Joyful Train

Joyful Train (ジョイフルトレイン, joifuru torein) 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, as 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. 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.

Locomotive-hauled Joyful Trains tend to be retired due to the time consumed in changing locomotives, as well as the aging of the rolling stock itself. Currently, the only loco-hauled Joyful Trains in service are the Seven Stars in Kyushu of JR Kyushu, the Salon Car Naniwa, the SL Yamaguchi, and the Banetsu Monogatari.

JR Hokkaido

DMU

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Dōhoku Ryūhyō no Megumi	道北 流氷の恵み	KiHa 40 series	1	Seating	2018	KiHa 40	-	Part of the Hokkaidō no Megumi (Blessings of Hokkaido) set. Name means "Northern Hokkaido: Blessing of Drift Ice".
Dōtō Mori no Megumi	道東 森の恵み	KiHa 40 series	1	Seating	2018	KiHa 40	-	Part of the Hokkaidō no Megumi (Blessings of Hokkaido) set. Name means "Eastern Hokkaido: Blessing of the Forest".
Dōnan Kai no Megumi	道南 海の恵み	KiHa 40 series	1	Seating	2018	KiHa 40	-	Part of the Hokkaidō no Megumi (Blessings of Hokkaido) set. Name means "Southern Hokkaido: Blessing of the Sea".
Dōō Hana no Megumi	道央 花の恵み	KiHa 40 series	1	Seating	2018	KiHa 40	-	Part of the Hokkaidō no Megumi (Blessings of Hokkaido) set. Name means "Central Hokkaido: Blessing of Flowers".
Sanmei	山明	KiHa 40 series	1	Seating	2019	KiHa 40	-	Part of the Sanshisuimei set. Both converted due to popular demand after the unveiling of the Hokkaido no Megumi trains.
Shisui	紫水	KiHa 40 series	1	Seating	2019	KiHa 40	-	Part of the Sanshisuimei set.

• 
  Dōhoku Ryūhyō no Megumi
• 
  Dōō Hana no Megumi
• 
  Sanmei, 2020
• 
  Shisui, 2021

JR East

EMU

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Nagomi	和	E655 series	5	Seating	July 2007	Purpose-built	Tokyo	Also used as the train of the Emperor of Japan
The Royal Express	ザ・ロイヤルエクスプレス	Izukyu 2100 series	8	Seating	July 2017	Izukyu 2100 Series	Izu	Jointly operated by Tokyu Corporation, JR East and Izukyu Corporation
B.B.Base	BOSO BICYCLE BASE	209-2200 series	6	Seating	2018	209 series	Makuhari

• 
  Nagomi on an Imperial Train run, 2012
• 
  B.B.Base, January 2021
• 
  The Royal Express in 2022

DMU

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Koshino Shu*Kura	越乃Shu*Kura	KiHa 40/48	3	Seating	2014	KiHa 40/48 series	Niitsu
Oykot	おいこっと	KiHa 110 series	2	Seating	2015	KiHa 110 series	Nagano	The name "Oykot" comes from a letter reversal of "Tokyo", intending to create a sense of rural Japan, opposite to Tokyo.
POKÉMON with YOU Train	POKÉMON with YOU Train	KiHa 100	2	Seating	2012	KiHa 100	Ichinoseki
Resort Shirakami "Aoike"	リゾートしらかみ「青池」	HB-E300	4	Seating/semi-open compartments	2010	Purpose-built	Akita	Replaced KiHa 48 series.
Resort Shirakami "Buna"	リゾートしらかみ「橅」	HB-E300	4	Seating/semi-open compartments	2016	Purpose-built	Akita	Replaced KiHa 48 series.
Resort Shirakami "Kumagera"	リゾートしらかみ「くまげら」	KiHa 48	4	Seating/semi-open compartments	April 2006	KiHa 48	Akita
Resort View Furusato	リゾートビューふるさと	HB-E300	2	Seating	2010	Purpose-built	Nagano
Tohoku Emotion	TOHOKU EMOTION	KiHa 110-700 series	3	Seating	19 October 2013	KiHa 110 series	Morioka	KiHa 110-701 + KiHa 111-701 + KiKuShi 112-701
High Rail 1375	はいれーる いちさんななご	KiHa 110 series	2	Seating	1 July 2017	KiHa 110 series	Nagano
View Coaster Kazekko	びゅうコースター風っこ	KiHa 48	2	Seating	June 2000	KiHa 48	Sendai	Side windows are removed, and metal bars were installed with plastic covering.
Kairi	海里	HB-E300 series	4	Seating	2019	Purpose-built	Niigata	Features a different headlight design than the sets used on Resort Shirakami services. Successor to 'Kirakira Uetsu'.
Hinabi	ひなび	HB-E300 series	2	Seating	December 2023	HB-E300 Series	Iwate	Converted from former Resort Asunaro set
Satono	SATONO	HB-E300 series	2	Seating	April 2024	HB-E300 Series	Yamagata	Converted from former Resort Asunaro set

