Joyful Train

is the name given to railway rolling stock or train sets operated by the JR Group in Japan primarily for charters, special events, tourist excursions, and other similar purposes. Traditionally, this term is only used for chartered trains dedicated to large group travel, but in recent years, it has expanded to include sightseeing trains and tourist trains as well, often called in Japanese, and their distinctions are made ambiguous. This page includes all trains considered "Joyful trains" and "Sightseeing trains".

History

Origins

The "Joyful Train" concept can be traced back to 1960, when a 1935-vintage SuHaShi 29 dining car was converted into a Japanese-style ''o-zashiki'' train with ''tatami'' flooring and ''shoji'' paper screens on the windows. This could be coupled to regular service trains for use by charter parties. A second car was similarly modified in April 1961.

The first train to directly be called "Joyful Train" was the ''Salon Express Tokyo'', a European styled train. The term has since been applied in retrospect to all trains produced before then that fits the descriptions. Many conversions of trains were done due to surplus rolling stock after the abolishment of certain express lines, and purpose-built Joyful Trains are rare. All cars on a Joyful Train are considered Green Cars.

Recent years

Since the bursting of Japan's Bubble Economy, small group travel using buses have become more mainstream, and opportunities to use group trains have decreased, and so have been the demand of European style salon trains. Some JR companies such as JR Kyushu has at once completely abolished chartered trains in order to save costs, and European-styled Salon Trains disappeared from JR Central's rolling stock after the retirement of the ''Euroliner'' in 2004.

On the other hand, this shift has led JR companies to target individual travellers directly with sightseeing trains, in an attempt to increase regional development. The first JR-operated train to be referred to as a 'tourist train' was the ''Nostalgic View Train'', launched by JR East in 1990. Unlike previous Group trains, the ''Nostalgic View Train'' exclusively operated on the Gono Line as a primarily sightseeing-oriented service. Due to the popularity of the train, it was later supplanted and replaced by the '' Resort Shirakami'' which continue to operate today, and other JR East lines followed suit with ''Kirakira Uetsu'' on the Uetsu Line (later replaced by the '' Kairi'') and ''Kirakira Michinoku'' in the Nanbu area of Aomori. Onboard such tourist-oriented trains, one can enjoy local products, famous sake, or other activities. Sometimes, JR companies has not used the term "Joyful Train" to refer to tourist trains, but since tourist trains are often operated as group trains as well, railway hobby magazines often use both terms, if not use them interchangeably.

Lines in operation

JR Hokkaido

DMU

File:Kiha-40-1720_wrapping.jpg, ''Dōhoku Ryūhyō no Megumi''
File:JRH-Kiha40-1780_Hananomegumi_20200831.jpg, ''Dōō Hana no Megumi''
File:JRH-Kiha40-1790_SANMEI_20200831.jpg, ''Sanmei'', 2020
File:JRH-Kiha41-1791_SHISUI_20211121.jpg, ''Shisui'', 2021

Loco hauled

JR East

EMU

File:JR East E655 imperial train 20121006 Musashisakai.jpg, ''Nagomi'' on an Imperial Train run, 2012
File:JRE-209-2200-BOSO BICYCLE BASE.jpg, ''B.B.Base'', January 2021
File:Izukyu-2100-R5-THE_ROYAL_EXPRESS_20220403.jpg, ''The Royal Express'' in 2022

DMU

File:JR-East Kiha100 ｢Pokémon with You train(PIKA 025)」.jpg, ''Pokemon With You Train'' in updated livery, January 2018
File:JR-East_%22Pokemon_With_You_Train%22_Kiha100.jpg, ''Pokemon With You Train'' in initial livery, December 2012
File:Kazekko007.JPG, ''View Coaster Kazekko'', November 2005
File:ViewCoasterKazekko2.JPG, Interior of ''View Coaster Kazekko''
File:TOHOKU EMOTION ─東北エモーション─.JPG, ''Tohoku Emotion'', 2014
File:JREast Kiha110-235 oykot 20150510 02.jpg, ''Oykot'', 2015
File:Uetsu-main-line HB-E300 KAIRI.jpg, ''Kairi'', July 2022
File:Hinabi at Morioka Station 20231014.jpg, ''Hinabi, October 2023''
File:SATONO.jpg, ''Satono, April 2024''
File:Kiha103-711_HIGHRAIL1375_20170709_(cropped).jpg, ''High Rail 1375'', July 2017

