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debuted in the southern Tohoku region in April 2024."SATONO"sightseeing train called This article will introduce the operating section, operating days, how to ride, and sightseeing spots along the route of this new sightseeing train.
What is "SATONO"?
"SATONO"is the nickname for JR East's sightseeing train, which debuted in April 2024. The nickname"sato" (hometown)comes from the desire for passengers to enjoy the scenery, scents, and culture of
As of June 2024, SATONO is scheduled to be introduced on two types of trains. One isoperate on the Ban'etsu West Line between Koriyama Station and Kitakata Stationthe "Aizu SATONO," , and the otheron the Aterazawa Line between Yamagata Station and Aterazawa Stationwhich will operateSakuranbo SATONO. As will be explained later, the Aizu SATONO will operate on more days, and this will be SATONO's main area of activity.
A ride on the SATONO train allows you to admire the rich nature and changing seasons of southern Tohoku through its large windows. It also offers a service where you can pre-order traditional dishes, local cuisine, and local sake from along the route and pick them up on board. It's a train that will make your train 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)
Kitakata to Koriyama: Departs Kitakata at 15:32 → Arrives Aizu-Wakamatsu at 15:53, departs at 15:58 → Arrives Inawashiro at 16:30, departs at 16:31 → Arrives Bandai-Atami at 17:02, departs at 17:03 → Arrives Koriyama at 17:16
As a general rule, the Aizu SATONO operates only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. It does not operate on weekdays, even during long holidays or the Obon period. Also, from June 15th to June 30th, 2024, the Aizu SATONO will not be operating as it is the operating day for the Sakuranbo SATONO (described below). When considering a ride, be sure to check the operating information on the official website or elsewhere.
We would like to introduce the operating times and days for the Sakuranbo SATONO (information as of June 2024)
Yamagata to Aterazawa: Departs Yamagata at 11:15 → Arrives Kitayamagata at 11:20, departs Kitayamagata at 11:20 → Arrives Uzen-Yamabe at 11:27, departs Uzen-Nagasaki at 11:33, departs Uzen-Nagasaki at 11:33 → Arrives Sagae at 11:39, departs Sagae at 11:50 → Arrives Aterazawa at 12:02
According to information available as of June 2024, the servicewill only operate on Saturdays and Sundays between June 15th and 30th. This schedule is likely timed to coincide with the cherry-picking season in Yamagata Prefecture.
The Aizu SATONO and Sakuranbo SATONO trains have Green Car seats (reserved seating) in Car 1 and reserved seats in Car 2, andyou cannot ride them with just a regular ticket. A separate reserved seat ticket is required. Reserved seat tickets can be purchased in principle from one month before the date of travel at JR station ticket offices ("Midori no Madoguchi"), reserved seat ticket machines, JR East's online reservation service "Ekinet," and major travel agencies.
The fares for reserved seats are 2,000 yen for Green Car seats (mainly box seats) in Car 1 and 840 yen for reserved seats (reclining seats) in Car 2. *Although JR East's official website states that "Green Car fares will be 3,000 yen if the travel distance is 151 kilometers or more," currently, riding SATONO will not result in a travel distance of 151 kilometers or more.
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
Since "Aizu SATONO" and "Sakuranbo SATONO" are rapid trains, even if your special ticket does not allow you to ride express trains, you can still ride them by purchasing a reserved seat ticket separately. Additionally , travel agencies sometimes offer travel packages that include rides on these trains.
Seating
SATONO is a two-car train, with car number 1, the leading car on the Koriyama side, being a Green Car (first class) primarily featuring box seats. The box seats are equipped with tables for enjoying meals on board. Why not enjoy a delicious bento box lunch? Behind the driver's seat, there is a space to enjoy the scenery ahead, as well as a space where you can sit facing south and take a good look at Lake Inawashiro.
Car No. 2, the lead car on the Kitakata side, is a standard car with reclining seats. Just like in Car No. 1, you can enjoy the scenery of the southern Tohoku countryside through the large windows of Car No. 2.
*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 gradient of light green and deep green, inspired by the green of the countryside, mountains, and forests, as well as the evergreen colors of sprouts and young leaves. The body color of Car No. 2 is a gradient of light blue and dark blue, inspired by the blue of the sky, the babbling of a river, the sea, and a snow-covered landscape. The yellow stripe common to both cars represents sunlight filtering through trees and light reflecting on the water's surface.
Resort Asunaro
Before being repurposed as SATONO, this train"Resort Asunaro"and ran in northern Tohoku. In August 2023, the "Resort Asunaro" service ended, and the two train sets that were used for Resort Asunaro were converted into "Hinabi" and "SATONO." Hinabi began operating as a special train in Iwate and Aomori prefectures in December 2023, slightly earlier than SATONO.
You can also enjoy food and drinks on board
The SATONO offers more than just scenic views. traditional dishes, local specialties, and local sake for each section of the routepre-orderYou can also To place an order,pre-order serviceplease use the "Uketorippu"
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 located about 10 minutes by bus from Inawashiro Station (get off at the Noguchi Hideyo Memorial Museum stop) or about 6 minutes by taxi. They serve authentic craft beer made with the pure water of Mount Bandai and carefully selected German malt and hops. You can also enjoy original sausages that pair perfectly with the craft beer while overlooking Mount Bandai at the beer restaurant on the second floor.
Tsuruga Castle"Haikara-san"is located a 20-minute ride from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station on In 1593, Gamo Ujisato built the first full-fledged castle tower in eastern Japan and named it Tsuruga Castle. During the Boshin War, it withstood a month-long fierce attack by the new government forces and became known as an impregnable castle. The current castle tower was restored in the mid-Showa period, but in 2011 the roof tiles were replaced with the same red tiles as those used at the end of the Edo period, conveying the majestic appearance of the famous castle to this day.
Shingu Kumano Shrine is located about a 10-minute drive from Kitakata Station. It is an ancient shrine said to have been established in 1055 by Minamoto no Yoriyoshi. The long hall built as the worship hall has 44 thick pillars arranged in five rows at equal intervals, and has an open structure with no walls or doors around it. In front of the long hall is a large ginkgo tree said to be 800 years old, and it is lit up from mid to late November, making it a popular spot for viewing autumn foliage.
The adjacent Kumano Shrine Treasure Hall houses numerous nationally and prefecturally designated cultural properties, which are open to visitors. However, the "Wooden Statue of Monju Bodhisattva Riding a Lion" is unavailable for viewing until April 2025 due to restoration work.
Information
Name: Shingu Kumano Shrine
Address: 2258 Kumano, Shingu, Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture
The "Aizu SATONO" train, which operates on the Ban'etsu West Line, had a predecessor: the "Fruitia Fukushima" train.
using the 719 series electric trainmoving cafe,It was a train based on the concept of Sweets and juices made with fruits from Fukushima Prefecture were served on board. It was a tourist train befitting Fukushima Prefecture, which is also known as the "Kingdom of Fruits."
Fruitia Fukushima began operation in 2015 to coincide with the Fukushima Destination Campaign. However, the 719 series trains, manufactured in the early Heisei era, had become outdated, and the last run took place in December 2023. Aizu SATONO is the train that succeeded it.
summary
"fun to ride," this sightseeing train is more than just a means of transportation during your trip; you can also enjoy the magnificent scenery unfolding outside the windows and savor local cuisine on board. When you travel to southern Tohoku, we hope you will consider a trip on SATONO as one of your options.
![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]")
