KAIRI

KAIRI

Enjoy Niigata and Shonai cuisine and the beautiful vistas

Features

Food of Niigata and Shonai

We offer a seasonal menu of elaborate Japanese cuisine unique to Niigata, prepared by selected three restaurants with a history and prestige that has continued for over 100 years.

  • *The meal menu is subject to change depending on the availability of ingredients.
  • *Supplied to those who have applied for the travel package of Car no. 4
  • * Meals are examples.

A spectacular view that will be a sight for sore eyes

Niigata Prefecture and the Shonai region of Yamagata Prefecture are rich in sea and villages. Please enjoy a particularly beautiful view of the Sea of Japan while dining at “KAIRI,” our “Sea of Japan View Dining Room” for a quality trip.

Seats

Car No.1

Reclining seats: 30 seats

It is designed with the seats facing the window so that passengers can enjoy the scenery. The spacious interior allows passengers to relax and enjoy the view of the Sea of Japan, the Echigo/Shonai Plain, and the three peaks of Dewa.

Car No.2

Private compartment: 32 seats

Each compartment in this car seats four people. The seats can be folded down into a full-flat position for stretching out the legs and an extra level of relaxation.

  • *When purchased by 1-3 persons, seats may be shared.

Car No.3

Stores/Event Space

This car has a store offering mainly “Niigata food” and “Shonai food” and an event space. The store sells original KAIRI packages, drinks, snacks, and original boxed lunches available only on KAIRI trains.

Lunch boxes are not sold out on the train. To purchase, please use the advance reservation service "​Uketrip" from your smartphone (Japanese only).

Car No.4

Dining room: 24 seats

The dining car features both two-person and four-person seating where passengers can enjoy Niigata and Shonai cuisines to their hearts' content. It is available for sale as a travel package that includes meals and drinks.

Routes & Timetables

KAIRI route map
Trains Routes
KAIRI (Outbound) Niigata - Sakata
KAIRI (Inbound) Sakata - Niigata
Timetables & Calendar
(English Only)

Tickets & Reservations

How to purchase Travel Packages (Car No.4)

Car no. 4 is limited to customers who have purchased a travel package. Travel packages are sold as a set including a JR ticket for "KAIRI" Car no. 4, meals, drinks, etc.
To purchase, please use the advance reservation service "Joyful Trains Reservation Site" (Japanese only).

Joyful Trains Reservation SiteOpens in a new window
  • *You can apply for 1 to 4 people.
  • *JR East View Tourism & Sales Co., Ltd. plans and implements the trip.
  • *Some service days may not be set for travel packages.

To board the train, you will need a seat ticket as well as a basic fare ticket (or pass). (Car no. 1,2)

To use Car No.1 and Car No.2, you will need seat ticket in addition to your boarding ticket.

Pattern 1

Basic Fare Ticket

Reserved Seat Ticket

  • Making a new purchase online Basic Fare Ticket icon Reserved Seat Ticket icon

    1. Go to the JR-EAST Train ReservationOpens in a new window  site and press "Purchase tickets."

    2. Press “Joyful Trains” under the Ride Joyful Trains section.

    3. Select the train you want to ride.

    4. Choose the model, seat type (Green Car, box seats) and route for the train you selected.

    5. Press “Reserve Now” to proceed to the reservation details.

    6. Enter the date you want to travel, the departure station, the arrival station, and the number of adults and children riding, and press " Reserve Now."

    7. Choose from the available train times, check off the box by the train you want to ride, and press “Select.”

      To choose a different time, select "Previous train" or "Next train" to view the times of the trains before and after the current one.

    8. Check the purchase details, and if everything is correct, press "Buy Tickets" to proceed to the purchase screen.

    9. To make a purchase, you need to create a JR-EAST Train Reservation account.

Pattern 2

JR EAST PASS

Reserved Seat Ticket
(No Charge)

If you are using a JR EAST rail pass such as the JAPAN RAIL PASS or JR EAST PASS within the free area, you can reserve reserved seat without paying an additional fee.

Please reserve reserved seat (free of charge) at the ticket office or online.

JR EAST PASS icon

Recommended passes for riding the KAIRI

If you have one of the following rail passes and are using it within the unlimited travel area, you can ride free of additional charges.
You need to purchase a seat ticket in advance to ride.Reserve your seat ticket in advance for free at any purchase location or on the JR-East Train Reservation website.