Loco hauled

File:D51 498 SL Banetsu Monogatari 200110429.jpg, The ''Banetsu Monogatari'' trainset hauled by D51 498, April 2011
File:DF200-61_Cassiopeia_20160717.jpg, ''Cassiopeia Travologue'', 2016

JR West

EMU

File:JRW 213-7000 La Malle de Bois 20160410.jpg, ''La Malle de Bois'' 213-7000 series operating the ''La Malle Setouchi'' service, Spring 2016
File:JRW West Express Ginga Hiroshima 2020-04-16 (cropped).jpg, ''WEST EXPRESS Ginga'' 117-7000 series, April 2020

DMU

File:JRW kiha40-2027 Belles montagnes et mer 20160529.jpg, ''Belles Montagnes el Mer'' KiHa 40 series, May 2016
File:JRW Kiha47-7000 Maru-maru-no-hanashi.jpg, ''Maru Maru No Hanashi'' KiHa 40 series, October 2022
File:JRW_DC_kiha47-1036_kiha47-47.jpg, ''Nostalgie''
File:うみやまむすび.jpg, ''Umiyamamsubi''
File:JRW_kiha48_hanayomenoren_20160529.jpg, ''Hanayome Noren'', May 2016
File:Kiro47 Ametsuchi.jpg, ''Ametuchi'' KiHa 47 series, October 2022
File:JR西日本キロ47_7000番台.jpg, ''etSETOra''
File:JRW_Kiha40-2049-SAKUBISAKURA.jpg, ''Sakubi Sakura''

Loco hauled

File:SL Yamaguchi C57-1+35 series 2017-09-09 (36322212533).jpg, ''SL Yamaguchi'' 35-4000 series, September 2017

JR Shikoku

Sightseeing trains are operated on each line of JR Shikoku. All of these trains are operated by DMUs, and there are no trains operated by electric trains. This is because most of the lines within JR Shikoku's jurisdiction are non-electrified.

DMU

File:JRshikoku tetsudo hobby train kiha32 3.jpg, ''Tetsudo Hobby Train'', March 2014
File:Shikoku_mannaka_sennenmonogatari_外観（手前3号車）.jpg, ''Shikoku Mannaka Sennen Monogatari''
File:Kiha185_Shikoku-Tosa-Exp.jpg, ''Shikoku Tosa Toki no Yoake no Monogatari''
File:Kaiyodo-Hobby_train3.jpg, ''Kaiyodo Hobby Train'' in its most recent paint scheme

JR Kyushu

JR Kyushu officially does not operate any Joyful Trains in the traditional definition. However, the following sightseeing trainsets that they operate are classified as "D&S Trains" (Design and Story trains), as according to JR Kyushu, each train has a design and a story based on the region that they operate in. In addition, the Trans-Kyushu Limited Express is classified as a D&S Train as well despite not appearing on this list. Most D&S Trains are converted from regular rolling stock into sightseeing expresses, and are designed by Eiji Mitooka. The ''Kampachi Ichiroku'' was designed by IFOO Corporation instead. However, it is important to note that the Seven Stars in Kyushu is not classified as a D&S train, but a "Luxury Sleeper train".

