By YOKO HIBINO/ Staff Writer
December 28, 2025 at 07:00 JST
KYOTO--Offering passengers the joy of setting out on a scenic journey, the panoramic train Mai debuted on Dec. 1, operated by Eizan Electric Railway Co.
The railway, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this fall, serves the Rakuhoku area in northern Kyoto.
Mai's exterior features traditional patterns depicting flowers that bloom in each of the four seasons along the train line. The interior, which has expanded windows, emphasizes a Japanese-inspired design, including hand straps modeled after "kanzashi," traditional hairpins.
The launch ceremony was held at Demachiyanagi Station in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward, and the stationmaster and the driver of Mai received bouquets from students from Kyoto University of the Arts and Kyoto Seika University.
Mai will operate eight round trips a day mainly on the Kurama Line, which runs between Demachiyanagi and Kurama stations.
At Kibuneguchi Station, the nearest station from Kifunejinja shrine, which is one of the Rakuhoku area’s famed autumn foliage viewing spots, visitors enjoying the last signs of autumn foliage took photos.
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Mai, a panoramic train operated by Eizan Electric Railway Co., runs past a display of colorful autumn leaves in Kyoto’s Sakyo Ward on Dec. 1. (Yoshiaki Arai)
