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There is a tourist train called "SATONO" that just debuted in the southern Tohoku region in April 2024. In this article, we will introduce the operating areas and days of this new tourist train, how to ride it, and tourist spots along the line.
What is "SATONO"?
"SATONO" is the nickname for JR East's tourist train, which just debuted in April 2024. The nickname comes from the desire for passengers to enjoy the scenery, scents, and culture of the "hometown"
As of June 2024, SATONO is scheduled to be used on two types of trains. One is the " Aizu SATONO " run between Koriyama Station and Kitakata Station , and the other Sakuranbo SATONO which will run between Yamagata Station and Aterazawa Station . As we will explain later, the Aizu SATONO will be in operation more days, and this will be its main area of operation.
When you ride the SATONO, you can view the abundant nature and seasonal scenery of southern Tohoku from the large windows. You can also order traditional cuisine, local dishes, and local sake from the area along the line in advance and pick them up on board. This train will make your rail journey through Fukushima and Yamagata prefectures even more enjoyable.
How to ride SATONO?
Aizu SATONO operating times and days
We would like to introduce the operating times and days of the Aizu SATONO (information as of June 2024)
・From Koriyama to Kitakata Departing Koriyama at 10:05 → Arriving Bandai Atami at 10:39 Departing at 10:42 → Arriving Inawashiro at 11:07 Departing at 11:08 → Arriving Aizuwakamatsu at 11:40 Departing at 11:45 → Arriving Kitakata at 12:01
・Kitakata - bound for Koriyama Depart Kitakata at 15:32 → Arrive Aizuwakamatsu at 15:53 Depart at 15:58 → Arrive Inawashiro at 16:30 Depart at 16:31 → Arrive Bandai Atami at 17:02 Depart at 17:03 → Arrive Koriyama at 17:16
As a general rule, the service only operates on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays . It does not operate on weekdays, even during long holidays or the Obon period. Additionally, the Aizu Satono will not operate from June 15th to June 30th, 2024, as this is the operating date for the Sakuranbo Satono (described below). If you are considering riding the service, be sure to check the operating information on the official website.
We would like to introduce the operating times and days for the Sakuranbo SATONO (information as of June 2024)
・From Yamagata to AtesawaDeparting Yamagata at 11:15 → Arriving Kita-Yamagata at 11:20Departing at 11:20 → Arriving Uzen-Yamabe at 11:27Departing at 11:28 → Arriving Uzen-Nagasaki at 11:33Departing at 11:33 → Arriving Sagae at 11:39Departing at 11:50 → Arriving Atesawa at 12:02
・Departing from Atasezawa - bound for Yamagata Departing from Atasezawa at 14:06 → Arriving in Sagae at 14:17 Departing at 14:21 → Arriving in Uzen-Nagasaki at 14:26 Departing at 14:27 → Arriving in Uzen-Yamabe at 14:32 Departing at 14:34 → Arriving in Kita-Yamagata at 14:42 Departing at 14:42 → Arriving in Yamagata at 14:47
According to information available as of June 2024, the train will only operate on weekends between June 15th and 30th , likely timed to coincide with cherry picking season in Yamagata Prefecture .
On the Aizu SATONO and Sakuranbo SATONO trains, car 1 has reserved green seats, and car 2 has reserved seats, so you cannot board with just a train ticket . You will need a separate reserved seat ticket. Reserved seat tickets can generally be purchased one month in advance of the date of travel at JR station "Midori no Madoguchi" (Green Window) or "reserved seat ticket machines," JR East's online reservation service "Eki-net," and major "travel agencies."
The fare for a reserved seat ticket is 2,000 yen for the green seats (mainly box seats) in car 1, and 840 yen for the reserved seats (reclining seats) in car 2. *JR East's official website states that "If the travel distance is 151 kilometers or more, the green seat fare will be 3,000 yen," but at present, if you ride the SATONO, the travel distance will not be more than 151 kilometers.
The ticket costs 1,520 yen (for paper tickets) for the journey between Koriyama Station and Kitakata Station, and 510 yen for the journey between Yamagata Station and Aterazawa Station
"Aizu SATONO" and "Sakuranbo SATONO" are rapid trains, so even if you have a special ticket that does not allow you to ride on limited express trains, you can ride them by purchasing a reserved seat ticket separately. In addition , travel agencies may sell travel packages that include riding on these trains.
Seating
The SATONO train consists of two cars, and the first car on the Koriyama side, car number 1, is a green car with mostly box seats. The box seats are equipped with tables for enjoying meals on board. Why not savor a boxed lunch? Behind the driver's seat, there is a space where you can enjoy the view ahead, as well as a space where you can sit facing south and take in the view of Lake Inawashiro.