EMU

File:36plus3 oita station.jpg, ''36 + 3'', October 2020

DMU

File:JRK Kiha183-1000 Aso-Boy!.jpg, ''Aso Boy'', January 2023
JRK Kiha185 A-Train.jpg, ''A-Train'', January 2023
File:JRKyushu DC kiha47 IbusukinoTamatebako.jpg, ''Ibusuki no Tamatebako'', February 2011
File:Ltd_Exp_Ibusuki-no-Tamatebako_110312_2.jpg, ''Ibusuki no Tamatebako'' dispensing mist upon door opening
File:JRK_DC_Kiha140_2066.jpg, Car 3, KiHa 140-2066 of ''Ibusuki no Tamatebako''. Note the enlarged observation window.
File:JRK_Kiha125-401_Umisachi-Yamasachi.jpg, ''Umisachi Yamasachi'', December 2024
File:Kuha71-Kagoshima-Line.jpg, ''Yufuin no Mori'', August 2017
File:JRK Kiha72 Yufuin-no-mori.jpg, ''New Yufuin no Mori'', January 2023
File:JRKyushu DMU ARU RESSHA.jpg, ''Aru Ressha'', October 2015
File:JRK DC Kiha147-4047 Futatsuboshi 20220924.jpg, ''Two Stars 4047''
File:竹下駅を通過するかんぱち・いちろく.jpg, ''Kampachi / Ichiroku''
File:HSOR-116A_Orange_Restaurant_Express_20200314.jpg, ''Orange Restruant''

Loco hauled

File:Seven Stars in Kyushu at Aso Station 20131103.jpg, The ''Seven Stars in Kyushu'' trainset hauled by DF200 7000, November 2013

Past Joyful Train sets

JNR

DMU

Loco hauled

File:JNR miyabi.jpg, ''Miyabi'' 14-800 series car
File:BanNokogo_EF651115+Miyabi_Motomachi_19861004.jpg, ''Miyabi'' operating the ''BanNokogo'' service

JR Hokkaido

DMU

File:Furano exp.jpg, ''Furano Express'' KiHa 80 series DMU, 1990
File:DC80-mountlake ohnuma.jpg, ''Mountain Lake Onuma'' KiHa 80 series DMU
File:Tomamusahoroexp.jpg, ''Tomamu & Sahoro Express'' KiHa 80 series DMU, 1992
File:Kiha59_alkon.jpg, '' Alpha Continental Express'' KiHa 59 series DMU in 1994
File:JNR kiro29 kuturogi.jpg, ''Kutsurogi'' (KiHa 29) in 1986
File:JR_hokkaido_kiha56_kutsurogi_1991.jpg, ''Kutsurogi'' (KiHa 56-552) in 1991
File:JR_Hokkaido_kiha400-502.jpg, ''Kutsurogi'' (KiHa 400-502)
File:JRH-Kiha183-6101.jpg, ''Kutsurogi'' (KiHa 183-6101) in 2009

Loco-Hauled

JR East

EMU

File:JRE-EC165-Nanohana.jpg, ''Nanohana'' 165 series EMU, 1990
File:165ALPHA.jpg, ''Joyful Train Alpha''
File:JNR panoramaexpress alps.jpg, ''Panorama Express Alps'' 165 series EMU, 1990
File:Series205-600 Iroha.jpg, ''Iroha'' 205-600 series EMU, October 2019
File:Series205-600-Iroha Inside.jpg, Interior of 205-600 series ''Iroha''
File:JRE-485-Seseragi.jpg, ''Seseragi'' 485 series EMU, May 2009
File:JRE-EC165-Shuttle-Maihama.jpg, ''Shuttle Maihama'' 165 series EMU, 1990
File:JRE-485-Yamanami.jpg, ''Yamanami'', January 2010
File:Seat of Yamanami.jpg, Interior of 485 series ''Yamanami''
File:E3-700 R18 Toreiyu Yamagata 20140719.jpg, E3-700 R18 ''Toreiyu'', July 2014
File:485Hana.JPG, ''Hana'', October 2006
File:Nnanohana2.JPG, ''New Nanohana'', July 2003
File:JRE-485-NODOKA.jpg, ''Nodoka'', August 2009
File:JRE-485-yu-K30.JPG, ''Resort Express Yū'', May 2006
File:JRE-485-Resort-Yamadori 110710.jpg, ''Resort Yamadori'', July 2011
File:485utage.JPG, ''Utage'', September 2006
File:JNR EC485 UTAGE inside.jpg, Interior of 485 series ''Utage''
File:Series485-Zipangu Koriyama.jpg, ''Zipangu'', April 2017
File:きらきらうえつ 東酒田～砂越間にて撮影 20120815 1617.jpg, ''Kirakira Uetsu'', 2012
File:E3-700 R19 Genbi Shinkansen 20160910.jpg, ''Genbi Shinkansen'', 2016
File:Genbi-interior.jpg, Interior of E3 series ''Genbi Shinkansen''
File:719-700 Fruitea 20150425.jpg, ''Fruitea Fukushima'', April 2015
File:JNR_189_ayano_nikkō.JPG, ''Ayano'' running a ''Nikkō'' Limited Express service
File:JRE_651-1000_Izu_Craile_20160807.jpg, ''IZU CRAILE'', 2016