• 
  Pokemon With You Train in updated livery, January 2018
• 
  Pokemon With You Train in initial livery, December 2012
• 
  View Coaster Kazekko, November 2005
• 
  Interior of View Coaster Kazekko
• 
  Tohoku Emotion, 2014
• 
  Oykot, 2015
• 
  Kairi, July 2022
• 
  Hinabi, October 2023
• 
  Satono, April 2024
• 
  High Rail 1375, July 2017

Loco hauled

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
SL Banetsu Monogatari	SLばんえつ物語	12 series	7	Seating	29 April 1999	12	Niigata
Cassiopeia Travologue	カシオペア紀行	E26 Series	12	Sleeping Compartment	June 2016	Purpose-Built	Ueno	Formerly a Limited Express Service and a tourist train, the Cassiopeia trainset has been running as a group charter train since 2016. Its role as a Limited Express service was replaced by the Hokkaido Shinkansen, and its role as a cruise train was replaced by the Train Suite Shikishima.

• 
  The Banetsu Monogatari trainset hauled by D51 498, April 2011
• 
  Cassiopeia Travologue, 2016

JR West

EMU

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
La Malle de Bois	La Malle de Bois	213 series	2	Seating	Spring 2016	213 series	Okayama
WEST EXPRESS Ginga	WEST EXPRESS 銀河	117 series	6	Seating/compartments/Sleeping car	May 2020	117 series	Kyoto

• 
  La Malle de Bois 213-7000 series operating the La Malle Setouchi service, Spring 2016
• 
  WEST EXPRESS Ginga 117-7000 series, April 2020

DMU

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Belles Montagnes et Mer	ベル・モンターニュ・エ・メール ("べるもんた")	KiHa 40	1	Seating	October 2015	KiHa 40	Toyama	Affectionally referred to as "Belmonta" (べるもんた).
Hanayome Noren	花嫁のれん	KiHa 48	2	Seating	October 2015	KiHa 48	Ishikawa
Nostalgie	ノスタルジー	KiHa 47	2	Seating	Spring 2016	KiHa 47	Okayama	Painted in JNR colors.
Maru Maru No Hanashi	○○のはなし	KiHa 47	2	Seating	August 2017	KiHa 47	Yamaguchi	Converted from former Misuzu Shiosai
Ametsuchi	あめつち	KiHa 47	2	Seating	July 2018	KiHa 47	Gotō
Umiyamamsubi	うみやまむすび	KiHa 40	1	Seating	July 2019	KiHa 40	Hyōgo	Converted from former Tenkū no shiro Takedajōato
etSETOra	エトセトラ	KiHa 47	2	Seating	October 2020	KiHa 47	Hiroshima	Converted from former Setouchi Marine View
SAKUBI SAKURA	SAKU美SAKU楽	KiHa 47	1	Seating	July 2022	KiHa 47	Okayama

• 
  Belles Montagnes el Mer KiHa 40 series, May 2016
• 
  Maru Maru No Hanashi KiHa 40 series, October 2022
• 
  Nostalgie
• 
  Umiyamamsubi
• 
  Hanayome Noren, May 2016
• 
  Ametuchi KiHa 47 series, October 2022
• 
  etSETOra
• 
  Sakubi Sakura

Loco hauled

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Salon Car Naniwa	サロンカーなにわ	14 series	7	Seating	September 1983	14 series	Miyahara, Osaka
SL Yamaguchi	SLやまぐち号	35 series	5	Seating	September 2017	Purpose-built	Yamaguchi	Replaced 12 series.

• 
  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

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Shikoku Mannaka Sennen Monogatari	四国まんなか千年ものがたり	KiHa 185 series	3	Seating	April 2017	KiHa 185	Kotohira	All 3 cars have distinct paint schemes.
Iyonada Monogatari (KiHa 185)	伊予灘ものがたり	KiHa 185 series	3	Seating	3 April 2022	KiHa 185	Ehime	Replaced former KiHa 47, which was retired in 2021.
Shikoku Tosa Toki no Yoake no Monogatari	志国土佐 時代の夜明けのものがたり	KiHa 185 series	2	Seating	July 2020	KiHa 185	Kochi
Kaiyodo Hobby Train	海洋堂ホビートレイン	KiHa 32	1	Seating	July 2011	KiHa 32	Matsuyama	Has had 3 different paint schemes.
Tetsudo Hobby Train	鉄道ホビートレイン	KiHa 32	1	Seating	March 2014	KiHa 32	Matsuyama	Outwardly modified to resemble a 0 Series Shinkansen.

• 
  Tetsudo Hobby Train, March 2014
• 
  Shikoku Mannaka Sennen Monogatari
• 
  Shikoku Tosa Toki no Yoake no Monogatari
• 
  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

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
36 + 3	36ぷらす3	787 series	6	Seating/compartments	October 2020	787 series	Minami-Fukuoka	36 represents Kyushu (the 36th largest island in the world) and the 3 represents surprise, excitement, and happiness. In addition, "39" is pronounced like "Thank You" in Japanese.