Car No. 2, the front car on the Kitakata side, is a regular car with reclining seats. Like Car No. 1, Car No. 2 also has large windows from which you can enjoy the scenery of the southern Tohoku region.
*The direction of the train will be reversed between Aizu-Wakamatsu Station and Kitakata Station
SATONO's trains are the HB-E300 series, which are hybrid trains that run on a diesel generator and battery installed on the train
The body color of Car No. 1 is a gradation of young leaf green and deep green, which is reminiscent of the green of the countryside, mountains, and forests, as well as the evergreen colors of Mebuki and Wakaba. The body color of Car No. 2 is a gradation of light blue and deep blue, which is reminiscent of the blue of the sky, the murmuring of a river, the sea, and snow-capped mountains. The yellow stripe common to both cars represents sunlight filtering through the trees and light reflected on the water's surface.
Resort Asunaro
Before being converted to SATONO, this vehicle was nicknamed "Resort Asunaro" The operation of "Resort Asunaro" will end in August 2023, and the two trains used for Resort Asunaro will be converted into "Hinabi (Sunny Travel)" and "SATONO." Hinabi (Sunny Travel) will begin operating as a special train in Iwate and Aomori prefectures from December 2023, earlier than SATONO.
You can also enjoy food and drinks on board
The scenery isn't the only thing you can enjoy on the SATONO. You can order traditional dishes, local cuisine, and local sake for each route in advance and collect them To order, use the advance reservation service
We will introduce some of the tourist spots along the Ban'etsu West Line, on which the Aizu SATONO operates
Inawashiro Craft Beer Hall
Inawashiro Craft Beer Hall is a 10-minute bus ride from Inawashiro Station (get off in front of the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Hall) or a 6-minute taxi ride away. They serve authentic craft beer made with the famous waters of Mt. Bandai and carefully selected German barley and hops. At the beer restaurant on the second floor, you can enjoy a view of Mt. Bandai while savoring their original sausages, which go perfectly with the craft beer.
Tsuruga Castle is a 20-minute ride on the "Haikara-san" Iriguchi). It was named Tsuruga Castle when Gamo Ujisato built the first full-scale castle tower in eastern Japan in 1953. During the Boshin War, it withstood a fierce attack by the new government forces for a month, and became known as an impregnable castle. The current castle tower was restored in the mid-Showa period, and in 2011 the roof tiles were replaced with red tiles, the same as those from the end of the Edo period, conveying the grandeur of the castle to the present day.
Shingu Kumano Shrine is located about a 10-minute drive from Kitakata Station. It is an ancient shrine said to have been enshrined by Minamoto no Yoriyoshi in 1055. The worship hall, built on a long platform, has 44 thick pillars arranged at equal intervals in five rows, and has an open-air structure with no surrounding walls or doors. In front of the platform is a large ginkgo tree said to be 800 years old, which is lit up from mid- to late November and is a famous spot for viewing the autumn leaves.
The adjacent Kumano Shrine Treasure House houses many nationally and prefecturally designated cultural properties, which are open to the public. However, the wooden statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva riding a lion is currently undergoing restoration work and will be closed to the public until April 2025.
Information
Name: Shingu Kumano Shrine
Address: 2258 Kumano, Shingu, Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture
The Aizu SATONO, which runs on the Ban'etsu West Line, had a predecessor the Fruitia Fukushima .
The train was based on the concept of moving cafe and used the 719 series electric train Sweets and juices made with fruits from Fukushima Prefecture were served on board. It was a tourist train fitting for running through Fukushima Prefecture, also known as the kingdom of fruit.
Fruitia Fukushima began operation in conjunction with the Fukushima Destination Campaign in 2015. However, the 719 series trains, manufactured in the early Heisei era, have become obsolete and will make their final run in December 2023. The Aizu SATONO will take over from them.
summary
" fun to ride ," is not just a means of transportation when traveling, but also allows you to enjoy the magnificent scenery from the train window and savor local cuisine on board.We hope that you will consider traveling on SATONO as one of your options when visiting southern Tohoku.
![30948239_m](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAJYAAACWAQAAAAAUekxPAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAaSURBVEjH7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tDQ+gAACAdwMLuAABXZHjmQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== "Visit Aizuwakamatsu City (Fukushima Prefecture) in the first episode of the anime "That's Journey"!")
![30948239_m](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30948239_m-150x150.jpg.webp "Visit Aizuwakamatsu City (Fukushima Prefecture) in the first episode of the anime "That's Journey"!")
![30681041_m](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/30681041_m-150x150.jpg.webp "Introducing the "Inawashiro" express train, which had three destinations and was so confusing that even the train staff were confused [Fukushima Prefecture]")
