Tokyu's luxury sightseeing train "The Royal Express" starts booking summer Hokkaido cruises|With test ride report
Tokyu and JR Hokkaido will operate the luxury sightseeing train "The Royal Express ~Hokkaido Cruise Train~" a total of 9 times in 3 plans from July ~ September 2023. Applications will be accepted from Monday, February 6. (Photo: © Dawn Design Institute)
In 2017, Tokyu began operating the Royal Express between JR Yokohama Station and Izukyu Shimoda Station. In 2020, in cooperation with JR Hokkaido, we realized the operation of "The Royal Express ~Hokkaido Cruise Train~". In the fourth phase of this summer, in addition to adding a new plan aiming for the northernmost point of the Soya Main Line, Wakkanai, the existing plan will be renewed and operated.
In the fourth phase, all three plans will be operated three times (9 times in total). All plans depart and arrive at Sapporo Station, and you will enjoy food and music on the train, sightseeing, gourmet food, and interaction with locals at the stops. The plans are "Hokkaido Cruise Train" and "Hokkaido Cruise Train Limited" mainly around eastern Hokkaido. A new plan heading to northern Hokkaido, "Hokkaido: Trip to the northernmost point of Japan". The new plan also offers the previous night's project "Premium Hour at Ginkoso" (twice).
The total plan period is 3 nights and 4 days. Day 1 [Chapter 1], Day 2 [Chapter 2]... Each theme is set (e.g., "Chapter 1 - The Magnificent Land and the Blessings of Nature"), and participants are directed to participate in a stage-made story.
The fare (per person) is 820,000 yen ~ for "Hokkaido Cruise Train" and "Hokkaido Limited", and 880,000 yen ~ for "Hokkaido Northernmost Trip in Japan". The number of applicants is 30 people in 15 groups each time. The night before plan is 120,000 yen ~ (limited to 5 groups of 10 people). Applications will be accepted from Monday, February 6 ~ Monday, April 17. A large number of applicants will be selected by lottery. Separately, pre-sale for past cruise participants. Applications can be made through the official website or by mail.
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The Royal Express ~ Hokkaido Cruise Train ~ Test Drive Event Report
On Wednesday, February 1, the reporter participated in a press conference held on the section from JR Yokohama Station to Izu Kogen Station on the Izukyu line. This time, I was particularly interested in the fact that Tokyu trains, a private railway in the Tokyo metropolitan area, run on JR Hokkaido rails. You can get an overview of this initiative, which has already entered its fourth term, by looking at the publicity materials, but I wanted to hear directly what the people involved have to say.
At the meeting place, there were more media representatives than you would see at a press event. From this high level of attention, it was clear that there was a high level of interest in "The Royal Express ~Hokkaido Cruise Train~".
The group departed from Yokohama Station at 13:40. On the day of the train, I boarded a 7-car train, which had the same specifications as when operating the Izukyu train. However, in Hokkaido, it is said that it will be operated in a five-car train.
When I arrived at the last station, Izu Kogen Station, I was warmly greeted by the Izukyu staff on the platform. When the train slid into the platform, the sight of the staff waving to greet us made the trip feel special. Even on a three-night, four-day trip to Hokkaido, I'm sure the local people will welcome you in the same way.
After departing from Yokohama Station, we sampled part of the lunch on the train provided on the tour. Abundant ingredients from Hokkaido are used, and the chef's special sauce enhances the taste. "It's delicious" -- it was so finished that I couldn't help but murmur.
There were three kinds of drinks on the table, and the ice wine in the center was particularly impressive. ♪ The smooth mouthfeel and the rich sweetness of the condensed grapes left a lasting impression on me.
| ● Meal (right) Poirot leek and black pork terrine ~ Aroma of mountain flowers ~ (AGRISCAPE ~ Sapporo City ~) ● Meal (facing away): Shitakara Farm Pesticide-free fertilizer-free bean tart (Hearton Tree ~Tsurui Village~) ● Dessert (left): Sheep's yogurt and beetroot syrup (Hearton Tree ~Tsurui Village~) ●Drinks < Red Wine (left) >: Nana tsu Mori Pinot Noir (Domaine Takahiko ~Yoichi Town~) <Ice Wine (Center) >: Yamako Ice Wine (Ikeda Town Grape and Grape Wine Research Institute ~Ikeda Town~) < Juice (right) >: Seaberry Soda (CheerS ~ Shihoro Town ~) |
After the tasting, a briefing session on "The Royal Express ~Hokkaido Cruise Train~" was held. The speakers were a project leader from Tokyu, a vehicle designer, two chefs, and officials from Wakkanai City who participated in the new plan. From their respective perspectives, they talked about the appeal of this special cruise train and its future prospects.
Project leader talks about his thoughts on Hokkaido
Tokyu's Matsuda said he launched the project to support Hokkaido, which was devastated by the 2018 Eastern Iburi Earthquake. With the desire to contribute to the revitalization of the region through trains, we will carefully explain each and every one of our plans for this summer.