• 
  36 + 3, October 2020

DMU

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Aso Boy	あそぼーい！	KiHa 183-1000 series	4	Seating	June 2011	KiHa 183 series	Kumamoto	Converted from former Yufu DX.
A-Train	A列車で行こう	KiHa 185 series	2	Seating	October 2011	KiHa 185 series	Kumamoto	Equipped with a bar that serve local alchoholic beverages, and narration of the legend of Urashima Taro.
Two Stars 4047	ふたつ星4047	KiHa 47/40/147	3	Seating	August 2022	KiHa 47	–	Converted from former Hayato no Kaze and an additional KiHa 40 car.
Ibusuki no Tamatebako	指宿のたまて箱	KiHa 47/140	3	Seating	March 2011	KiHa 47	Kagoshima	KiHa 140 series car converted from former Hayato no Kaze car in March 2012. When the door opens, white smoke resembling that from a Tamatebako are dispensed from the top of the door.
Umisachi Yamasachi	海幸山幸	KiHa 125-400	2	Seating	October 2009	TR 400	Miyazaki	Converted from former Takachiho Railway TR 400. Offers handmade picture-stories for sale on board.
Kawasemi Yamasemi	かわせみ やませみ	KiHa 47	2	Seating	2017	KiHa 47	-
Yufuin no Mori	ゆふいんの森	KiHa 71 series	4	Seating	1989	KiHa 58/65 series	Chikuho	a.k.a."Yufuin no Mori I"
New Yufuin no Mori	新ゆふいんの森	KiHa 72 series	4	Seating	1999	Purpose-built	Chikuho	a.k.a."Yufuin no Mori III"
Aru Ressha	或る列車	KiRoShi 47	2	Seating	August 2015	KiHa 47	Oita
Kampachi Ichiroku	かんぱち・いちろく	2R Series	3	Seating	April 2024	KiHa 40 & KiHa 125	Saga	Converted from former Isaburo Shinpei trainset using two KiHa 47 cars and one KiHa 125 car.

• 
  Aso Boy, January 2023
• 
  A-Train, January 2023
• 
  Ibusuki no Tamatebako, February 2011
• 
  Ibusuki no Tamatebako dispensing mist upon door opening
• 
  Yufuin no Mori, August 2017
• 
  New Yufuin no Mori, January 2023
• 
  Aru Ressha, October 2015
• 
  Two Stars 4047
• 
  Kawasemi Yamasemi

Loco hauled

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Seven Stars in Kyushu	ななつ星in九州	77 series	7	Sleeping car	October 2013	Purpose-built	Ōita

• 
  The Seven Stars in Kyushu trainset hauled by DF200 7000, November 2013

Past Joyful Train sets

JNR

DMU

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Withdrawn	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Batten Nagasaki	ばってんNAGASAKI	KiHa 58 Series	2	Tatami	1985	December 1986	KiHa 28 series	Nagasaki	Karaokes and Mahjong tables were installed in the two cars, KiHa 28-2006 and KiHa 28-2114.
Rakuda	らくだ	KiHa 58 Series	2 (initial), 4 (final)	Seating	1983 (initial introduction)	1987	KiHa 58 series	Kagoshima	Has a Karaoke machine. Retired due to the Privatisation of JNR and was converted into Yutopia and Kichishiroku.

Loco hauled

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Withdrawn	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Miyabi	みやび	14-800 series	7	Tatami	March 1986	28 December 1986	14 series	Miyahara, Osaka	Withdrawn following fatal accident.

• 
  Miyabi 14-800 series car
• 
  Miyabi operating the BanNokogo service

JR Hokkaido

DMU

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Withdrawn	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Furano Express	フラノエクスプレス	KiHa 80 series	4	Seating	December 1986	November 1998	KiHa 80 series	Naebo	KiHa 84-1 + KiHa 80-501 + KiHa 83-1 + KiHa 84-101
Mountain Lake Onuma	マウントレイク大沼	KiHa 80 series	3	Seating	July 1999	2002	KiHa 80 series	Naebo	Converted from former "Tomamu & Sahoro Express".
Tomamu & Sahoro Express	トマムサホロエクスプレス	KiHa 80 series	5	Seating	December 1987	July 1999	KiHa 80 series	Naebo	Converted to become "Mountain Lake Onuma".
Alpha Continental Express	アルファコンチネンタルエクスプレス	KiHa 59 series	3/4	Seating	December 1985	1995	KiHa 59 series	Naebo	Replaced from "Furano Express".
Niseko Express	ニセコエクスプレス	KiHa 183-5000 series	3	Seating	December 1988	November 2017	KiHa 183 series	Naebo
Asahiyama Dobutsuen	旭山動物園号	KiHa 183 series	5	Seating	April 2007	March 2018	KiHa 183 series	Sapporo
Crystal Express Tomamu & Sahoro	クリスタルエクスプレス トマム・サホロ	KiHa 183-5100 series	4	Seating	December 1989	September 2019	KiHa 183 series	Naebo	Initially 3 cars
North Rainbow Express	ノースレインボーエクスプレス	KiHa 183-5200 series	5	Seating	July 1992	2023	KiHa 183 series	Naebo
Kutsurogi (KiHa 29)	くつろぎ	KiHa 29 series	3	Tatami	1973	1997	KiHa 27 series	Sapporo	First iteration of "Kutsurogi". Originally painted in regular JNR colors with a green band. Supplanted by a KiHa 59 based trainset in 1984.
Kutsurogi (KiHa 56)	くつろぎ	KiHa 56-500	2	Tatami	1984	1997	KiHa 56 series	Sapporo	The cars were named "Onuma" and "Toyako". Scrapped in 1997 along with the KiHa 29 based set.
Kutsurogi (KiHa 400)	くつろぎ	KiHa 400-500	3	Tatami	1998	2015	KiHa 56 series	Sapporo
Kutsurogi (KiHa 183)	くつろぎ	KiHa 183-6000 series	3	Tatami	1999	2015/2022	KiHa 183 series	Sapporo	KiHa 182-6001 was scrapped in 2015 while the remaining cars operated in a 2 car set. They were repainted into regular JR Hokkaido Limited Express color scheme and the "Kutsurogi" nameplate was dropped. The set was scrapped in 2022.

• 
  Furano Express KiHa 80 series DMU, 1990
• 
  Mountain Lake Onuma KiHa 80 series DMU
• 
  Tomamu & Sahoro Express KiHa 80 series DMU, 1992
• 
  Alpha Continental Express KiHa 59 series DMU in 1994
• 
  Kutsurogi (KiHa 29) in 1986
• 
  Kutsurogi (KiHa 56-552) in 1991
• 
  Kutsurogi (KiHa 400-502)
• 
  Kutsurogi (KiHa 183-6101) in 2009

JR East

EMU

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Withdrawn	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Joyful Train Alpha	ジョイフルトレイン・アルファ	165 series	3	Seating	December 1995	May 2001	165 series	Niigata	Converted from Shuttle Maihama.
Ayano	彩野	183 series	6	Seating	March 2006	2011	183 series	Nikkō	Replaced by 253 series.
IZU CRAILE	伊豆クレイル	651 series	4	Seating	July 2016	March 2020	651 series	Izu	The name "CRAILE" came from C (Cool), Rail, and E (Elegant). Jointly operated by JR East and Izukyū Corporation.
FruiTea Fukushima	フルーティアふくしま	719-700 series	2	Seating	2015	Dec 24th, 2023	719 series	Sendai	Will be replaced by SATONO.
Iroha	いろは	205-600 series	4	Seating	2018	11 March 2022	205-600 series		2 doors removed per side and LCD screen inserted.
Nanohana	なのはな	165 series	6	Tatami	March 1986	August 1998	165 series	Chiba	First EMU-based Joyful Train. Replaced by New Nanohana.
New Nanohana	ニューなのはな	485 series	6	Tatami	February 1998	August 2016	485 series	Makuhari, Chiba
Resort Yamadori	リゾートやまどり	485 series	6	Seating	2011	11 December 2022	485 series	Takasaki	Rebuilt from former Seseragi and two cars of former Yamanami. Last 485 series train in service.
Zipangu	ジパング	485 series	4	Seating	1 April 2012	10 October 2021	485 series		Rebuilt from former Yamanami end cars and two 485-3000 series intermediate cars.
Panorama Express Alps	パノラマエクスプレスアルプス	165 series	6	Seating	March 1987	September 2001	165 series	Mitaka, Tokyo	Sold to Fuji Kyuko in December 2001.
Seseragi	せせらぎ	485 series	4	Tatami	March 2001	2010	485 series	Takasaki	Replaced loco-hauled Yasuragi set. Combined with Yamanami and rebuilt as Resort Yamadori.
Shikisai	四季彩	201 series	4	Seating	April 2001	July 2009	201 series	Hachioji, Tokyo	A 4-car 201 series set (W1) was modified in 2001 by JR East to become the special Shikisai (四季彩) tourist train, entering service on the Ōme Line from 4 August 2001. This train featured panorama windows and transverse seating bays on one side of the train only. It was repainted into a new livery in June 2005. The train was withdrawn from regular service at the end of June 2009, with a number of special finale runs scheduled for July.
Irodori	彩	485 series	6	Seating/compartments	December 2006	30 September 2017	485 series	Nagano
No.Do.Ka	NO・DO・KA	485 series	3	Carpet	October 2001	7 January 2018	183/189 series	Niigata	Formerly Sylphide. Can be diesel-hauled. Cab car uses the same design as that on Panorama Express Alps.
Utage	宴	485 series	4	Tatami	June 1994	23 February 2019	485 series	Oyama
Hana	華	485 series	6	Tatami	March 1997	30 October 2022	485 series	Oyama
Resort Express Yū	リゾートエクスプレスゆう	485 series	6	Tatami	March 1991	2 January 2018	183/189 series	Mito	Can be diesel-hauled.
Shuttle Maihama	シャトルマイハマ	165 series	3	Seating	March 1990	December 1995	165 series	Chiba	Converted to become Joyful Train Alpha.
Sylphide	シルフィード	485 series	3	Seating	September 1990	2001	485 series	Niigata	Converted to No.Do.Ka
Yamanami	やまなみ	485 series	4	Tatami	April 1999	2010	485 series	Takasaki	Replaced loco-hauled Kutsurogi set. Intermediate cars combined with Seseragi and rebuilt as Resort Yamadori. End cars rebuilt to form Zipangu.
Kirakira Uetsu	きらきらうえつ	485 series	4	Seating	November 2001	29 September 2019	485 series	Niigata	Replaced by Kairi.
Genbi Shinkansen	現美新幹線	E3-700 series	6	Seating	2016	19 December 2020	E3 series Shinkansen	Niigata
Toreiyu	とれいゆ	E3-700 series	6	Seating (car 11), ozashiki (cars 12 to 14), lounge (car 15), ashiyu foot baths (car 16)	2014	6 March 2022	E3 Series Shinkansen	Yamagata	Operations ended in March 2022, with its retirement likely spurred by a decline in ridership caused by COVID-19 restrictions.

