Japan Station

Japan Transportation Guide

  • Home
  • Shinkansen network
  • Destinations
  • Maps
  • News
  • Japan Rail Pass Value Calculator

Ride through Nagano countryside on the “Traveling Farmhouse Restaurant” train

June 17, 2016

JR East have announced this year’s dates for the “Hashiru Noka Restaurant” or “Traveling Farmhouse Restaurant”, a special gourmet touring service that was introduced on Nagano Prefecture’s Iiyama Line last year. The idea of this unique tour is that passengers can taste a series of regional specialities, while enjoying beautiful views of the Nagano countryside, its orchards and fields, its mountains and valleys, and the majestic Shinano River.

A brochure for the Hashiru Noka Restaurant tour

A brochure for the “Hashiru Noka Restaurant” tour

What’s interesting about this gourmet service is that the meal consists of four separate courses which are prepared at four different stations along the route. Each course is brought on to the train and served to the passengers when it arrives at that station. The emphasis is very much on serving super fresh seasonal dishes local to each area and made only from the very best local ingredients.

The train used for the “Traveling Farmhouse” is a two car touring train with the rather unusual name “Oykot.” This train has an interior that has been modified to resemble an old-fashioned Japanese style home. With soft lighting, warm colors, and window shades that resemble shoji style sliding paper doors, the train is meant to evoke nostalgic “hometown” feelings, which is actually why it is called “Oykot”. The name is actually “Tokyo” spelled backwards, because nothing could be more different from the big old dirty capital, than the fresh air, rustic landscapes, and simple comforts of Nagano style country life!

The Oykot train. Image by Udda.

The Oykot train. Image by Udda.

The Oykot interior. Image courtesy of JR East

The Oykot interior. Image courtesy of JR East

The “Traveling Farmhouse” takes a little over two hours to run between Nagano Station and Mori-Miyanohara Station in Nagano Prefecture and there are four serving stops en route. The specific dishes vary by season but the courses include appetizers, a second dish of local delicacies, broiled and deep fried dishes, a main dish with rice, and dessert. Once the train arrives at Mori-Miyanohara Station passengers have a choice between two scheduled excursion options. These vary by season but typically they include either a visit to an onsen, or a hands-on cultural craft experience such as making washi paper. Later on a bus will convey passengers back to rendezvous with the Oykot train for the journey back to Nagano Station.

Separate courses are served at Kaesa, Iiyama, Togari-Nozawaonsen, and Nishi-Otaki stations. Image courtesy of JR East

Separate courses are served at Kaesa, Iiyama, Togari-Nozawaonsen, and Nishi-Otaki stations. Image courtesy of JR East

JR East’s “Hashiru Noka Restaurant” tour will run on six dates this year: June 18th, July 9th, August 20th, September 10th, October 15th and November 12th. However, booking for October onward cannot be made until August 15th. Tours from Nagano Station cost 9000 yen for adults and 7600 yen for children. To make a booking, please enquire directly at JR East Stations or make enquiries online at the JR East website. An informational PDF about the tour is available in Japanese.

Article by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.

Questions? Ask on our forum

Japan Station NavigationJapan Station Navigation
Station Navigation
  • Shinkansen high-speed trains
  • The Japan Rail Pass
  • Japan Rail Pass Value Calculator
  • Destinations
  • Narita Express
  • IC Prepaid Transport Cards
  • Air Travel in Japan
  • Guide to Rail Travel in Japan
Guide to Rail Travel in Japan by JapanStation.com

Japan Hotel
Deals of the Day

Loading search box ...
Japan Station Hotel

Book Online

  •   Flights to Japan
  •   Hotels in Japan
  •   Car Rental
  •   Tours & Activities in Japan
  •   Sapporo Station
  •   Shinjuku Station
  •   Kyoto Station
  •   Kobe Station
  •   Kanazawa Station
  •   Osaka Station
  •   Hakata Station
  •   Asakusa Station
  •   Shinagawa Station
  •   Shibuya Station
  •   Nara Station
  •   Nagoya Station
  •   Niseko Station

Japan Station on Facebook

Japan Station on Facebook

Japan Station on Instagram

West Kyushu Shinkansen "Kamome" at Nagasaki Statio West Kyushu Shinkansen "Kamome" at Nagasaki Station. The new Shinkansen line to Nagasaki opened in 2022.
.
.
.
Photo by Yu/pixta
#shinkansen #kyushu #nagasaki #train #japan #japantravel #japanstation #railway #railways_of_our_world #train_nerds #visitjapan #visitjapanca #railfans_of_instagram
Suica Penguin from Shinjuku Station wishes you all Suica Penguin from Shinjuku Station wishes you all a very Happy New Year!! 🥳
Odakyu Romancecar GSE in bright red at Odakyu Shin Odakyu Romancecar GSE in bright red at Odakyu Shinjuku Station and Hakone-Yumoto Station.
Next station Harajuku. Yamanote line train bound f Next station Harajuku. Yamanote line train bound for Shinjuku and Ikebukuro.
.
.
#harajuku #tokyo #yamanoteline #train #japan #japanstation #railways_of_our_world #train_nerds #visitjapan
Looking forward to new travel adventures in Japan. Looking forward to new travel adventures in Japan.
.
.
.
Photo by @nichi_iro__ 
#train #japan #japantravel #visitjapan #japanstation #railway #railways_of_our_world #railfan
Eizan Electric Railway for Kibune, Kurama & Mount Eizan Electric Railway for Kibune, Kurama & Mount Hiei in Kyoto.

About Us

  • Japan Station on Facebook
  • Japan Station on Twitter
  • Japan Station on Instagram
  • Japan Station on Pinterest
  • Japan Station Forum

Copyright © 2023 · Japan Station. Netmobius publication. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact