The "Oykot" Scenic Train
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A new scenic train is opening in time to connect to the brand new Hokuriku Shinkansen in March 2015. Learn more here!
"Oykot” a world away from Tokyo
When you travel aboard the Oykot, you'll be in the heart of the countryside of a very traditional Japan, on charming little lines between forests and agricultural plains, the exact opposite of a commuter train or a subway that runs through the center of Tokyo amid endless, soulless buildings.
A train to where?
You can catch the Oykot from Nagano Station, its point of departure, at 9:17 a.m. every weekend and public holidays, or at 10:00 a.m. from Iiyama Station (connection with the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line), for a journey to Tokamachi in the heart of Niigata.
If you'd like to get lost deep in the mountains and countryside, this is the train for you - and it's designed to do just that, to rediscover Japan's deepest rural roots.
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Take your time to appreciate the 2h30 journey on the Oykot, with its views of valleys with beautiful rivers, rice paddies, high mountains pierced by the tunnels into which the train plunges, and the mists that cling to them and magically disappear in an instant.
The train stops at small stations, no one gets on or off, perfect tranquility. Only you and the landscape. Snow-covered in winter, very green all summer long, and in the beautiful colors of autumn in October-November. The JR Iiyama Line is a jewel nestled in the heart of ancestral Japan.
A traditional home on a track
Inside the Oykot, everything has been designed to make you feel like you're in a traditional home, like returning to your grandparents' house for a vacation. You'll find the smell and feel of childhood, a rough yet soft feel, warm fabrics, soft lighting, attentive service, and even the voice of an elderly gentleman (a local actor) ringing in your ears for sublimely nostalgic announcements.
To complete the picture, you can enjoy a bento with local produce (book 5 days in advance on the JR East Oykot Joyful Train website), served on board. Depending on the day, storytellers will tell you local stories and legends, or musicians will play traditional flutes on board.
The best thing to do is to try on the 'sugeboshi', a kind of traditional garment made of rice straw worn by farmers to protect themselves from the elements in the fields. Wear it for a moment, and have your photo taken with it - a picturesque experience guaranteed.
When you arrive at Tokamachi, the connecting station for the private Hokuhoku Line, don't hesitate to stop by the station's information office, which sells a wide range of traditional items and souvenirs from the region.
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