• 
  Nanohana 165 series EMU, 1990
• 
  Joyful Train Alpha
• 
  Panorama Express Alps 165 series EMU, 1990
• 
  Iroha 205-600 series EMU, October 2019
• 
  Interior of 205-600 series Iroha
• 
  Seseragi 485 series EMU, May 2009
• 
  Shuttle Maihama 165 series EMU, 1990
• 
  Yamanami, January 2010
• 
  Interior of 485 series Yamanami
• 
  E3-700 R18 Toreiyu, July 2014
• 
  Hana, October 2006
• 
  New Nanohana, July 2003
• 
  Nodoka, August 2009
• 
  Resort Express Yū, May 2006
• 
  Resort Yamadori, July 2011
• 
  Utage, September 2006
• 
  Interior of 485 series Utage
• 
  Zipangu, April 2017
• 
  Kirakira Uetsu, 2012
• 
  Genbi Shinkansen, 2016
• 
  Interior of E3 series Genbi Shinkansen
• 
  Fruitea Fukushima, April 2015
• 
  Ayano running a Nikkō Limited Express service
• 
  IZU CRAILE, 2016

DMU

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Withdrawn	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Furusato	ふるさと	KiHa 48-2500	3	Seating	April 2001	August 2016	KiHa 48	Sendai	Converted from former Manyū set.
Kogane	こがね	KiHa 59	3	Seating	July 2003	July 2011	KiHa 58 series	Sendai	Converted from former Gracia set. Shipped to Philippines August 2011.
Resort Minori	リゾートみのり	KiHa 48	3	Seating	October 2008	August 2020	KiHa 48 series	Sendai
Kirakira Michinoku	きらきらみちのく	KiHa 48	3	Seating	July 2002	November 2010	KiHa 48 series	Aomori	Converted into Resort Umineko
Resort Umineko	リゾートうみねこ	KiHa 48	3	Seating	April 2011	March 2020	KiHa 48 series	Iwate	Converted from Kirakira Michinoku.
Umineko	うみねこ	KiHa 48	2	Seating	2006	2011	KiHa 48 series	Iwate	Replaced by Resort Umineko. Train remained in use without Umineko badging till 2017.
Resort Asunaro	リゾートあすなろ	HB-E300	2	Seating	December 2010	August 2023	Purpose-Built	Aomori	2 sets in total. Converted to Hinabi and Satono.
Elegance Acky	エレガンスアッキー	KiHa 59	3	Seating	1985	1997	KiHa 28/58	Akita	Formerly operated by JNR.
Cruising Train	クルージングトレイン	KiHa 48	2	Seating	2011	2023	KiHa 48	Akita	Formerly Resort Shirakami "Aoike" (Replaced by HB-E300, Initially 4 cars).
Akita Cruise Train	あきたクルーズ号	KiHa 48	4	Seating	2010	2020	KiHa 48	Akita	Formerly Resort Shirakami "Buna" (Replaced by HB-E300). Exclusively operated between Akita and Akita Port for passengers of cruise ships calling there. In 2020, the train was replaced by non-dedicated GV-E400 series trains.
Salon Express Arcadia	サロンエクスプレスアルカディア	KiHa 58 series	3	Seating	1981	1988	KiHa 58/28 series	Niigata	Formerly 2 cars, central car added in 1985. Destroyed by fire in 1988. End cars repaired and used as spectator transport for 1992's Sanriku Expo, then rebuilt as Kenji.
Kenji	Kenji	KiHa 58 series	3	Seating	2002	2018	KiHa 58/28 series	Morioka	End cars converted from former Salon Express Arcadia set.
Obako	おばこ	KiHa 58 series	3	Tatami	1984	2004	KiHa 58 series	Akita	Formerly known as Komachi from 1991 until 1997, when the Komachi name was given to the Shinkansen service.
Edelweiss	エーデルワイス	KiHa 58 series	3	Seating	1988	2002	KiHa 58 series	Morioka
Carpet Car	カーペット車	KiHa 58 series	4	Carpet	1985	2002	KiHa 58 series	Niigata	Replaced by Nodoka in 2002

• 
  KiHa 48 Furusato operating as a 2-car formation in November 2007
• 
  Resort Minori, April 2020
• 
  The two Resort Asunaro sets in December 2010
• 
  Kirakira Michinoku
• 
  Resort Umineko
• 
  Umineko
• 
  Akita Cruise Train, 2019
• 
  Obako while in service as Komachi
• 
  Paintscheme of the Elegance Acky

