- 2023.01.31
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Travel back in time aboard this luxury train
Trains in Japan are famous for being swift, clean and always on time, and those in Kochi are no exception. While many people use trains to commute to work, school or go about their daily business, today we’ll introduce you to a special sightseeing train where it’s all about the romance of the journey!
Welcome to “Shikoku Tosa Toki no Yoakeno Monogatari” (which means “Tale of the Dawn of an Era”)
In 2020, Japan Railways (JR) Shikoku launched a new luxury train on the Dosan Line between Kochi and Kubokawa stations. During the journey, passengers can enjoy a range of majestic views of the serene countryside, sparkling Pacific Ocean and more!
The retro yet elegant two-car train celebrates the history of Kochi as well, which makes it feel like a time-travel experience. For example, the first car is called Kurofune (“Black Ship”), which refers to the historical American steamships that arrived in Japan in 1853, paving the way for the country to open up to the world after over 250 years of self-isolation. The train also runs along the same route that Kochi-born hero Ryoma Sakamoto traveled during his escape at the end of the Edo Period (he played an instrumental role in the collapse of the feudal regime in 1868). It’s a powerful experience to look at the expansive mountains and coastline views that have remained more or less the same over the course of such drastic political and social evolutions throughout the country’s history
The second car with a more fantastical white color scheme is Sorafune (“Sky Ship”), with a nod to Ryoma’s dreams for the future of Japan after the wheels were set in motion for modernization, following the end of the feudal era
To enrich your experience further, I highly recommend reserving one of the onboard meals in advance, which uses a range of Kochi’s finest ingredients. Savor the flavors of Kochi as you travel through space and time
The one-way ticket from Kochi to Kubokawa costs 3,970 yen (extra cost for meals)
Make your reservations here: https://www.jr-shikoku.co.jp/yoakenomonogatari/en/index.html
Learn more about Kochi's trains: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/highlights/train
Welcome to “Shikoku Tosa Toki no Yoakeno Monogatari” (which means “Tale of the Dawn of an Era”)
In 2020, Japan Railways (JR) Shikoku launched a new luxury train on the Dosan Line between Kochi and Kubokawa stations. During the journey, passengers can enjoy a range of majestic views of the serene countryside, sparkling Pacific Ocean and more!
The retro yet elegant two-car train celebrates the history of Kochi as well, which makes it feel like a time-travel experience. For example, the first car is called Kurofune (“Black Ship”), which refers to the historical American steamships that arrived in Japan in 1853, paving the way for the country to open up to the world after over 250 years of self-isolation. The train also runs along the same route that Kochi-born hero Ryoma Sakamoto traveled during his escape at the end of the Edo Period (he played an instrumental role in the collapse of the feudal regime in 1868). It’s a powerful experience to look at the expansive mountains and coastline views that have remained more or less the same over the course of such drastic political and social evolutions throughout the country’s history
The second car with a more fantastical white color scheme is Sorafune (“Sky Ship”), with a nod to Ryoma’s dreams for the future of Japan after the wheels were set in motion for modernization, following the end of the feudal era
To enrich your experience further, I highly recommend reserving one of the onboard meals in advance, which uses a range of Kochi’s finest ingredients. Savor the flavors of Kochi as you travel through space and time
The one-way ticket from Kochi to Kubokawa costs 3,970 yen (extra cost for meals)
Make your reservations here: https://www.jr-shikoku.co.jp/yoakenomonogatari/en/index.html
Learn more about Kochi's trains: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/highlights/train
