HIGH RAIL 1375, the train runs JR’s highest point

Cruising train
Car #2 (C) Kurumi 1211 [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons
Specialized fleet of HIGH RAIL 1375 (C) D-s-yama [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons

This is one of JR East’s “Joyful Trains”. Joyful Train is operated by the specialized fleet with many attractions.

HIGH RAIL 1375 runs on Koumi line between Kobuchizawa and Komoro. Koumi line goes on the highest point in all JR lines. Koumi line is also known the line with beautiful mountain scenery.

I would like to tell you the detailed information about this train in this post.

Overview

HIGH RAIL 1375 is seasonal operation train which runs on Koumi line between Kobuchizawa and Komoro on weekend, holiday and peak period. Koumi line runs in the middle of Nagano prefecture at the base of Central Japan Alps mountains. This train makes many stops on Koumi line. One of stops is Nobeyama station which is the station at the highest point in all JR station. The highest point is located between Nobeyama and Kiyosato. The elevation is 1,375 m above sea level. The name of this train is originated from this elevation and train goes in the highland.

Route and station

Route map (click to view large)

HIGH RAIL 1375 runs on Koumi line between Kobuchizawa and Komoro. Koumi line runs in the middle of Nagano prefecture. This train makes many stops on Koumi line. One of stops is Nobeyama station which is the station at the highest point in all JR station. The highest point is located between Nobeyama and Kiyosato. The elevation is 1,375 m above sea level. The name of this train is originated from this elevation and train goes in the highland.

Schedule and trip time

This is seasonal operation train. It runs mainly on weekend, holiday and peak period. Please see the seasonal train information in the link below. You will find the operation dates of this train.

Seasonal train information

One round trip runs between Komoro and Kobuchizawa. In summer season, one trip from Kobuchizawa to Komoro in the evening. This train stops at Nobeyama for one hour to see stars. Trip time is 2 to 3.5 hours. But evening train spend one more hour because of stop at Nobeyama.

Accommodation

This train is operated by renovated diesel fleets. This train set was common fleet. However the interior is completely different.

Train formation

This train is two cars formation.

12
RR/G

R=Reserved seat G=Gallery
*All seats are non smoking.

All seats are reserved. Reservation is required to take this train. There is Night sky gallery at the end of car #2.

Interior images

Car #1 (C) (C) Kurumi 1211 [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons
Car #2 (C) Kurumi 1211 [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons

Fares and coverage by rail pass

Base fare and reserved seat fee are required to take this train. Reserved seat fee is 820 yen for adult and 410 yen for child (6 to 11 years). Please use Hyperdia to find the base fare:

Hyperdia perfect guide, train timetable and route search engine

The following rail passes covers this train fully. No extra charge is required.

I hope you enjoy riding this train!

Comments

  1. Joe Pan says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,
    Have you heard about this pass : JR北海道+JR東日本+3社の全線.
    http://tabi.iinaa.net/JapnPass/Wtohoku.html
    It’s Japanese only and I am a bit confuse about the area that it covers.
    Is it valid for the following area?
    1/ koumi line
    2/ choshi in chiba from tokyo
    3/ niigata/nagaoka from tokyo and sakata from Niagara
    4/ odawara/otsuki from tokyo
    I understand this pass is similar to the youth 18 pass.
    Thanks Takeshi-san.

    • Hi Joe san,

      All JR lines which you mentioned are covered. As you understand, it is very similar to Seishun 18 kippu but this covers JR Hokkaido and JR East area only. It does not allow to ride any limited express trains even if you add limited express surcharge. But you can ride Hokkaido Shinkansen between Shin-Aomori and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto with limited express ticket.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

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