The "West Express Ginga" Train

The name " West Express Ginga " takes its inspiration from the term 'Ginga' (meaning galaxy), which until the mid-2000s was the name of a popular night train running between Tokyo and Osaka. The new train's logo features stars forming a galaxy, representing the various regions of western Japan and the wonders they have to offer.

The train's midnight-blue livery reflects the concept and traditional color of the national JR West company, which created the train, as well as the celestial vault.

Each of the train's six carriages has a different ambience for different levels of comfort, with beautiful, colorful fabrics and lots of wood. There are comfortable, spacious seats for a pleasant journey, private lounges for friends or family, games areas, relaxation areas and panoramic lounges that encourage you to meet and chat with other passengers around a table, just as the designer Kawanishi Yasuyuki, a young designer increasingly in demand for his beautiful, original creations, intended.

When the time comes, depending on your chosen level of comfort, the train is transformed with reclining seats, bunks appear in the private areas, 'Nobi nobi' style single berths on hard mattresses and beds unfold in the Premium cabins, for those who want a truly comfortable night's sleep.

6.50am, the train stops at Kushimoto. You'd better be awake, as there's a bus waiting outside the station to take you to see the sunrise (especially in autumn and winter) over the famous Hashigui-Iwa rocks. An ancient natural volcanic formation that causes several rocks to rise in a perfect line into the ocean. A marvel that will delight you from the moment you wake up for a day that begins with a bang... on rails!

You'll then take the train back to the Shingu terminus at 9:37 am.

There, you'll have the whole day until the next day to explore all the beauty of the Kumano region, with its beautiful beaches and temples nestled in the mountains, such as the famous Kumano-Hayatama taisha and its must-see waterfall.