By SHINYA MATSUMOTO/ Staff Writer
April 11, 2023 at 07:00 JST
The interior of the Royal Express sightseeing train operated by Tokyu Corp. (Provided by Tokyu Corp.)
The name alone signals what’s in store for passengers who will take luxury sightseeing overnight train trips to the Shikoku and Setouchi regions from January to March 2024. The service is called Royal Express.
Tokyu Corp. and three Japan Railways Group companies will join hands to operate the service, which is aimed at attracting well-heeled visitors and other new customers.
The companies plan to offer six tour packages that will take four days and three nights. Ticket prices are expected to be 800,000 yen ($6,000) or more per person.
The service will leave Okayama Station in Okayama Prefecture for Matsuyama in Ehime Prefecture and travel via Takamatsu and Kotohira in Kagawa Prefecture.
Seafood harvested in local waters will be served along with other delicacies. Passengers will also be taken to the "Shimanami Kaido" scenic route and other sightseeing spots by bus.
The Royal Express is currently used for tours in the Izu Peninsula and Hokkaido.
Tokyu will be responsible for providing in-car services and selling merchandise for the tours in western Japan.
West Japan Railway Co. (JR West) and Japan Freight Railway Co. will rent electric engines to pull the train. Drivers and conductors will be seconded from Shikoku Railway Co. (JR Shikoku).
Tickets will be available around July.
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