Scenic Views and Gourmet Train Travel Just 2 Hours from Tokyo: 3 Luxury Food Trains in Niigata and Shinshu

The morning service of Echigo TOKImeki Resort Setsugekka departs Joetsumyoko Station at 10:35 am. It turns back at Myoko-Kogen Station, passes through Naoetsu Station, and arrives at Itoigawa Station at 1:16 pm.
The afternoon service departs Itoigawa Station at 1:59 pm, passes through Naoetsu Station, turns back at Myoko-Kogen Station, and arrives at Joetsumyoko Station at 4:45 pm.
In summer, the route changes, departing Joetsumyoko Station at 10:54 am, traveling to Nihongi Station (turnaround), Ichiburi Station (turnaround), and arriving at Itoigawa Station at 2:09 pm. This course runs longer along the Sea of Japan and focuses on views of the bright blue sea.
*Departure and arrival times are subject to change.

Joetsumyoko Station, the morning departure point and afternoon arrival point, and Itoigawa Station, the morning arrival point and afternoon departure point, are both stops on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. They can be reached from Tokyo Station in Approx. 2 hours, making access from central Tokyo very convenient.

The Setsugekka train is a special two-car set newly built at a factory in Niigata exclusively for Setsugekka. Produced under the theme “All made in NIIGATA,” it features technologies and design touches that Niigata proudly shares with the world, down to each individual furnishing. Both Car 1 and Car 2 are designed with a higher eye level than standard trains, making the wide-open views from the windows another highlight.

Car 1 is an open space with windows that extend to the ceiling and an observation high deck. The seating layout offers views of both the Sea of Japan and Mt. Myoko, letting you take in the scenery through some of the largest train windows in Japan. Tables made to showcase the beautiful grain of Echigo cedar create a warm atmosphere. The observation high deck behind the driver’s cab is a space passengers can use freely.

Car 2 has a calm atmosphere centered on spacious box seats with large tables. At the rear of the car, Sakura Lounge features a beautiful counter made with cherry and birch cherry wood, along with Yasuda roof tiles. Sakura Lounge sells local sake, wine, craft beer, and soft drinks from along the line, as well as Setsugekka original goods and souvenirs such as Yukimuro Coffee.

At the front of Car 2 are observation high-deck seats (for 2–4 guests), where you can enjoy a vivid forward-facing view all to yourself. These seats are especially popular for their dynamic panoramic views extending down to your feet, so reserve early.

Echigo TOKImeki Resort Setsugekka runs slowly through especially scenic sections. Since the seats are arranged to face the large windows, enjoy the changing scenery along with your meal and drinks.

One of Setsugekka’s major attractions is its meals created by local restaurants. Under normal operations, four different courses are offered depending on the service date and train. Each course features original menus by chefs who know Niigata ingredients inside and out.

All courses begin with a welcome drink: sparkling wine with a Setsugekka original label from Fermier, a winery in Niigata City. Non-alcoholic drinks are also available.

The “Blissful Moment, Niigata’s Blessings French Course,” served by the Joetsu City French restaurant Chez Toya, lets you enjoy delicate French cuisine that pairs well with wine, along with Niigata wines carefully selected by a sommelier (wine is available for purchase).
The “Packed with Niigata, Jewel Box Course,” served by Duo Cerezo in Joetsu City, offers colorful Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes made generously with ingredients from the Joetsu region.

The “Century-Old Ryotei, Hot Kamameshi Course” from Hyakunen Ryotei Ukiyo, a long-established restaurant preserving traditional flavors in Takada, Joetsu City, serves piping-hot kamameshi cooked at Naoetsu Station. The “Direct from the Fishing Port, Fisherman’s Hearty Course” is provided by Kappo Shioji in Nou, Itoigawa City. Enjoy fresh seafood delivered directly from Nou Fishing Port.

To finish, all courses include Coffret de Dessert -Setsugekka-, a completely original Setsugekka dessert by REGINA SWEETS & BAKERY in Takada, Joetsu City. The three sweets express the changing seasons and scenery of Niigata through local ingredients: strawberry for spring, matcha for summer, and Le Lectier pear for fall. Yukimuro Coffee, also blended especially for Setsugekka, uses coffee beans aged in a snow storage room. Its smooth flavor and rich depth leave a lingering impression of the journey.

The Western Cuisine Course, operated in the morning on the Rokumon sightseeing train, departs Shinano Railway Karuizawa Station at 10:29 am. It passes through Ueda Station, Togura Station, Yashiro Station, and other stops before arriving at JR Nagano Station at 12:37 pm.
The afternoon Japanese Cuisine Course runs the reverse route. It departs JR Nagano Station at 1:35 pm, passes through Ueda Station, Komoro Station, Shinano-Oiwake Station, and other stops, and arrives at Shinano Railway Karuizawa Station at 3:48 pm.
The Obasute Night Cruise, operated once a month, is a longer course centered on sunset and night views. The train departs Shinano Railway Karuizawa Station at 4:04 pm, runs to JR Obasute Station and turns back, arriving at JR Nagano Station at 8:15 pm.

Both Shinano Railway Karuizawa Station and JR Nagano Station can be reached by transferring from Hokuriku Shinkansen stops, making travel from Tokyo easy. From Tokyo Station, Karuizawa Station is just over Approx. 1 hour away, and Nagano Station can be reached in Approx. 1.5 hours, making this train ideal for a short trip from the city.

The Rokumon sightseeing train is named after the Rokumonsen, the crest of the Sanada clan, a family of Sengoku-period warlords associated with Ueda along the line. Its vivid red color, inspired by Sanada’s “red armor,” leaves a strong impression. Touches such as boarding to the sound of a conch shell blown by the crew add a fun sense of Sengoku-era battle atmosphere.

