensing mist upon door opening
- Car 3, KiHa 140-2066 of Ibusuki no Tamatebako. Note the enlarged observation window.
- Umisachi Yamasachi, December 2024
- Yufuin no Mori, August 2017
- New Yufuin no Mori, January 2023
- Aru Ressha, October 2015
- Two Stars 4047
- Kampachi / Ichiroku
- Orange Restruant
Loco hauled
- The Seven Stars in Kyushu trainset hauled by DF200 7000, November 2013
Remove ads
Past Joyful Train sets
JNR
DMU
Loco hauled
- Miyabi 14-800 series car
- Miyabi operating the BanNokogo service
JR Hokkaido
DMU
- Furano Express KiHa 80 series DMU, 1990
- Mountain Lake Onuma KiHa 80 series DMU
- Tomamu & Sahoro Express KiHa 80 series DMU, 1992
- Alpha Continental Express KiHa 59 series DMU in 1994
- Kutsurogi (KiHa 29) in 1986
- Kutsurogi (KiHa 56-552) in 1991
- Kutsurogi (KiHa 400-502)
- Kutsurogi (KiHa 183-6101) in 2009
Loco-Hauled
JR East
EMU
- Nanohana 165 series EMU, 1990
- Joyful Train Alpha
- Panorama Express Alps 165 series EMU, 1990
- Iroha 205-600 series EMU, October 2019
- Interior of 205-600 series Iroha
- Seseragi 485 series EMU, May 2009
- Shuttle Maihama 165 series EMU, 1990
- Yamanami, January 2010
- Interior of 485 series Yamanami
- E3-700 R18 Toreiyu, July 2014
- Hana, October 2006
- New Nanohana, July 2003
- Nodoka, August 2009
- Resort Express Yū, May 2006
- Resort Yamadori, July 2011
- Utage, September 2006
- Interior of 485 series Utage
- Zipangu, April 2017
- Kirakira Uetsu, 2012
- Genbi Shinkansen, 2016
- Interior of E3 series Genbi Shinkansen
- Fruitea Fukushima, April 2015
- Ayano running a Nikkō Limited Express service
- IZU CRAILE, 2016
DMU
- KiHa 48 Furusato operating as a 2-car formation in November 2007
- Resort Minori, April 2020
- The two Resort Asunaro sets in December 2010
- Kirakira Michinoku
- Resort Umineko
- Umineko
- Akita Cruise Train, 2019
- Obako while in service as Komachi
- Paintscheme of the Elegance Acky
Loco hauled
- The Nostalgic View Train circa 1992
- Fureai in JNR service as Ozashiki Shinagawa
- C58 239 hauling the SL Ginga
- Roman
- Shirakaba
- Salon Express Tokyo
- JR East's Kutsurogi
- Edo
- Yasuragi
- Yasuragi as Salon de Watarase
- The remains of Salon de Watarase in an insect shop in Kiryu, Gunma
- Fureai Michinoku
- Orient Saloon
- Super Express Rainbow
- American Train
- Yutori
JR Central
EMU
- The Train117 in August 2010
- The Yū Yū Tōkai joyful train on Yamakita station in 1992
DMU
- Resort Liner KiHa 80 series DMU in 1989
Loco hauled
JR West
EMU
- Super Saloon Yumeji 211/213 series, January 2007
DMU
- Setouchi Marine View, 2005
- Misuzu Shiosai
- Tenku no Shiro Takedajoato, 2015
- Seychelle
- Resort Saloon Festa
- Honobono Sun-In
- Fureai Pal
- Fureai Sun-In
Loco hauled
- Holiday Pal
- Fukuchiyama Ikoi
- Ozasiki Kyakusha
- Wakuwaku Danran
- Tabiji prior to refurbishment
- Tabiji after refurbishment. Photo taken on its final run in September 2007
- Okuizumo Orochi in 2017
- Kinokuni Sea Side
JR Shikoku
DMU
- Island Express Shikoku II
- Iyonada Monogatari
- Tabidachi
Loco hauled
- Island Express Shikoku
JR Kyushu
DMU
- Aso 1962, December 2006
- Hayato no Kaze, July 2009
- Holland Village Express KiHa 183-1000 series in 1990
- Siebold KiHa 183-1000 series in 2000
- Toro-Q set led by KiHa 65 36 in July 2008
- Yufu DX in September 2009
- Kawasemi Yamasemi
- Isaburo / Shinpei
- Kawasemi Yamasemi (front) and Isaburo / Shinpei (rear) coupled together in 2020
- Yufuin no Mori II KiHa 183-1000 series in July 1998
Loco hauled
- SL Aso Boy
- SL Aso Boy converted to look like Galaxy Express 999 at Suizenji Station
- SL Hitoyoshi
- SL Hitoyoshi as SL Kimetsu no Yaiba
Remove ads
See also
References
Further reading
External links
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads