[Miyagi/Iwate] For memories of summer vacation! Journey of the Pokemon Train Kesennuma between Ichinoseki and Kesennuma

natsuki
2023.06.27
Last updated: 2023.06.27

table of contents

1 What is POKÉMON with YOU Train?
2 I tried riding the Pokemon train
- 2.1 The inside of the Pokemon train is amazing!
- 2.2 Enjoy stamp rallies at stops
3 How do I make a Pokemon Train reservation?
4 Let's enjoy Pokemon Train with parents and children

Did you know that there is a special train in Tohoku where you can enjoy the Pokemon Pikachu to your heart's content?
This time, I'd like to introduce you to what it was like when I rode the "Pokémon Train Kesennuma" in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic!
A must-see for Pokemon and train lovers!

What is POKÉMON with YOU Train?

What is Pokemon Train?

JR East's sightseeing train ``POKÉMON with YOU Train'' is operated with the hope of bringing smiles to the children of Tohoku who were affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and of wanting children from all over the country to enjoy their trip to Tohoku. trainis.
It connects Ichinoseki Station (Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture) and Kesennuma Station (Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture) via the Ofunato Line.

Pokemon train running section

It connects Ichinoseki Station and Kesennuma Station in about 2 hours via the Ofunato Line.Along the way, the train stops for a few minutes at Rikuchu Matsukawa, Geibikei, Surisawa, Senmaya, and Orikabe stations.

[2023 service schedule]

Departs from Ichinoseki Station at 11:01am → Arrives at Kesennuma Station at 12:52pm
Departs from Kesennuma Station at 14:37 → Arrives at Ichinoseki Station at 16:32

Pokemon train driving day

There will be one round trip per day from May to September, mainly on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. All regular cars have reserved seats.

I tried riding the Pokemon train

At Ichinoseki Station, where the Pokemon train starts, a Pikachu monument will welcome you.
The Pokémon Train is a two-car train, with the first car being a box-type reserved seat car and the second car being a playroom car.

The train arrived and I got on board feeling excited.The attendant gave me a ``memory note'' and a ``commemorative ride pass'' as a commemorative gift. You can stamp stamps installed at four stations (Ichinoseki Station, Surisawa Station, Senmaya Station, and Kesennuma Station) on your "Remember Note"!

At the time of departure, you can only ride in the reserved seat car of car 1.
After boarding the train, we ate the bento we bought at Ichinoseki Station and enjoyed the time until the playroom cars opened. The in-car announcement was a greeting from Pikachu!

“Pikka pikka, pikka pikka!”

Both children and adults will be excited.
After a while, I heard an announcement that the playroom was open.

From the playroom, you can enjoy the driver's seat and the front and rear views.The peaceful scenery is simply soothing.
Actually, while I was riding, the horn rang and I suddenly had to brake. According to the announcement, a wild deer has appeared on the tracks! The train runs while experiencing events unique to the Ofunato Line, which is rich in nature.

The inside of the Pokemon train is amazing!

The first box-type car. I'm excited about the Pokemon design.

The inside of the box-type car No. 1 is studded with Pikachu and monster balls.The kids are so excited!

There are a lot of Pikachu stuffed animals in the second car of the playroom.but!You can also take a commemorative photo wearing a conductor's costume.

The playroom is full of Pikachu everywhere. A large number of Pikachu appear! So much so that your children won't be able to fight each other. You will feel like you have each Pikachu all to yourself.

The ball pool is very popular with small children, including my 2-year-old. There's also a Pikachu-style driver's cab, so you can feel like a driver and experience driving a train.

Photos with tickets and conductor costumes

Enjoy stamp rallies at stops

The Pokémon Train makes several minutes of stops at Rikuchu Matsukawa, Geibikei, Surisawa, Senmaya, and Orikabe stations.

There will be time to go outside and take photos with different Pokemon at each station and have a stamp rally.You may be worried about whether small children will be able to ride the train quietly, but on special trains you can get out of the train midway through the train, so you can ride without getting bored.

How do I make a Pokemon Train reservation?

JR East's sightseeing train ``POKÉMON with YOU Train'' has reserved seats on all trains, so reservations are required to board the train.

Pokemon Train tickets can be purchased from 10:00 a.m. on the same day one month before boarding at JR East's online reservation service "Ekinet," "Midori no Madoguchi" at JR stations, and major travel agencies. .This is a very popular train with a small number of trains operating and seats, so we recommend making reservations on the day it goes on sale.
You can check your reservation status on JR East's online reservation service ``Ekinet''.

Let's enjoy Pokemon Train with parents and children

The Pokemon train is full of Pikachu! I was able to fully enjoy Pikachu.

I rode the Pokémon Train on the way back, so I spent just under two hours of free time in Kesennuma. Enjoy sightseeing at Kesennuma ``Sea Market'' and ``Shark Museum'', eat shark fin ice cream, and enjoy Kesennuma to the fullest!

The children spent the entire two hours on the return trip playing in the playroom vehicle without getting bored. In the playroom, children are playing happily with each other, so adults can feel at ease. I was able to relax and enjoy the return train journey.

The Pokemon Train is a special train that you can only ride here! Why not take a ride once to make memories of your summer vacation?