Can you soak in an onsen while riding a bullet train? Yamagata Prefecture's footbath train departs with warm feet

The Japanese love of onsen bathing definitely goes beyond what we can imagine — they soak not only at home but even on bullet trains. To promote tourism in Yamagata Prefecture, JR East Japan launched the Yamagata Shinkansen train “とれいゆ” (Toreiyu) in July, which transforms into a “footbath train” running between “Fukushima – Yamagata,” and operates on weekends between Fukushima and Shinjo.

The name Toreiyu combines the English word for train and the French word for sun. It is a complete interior and exterior renovation of an E3 series Shinkansen train. Cars 12 to 14 are equipped with “zashiki reserved seating” covered with tatami mats, giving the carriages a traditional Japanese atmosphere. The ceilings and seat backs are decorated with fruits native to Yamagata. Car 15 is designed with the concept of a traditional bathhouse, featuring tatami seating, a solid cherry wood table, and a red floral counter displaying local specialties. Stepping into the carriage feels like entering a hot spring resort — truly unique.

The footbath is located in Car No. 16 of the train, featuring two hot spring pools, each 2.4 meters long and 50 centimeters deep, for passengers to soak their feet. The pool walls incorporate motifs of Yamagata Prefecture’s prefectural flower, with a red color scheme as the main theme. A bar counter is also provided nearby so that passengers who have finished soaking can relax with a drink — a truly enjoyable experience.