I didn't ask him where he was from, but the way he spoke conveyed his passion, as if he was born and raised in Hokkaido and feels a deep responsibility for the land.
Tokyu's team praised by leading designers
Designer Mitooka has been involved in the design of a number of JR Kyushu vehicles. His masterpiece, the luxury sleeper train "Nana Hoshi," has been highly acclaimed since its launch in 2013, and in 2021 and 2022, it was awarded the world's top prize at the U.S. Travel Magazine Awards for two consecutive years.
Based on his experience at JR Kyushu, Mr. Mitooka spoke highly of the Tokyu staff involved in this project, calling them "an amazing team."
Turning the Insane into Common Sense: The Vitality of the Community Created by Trains
Tokyu trains running in the JR Hokkaido area have been considered "taboo" in the industry. However, Mr. Mitooka emphasized that "by acting, the insane becomes common sense." In addition, he talked about the connection with the community that is created by running the train.
"As we prepare for the operation of the train, we will meet local people and revitalize the community, and by participating in this event and creating a stage together with the local people, the entire community will be energized."
These words convey the significance of passengers not only receiving services, but also being proactively involved as members of a project to support Hokkaido.
Right: Chef Kaori Yoshida of AGRISCAPE (Sapporo City)
Wakkanai Tourism Association "Naoto Iwaki"
Gastronomy in the car colored by the chef
The person in charge of cooking for the "Cruise Train" is a creative chef Hearton Tree Chef Daichi Hattori and "Journey to the Northernmost Point of Japan" AGRISCAPE Chef Naori Yoshida (French) is the two chefs. Each of them explained in detail about the theme and ingredients of the dish, and talked about their commitment. Be sure to check out their restaurants.
In addition, on this summer's tour, a total of eight chefs who are active in various parts of Hokkaido will be in charge of cooking in the car. Chefs of various genres will demonstrate their skills and color the stage of a special trip.
Wakkanai's new plan and memories of the trip
Officials from Wakkanai City expressed their expectations for the new plan and explained the region's tourism resources.
I digress a bit here, but a few years ago, the reporter himself experienced a long journey from Wakkanai Station to Sapporo Station on the Soya Main Line. Travel time is 5-6 hours. Still, the flow of time changes in the spectacular scenery. As I gazed at the scenery, I felt as if time had flown by. And the moment I got off the train, I thought, "I wish I could have seen more of this scenery" – and you will be able to experience the magic of travel even more deeply on this cruise train.
In-car tour
A special journey of music and space
After the briefing, when I went to take a picture of the inside of the car, the violinist Atsuhide Osako He was performing. The sound that you hear up close slowly seeps into your body. He is a "sound travel director" who works on the theme of "fusion of travel and music," and he often delivers his melodies during tours.
In fact, when I saw him at Yokohama Station, the reporter was puzzled for a moment, "Which fashion magazine reporter is it?" However, the moment the music resonated, its existence made sense.
The philosophy behind design
Each vehicle designed and furnished by Mr. Mitooka is meticulously crafted in every detail. Still, there is a sense of unity, and no matter what space you are in, you will feel at ease. This is probably because the high-level concept of design is firmly unified.
As I sat in this sophisticated space, I was suddenly reminded of a quote by Mies van der Rohe, a master of modern architecture. "The god of space is in the details" – it was a vehicle that embodied that phrase.
The afterglow of the trip
The time was around 15:40, and we arrived at "Izu Kogen Station" in no time. It takes about 1 hour. I did a test drive, but I thought it would be presumptuous to tell anyone what I thought. Even if you only see the good side. The only thing we can talk about trains is applying for a cruise and being selected by lottery. Pay the fee and take care of your physical condition until departure. Finally, he becomes a character in the story of a three-night, four-day trip, and only the participants, local people, and railroad officials who end the journey are drawn back by various encounters.
The afterglow of the trip
I looked at the clock and saw that it was 15:40. Before I knew it, I had arrived at the last station, Izu Kogen Station. The experience time is only about 1 hour.
I finished the test drive, but I felt that it was presumptuous to talk about my impressions right away. Because the real charm of the train is told by the people who actually apply for the cruise, win the lottery, pay the fare, get in shape until the day of departure – and become the characters in the story of the three-night, four-day trip.
They are the ones who are moved by the encounter on the train, and at the end of the journey, they get off the train with their hair pulled back. It is only after that experience that something to be said will be born.
Postscript
This time, the reporter was particularly interested in an attempt to run a sightseeing train of Tokyu, a private railway in the Tokyo metropolitan area, in the jurisdiction of JR Hokkaido. Through the interviews, I was able to understand the passionate aspirations of the people involved.
In addition to Tokyu and JR Hokkaido, JR East Japan and JR Freight are also participating in this project. It is significant that large companies, which tend to be bound by common sense in the past, have joined forces to change "insane" to "common sense."
If you have come this far, I would like you to find solutions to the problems faced not only by JR Hokkaido but also by regional railways nationwide. This project has already involved many people and has attracted the expectations of society. That is why I hope that we will fulfill our responsibilities and open up a new future.