DMU

File:JR East diesel multiple units Furusato Hana.jpg, KiHa 48 ''Furusato'' operating as a 2-car formation in November 2007
File:Resort-Minori-200411.jpg, ''Resort Minori'', April 2020
File:JR-East-HB-E300-Resort-Asunaro.jpg, The two ''Resort Asunaro'' sets in December 2010
File:Jrejt48kirakiramichinoku.jpg, ''Kirakira Michinoku''
File:リゾートうみねこ.jpg, ''Resort Umineko''
File:JRE_Kiha48_JoyfulTrain-UMINEKO.jpg, ''Umineko''
File:Akita_Cruise_Train_depart_from_Akita_Station_20190803.jpg, ''Akita Cruise Train'', 2019
File:DC58_Komachi.jpg, ''Obako'' while in service as ''Komachi''
File:JNR_DC59_Ellegance_Acky.png, Paintscheme of the ''Elegance Acky''

Loco hauled

File:JR East nostalgic view train.jpg, The ''Nostalgic View Train'' circa 1992
File:JNR_suro81_ozashiki_shinagawa_car_higashikariya.jpg, ''Fureai'' in JNR service as ''Ozashiki Shinagawa''
File:JR東日本 C58形239号機.JPG, C58 239 hauling the ''SL Ginga''
File:Roman007.jpg, ''Roman''
File:JNR_12_shirakaba.jpg, ''Shirakaba''
File:Salonexpresstokyo.jpg, ''Salon Express Tokyo''
File:PC12-kutsurogi.jpg, JR East's ''Kutsurogi''
File:12keiEdo.jpg, ''Edo''
File:PC12-yasuragi.jpg, ''Yasuragi''
File:Watarase_Railway_type-Wa01_'Salon_de_Watarase'.jpg, ''Yasuragi'' as ''Salon de Watarase''
File:Sangaido.jpg, The remains of ''Salon de Watarase'' in an insect shop in Kiryu, Gunma
File:Fureai_mitinoku_morioka.jpg, ''Fureai Michinoku''
File:JRE-Oriental_salon.JPG, ''Orient Saloon''
File:Superexpress_rainbow.jpg, ''Super Express Rainbow''
File:EF60_19_American_train.jpg, ''American Train''
File:EastJapanRailwayCompanyType14-1.jpg, ''Yutori''

JR Central

EMU

File:IMG Kokutetsu117-0Soyokaze.jpg, The ''Train117'' in August 2010
File:JRC-EC-165-700.jpg, The ''Yū Yū Tōkai'' joyful train on Yamakita station in 1992

DMU

File:KiHa80 Resort Liner 1989.jpg, ''Resort Liner'' KiHa 80 series DMU in 1989

Loco hauled

JR West

EMU

File:JRW-Super-Saloon-Yumeji-kuro213.jpg, ''Super Saloon Yumeji'' 211/213 series, January 2007

