The Ultimate Luxury Train Journey: The Kintetsu Shimakaze

Written by TRAVELER Luxe Traveler Magazine, reported by Chuang Wei-Ting

 

The Kintetsu Shimakaze (しまかぜ, Premium Express SHIMAKAZE), this new type of luxury sightseeing train that even Japanese people scramble to ride, has been in extremely high demand since its launch in March this year. There are only two such trains in all of Japan, each making one daily round trip from Osaka and Nagoya to Kashikojima. The timing also coincides with the once-every-twenty-years relocation ceremony of Ise Grand Shrine, sparking a trend of riding the Shimakaze to witness the divine relocation.

This lavishly built luxury train, with its sleek white and sky-blue exterior gleaming brilliantly, features diamond-shaped blue-green observation glass at both ends, offering an unobstructed view of the driver’s seat where passengers can watch the conductor in action up close — a dream come true for any train enthusiast. The large panoramic windows create a completely open, transparent feeling, and the gentle rocking motion, the rhythmic clatter of the train, and the whistle before entering tunnels make the experience feel like a 3D virtual reality — truly surreal. The goose-yellow leather seats in the observation car are first-class quality, reportedly worth enough to buy a car on their own. With 125 cm of legroom between seats, they are spacious and comfortable, and even come with Japan’s first electrically adjustable inflatable headrests and electric massage functions to help relieve travel fatigue. It doesn’t get more luxurious than this.

 

●   Further Reading:

Strolling Through the Abode of the Gods: The Ise Grand Shrine Shikinen Sengu Festival

www.mook.com.tw/article.php?op=articleinfo&articleid=9049

 

MOOK Scenic Spots Home Travel Life Network – The Largest Chinese Travel Information Platform

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