Loco hauled

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Withdrawn	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Edo	江戸	12 series	6	Tatami	February 1986	March 2003	12 series	Shinagawa
Fureai	ふれあい	SuRo 81 series	6	Tatami	March 1980	July 1990	SuRo 62 series	Mito
Fureai Ai	ふれあい愛	12 series	6	Tatami	1980	1990	12 series	Nagano
Fureai Michinoku	ふれあいみちのく	12 series	6	Tatami	July 1986	May 2002	12 series	Morioka
Kutsurogi (JR East)	くつろぎ	12 series	6	Tatami	June 1983	September 1999	12 series	Takasaki
Nagoyaka	なごやか	12 series	6	Tatami	March 1981	July 1997	12 series	Oku, Tokyo
Nostalgic View Train	ノスタルジックビュートレイン	JNR 50 series	2 x 3-car sets	Seating	1990	1997	50 series	Akita	Hauled by dedicated Class DE10 diesel locomotives. Replaced by Resort Shirakami DMU
Orient Saloon	オリエントサルーン	12 series	6	Tatami	January 1987	November 2000	12 series	Fukushima
Ozashiki Ressha	お座敷列車 ("カヌ座")	12 series	7	Tatami	July 1981	February 2002	12 series	Niigata
Roman	浪漫	14 series	6	Tatami	November 1995	March 2007	14 series	Nagano	Repainted to gold and wine red in 2000. Replaced Shirakaba and replaced by Irodori.
Salon Express Tokyo	サロンエクスプレス東京	14 series	7	Seating	August 1983	January 1997	14 series	Shinagawa	Converted to become Yutori trainset.
Shirakaba	白樺	12 series	6	Tatami	July 1983	November 1995	12 series	Nagano	Withdrawn and replaced by Roman.
Super Express Rainbow	スーパーエクスプレスレインボー	12/14 series	7	Seating	March 1987	March 2000	12/14 series	Oku
Yasuragi	やすらぎ	12 series	6	Tatami	April 1986	March 2001	12 series	Takasaki	Sold to Watarase Railway, becoming "Salon de Watarase".
Yutori	ゆとり	14 series	6	Tatami	May 1997	March 2008	14 series	Oku, Tokyo	Converted from former Salon Express Tokyo trainset.
SL Ginga	SL銀河	KiHa 141 series	4	Seating	12 April 2014	11 June 2023	KiHa 141 series	Iwate

• 
  The Nostalgic View Train circa 1992
• 
  C58 239 hauling the SL Ginga
• 
  Roman
• 
  Shirakaba
• 
  Salon Express Tokyo
• 
  JR East's Kutsurogi
• 
  Edo
• 
  Yasuragi
• 
  Fureai Michinoku
• 
  Orient Saloon
• 
  Super Express Rainbow
• 
  Yutori

JR Central

EMU

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Withdrawn	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Train117	トレイン117	117 series	4	Seating	August 2010	21 July 2013 (final run)	117 series	Ōgaki	KuHa 116-206 + MoHa 116-45 + MoHa 117-45 + KuHa 117-23
Yū Yū Tōkai	ゆうゆう東海	165 series	3	Seating	July 1989	November 1999	165 series	Shizuoka	Kumoha 165-701 + MoHa 164-701 + KuHa 165-701

• 
  The Train117 in August 2010
• 
  The Yū Yū Tōkai joyful train on Yamakita station in 1992

DMU

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Withdrawn	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Resort Liner	リゾートライナー	KiHa 80 series	3	Seating	July 1988	March 1995	KiHa 80 series	Nagoya	KiRo 82-801 + KiRo 80-791 + KiRo 80-801

• 
  Resort Liner KiHa 80 series DMU in 1989

Loco hauled

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Withdrawn	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Ikoi	いこい	12 series	6	Tatami	1982	February 1997	12 series	Numazu → Nagoya	The cars remained in regular 12 Series paint scheme, unlike other Joyful Train sets. It's the second time the name Ikoi has been used for a named train in Japan, as it was used before by JNR.
Euroliner	ユーロライナー	12-700 series	7	Seating	August 1985	April 2005	12 series	Nagoya	Euroliner liveried locos: EF64 35/66 EF65 105/106/112 DD51 592/791/1037
Ozashiki Ressha	お座敷列車 ("ナコ座")	12 series	6	Tatami	March 1983	October 1999	12 series	Nagoya

JR West

EMU

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Withdrawn	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Super Saloon Yumeji	スーパーサルーンゆめじ	211 series/213 series	3	Seating	1988	March 2010	Purpose-built	Okayama	KuMoRo 211-1 + MoRo 210-1 + KuRo 212-1001

