This autumn Kintetsu Railway will launch a new excursion train that will run on their Minami Osaka and Yoshino Lines.
The Blue Symphony excursion train and its stylish logo
Decked out in deep blue livery the elegant new train is to be called the “Blue Symphony” and is meant to provide a superior level of comfortable travel for adults. The “Blue Symphony” will run between Osaka Abenobashi Station in central Osaka City and Yoshino Station in Nara Prefecture. Mount Yoshino is a popular scenic spot which is especially celebrated for the beauty of its cherry blossoms in the spring. Along the route of the train are other sites of cultural and historical importance such as the ancient town of Asuka which is the site of an ancient imperial capital, or Kimpusen-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the head temple of the Shugendo mountain sect.
An artist’s impression of the seating in the 1st and 3rd carriages
The new train is a remodeled #6200 series electric train with three carriages. In the first and 3rd cars the deluxe seating will be divided into rows of single and paired seats. The second carriage will have a lounge space and a bar counter serving light meals, sweets, and drinks.
The lounge space in the 2nd carriage
Regional specialty dishes such as boar meat hot pot and desserts using persimmon figs, strawberries, and mikan oranges cultivated on local farms will feature heavily. Among the beverages on offer will be wine from vineyards and wineries along the train’s route, and rice wine from local sake breweries.
The Blue Symphony bar will serve regional specialties
The “Blue Symphony” will run two round trip Limited Express services a day on weekends and weekdays. The only day it will not run is Wednesday. The regular departure times from Osaka Abenobashi Station will be 10.10 and 14.10, and from Yoshino Station at 12.34 and 16.04. The special fare for this Limited Express Service is 720 yen for adults and 370 yen for children, on top of which passengers will need to pay a regular train fare for the distance they travel, so the complete adult fare between Osaka Abenobashi Station and Yoshino Station is 970 yen.
Tickets will go on sale at Kintetsu Railway Stations on August 10th from 10.30am. Tickets will also be available at Japanese high street travel agencies such as JTB, Kinki Nippon Tourist, and Nippon Travel Agency (NTA).
Article by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
