Schedule of 2016 fall seasonal trains of Japan Railways

Fall foliage light up at Ninose station of Eizan Railway in Kyoto (C) Nkensei GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Autumn is the best season to travel in Japan. The climate is very mild and the scenery of fall foliage is breathtaking. JR will operate many seasonal trains for autumn high volume demand.

It is too many to introduce all seasonal trains. So I pick up the trains that run in the popular spots only.

JR Hokkaido (Hokkaido area)

Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko train

This train is operated by “Torokko” (open air type passenger’s car). This is a cruising train that goes through Kushiro marsh. Please refer the detail about this train at Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko train.

Operation dates
Train runs one round trip (#1, #2) only on the following dates.
Sep 26-30
Oct 1-10
Train runs 2 round trips on the following dates.
Sep 1-5,9-25

Timetable

If you are looking for more information about Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko train, please see the post, Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko train.

Hotels in Hiraizumi, Japan
Hotels in Sendai, Japan

Limited Express Asahiyama Dobutsuen

This train connects Sapporo with Asahikawa and is operated by Asahiyama Zoo featured train. Asahiyama Zoo is the most popular and the best zoo in Japan. The interior of this train is designed by Dr. Abe, former chief zoo keeper of Asahiyama Zoo. I am sure kids will love it! If you travel with your kids, try to get on this train!

Operation dates
Oct 1,2,8-10

Timetable
Sapporo 08:30 – Asahikawa 10:09
Asahikawa 15:42 – Sapporo 17:22
Train makes a stop at Iwamizawa and Takikawa.

Furano Lavender Express / Furano Koyo Express

Furano is very popular spot in Hokkaido during summer season. Only this train takes you to Furano from Sapporo directly. In this season, this train will be operated by specialized fleet, “Crystal Express” that has double deck and compartment. Please refer the detail about this train at Furano Lavender Express / Koyo Express.

Operation dates
Sep 3,4,10,11,17-19,22,24,25

Timetable

*Train stops at Iwamizawa, Takikawa and Ashibetsu.

If you are looking for more information about trains for Furano Lavender Express, please see the post, Furano Lavender Express / Koyo Express.

Furano Biei Norokko train

This train is operated by “Torokko” (open air type passenger’s car). This is a cruising train that goes on Furano line. Please refer the detail about this train at Furano Biei Norokko train.

Operation dates
Sep 3,4,10,11,17-19,22,24,25

Timetable

*Train makes stops at Biei, Bibaushi, Kami-Furano, Lavender-Batake and Naka-Furano.

If you are looking for more information about Furano Biei Norokko train, please see the post, Furano Biei Norokko train.

Hotels in Lake Kawaguchi, Fuji
Hotels in Sendai
Hotels in Tokyo

JR East (Tohoku and Kanto area)

Genbi Shinkansen

This newest Shinkansen train is called “The World Fastest Art Gallery”. There are many artwork displayed in the train.　This train is operated as train name, “Toki”.

Operation dates
Sep 3,4,10,11,17-19,22,24,25
Oct 1,2,8-10,15,16,22,23,29,30
Nov 3,5,6,12,13,19,20,23,26,27

Timetable

All trains stops at all stations between Echigo-yuzawa and Niigata.

Izu Craile

This is another JR East’s new train. It runs between Odawara and Izu. All seats are Green reserved seat.

Operation dates
All Saturday, Sunday and Holidays in September, October and November.

Timetable
Odawara 11:40 – 14:06 Izukyu-Shimoda
Izukyu-Shimoda 15:09 – 17:12 Odawara

Toreiyu Tsubasa

The first ever Shinkansen cruise train, Toreiyu Tsubsa. (C) James Chuang

This is the first ever Shinkansen train that has foot Onsen bath in the car.

Operation dates
Sep 3,4,10,11,17-19,22,24,25
Oct 1,2,8-10,15,16,22,23,29,30
Nov 3,5,6,12,13,19,20,26,27

Timetable
Fukushima 10:02 – 12:16 Shinjo
Shinjo 15:00 – 17:41 Fukushima

You can find more information about this train at the post, Toreiyu Tsubasa. First ever Shinkansen train that has foot bath.

SL Ginga

It is the newest SL train. It connects Hanamaki and Kamaishi. The interior is amazing. It display the world of Kenji Miyazawa who is a poet and author of children’s literature.

Operation dates
For Kamaishi
Oct 1,8
For Hanamaki
Oct 2

Timetable

Oykot

This train is the newest cruising trains of JR East. It runs between Nagano and Tokamachi on Iiyama line. It has old style Japanese housing interior.

