Resort View Furusato
Take in the beautiful scenery from this train and reminisce about your hometown.
Enjoy the splendid scenery
With the magnificent mountains, the refreshing streams and lakes, and the clear blue skies, the rustic home villages (furusato) along the route evoke a feeling of nostalgia. This train was created so that people could take a trip and share their experience with the people they meet, while appreciating the beautiful scenery—whether from the train window, at the station or in a village—and was given its name to reflect its service area.
The three most scenic views from train windows in Japan
The view from the train near Obasute Station is one of The Three Views of Japan by Rail. On the Minami-Otari-bound trip, there is an observation deck on the platform. Enjoy the view of the Zenkoji Plain, the Chikuma River, and the rice terraces (famous for the night-time scene of the moon reflected in each paddy), from the observation deck or inside the train.
Switchback
Obasute Station is one of the few stations that conducts switchbacks, a railway service in which a train must switch direction briefly in order to continue its journey. There, you will have the unusual experience of moving backward on a train, which will happen before arriving on trains bound for Minami-Otari, or after departing on trains bound for Nagano.
- Debut year
- October 2010
- Service area
- Resort View Furusato: Nagano to Minami-Otari Stations
Travel Guide
Here are some
recommended spots along the Resort View Furusato route.
Obasute Rice Terraces (View Point!)
Near Obasute Station on the Shinonoi Line, passengers can see one of The three most scenic views from train windows in Japan, from inside the train or from the observation deck on the platform.
- Access
- Get off at Obasute Station on the JR Shinonoi Line
Nagano Chausuyama Zoo
This popular zoo, located in the lush forests of Chausuyama Park, lets animals roam freely, and makes it easy to observe the lifestyle and habits of cute red pandas and other animals.
- Access
- About 15 minutes by car from Shinonoi Station on the JR Shin'etsu Main Line and Shinonoi Line
Chikuma City Sarashina no Sato, Ancient Experience Park and Historical Museum
The Habata ruins excavation site is maintained as a local attraction and includes a restored pit dwelling, an ancient farm, and a historical museum. Visitors can try their hand at ancient practices like fire-starting and crafting of traditional ornaments.
- Access
- About 10 minutes by taxi from Obasute Station on the JR Shinonoi Line
Matsumoto Castle
Believed to have been completed around 1595, it is the oldest surviving five-roof, six-floor castle tower in Japan. Designated as a national treasure, it is one of the most famous castles in Japan.
- Access
- About a 15 minute walk from Matsumoto Station on the JR Shinonoi Line and Oito Line
Hotaka Shrine
Hotaka Station is the gateway overlooking the Northern Alps. The Hotaka Shrines are Okumiya in the Kamikochi highlands at the base of Mt. Hotaka, and Minemiya at the summit of Okuhotaka-dake, are dedicated to the guardian deity of the Shinshu region.
- Access
- About a 3 minute walk from Hotaka Station on the JR Oito Line
Rokuzan Art Museum
Azumino is the birthplace of Morie Ogihara (Rokuzan Ogihara), a pioneer of modern Japanese sculpture. The museum displays exhibits about Rokuzan, his works, and works of artists with important connections to Rokuzan.
- Access
- About a 7 minute walk from Hotaka Station on the JR Oito Line
Daio Wasabi Farm
Try your hand at pickling wasabi, enjoy a variety of wasabi-flavored dishes including soft-serve ice cream and beer while admiring the views of the wasabi fields and the a water mill hut.
- Access
- About 10 minutes by taxi from Hotaka Station on the JR Oito Line
Monument of Ode to Early Spring
This monument commemorates the poem “Ode to Early Spring,” said to have been sung by songwriter Kazumasa Yoshimaru about the late spring in Azumino. Concerts and other events are held by fans in spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
- Access
- About a 20 minute walk from Hotaka Station on the JR Oito Line
Zenkoji Temple
Founded approximately 1,400 years ago, this is one of the most famous Japanese temples. With the “Amida Triad Sharing One Halo,” said to be the oldest Buddhist statue in Japan, as the main image, this temple has long been a place of worship for people of all ages and walks of life.
