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[Miyagi/Iwate] Make your summer vacation a memorable one! A trip on the Pokémon Train Kesennuma, which runs between Ichinoseki and Kesennuma

  • natsuki natsuki
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Did you know that there is a special train in Tohoku where you can enjoy Pikachu from Pokémon to your heart's content?
This time, we will introduce you to our experience riding the "Pokémon Train Kesennuma" in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic!
A must-see for Pokémon and train fans!

What is POKÉMON with YOU Train?

What is the Pokémon Train?

JR East's tourist train "POKÉMON with YOU Train" is operated with the aim of bringing smiles to the faces of children in Tohoku who were affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and for children from all over Japan to enjoy traveling in Tohokuis
It connects Ichinoseki Station (Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture) and Kesennuma Station (Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture) via the Ofunato Line

Pokémon Train running section

The train connects Ichinoseki Station and Kesennuma Station via the Ofunato Line in about two hoursAlong the way, the train will stop for a few minutes at Rikuchu Matsukawa, Geibikei, Surisawa, Senmaya, and Orikabe stations

[2023 timetable]

  • Departing Ichinoseki Station at 11:01 → Arriving Kesennuma Station at 12:52
  • Departs Kesennuma Station at 14:37 → Arrives Ichinoseki Station at 16:32

Pokémon Train Operation Days

The train runs one round trip per day from May to September, mainly on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. All cars are standard-class reserved seats

I rode the Pokemon Train

At Ichinoseki Station, where the Pokémon Train departs, you will be greeted by a Pikachu monument
The Pokémon Train consists of two cars, with car number 1 being a "box-type reserved seat car" and car number 2 being a "playroom car."

The train arrived and I got on with excitementThe attendant gave us a "Memory Notebook" and a "Commemorative Boarding Pass" as a gift to commemorate our ride. The "Memory Notebook" can be stamped with stamps installed at four stations (Ichinoseki Station, Surisawa Station, Senmaya Station, and Kesennuma Station)!

At the time of departure, only reserved seating in car number 1 was available. After boarding, we enjoyed the time until the playroom car opened while eating the bento lunches we bought at Ichinoseki Station.
There was even an announcement on the train greeting us all from Pikachu!

"Pika peekka, pika pika pee!"

Both children and adults were excited.
After walking a little further, we heard an announcement that the playroom was open.

From the playroom you can enjoy the driver's seat and views from the front and rearThe tranquil scenery is simply soothing
During the ride, the train horn blew and the train suddenly braked. An announcement was made saying that a wild deer had appeared on the tracks! The train continued on, experiencing something unique to the Ofunato Line, which is surrounded by nature

The interior of the Pokemon Train is amazing!

Box-type car No. 1. The Pokémon design is exciting

The box-type interior of Car No. 1 is dotted with Pikachu and PokeballsThe kids are super excited!

There are a lot of Pikachu stuffed toys in the second playroom carbut!You can also take commemorative photos wearing a conductor's costume

The playroom is filled with Pikachu everywhere. There are so many Pikachu that children don't fight over them. Each child feels like they have Pikachu all to themselves

The ball pool is very popular with small children, including my 2-year-old. There is also a Pikachu-themed driver's seat, so you can get in the mood to drive the train

Take a snap with your ticket and conductor's costume
Pikachu-themed driver's seat

Enjoy a stamp rally at each station

The Pokémon Train will make a few minutes' stops at Rikuchu Matsukawa, Geibikei, Surisawa, Senmaya, and Orikabe stations

There will be time set aside to go outside and take photos with different Pokemon at each station, as well as participate in a stamp rallyYou may be worried about whether small children will stay quiet for the entire ride, but on the special train they can get off the train along the way, so they won't get bored

How do I make reservations for the Pokémon Train?

All seats on JR East's sightseeing train, the "POKÉMON with YOU Train," are reserved, so reservations are required to ride

Pokémon Train tickets can be purchased from 10:00 AM on the same day one month prior to travel at JR East's online reservation service "Eki-net," JR station "Midori no Madoguchi" (Green Window) and major travel agenciesThis is a very popular train with limited service and seating, so we recommend making reservations at the time of sale on the day tickets go on sale
You can check the reservation status on JR East's online reservation service, "Eki-net."

Enjoy the Pokémon Train with your family

The Pokémon Train was filled with Pikachu! I was able to enjoy Pikachu to the fullest

Since I also took the Pokémon Train on the way back, I had just under two hours of free time in Kesennuma. I enjoyed sightseeing at Kesennuma's Sea Market and Shark Museum, and ate shark fin ice cream, making the most of Kesennuma!

The kids spent the entire two hours of the return journey playing in the playroom car without getting bored. The kids were playing happily with each other in the playroom, so the adults felt at ease. We were able to enjoy a relaxed and leisurely train ride on the return journey

The Pokémon Train is a special train that can only be ridden here! Why not take a ride and make some summer vacation memories?

INFORMATION (Ichinoseki Station)

  • Facility name: Ichinoseki Station
  • Address: 67-1 Ekimae, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture
  • Tohoku Shinkansen, Tohoku Main Line and Ofunato Line

GOOGLE MAP

INFORMATION (Kesennuma Station)

  • Facility name: Kesennuma Station
  • Address: 1-5-25 Furumachi, Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture
  • The terminal station of the Ofunato Line
  • Bus: Kesennuma Line BRT, Ofunato Line BRT

GOOGLE MAP

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