JR West’s Limited Express Mahoroba, a train that currently runs between Osaka and Nara only as a seasonal service on Saturdays and holidays, will become a regular service on March 15th 2025.
The train will also receive an upgrade with refurbished carriages scheduled to be introduced in April next year.
The Limited Express Mahoroba will get an upgrade in the spring and autumn of 2025
Two three-car electric trains will be remodeled with designs based on themes of “An’nei” or “tranquility” and “Yukyu” or “eternity” — these themes representing the long-standing cultural attractions of Nara, a historic city renowned for its ancient Buddhist heritage.
The An’nei tranquility-themed train
The An’nei tranquility-themed train has a warm color scheme of sapphire and gold representing the sunshine of the Buddhist paradise, and the seats are covered in a sapphire fabric with a traditional floral pattern dating from the Nara period (710 – 794).
Seats inside the An’nei train
The Yukyu eternity-themed train has an ink-black and ash-gray color scheme meant to resemble the deeply aged tone of an ancient Buddhist statue.
The Yukyu eternity-themed train
The fabric on the seating is also colored black and gray.
Seats inside the Yukyu train
A new logo on both trains has a floral pattern that incorporates some of the animal and vegetable life typical of Nara — including the famous deer.
Limited Express Mahoroba logo
The upgraded trains will also have onboard Wi-Fi, power outlets in all seats, luggage space and expanded wheelchair space.
The An’nei train will make its debut on April 5th 2025 and the Yukyu train will debut in the fall of the same year.
Article by Michael Lambe. Images courtesy of JR West. All rights reserved.
