This spring Kintetsu Railway will introduce a new limited express service called the “Hinotori” which will offer unprecedented levels of comfort for passengers traveling between the cities of Osaka and Nagoya. Hinotori means “phoenix” in Japanese, a name which reflects the new train’s combination of speed and elegant refinement.
The flame red Hinotori express
The stand-out design feature of this train is its seating. All the seats on this train, whether they are in the premium or the standard cars, are fitted with fixed backshells and are generously spaced. This means that when you recline your seat it is contained within the backshell and doesn’t affect the space or comfort of the person behind you. This is the first train in Japan to install fixed backshell seats in all of its cars.
Backshell seating in the Premium Car
Premium car seats are spaced three to a row and have a 130cm reclining pitch, while standard seats are spaced four to a row and have a 116cm pitch. All seats are fitted with power outlets.
Backshell seating in the Standard Car
The train interiors have large windows fitted with ultraviolet light-blocking glass and LCD screens providing information on upcoming destinations in several languages.
The premium car interior
The train’s facilities include bench seating in observation decks, a designated smoking room, and a café spot with vending machines selling fresh ground coffee and sweets. The train also features free Wi-Fi, lockers for large luggage, security cameras, and a multipurpose restroom. The new train’s journey-time between Osaka-Namba Station and Kintetsu-Nagoya Station is about two hours and five minutes. The full fare for a premium car seat is 5,240 yen and for a standard seat it is 4,540 yen.
The Hinotori’s layout
The new train, which replaces the current Limited Express Urban Liner, will debut on March 14th 2020. For more information visit the official Hinotori
Hinotori means “phoenix” in Japanese
Article by Michael Lambe. Photos courtesy of Kintetsu Railway. All rights reserved.
