The new tourist train "SATONO" runs smoothly through Fukushima and Yamagata prefectures!

There is a sightseeing train called "SATONO" that just debuted in the southern Tohoku region in April 2024

This article will introduce the operating routes, operating days, how to ride, and sightseeing spots along the route of this new tourist train

What is "SATONO"?

"SATONO"is the nickname for JR East's sightseeing train, which debuted in April 2024. The name comesof "sato" (hometown)from the train.

As of June 2024, SATONO is scheduled to be introduced on two types of trains

One is the " Aizu SATONO ," which operates between Koriyama Station and Kitakata Station on the Ban'etsu West Line in Fukushima Prefecture , and the other is the " Sakuranbo SATONO ," which operates between Yamagata Station and Aterazawa Station on the Aterazawa Line in Yamagata Prefecture .

As will be explained later, the Aizu SATONO is driven more often, and this is where the SATONO will primarily be active

When you ride SATONO, you can enjoy the rich nature and changing seasons of southern Tohoku through the large windows

Furthermore, the train 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, making it 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)

・Koriyama to Kitakata:
Koriyama 10:05 departure → Bandai-Atami 10:39 arrival 10:42 departure → Inawashiro 11:07 arrival 11:08 departure → Aizu-Wakamatsu 11:40 arrival 11:45 departure → Kitakata 12:01 arrival

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

In principle, the service operates only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Even during long holidays or the Obon period, it does not operate on weekdays.

Additionally, the Aizu SATONO will not be operating from June 15th to June 30th, 2024, as this period coincides with the operating days of the Sakuranbo SATONO (described below).
When considering a ride, be sure to check the operating information on the official website or elsewhere.

Sakuranbo SATONO operating times and days

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

- From Sagae to Yamagata:
Sagae Departure 14:06 → Sagae Arrival 14:17, Departure 14:21 → Uzen-Nagasaki Arrival 14:26, Departure 14:27 → Uzen-Yamabe Arrival 14:32, Departure 14:34 → Kita-Yamagata Arrival 14:42, Departure 14:42 → Yamagata Arrival 14:47

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.

How to purchase tickets

On the Aizu SATONO and Sakuranbo SATONO trains, car 1 is a reserved-seat Green Car, and car 2 is a reserved-seat carYou cannot board with just a regular train ticket;a separate reserved-seat ticket is required.

Reserved seat tickets can generally be purchased from one month prior to 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 you have a special ticket that does not allow you to ride express trains, you can still ride them if you purchase 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 inside the train. Why not savor a delicious bento box 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 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 vehicles

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 the first car 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 number 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 trains represents sunlight filtering through trees and light reflecting on the water's surface

Before being repurposed for SATONO, this train"Resort Asunaro"and ran in northern Tohoku.

As of August 2023, the "Resort Asunaro" service has ended, and the two train sets that were used for the Resort Asunaro have been converted into "Hinabi" and "SATONO"

Incidentally, Hinabi (陽旅) has been operating as a special train in Iwate and Aomori prefectures since December 2023, even earlier than SATONO

You can also enjoy food and drinks on board

The SATONO offers more than just scenic views. Youpre-orderand receive them from the attendant on board.

Please use the "Uketorippu" pre-order service to place your order

Recommended spots along the Ban'etsu West Line

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 Hallis 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 offer authentic craft beer made with the pure water of Mount Bandai and carefully selected German malt and hops

On the second floor, at the beer restaurant, you can enjoy original sausages that pair perfectly with local craft beer while gazing at Mount Bandai

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Tsuruga Castle

Tsuruga Castle is located a 20-minute ride from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station on the "Haikara-san" city sightseeing bus (get off at Tsuruga Castle Entrance)

The castle's history began in 1593 when Gamo Ujisato renovated the castle, which had previously been known as Kurokawa Castle, and built the first full-fledged castle tower in eastern Japan, naming it "Tsuruga Castle."

During the Boshin War, it withstood a month-long onslaught by the New Government forces and became known as an impregnable fortress

The current castle tower was restored in the mid-Showa period, but in 2011, the roof tiles were replaced with the same red tiles used during the late Edo period, preserving the majestic appearance of the famous castle to this day

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Shingu Kumano Shrine

Shingu Kumano Shrineis an ancient shrine located about a 10-minute drive from Kitakata Station, and is said to have been established in 1055 by Minamoto no Yoriyoshi.

The Nagatoko, built as a worship hall, has 44 thick pillars arranged in five equal rows, and is an open structure with no walls or doors around it. In front of the Nagatoko 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

Aizu SATONO's predecessor? "Fruitia Fukushima"

The "Aizu SATONO" train, which operates on the Ban'etsu West Line, had a predecessor: the "Fruitia Fukushima" train.

This train, based on the concept of a " cafe on wheels ," used the 719 series electric train and served sweets and juices made with fruits from Fukushima Prefecture. It was a tourist train perfectly suited to running through 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 train made its final run in December 2023

Aizu Satono was the one who succeeded him

summary

"fun to ride," these sightseeing trains are 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'll consider a trip with SATONO as one of your options

Yuto Ono

A former railway engineer and current freelance writer who has loved trains since childhood, his dream is to make train travel his career