The Ultimate Guide to Sightseeing and Joyful Trains in Tohoku & Kanto
When it comes to unique railway journeys, East Japan is a golden region. While the Shinkansen gets you where you need to go at lightning speed, JR East’s fleet of "Joyful Trains" invites you to slow down and embrace the journey itself. From vintage steam locomotives and pokemon-filled carriages to coastal restaurant trains and luxury seaside cruisers, the Tohoku and Kanto regions offer some of the best sightseeing train experiences in the world.
TIPS AND SECRETSJR REGIONAL PASSHOKKAIDOJR PASS 7 DAYSHIDDEN GEMSJR PASS 14 DAYSSIGHTSEEING & JOYFUL TRAINS
Josh K
6/21/20264 min read
Here is your ultimate guide to the five must-ride sightseeing trains in Tohoku and Kanto, including routes, highlights, and booking tips including validity of Japan Rail Pass and JR Regional Passes.
1. Resort Shirakami (リゾートしらかみ)
The Ultimate Coastal Scenic Ride
Route: Akita to Aomori (via the Gonō Line)
Travel Time: Approx. 5 hours
The Resort Shirakami is legendary among train enthusiasts, running along the rugged Sea of Japan coast and the borders of the Shirakami-Sanchi UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Experience: The train features massive, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows designed to give you unobstructed views of the crashing waves and rocky coastlines. The train slows down at the most scenic spots so passengers can take photos.
Onboard Highlights: Depending on the crossing, you can experience live performances of traditional Tsugaru Jamisen (three-stringed lute) music, storytelling in the local dialect, or sample Akita and Aomori sake and snacks from the onboard bar.
The Trainsets: There are three distinct, colorful trainsets—Buna (Beech tree theme with a wood-accented interior), Aoike (Blue pond theme), and Kumagera (Black woodpecker theme).
💡 Pass Validity: Fully covered by the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) and the standard Japan Rail Pass, though a mandatory seat reservation fee is required.
2. POKÉMON with YOU Train (ポケモントレイン気仙沼号)
A Magical Journey for Families and Fans
Route: Ichinoseki (Iwate) to Kesennuma (Miyagi) via the Ofunato Line
Travel Time: Approx. 1 hour 50 minutes
Designed to bring smiles back to the Tohoku region following the 2011 earthquake, the POKÉMON with YOU train is a vibrant, Pikachu-themed paradise that delights children and nostalgic adult fans alike.
The Experience: From the outside, the train is painted bright yellow and covered in dozens of Pikachus. Inside, the immersion continues with Pikachu-themed seats, carpets, and hidden details everywhere you look.
The Playroom Car: One entire carriage of this two-car train is a dedicated playroom. Stripped of standard seats, it features giant plush toys, a miniature driver's cab, and interactive elements where kids can run around freely during the journey.
Souvenirs: Passengers receive a commemorative boarding pass and a stamp rally passport to collect unique stamps at various stations along the route.
💡 Pass Validity: Covered by the JR EAST-SOUTH Pass (Tohoku area) and the standard JR Pass. It fills up incredibly fast, so booking exactly one month in advance is highly recommended.
3. TOHOKU EMOTION (東北エモーション)
The Travelling Restaurant on the Coast
Route: Hachinohe (Aomori) to Kuji (Iwate) via the Hachinohe Line
Travel Time: Approx. 2 hours each way
If you love fine dining and ocean vistas, the TOHOKU EMOTION is an absolute bucket-list experience. This design-forward "restaurant train" serves as a moving showcase of Tohoku’s rich culinary culture and craft traditions.
The Experience: The exterior acts as a canvas of abstract brick patterns, while the interior is styled like a chic modern restaurant using regional crafts, like Oguni kogin-zashi embroidery and traditional Nanbu ironware accents.
The Menu: The train features an open kitchen car where you can watch chefs prepare contemporary courses using fresh, locally sourced ingredients from Tohoku. The outbound trip from Hachinohe features a full-course lunch, while the return trip from Kuji offers an elaborate dessert buffet.
Local Hospitality: Keep an eye out the window—local residents along the coast frequently wave large flags to greet the train as it passes by.
⚠️ Booking Note: Unlike standard Joyful Trains, the TOHOKU EMOTION is sold exclusively as a travel package (including the meal) and cannot be booked using standard train tickets or reserved directly with a JR Pass.
4. SL Gunma (SLぐんま)
A Nostalgic Step Back into the Golden Age of Steam
Route: Takasaki to Minakami (SL Gunma Minakami) or Takasaki to Yokokawa (SL Gunma Yokokawa)
Travel Time: Approx. 1 to 2 hours
Located just a short Shinkansen ride away from Tokyo in Gunma Prefecture, SL Gunma offers a thrilling, sensory trip back in time powered by historic steam locomotives (usually the legendary D51 498 or C61 20).
The Experience: The sights, sounds, and smells of a real steam engine chugging through the mountain valleys are unforgettable. The train pulls vintage passenger cars with classic blue felt seats and wood-paneled walls.
The Routes:
The Minakami route takes you along the scenic Tone River toward the hot spring resort town of Minakami.
The Yokokawa route brings you to the foot of the Usui Pass, right next to the Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park.
Onboard Fun: You can purchase exclusive railway lunchboxes (Ekiben) and vintage-themed snacks, and children can try on traditional conductor uniforms for photos.
💡 Pass Validity: The base fare is covered by the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area), the JR Tokyo Wide Pass, and the standard JR Pass. You only need to purchase a separate SL additional ticket/reserved seat ticket.
5. Saphir Odoriko (サフィール踊り子)
Premium Luxury to the Izu Peninsula
Route: Tokyo/Shinjuku to Izukyushimoda (Shizuoka)
Travel Time: Approx. 2.5 hours
Named after the French word for sapphire to mirror the sparkling blue waters of the Izu coast, the Saphir Odoriko is JR East's premier luxury sightseeing express running south from Tokyo.
The Experience: Every single seat on this sleek, modern train is classified as "Green Car" (First Class) or higher. For the ultimate indulgence, the train features "Premium Green" pairs and private compartments perfect for families or couples. Sky-view windows curve into the ceiling, flooding the cabins with natural light.
The Cafeteria Car: A highlight of the journey is the open-kitchen cafeteria car, where passengers can enjoy freshly prepared signature noodle dishes, local sweets, and craft beers while watching the coastline roll past.
The Views: As you approach the Izu Peninsula, the train glides right alongside Sagami Bay, offering stunning views of the ocean and, on clear days, the distant Izu Islands.
💡 Pass Validity: The base fare is covered by the JR Tokyo Wide Pass and the standard JR Pass. However, because it is an all-Green Car train, JR Pass holders must pay the additional Green Car and express supplements.
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Tips for Booking Joyful Trains
Mark Your Calendar: Seat reservations for JR East Joyful Trains open exactly one month prior to the departure date at 10:00 AM JST. Popular trains like the Pokémon train or weekend runs of the Resort Shirakami can sell out instantly.
Use the JR-EAST Train Reservation Website: You can secure your seat reservations online from overseas before you even arrive in Japan.
Check Operating Calendars: These trains do not run daily. They primarily operate on weekends, national holidays, and during peak holiday seasons (like Golden Week, summer vacation, and autumn foliage seasons). Always cross-reference your travel days with the official JR East seasonal schedules.
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