Operation dates
Sep 3,4,17-19,22-25
Oct 1,2,8-10,29,30
Nov 3,5,6,23,26,27

Timetable

You can transfer to the following train, Koshino Shu*Kura at Tokamachi.

Shu*Kura

Shu*Kura is one of the newest cruising train of JR East. It promote Niigata local product, especially Japanese Sake (pure rice wine). It is like Sake tasting train. You can enjoy many kinds of Sake on board.

This train runs in Niigata prefecture. But route and schedule are not fixed. There are three routes in this fall.

Koshino Shu*Kura
Sep 2-4,16-19,22-25
Oct 7-10,21-23,28-30
Nov 3-6,23,25-27

Yuzawa Shu*Kura
Sep 9-11
Nov 11-13,18-20

Ryuto Shu*Kura
Sep 30
Oct 1,2,14-16

You can find more information about this train at the post, Enjoy premium Japanese Sake on board. Cruising train Koshino Shu*Kura.

Rapid Holiday Kaisoku Fujisan

This train connects Shinjuku and Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi) directly. Transfer at Otsuki station is not required. But if you use this train by Japan Rail Pass or JR East Pass, the basic fare between Otsuki and Kawaguchiko is not covered.

Operation dates
Saturday, Sunday and Holidays until end of November

Timetable

*Rapid Holiday Kaisoku Fujisan makes a stop at Mitaka, Tachikawa, Hachioji, Takao, Sagamiko, Uenohara, Shiotsu, Otsuki, Tsurushi, Tsuru-Bunkadaigakumae, Mitsutoge, Fujisan and Fujikyu-Highland.

Some of Resort Shirakami are operated by the newest Hybrid train.

Rapid Resort Shirakami

This train connects Akita with Aomori through Gono line that has one of the greatest scenery. This train is operated by the specialized train or the newest Hybrid train. This train has only reserved seat.

Operation dates and timetable

This train makes a stop at Oiwaki, Hachirogata, Moritake, Higashi-Noshiro, Noshiro, Akita-Shirakami, Iwadate, Juniko, WeSpa-Tsubakiyama, Fukaura, Senjojiki, Ajigasawa, Mutsu-Morita, Kizukuri, Goshogawara, Mutsu-Tsuruta, Itayanagi, Kawabe, Hirosaki and Shin-Aomori. If you need more information about this train, please refer Rapid Resort Shirakami.

Rapid SL Banestsu Monogatari

It is operated by steam locomotive and old style passenger’s cars between Niigata and Aizu-Wakamatsu.

Operation dates
Sep 3,4,10,11,17-19
Oct 1,2,8-10,15,16
Nov 3,5,12,23,26,27

Timetable
Niigata 9:30 – Aizu-Wakamatsu 13:35
Aizu Wakamatsu 15:25 – Niigata 19:06
This train makes a stop at Niitsu, Gosen, Sakihana, Mikawa, Tsugawa, Hideya, Nozawa, Yamato, Kitakata and Shiokawa.

If you need more info about this train, please see the post, Popular Steam Locomotive train, SL Banetsu Monogatari.

Rapid Resort Minori

This train connects Sendai with Shinjo via Naruko Onsen. It is operated by specialized train. You can see some images at JR East Sendai branch site.

Operation dates
Sep 2-4, 9-11,16-19,22-25,30
Oct 1,2,7-10,14-16,20-23,27-31
Nov 3-6,11-13,18-20,23,25-27

Timetable
Sendai 09:13 – 11:00 Naruko Onsen 11:23 – Shinjo 12:26
Shinjo 15:00 – 15:58 Naruko Onsen 16:00 – Sendai 17:39

This train makes a stop at Matsuhima, Kogota, Furukawa, Iwadeyama, Yubikan, Kawatabi-Onsen, Naruko-Gotenyu, Naruko-Onsen, Nakayamadaira-Onsen, Akakura-Onsen, Mogami and Semi-Onsen.

Rapid Resort View Furusato

This train connects Nagano with Minami-Otari via Matsumoto, Shinano-Omachi and Hakuba. It is operated by Hybrid train. You can see some images at JR East Nagano branch site.

Operation dates
Sep 1-5,9,12,16-19,22-26,30
Oct 1-3,7-10,14-17,21,24,28-31
Nov 3,4,11-14,18-21,23,25-28

Timetable
Nagano 09:04 – 10:29 Matsumoto 10:41 – 10:59 Hodaka 11:26 – 11:47 Shinano Omachi 11:51 – 12:23 Hakuba 12:29 – 12:47 Minami Otari
Minami Otari 15:16 – 15:31 Hakuba 15:37 – 16:13 Shinano Omachi 16:18 – 16:40 Hodaka 16:51 – 17:15 Matsumoto 17:23 – 18:28 Nagano

Rapid Kirakira Uetsu

This train connects Niigata and Sakata or Ugo-Honjo on Uetsu line. You can enjoy local foods and beautiful coast scenery of Sea of Japan. It is operated by specialized train “Kirakira Uetsu”. You can see some images at JR East Niigata branch site.