The three-car train has a comfortable interior richly finished with wood from Shinshu.
Car 1, available with the Boarding Ticket + Reserved Seat Plan without a meal, is an open space where you can feel the warmth of Nagano Prefecture wood. Designed for families and groups, it also has a wooden ball pool for children. There is also a service counter selling local specialties from along the line and goods available only onboard Rokumon.

Car 2 has a relaxed lounge-style layout, with counter seats and sofa seats where you can dine while enjoying the scenery along the line.

Car 3 offers an even more tranquil, private-feeling space. Two-person compartment seats divided by shoji sliding doors let you relax as if in a private room. Softly glowing lamps inside the car, which uses plenty of hinoki cypress, create the feeling of a special journey.

Rokumon travels from the foot of Mt. Asama through the Chikuma River basin. Here are three must-see scenes among the landscapes unique to Shinshu.

Rokumon’s meal plans mainly include the Western Cuisine Course from Karuizawa to Nagano and the Japanese Cuisine Course from Nagano to Karuizawa. A variety of meals can be enjoyed depending on the day of the week and course. Menus created by local restaurants and long-established ryotei change by season, letting you savor Shinshu’s bounty with all five senses.

On the Western Cuisine Course, an Italian course featuring Shinshu ingredients by Primo Fitto Karuizawa Station restaurant is served on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. The cuisine, designed around refresh, relax & recharge, is popular with a wide range of age groups and international guests.
On Fridays, the Western Cuisine Course features dishes from Vino della Gatta SAKAKI, a restaurant attached to a winery. The chef, who holds a senior sommelier qualification, presents dishes to enjoy with wine pairings.

On the Japanese Cuisine Course, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays feature a two-tiered box filled with carefully crafted creative Japanese dishes by the head chef of Chikuyotei, a Japanese kaiseki restaurant in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture.
On Fridays, the Japanese Cuisine Course is provided by Fresco Labo. Supervised by a registered dietitian, it offers health-conscious Japanese cuisine with ingredient combinations designed for efficient nutrition and ingredient choices mindful of gut health.

The Obasute Night Cruise, operated once a month, offers special wines not available on other courses. Wines are selected by Tomoe Maezawa, a JSA-certified sommelier and representative of Nagano Wine Travel, who rides the train on the operating day and introduces the wines. The colorful dishes, beginning with appetizers, are provided by Teishaba Garden Cafe, located inside Teishaba Garden in front of Komoro Station.

For the Western Cuisine Course and Japanese Cuisine Course, there is also an affordable Boarding Ticket + Reserved Seat Plan that lets you ride without a meal. You can bring your own boxed meals and other food, and if you call the Rokumon Reservation Center at least 5 days before your travel date, you can also reserve a special boxed meal.

Enjoy a richly rewarding time as you take in Shinshu’s food and scenery from the train window.

The Hokushinano Wine Valley Train operates for Approx. 80 minutes between Nagano Electric Railway Nagano Station and Nagano Electric Railway Yudanaka Station, a section that takes 48 minutes one way by limited express. Hokuriku Shinkansen Nagano Station, where you can transfer to Nagano Electric Railway Nagano Station, is about 1.5 hours from Tokyo Station by Hokuriku Shinkansen.

The area around Yudanaka Station, the terminal station of Nagano Electric Railway, is blessed with hot spring destinations such as Yudanaka Onsen and Shibu Onsen, as well as Jigokudani Monkey Park, known for wild Japanese macaques bathing in hot springs. If you go a little farther, you can also access Shiga Kogen. It is a good option not only on the outbound trip, but also on the return from a highland resort or hot spring visit by boarding the Hokushinano Wine Valley Train departing from Yudanaka Station.

This train uses a middle car of the Yukemuri Nonbiri-go limited express, which was converted from cars originally used as Odakyu Romancecar trains, and further decorates it with a dedicated Hokushinano Wine Valley Train design.
The passenger car floor is high, giving the interior excellent views. Wine-colored curtains and seat covers contrast vividly with the blue seats. Box seats are fitted with tables, letting you leisurely enjoy the scenery along the line through large windows.

Along with Shinshu wines, the Hokushinano Wine Valley Train’s must-see charms include the rural landscapes of Hokushinano from the train windows, the gently flowing Chikuma River, and the grand mountain ranges of Mt. Iizuna, Mt. Kurohime, Mt. Myoko, and more. At the Murayama Bridge viewpoint, the train stops briefly, so you can take photos at a relaxed pace.

The Chikuma River Wine Valley has long sunshine hours, little rain, and well-drained soil, making it suitable for growing wine grapes. Many essential wine grape varieties are cultivated here, including Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir, and the area has one of the largest concentrations of wineries in Nagano Prefecture. On the Hokushinano Wine Valley Train, you can enjoy all-you-can-drink wines from four wineries along the Chikuma River Wine Valley to your heart’s content.

A total of 6–8 red and white wines are prepared at the onboard wine counter, brewed by popular wineries in Hokushinano such as Kusunoki Winery, Takayashiro Farm & Winery, St.Cousair, and Cantina Riezo. The wines are limited to those made with Nagano-grown grapes and brewed in Nagano, including “Nagano Appellation Control Wine.” Check the “Today’s Wine List” provided at your seat for the day’s lineup.

The Nonbiri Bento, which pairs well with both red and white wines, enhances the flavor of the wine. Menus differ for outbound and inbound services, and both use ingredients from Nagano Prefecture.

Onboard sales are also extensive, offering a variety of local foods from along the Nagano Electric Railway line, including oyaki, a Nagano local dish made by wrapping fillings such as nozawana greens, simmered eggplant, dried daikon radish, or sweet bean paste in wheat or buckwheat dough, as well as Kurikanoko Yokan, a specialty of Obuse, a chestnut town along the line.