Japan Trip 3 : JR East Joyful Train “Kenji”

Kenji at JR Miyako Station

After I walked around Morioka in my last post. It was the time I went to Miyako by Sanriku Train Miyako that using Joyful Train “Kenji”.

morioka-miyako-route

ที่มา : Miyako Travel Info

To go to Miyako from Morioka. Other than driving there are 2 ways. Taking JR Yamada line or get on Iwate Kenpoku Bus 106 route express bus. The differents between train and bus are train runs less frequent and the first train is more late than bus. However you can’t use any JR passes to get on the bus. So you have to pay for a bus fare.

I found Sanriku Train Miyako that runs on the same route as JR Yamada line by chance. So I asked the JR staff when I made trains reservation if it’s possible to reserve this train. She said I can and reserve it for me.

Kenji at JR Morioka Station

Since I spent most of time getting JR East gift while I was in Morioka Station. It’s almost departure time when I reached the platform. When I saw the train for the first time, I thought it isn’t a normal train. Maybe it is tourist excursion train.

I researched for writing this post and found the information of this train. Kenji is diesel KiHa 58 650 model. It is named after Iwate famous poet Miyazawa Kenji.

Kenji at JR Morioka Station

Since I didn’t research about this train before the trip. I didn’t know there were staffs in native costumes taking photos with passengers. At that time I thought it maybe limited to some group of passengers and I was afraid of missing the train. So I didn’t join them.

I was busy with finding the seat on the train. When I found my seat, the train was left the platform. I saw staffs on the platform waved their hands to passenger in the train.

JR East KiHa 58 series "Kenji"

Interior is quite old. A television here is still CRT tech.

JR East KiHa 58 series "Kenji"

Seats are large and comfortable like seats in other trains although they look old.

JR East KiHa 58 series "Kenji"

The decoration looked so classic.

JR East KiHa 58 series "Kenji"

Like other tourist excursion trains. The windshield of the front car is a panoramic windows which allows passenger to see wider view.

Let’s see the view in front of the train.

2 thoughts on “Japan Trip 3 : JR East Joyful Train “Kenji”

  1. SL

    Hi! This is really great. I wonder if you can add the train fare fees? I’m a fan of Amachan too. Thank you!

    Reply
    1. AT1987 Post author

      I used JR East Pass so I didn’t pay for the train fare. From what I know the train fare may be the same as JR Yamada Line from Morioka Station to Miyako Station. You can check it on Hyperdia website.

      Reply

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