Operation dates
Sep 2-4,9-11,16-19,22-25,30
Oct 1*,2*,14,15*,16*,21-23,28-30
Nov 11-13,18-20,23,25-27

Timetable
Niigata 10:13 – 12:51 Sakata
Sakata 16:11 – Niigata 18:32

The following schedule is applied to the train that runs on the *mark dates.
Niigata 10:13 – 12:51 Sakata
Sakata 14:55 – Niigata 18:32
In this schedule, train stops at Kuwagawa station to enjoy the view of sunset on Nihonkai sea.

Overnight Rapid Moonlight Shinshu 81

This is very popular and hard to get the seat. This train does not have any non reserved seat. This train is operated by old type Limited Express cars. But there is no berth or compartment.

Operation date
Sep 2,9
Oct 7,8

Timetable
Shinjuku 23:54 – Hakuba 05:40
*There is no train to Shinjuku from Hakuba
This train makes a stop at Tachikawa, Hachioji, Otsuki, Shioyama, Kofu, Kobuchizawa, Chino, Kamisuwa, Shimosuwa, Okaya, Tatsuno, Shiojiri, Matsumoto, Toyoshina, Hodaka, Shinano-Omachi and Kamishiro.

JR Central (Chubu, Tokai and Hokuriku)

Rapid Nice Holiday Kisoji

This train goes on Chuo line and stop at the station where is near the post towns in Edo period. Any surcharge to take this train is not required. If you want to go to Matsumoto from Nagoya by single ticket, this train gives you the cheapest way to get there.

Operation dates
October 10-12,18,31

Timetable
Nagoya 08:15 – 11:10 Shiojiri
Shiojiri 14:18 – 17:18 Nagoya

*This train stops at Nakatsugawa, Minami-Kiso, Agematsu, Kiso-Fukushima, Yabuhara, Narai, Kiso-Hirasawa.

Hotels in Kobe
Hotels in Kyoto
Hotels in Osaka

JR West (Kansai, Hokuriku and Chugoku)

Hanayome Noren

This is new train that will start to run in this fall in Kanazawa. This train takes you to Wakura Onsen in Noto peninsula.

Operation dates
Sep 2-4,9-11,16-19,22-25,30
Oct 1,2,7-10,14-16,21-23,28-30
Nov 3-6,11-13,18-20,22,23,25-27

Timetable

The train makes stops at Nanao and Hakui. All seats are reserved. You cannot take this train without booking.

Belles montagnes et mer

This is new train that will start to run in this fall in Takaoka. This train runs on both Himi line and Johana line.

Operation dates
Himi line (between Takaoka and Himi)
Sep 3,10,17,24
Oct 1,8,15,22,29
Nov 5,12,19,26
Johana line (between Takaoka and Johana)
Sep 4,11,18,25
Oct 2,9,16,23,30
Nov 6,13,20,27

Timetable

Train #4 runs between Himi and Takaoka only. It does not go to Shin-Takaoka.
Train makes stops at Takaoka, Fushiki and Amaharashi.

Train makes stops at Shin-Takaoka, Tonami, Fukuno and Fukumitsu.

Sanyo Shinkansen 500 TYPE EVA

This is one of scheduled Kodama train that is operated by specialized “Neon Genesis Evangelion” wrapping fleet.

Operation dates
Sep 3-19,22,24-30
Oct 1-12,17-31
Nov 1-6,10-28

Timetable

This train stops at all stations between Shin-Osaka and Hakata on Sanyo Shinkansen line.

Rapid Setouchi Marine View

This train runs between Hiroshima and Mihara via Kure line. This train is operated by specialized train. Please check the images at the following links (JR West official site): Exterior | Reserved seat | Non reserved seat

Operation dates
Weekend and holidays from Sep 1 to Nov 27

Timetable
Hiroshima 10:02 – 10:50 Kure 10:52 – Mihara 12:28
Mihara 13:25 – 14:59 Kure 15:19 – Hiroshima 16:07
This train makes a stop at Aki-Kawajiri, Yasuura, Akizu, Tadaumi, Hiro and Takehara too.

Misuzu Shiosai

This train runs between Shin-Shimonoseki and Senzaki via Sanin line along the coast.

