The "Ibusuki no Tamatebako" Tourist Train
Ibusuki no Tamatebako (Rurubu.jp)
Open the marvelous train box
In operation since 2011, the "Ibusuki no Tamatebako" or simply"Ibutama" tourist train runs daily on Japan's southernmost line, in Kyushu, along the Satsuma Peninsula. An hour's ride to Ibusuki, and why not bury yourself under the sand on the beach!
The train of a legendary story
The " Ibusuki no Tamatebako -Ibutama " train is based on the legendary story of Umashima Taro, who was invited to the palace of the Dragon King Ryujin after saving a turtle from the abuse of naughty children on the beach. After having spent some quality time there, he left with a superb little lacquered 'Tamatebako' chest as a souvenir of this enchanting place, but not to open it under any circumstances to keep the good times alive in his memory. Naturally, Umashima Taro couldn't resist opening the Tamatebako. Immediately, white smoke billowed from it, instantly aging our man, who felt death closing in on him.
Our "Ibusuki no Tamatebako" train is just like this box, an image that can be found everywhere in the decor. The difference is that we have access to this box, that it's full of wonders, that we're not going to grow old all at once, but rather take a beautiful journey on board.
A train of wonders
All the Ibutama's decoration was entrusted to JR Kyushu's star designer of many years, Eiji Mitooka, whose touch is immediately recognizable: a warm, luxurious ambience dominated by wood, cedar and teak from the great southern island, just like the yachts that ply the seas. Fabrics with colorful plant and marine motifs jump out at you from a variety of seating options. Duo, sofa, reduced size for children and even a playpen for babies! Then there are the solo counter seats, facing the landscape of Kagoshima Bay, the blue sea and the great Sakurajima volcano in the background.
There's a library on board for a few art books on the region, its wonders to discover and its legends!
A hostess passes by to offer drinks, sandwiches, sweets or souvenirs of the train.
The train's livery is white and black. White on the sea side, black on the mountain side. A golden line runs the length of both carriages, like a hyphen between sea and mountains, between desire and pleasure, the pleasure of spending a unique moment in an exceptional train.
Ibusuki no Tamatebako kids seats & baby park (JLM)
Ibusuki no Tamatebako train, Kagoshima-Chuo station (JLM)
Live the legend as if...
The "Ibusuki no Tamatebako" aims to be as close as possible to the legendary story of Umashima Taro, which is why when the train stops at the station at the end of the journey to Ibusuki, or Kagoshima-Chuo in the opposite direction, as soon as the doors open a white smoke appears and envelops you as if by magic. Misters installed above the doors on the outside are activated, and you're part of the legend, transformed... not into an old man, but into a traveler conquered by this formidable sensory experience. We can't wait! All you have to do is get back on board for one more round trip. And at Ibusuki, the train's terminus, you can try burying yourself under the warm sand of the beach, a local specialty, for a great detox experience. Another kind of sensory experience, like a hot spring like so many around here, only more solid.
Ibusuki no Tamatebako Dragon smoke (JR Kyushu)
Geothermal heated-sand, Ibusuki beach (Ibusuki-Go)
The "Ibusuki no Tamatebako" runs daily between Kagoshima-Chuo and Ibusuki, a journey of just under an hour.
Departures from Kagoshima-Chuo: 9h56, 11h56 and 13h56.
Departures from Ibusuki: 10h56, 12h57 and 15h07.
Reservations are compulsory for this train, but it won't cost you anything thanks to the Japan Rail Pass.