• 
  Super Saloon Yumeji 211/213 series, January 2007

DMU

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Withdrawn	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Edel Tango	エーデル丹後	KiHa 65 series	2	Seating	July 1988	March 1996	KiHa 65 series	Kyoto	KiHa 65 601 + KiHa 65 1601 Operated in conjunction with 183-800 series Kitakinki EMU services between Osaka.
Edel Tottori	エーデル鳥取	KiHa 65 series	4	Seating	March 1989	October 1999	KiHa 65 series	Kyoto
Edel	エーデル	KiHa 65 series	4	Seating	December 1989	October 2004	KiHa 65 series	Kyoto
YUtopia	ゆぅトピア	KiHa 65 series	2	Seating/Carpet	December 1986	March 1995	KiHa 65 series	Kanazawa	KiRo 65 1 + KiRo 65 1001 Operated in conjunction with 485 series Raichō EMU services between Kyoto and Osaka.
Resort Saloon Festa	リゾートサルーン・フェスタ	KiHa 58 series	3	Seating	July 1988	November 2001	KiHa 58 series	Hiroshima	KiRo 59 552 + KiRo 29 553 + KiRo 59 553. The "mouth" in the front of the train can open.
VIVA West	ビバ・ウエスト	KiHa 59 series	2	Seating	August 1989	March 1999	KiHa 58 series	Yamaguchi	KiHa 59 501 + KiHa 29 501
Seychelle	セイシェル	KiHa 58 series	3	Seating/Carpet	October 1989	January 2005	KiHa 58 series/12 series	Fukuchiyama	KiRo 59 554 + KiSaRo 59 501 + KiRo 59 555
Golden Express Astre	ゴールデンエクスプレスアストル	KiHa 65/KiHa 58 series	3	Seating	March 1988	December 2006	KiHa 65/KiHa 58 series	Kanazawa	KiRo 65 551 + KiRo 29 552 + KiRo 65 1551
Fureai Pal	ふれあいパル	KiHa 58 series	2	Carpet	April 1986	October 2007	KiHa 58 series	Hiroshima	KiRo 59 504 + KiRo 29 503
Fureai Sun-in	ふれあいSUN-IN	KiHa 58 series	3	Tatami	April 1986	July 2008	KiHa 58 series	Yonago	KiRo 59 506 + KiRo 59 505 + KiRo 29 507
Honobono Sun-in	ほのぼのSUN-IN	KiHa 58 series	2	Tatami	November 1987	November 2009	KiHa 58 series	Yonago	KiRo 59 551 + KiRo 29 551
Misuzu Shiosai	みすゞ潮彩	KiHa 47	2	Seating	July 2007	January 2017	KiHa 47	Yamaguchi	Converted to become Maru Maru No Hanashi[1] [2]
Tenkū no shiro Takedajōato	天空の城 竹田城跡号	KiHa 40	1	Seating	March 2015	May 2019	KiHa 40	Hyōgo	Converted to become Umiyamamusubi
Setouchi Marine View	瀬戸内マリンビュー	KiHa 47	2	Seating	October 2005	December 2019	KiHa 47	Hiroshima	Converted to become etSETOra[3]

• 
  Setouchi Marine View, 2005
• 
  Misuzu Shiosai
• 
  Tenku no Shiro Takedajoato, 2015
• 
  Seychelle
• 
  Resort Saloon Festa
• 
  Honobono Sun-In
• 
  Fureai Pal
• 
  Fureai Sun-In

Loco hauled

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Withdrawn	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Holiday Pal	ホリデーパル	JNR 20 series/14 series	8	Compartments	June 1984	September 1997	20/14 series	Hiroshima
Ozashiki Kyakusha Joyful Train	お座敷客車ジョイフルトレイン	12 series	6	Tatami	July 1981	1989	12 series	Wakayama	Withdrawn 1989 and converted to become Ikiiki Salon Kinokuni.
Ikiiki Salon Kinokuni	いきいきサロンきのくに	12 series	6	Tatami	September 1989	June 2007	12 series	Wakayama	Converted from former Ozashiki Kyakusha Joyful Train.
Fukuchiyama Ikoi	いこい	12 series	1	Mixed	April 1985	1989	12 series	Fukichiyama	Half in Japanese style, half in Western style. Later incorporated into Seychelle.
Tabiji	旅路	12-800 series	6	Tatami	July 1981	30 September 2007	12 series	Hiroshima
Wakuwaku Danran	わくわく団らん	12 series	6	Tatami	July 1982	December 2006	12 series	Kanazawa
Yuu Yuu Salon Okayama	ユウユウサロン岡山	12 series	6	Seating	November 1985	March 2011	12 series	Okayama	Originally named "ゆうゆうサロン岡山". Refurbished and repainted in January 1994.
Asuka	あすか	12 series/14 series	7	Tatami/Seating	November 1987	31 March 2018	12/14 series	Miyahara, Osaka
SL Yamaguchi (12 series)	SLやまぐち号（12系）	12 series	5	Seating	July 1988	September 2017	12 series	Yamaguchi	Sold to Ōigawa Railway in February 2018.
Okuizumo Orochi	奥出雲おろち号	12 series	2	Seating	April 1998	November 2023	12 series	Goto	Replaced by Ametuchi. Had a dedcicated locomotive.
SL Kita-Biwako	SL北びわこ号	12 series	5	Seating	August 1995	November 2019	12 series	Shiga

• 
  Holiday Pal
• 
  Fukuchiyama Ikoi
• 
  Ozasiki Kyakusha
• 
  Wakuwaku Danran
• 
  Tabiji in its original paint scheme in the 1980s
• 
  Loco-hauled 12-800 series Tabiji set on its final run in September 2007
• 
  Okuizumo Orochi in 2017

JR Shikoku

DMU

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Withdrawn	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Island Express Shikoku II	アイランドエクスプレス四国II	KiHa 185 series	2	Seating	August 1999	2021	KiHa 185 series	Takamatsu	KiRo 186 4 + KiRo 186 8
Iyonada Monogatari (KiHa 47)	伊予灘ものがたり	KiHa 47	2	Seating	2014	2021	KiHa 47 series	Tadotsu	Replaced by a KiHa 185 based train with the same name.
Tabidachi	旅立ち	KiHa 58 Series	4	Seating	March 1987	April 1987	KiHa 58 series	Takamatsu	Modified to accommodate group excursions over the Great Seto Bridge.

