Previously I wrote about Oykot, a quaintly designed train that tours on the Iiyama Line from Nagano to Tokamachi along the serene and picturesque Chikuma River (千曲川). It is a train that I got to ride back a few months ago during the winter in February, and it was a memorable experience. But the Oykot is not the only Joyful Train I got to hop on; there is another one showcasing a similarーalbeit altogether differentーvibe that I also got to experience. Let me introduce to you: the Resort View Furusato.
“Furusato” (ふるさと) means hometown in Japanese; therefore, the Resort View Furusato is about invoking a sense of nostalgia for their passengers. It is about returning to the countryside for relaxation, bringing back memories of the good old times away from the bustling urban cities and returning to one’s roots in rural birthplaces.
The Resort View Furusato made its debut in October 2010, and travels from JR Nagano Station (JR長野駅) to JR Minami-Otari Station (JR南小谷駅). What immediately stands out is the train itself: it uses a new hybrid train that is visually sleek and modern, and the same applies to the cabin as well. I took this train a day after Oykot and was immediately taken aback by the sheer difference in look and feel.
Better yet, the train I took was a special edition: it was covered with conspicuous designs depicting Arukuma, Nagano prefecture’s very own mascot! Arukuma is a green-coloured bear wearing a helmet shaped like an appleーthe fruit that Nagano is famous forーand it was designed about 10 years ago to promote the attractiveness of the Shinshu Region (信州地方). A bit of trivia regarding the cuddly and lovable mascot: it even won the annual mascot design competition last year.
It got better when I hopped on the Resort View Furusato. The train boasts a wooden floor finish topped with lush seats with ample legroom (120 centimetres). I could see that the train was designed with comfort in mind; it was easily one of the comfiest train rides I have ever experienced. Plus, the seats can swivel: the train changes directions along the line, and passengers can simply switch the seat’s direction. You can choose to sit facing forward or backward according to your liking.
The concept of the Resort View Furusato involves allowing its passengers to get off at selected stations so that they can make sightseeing detours or have pleasant slow life experiences before returning to the train. Life takes on a different pace in the Nagano countryside, and this train wants its passengers to take things slowly by immersing themselves in the rural countryside.
The train stops at JR Obasute Station (JR姨捨駅), where passengers get to witness a panoramic view of the Zenkoji Plains from the station platform, which is selected as one of Japan’s “Three Best Train Window Views”. It is a breathtaking view indeed, and though the weather was not optimal, I felt thankful for being able to see something as wonderful as this.
Obasute is famous for its rice terracesーalmost 2,000 in totalーand the passengers can see them by taking a 10-minute walk from the station. The more ambitious travellers can opt for the Night View Obasute too: Resort View Furusato has a special night edition that departs from Nagano in the evening so that passengers can enjoy the view from the station after sundown.
Another highlight of Resort View Furusato awaits at JR Hotaka Station (JR穂高駅). The train makes an extended stop here, and passengers can get off to take a short detour to the nearby Hotaka Shrine. Upon arrival at JR Hotaka station, a shrine maiden (巫女 miko) will pick up the passengers and lead them to the nearby shrine (15 minutes away from the station). There, visitors can get a better sense of Azumino, the city that Hotaka is in, and the greater Japanese culture. They can appreciate the amazing wooden sculptures of the shrines in the compound, and buy some souvenirs such as amulets.
Another surprise awaits at JR Shinano-Omachi Station (JR信濃大町駅). Here, passengers can get off the train to have some local specialties such as oyaki (おやき), which are Japanese stuffed dumplings with various fillings such as pumpkin, red bean paste, and shimeji mushrooms. Even better, passengers can help themselves with a serving of sweet sake (甘酒 amazake), a beverage that is heavenly to enjoy especially during the cold winter.
As the Resort View Furusato chugs along from JR Shinano-Omachi Station towards JR Hakuba Station (JR白馬駅), passengers should keep their eyes peeled for the grand Nishina Three Lakes (仁科三湖). This trio of lakes comprises Lake Aoki (青木湖) the northernmost of the three; Lake Nakatsuna (中綱湖), and Lake Kizaki (木崎湖), the longest of the three. This majestic collection of lakes is a sight to behold, especially on a fair day when the water is clear.
Another kind of trio awaits near Hakuba, which is widely known as one of Japan’s most popular ski resorts. Upon arriving at JR Hakuba station, passengers will get to witness a grand spectacle: Hakuba Sanzan (白馬三山 Hakuba Three Mountains), a trio of majestic mountains that form a part of the Japanese Alps’s northern sector. On a clear day, passengers can see Mount Shirouma (the tallest of the three, at 2,932m), Mount Yari (2,903m), and Mount Shakushi (2,812m).
It is fun to sometimes visit the Japanese countryside; sometimes you make discoveries you least expect and learn to appreciate the slower and quieter side of Japan. Eastern and central Japan has plenty of rural areas that I would implore people to visit. Better yet, they can take Joyful Trains such as Resort View Furusato and explore the lesser-known sides of Nagano prefecture. I got to experience two of them a few months ago and I truly hope I can ride the others if the opportunity arises again.
More details on Resort View Furusato
The Resort View Furusato travels between Nagano Station and Minami-Otari Station, and the departure times differ according to the calendar. Check out the timetable and schedule here. All seats on board this special train require reservations, which can be made online here.
JR東日本鐵路周遊券（長野&新潟地區）
The JR東日本鐵路周遊券（長野&新潟地區） is an affordable pass that offers unlimited train rides on JR East lines, including bullet trains, within the valid area for 5 consecutive days. It’s only ¥27,000, making it a considerable option for rail travellers. Pass holders can also reserve seats online for up to a month in advance for free on the JR-EAST Train Reservation.
Header image credit: JR East
