A luxurious new sightseeing train will soon be at work, luring visitors to Shikoku, smallest of Japan’s main islands, and the only one not on the national network of ‘shinkansen’ or bullet trains.
The train, dubbed Toki no Yoake Monogatari , or Dawn of a New Era, will run from Kochi to Kubakawa, a 70-km route that includes views of awesome beaches and other features, as well as access to atmospheric restaurants.
The two-car, 47-passenger train is laid out with all single seats flanked by tables. The ‘Dawn of an Era’ concept comes from Kochi being home to Sakamoto Ryoma, a progressive samurai of the 19th century who helped end Japan’s isolation.