Operation dates
Weekend and holidays from Sep 1 to Nov 27

Timetable
Shin-Shimonoseki 9:59 – 10:08 Shimonoseki 10:21 – 12:26 Nagatoshi 12:28 – 12:34 Senzaki
Senzaki 12:46 – 12:50 Nagatoshi 12:55 – 15:15 Shimonoseki 15:19 – 15:28 Shin-Shimonoseki

SL Yamaguchi

This train is operated by C57 type steam locomotive between Shin-Yamaguchi and Tsuwano. This train has only reserved seat. (Japanese site link)

Operation dates
Sep 2,4,10,11,17-19,22,24,25
Oct 1,2,8-10,15,16,22,23,29,30
Nov 3,5,6,12,13,19,20

Timetable
Shin-Yamaguchi 10:48 – Tsuwano 12:58
Tsuwano 15:45 – Shin-Yamaguchi 17:30
This train makes a stop at Yuda-Onsen, Yamaguchi, Niho, Shinome, Choumonkyo, Jifuku, Nabekura and Tokusa.

JR Shikoku (Shiokoku)

Shiman Torokko train

This train is operated along Shimanto river by open air car. This open air car has just renovated by most popular train designer, Eiji Mitooka.

Operation dates
Oct 1,2,8-10,15,16,22,23,29,30
Nov 3-6,12,13,19,20,23,26,27

Timetable
Uwajima 10:29 – Kubokawa 13:16
Kubokawa 14:14 – Uwajima 16:46
*All seats are reserved seats. Reservation required to take this train. Non JR pass travellers must pay 510 yen for reserved seat beside base fare ticket.

JR Kyushu (Kyushu)

Limited Express Yufuin-no-Mori

It is very popular train that connect Hakata and Yufuin. One round trip of this train goes to Beppu. Please see the post, Very popular train to Yufuin from Hakata and Oita. Limited Express Yufuin no Mori / Yufu to get the details.

Operation dates and timetable
This train runs everyday. But it is operated by ordinary express train fleets as “Limited Express Yufu” on the specific dates due to annual maintenance. In this case, train’s interior is quite different. It is okay but it’s very common fleet and you may be disappointed. If you do not want to have common fleets, please avoid to take this train on the day in “Remarks” below.

This train makes a stop at Shin-Suizenji, Suizenji, Higo-Otsu and Akamizu too.

Limited Express Aso Boy!

This train is operated to Mt. Aso from Kumamoto by the train that have the panoramic windows at the both end. This train has only reserved seat. Please see the post, Access to Mt. Aso from Kumamoto. Kids friendly train, Limited Express Aso Boy! to get the details about this train.

Operation dates

Houhi line is closed due to massive earthquake hit and this line was damaged. At this point, this train is suspended.

Jun 4,5,10-12,18,19,25,26
Jul 2,3,9,10,16-31
Aug 1-31
Sep 3,4,10-19,22-25,30
Oct 1-10,14-16,21-23,28-30
Nov 3-6,11-13,18-20,23,25-27
Dec 3,4,10,11,17,18,23-31
In 2017
Jan 1-9,14,15,21-31
Feb 1-5,11,12,18,19,25,26
Timetable

Until March 25,2016

After March 26,2016

This train makes a stop at Shin-Suizenji, Suizenji, Higo-Otsu and Akamizu too.

Limited Express Umisachi-Yamasachi

This train goes through Nichinan coastline. Please see the details at my post.

Operation dates
Sep 3,4
Oct 22,23,29,30
Nov 3-6,12,13,19,20,23,26,27
Dec 3,4,10,11,17,18,23-27,29-31
In 2017
Jan 1-3,5-9,14,15,21-24,26-31
Feb 2-5,11,12,18,19,25,26

Timetable

Rapid SL Hitoyoshi

This train is connects Kumamoto with Hitoyoshi by steam locomotive and specialized passenger’s cars.

Operation dates
Sep 2-5,9-13,15-20,22-26,30
Oct 1-4,6-10,14-17,21-24,28-31
Nov 3-7,11-14,18-20

Timetable

A Ressha de Iko (A列車で行こう=Take the ‘A’ train)

This train connects Kumamoto with Misumi. Misumi is the gateway station for Amakusa. JR Kyushu add one more trip after March 16.

Operation dates
Sep *2,3,4,*5,*9,10,11,*12-16,17-19,22,*23,24,25,*30
Oct 1,2,*3-7,8-10,*14,15,16,*17,*21,23,23,*24,*28,29,30,*31
Nov 3-6,*7,*11,12,13,*14,*18,19,20,*21,23,*25,26,27
Dec 3,4,10,11,17,18,23-25,*26-29,30,31
In 2017
Jan 1-3,*4-6,7-9,14,15,21,22,*23-27,28,29,*30,*31
Feb *1-3,4,5,11,12,18,19,25,26
Dates have *mark has only two round trips, #1,#2,#5 and #6.

Timetable