Setsugekka

Consisting of only two coaches and 45 seats, Setsugekka has been designed by Ichibansen, changing some of its walls for windows, resulting in marvelous views. 

The vermillion body of the train glows along the Sea of Japan
The excursion train ‘Echigo TOKImeki Resort Setsugekka’ has replaced the walls with huge windows for the grand view of ocean and mountains. It has started its operation in the western part of Niigata prefecture, Japan. In order to be a new symbol of this area, the train’s body was colored vermillion glowing with the nature.
running train with Mt. Myoko in the background  photo by Echigo TOKImeki Railway Company
Running train with Mt. Myoko in the background. Photo by Echigo TOKImeki Railway Company
Conventionally, most passengers might take it for granted that better train should have shorter traveling time, as it is just a public transportation in daily life or travels for them. The general public tends to be forgetting and indifferent to enjoying the view from the train window, the traveling time spent with someone special to you or the journey itself.
The special view compartment has only 4 seats.
The special view compartment has only 4 seats.
Compared to a limited express or bullet train, Setsugekka is ridiculously slower because it takes 3 hours from the starting station to the terminal, despite the 13 minutes trip by Hokuriku Shinkansen. That is exactly why passengers can have enjoyable time with the relaxed journey that you have never experienced on the nominal train.
Car no.1 is an observation car
Car no.1 is an observation car
Passenger’s precious time with Japanese hospitality must be the highest priority in the project. In terms of the interior, local materials have been used, including kawara tile flooring and domestic natural lumber in spite of the train’s steel body. In addition, the service of food and drink on board is also based on the local products in order to revitalize the local area.

Setsugekka
Design: ICHIBANSEN – nextstations (Yasuyuki Kawanishi, Yuri Sasai and Tomohiro Himeno)
Completion: 2016

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