DMU

File:JR_DC_Kiha47-7002.jpg, ''Setouchi Marine View'', 2005
File:JRW_DC_Kiha47-7003.jpg, ''Misuzu Shiosai''
File:20150829-kiha40-2007a.JPG, ''Tenku no Shiro Takedajoato'', 2015
File:Seychelle_JRWest.jpg, ''Seychelle''
File:Koro59_festa.jpg, ''Resort Saloon Festa''
File:JRW_honobono_SUN-IN_2.jpg, ''Honobono Sun-In''
File:ふれあいパル.jpg, ''Fureai Pal''
File:Kiha58FureaiSUN-IN.JPG, ''Fureai Sun-In''

Loco hauled

File:JNR_PC_nahanefu23-14.jpg, ''Holiday Pal''
File:Fukuchiyama_ikoi.jpg, ''Fukuchiyama Ikoi''
File:Wakayama ozasiki12.jpg, ''Ozasiki Kyakusha''
File:WakuwakuDanran.JPG, ''Wakuwaku Danran''
File:JNR-12kei-old-tabiji.jpg, ''Tabiji'' prior to refurbishment
File:12-800 series Tabiji Hiroshima 20070930.jpg, ''Tabiji'' after refurbishment. Photo taken on its final run in September 2007
File:Okuizumo_Orochi_kisuki_sta_20170915.jpg, ''Okuizumo Orochi'' in 2017
File:Kinokuni_Seaside-1.jpg, ''Kinokuni Sea Side''

JR Shikoku

DMU

File:JR Shikoku Island Express.JPG, ''Island Express Shikoku II''
File:JRS_DC_Kiro47-1401.jpg, ''Iyonada Monogatari''
File:JR_Shikoku_kiha58_306_tabidachi_takamatsu.jpg, ''Tabidachi''

Loco hauled

File:IslandexpressSHIKOKU.jpg, ''Island Express Shikoku''

JR Kyushu

DMU

File:Aso1962 20061212.jpg, ''Aso 1962'', December 2006
File:Kiha47 Hayatono-Kaze Nippo-Line.jpg, ''Hayato no Kaze'', July 2009
File:Kiha183-1000 Holland Village Express.jpg, ''Holland Village Express'' KiHa 183-1000 series in 1990
File:JR kyusyu kiha183-1000 siebold.jpg, ''Siebold'' KiHa 183-1000 series in 2000
File:Toro-Q KiHa 65 36 Minami-Oita 20080712.jpg, ''Toro-Q'' set led by KiHa 65 36 in July 2008
File:JNR Kiha 183-1000-Kagoshima Main Line-Dazaifu-20090904-162502.jpg, ''Yufu DX'' in September 2009
File:Kawasemi yamasemi.jpg, ''Kawasemi Yamasemi''
File:JRK_140DC_Isaburou_Shinpei_inMasakiStation.jpg, ''Isaburo / Shinpei''
File:かわせみ_やませみ・いさぶろう・しんぺい.jpg, ''Kawasemi Yamasemi'' (front) and ''Isaburo / Shinpei'' (rear) coupled together in 2020
File:KiHa183-1000 Yufuin no Mori II Hakata 19980700.jpg, ''Yufuin no Mori II'' KiHa 183-1000 series in July 1998

Loco hauled

File:Aso_Boy（58654）-01.jpg, ''SL Aso Boy''
File:SL aso-boy 999version(Suizenji stn.)-19990814.jpg, ''SL Aso Boy'' converted to look like Galaxy Express 999 at Suizenji Station
File:JRKyushu_PC_SL_Hitoyoshi.jpg, ''SL Hitoyoshi''
File:Steam_locomotive_Demon_Slayer_SL_Kimetsu_no_Yaiba_Futsukaichi_Station_20201123.jpg, ''SL Hitoyoshi'' as ''SL Kimetsu no Yaiba''

See also

* Excursion train
* Japan Railways locomotive numbering and classification

References

Further reading

*

External links

JR East Joyful Trains
{{in lang, ja

Railway services introduced in 1960
1960 establishments in Japan
Diesel multiple units of Japan
Electric multiple units of Japan
Railway coaches of Japan