• 
  Island Express Shikoku II
• 
  Iyonada Monogatari
• 
  Tabidachi

Loco hauled

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Withdrawn	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Island Express Shikoku	アイランドエクスプレス四国	JNR 50 series	5	Seating	March 1987	May 1999	50 series	Takamatsu

JR Kyushu

DMU

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Withdrawn	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Aso 1962	あそ1962	KiHa 58 series	2	Seating	July 2006	26 December 2010	KiHa 58 series	Kumamoto
Hayato no Kaze	はやとの風	KiHa 47/147	2	Seating	March 2004	March 2022	KiHa 47	Kagoshima	Former KiHa 140 series car converted to become Ibusuki no Tamatebako car in March 2012. Rest of the train was converted to become Two Stars 4047.
Holland Village Express	オランダ村特急	KiHa 183-1000 series	4	Seating	20 March 1988	July 1992	Purpose-built	–	Operated in conjunction with 485 series Ariake EMU services between Kokura and Hakata. Converted to become Yufuin no Mori II.
Siebold	シーボルト	KiHa 183-1000 series	4	Seating	March 1999	March 2004	KiHa 183-1000 series	–	Converted from former Yufuin no Mori II. Converted to become Yufu DX. Named after German botanist Philipp Franz von Siebold.
Toro-Q	TORO-Q	KiHa 58 + ToRa 70000 + KiHa 65	5	Seating	October 2002	August 2010	KiHa 58 + ToRa 70000 + KiHa 65	–	DMU cars repainted and reverted to regular use following withdrawal of train.
Yufu DX	ゆふDX	KiHa 183-1000 series	4	Seating	March 2004	January 2011	KiHa 183-1000 series	Oita	Formerly Holland Village Express, Yufuin no Mori II, and Siebold. Withdrawn 10 January 2011 and converted to become Aso Boy.
Yufuin no Mori II	ゆふいんの森II	KiHa 183-1000 series	4	Seating	July 1992	March 1999	KiHa 183-1000 series	–	Converted from former Holland Village Express. Converted to become Siebold.
Isaburo Shinpei	いさぶろう・しんぺい	KiHa 47 series	3	Seating	2009	March 2023	KiHa 47 series	–	Converted to become Kampachi Ichiroku.

• 
  Aso 1962, December 2006
• 
  Hayato no Kaze, July 2009
• 
  Holland Village Express KiHa 183-1000 series in 1990
• 
  Siebold KiHa 183-1000 series in 2000
• 
  Toro-Q set led by KiHa 65 36 in July 2008
• 
  Yufu DX in September 2009
• 
  Yufuin no Mori II KiHa 183-1000 series in July 1998

Loco hauled

Name	Japanese	Classification	No. of cars	Accommodation	Introduced	Withdrawn	Converted from	Depot/region	Remarks
Panorama Liner Southern Cross	パノラマライナーサザンクロス	12 series	6	Seating	March 1987	March 1994	12 series	Mojiko
SL Aso Boy	SLあそBOY	JNR 50 series	3	Seating	August 1988	2005	50 series	Kumamoto	The train is nicknamed SL Hitoyoshi due to the engine's former static preservation location in Hitoyoshi. The steam engine used for the SL Aso Boy service broke down in August 2005, necessitating repairs and was eventually replaced by a JNR DE10 series diesel locomotive. Out of service due to repairs until 2009, the train was brought back into service as the SL Hitoyoshi.
SL Hitoyoshi	SL人吉	JNR 50 series	3	Seating	2009	March 2024	50 series	Kumamoto	In 2009, the SL Hitoyoshi name is made official with Aso 1962 taking over the Aso line from the former SL Aso Boy. Ran as SL Kimetsu no Yaiba in 2020 as collaboration with the movie. Due to the age of the locomotive, JR Kyushu withdrew the SL Hitoyoshi from service in March 23 2024.

• 
  SL Aso Boy
• 
  SL Aso Boy converted to look like Galaxy Express 999 at Suizenji Station
• 
  SL Hitoyoshi
• 
  SL Hitoyoshi as SL Kimetsu no Yaiba

See also

• Excursion train
• Japan Railways locomotive numbering and classification

Further reading

• 日本を満喫できるリゾート列車完全ガイド [Complete Resort Train Guide to Enjoy Japan] (in Japanese). Japan: Kasakura Publishing Co., Ltd. February 2014. ISBN 978-4773087055.

External links

• JR East Joyful Trains (in Japanese)