The "Oykot" Scenic Train

  • Published on : 26/06/2016
  • by : Japan Experience

A new scenic train is opening in time to connect to the brand new Hokuriku Shinkansen in March 2015. Learn more here!

A train to where?

You can catch the Oykot from Nagano Station, its point of departure, at 9:17 a.m. every weekend and public holidays, or at 10:00 a.m. from Iiyama Station (connection with the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line), for a journey to Tokamachi in the heart of Niigata.

If you'd like to get lost deep in the mountains and countryside, this is the train for you - and it's designed to do just that, to rediscover Japan's deepest rural roots.

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A traditional home on a track

Inside the Oykot, everything has been designed to make you feel like you're in a traditional home, like returning to your grandparents' house for a vacation. You'll find the smell and feel of childhood, a rough yet soft feel, warm fabrics, soft lighting, attentive service, and even the voice of an elderly gentleman (a local actor) ringing in your ears for sublimely nostalgic announcements.

To complete the picture, you can enjoy a bento with local produce (book 5 days in advance on the JR East Oykot Joyful Train website), served on board. Depending on the day, storytellers will tell you local stories and legends, or musicians will play traditional flutes on board.

The best thing to do is to try on the 'sugeboshi', a kind of traditional garment made of rice straw worn by farmers to protect themselves from the elements in the fields. Wear it for a moment, and have your photo taken with it - a picturesque experience guaranteed.

When you arrive at Tokamachi, the connecting station for the private Hokuhoku Line, don't hesitate to stop by the station's information office, which sells a wide range of traditional items and souvenirs from the region.

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