- Access
- About 15 minutes by bus from JR Nagano Station
Obasute Station
The view from the train near Obasute Station is one of The Three Views of Japan by Rail. On the Minami-Otari-bound trip, there is an observation deck on the platform. Enjoy the view of the Zenkoji Plain, the Chikuma River, and the rice terraces (famous for the night-time scene of the moon reflected in each paddy), from the observation deck or inside the train.
*There is no observation deck on the platform for Nagano-bound arrivals.
The Northern Alps viewed from Azumino
In the Azumino area between Hotaka and Shinano-Ōmachi Stations, the view of the rural landscape with Mt. Ariake, Mt. Jonen, and other Northern Alps peaks in the distance, fully displays the beauty of the changing seasons.
Three Lakes of Nishina
Between Shinano-Ōmachi Station and Hakuba Station, you can see Lake Kizaki, Lake Nakatsuna and Lake Aoki, collectively known as the “Three Lakes of Nishina.” The train slows down near The Three Lakes of Nishina on the way to Minami-Otari so that passengers can fully enjoy the scenic views from the large windows.
*Speed may not be reduced if the train is behind schedule.
Kurobe Dam
It is famous for being among the world’s largest (dome) overflow arch dams. Visitors can also take the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, which links several types of transport to cross the Northern Alps, reaching the Toyama Prefecture side of the mountains.
Sightseeing season: Mid-April to late November
Hakuba Sanzan (Hakuba Three Peaks)
Near Hakuba Station, the slopes of the Northern Alps suddenly draw very near to the railway. Between the peaks, the three famous mountains of the Northern Alps can be seen; Shirouma-dake, Shakushi-dake, and Shirouma-Yarigatake.
Tsugaike Plateau
A plateau 800 meters above sea level in the center of Oyanohara plain, which spreads out from the eastern slopes of Shirouma-dake of the Ushiro-Tateyama mountain range. It is a famous winter skiing area that attracts many visitors.
Train Details
Resort View Furusato is a resort train with a hybrid power system.
Inside the train, seats are spaced comfortably, and from the observation room, passengers can fully enjoy the view of the Northern Alps and the area around Obasute Station, one of The Three Views of Japan by Rail.
Origin of the name
With the magnificent mountains, the refreshing streams and lakes, and the clear blue skies, the rustic home villages (furusato) along the route evoke a feeling of nostalgia.
This train was created so that people could take a trip and share their experience with the people they meet, while appreciating the beautiful scenery—whether from the train window, at the station or in a village—and was given its name to reflect its service area.
Car interior
Passenger cabins
Created with ample space and reclining seats that rotate for comfort.
The seat spacing is set wide, at 1,200 millimeters, for lots of legroom to stretch.
Observation Room
Behind the cab is the observation room, where you can sit in chairs or sofas and enjoy the great views that roll out before you from the giant side windows.
Interior TV monitors
Each car is equipped with four TV monitors that stream live from the cab, play sightseeing DVDs, or, on weekends and holidays, show the special on-board events as they unfold.
What is a hybrid system?
The hybrid system used combines a diesel engine and lithium ion batteries to provide the electric motor with power to move. During start-up, the battery power is used, and the diesel engine works to move the generator during acceleration. This combination makes the motor operate. During deceleration, the motor is used as a generator, and the brake energy is converted to electricity and stored back in the batteries.
Car layout
Minami-Otari/Nagano
Matsumoto
Make the most of your train ride
With the magnificent mountains, the refreshing streams and lakes, and the clear blue skies, the rustic home villages (furusato) along the route evoke a feeling of nostalgia.
Here are some tips to make the most of your trip on Resort View Furusato.
Hospitality
On-board events
Local residents hold on-board events on the Minami-Otari-bound trip, mainly on Saturdays and holidays. Enjoy folk tales told in the Azumino dialect and performances of shakuhachi (bamboo flute) and Japanese taiko drums. (Details will be provided on the day of the event. Events may be canceled under certain circumstances).
Resort attendants
Resort attendants will be on board to make sightseeing-related announcements, guide you along the route, sell merchandise, help take commemorative photos, and make your trip as enjoyable as possible.
Sightseeing off the train
The train will stop to let passengers off for sightseeing at Hotaka and Shinano-Ōmachi Stations.
*Please be careful not to miss your train.
On-board event (Video is in Japanese only)
Various events are held onboard.
100 Views of Azumino
Mt. Ariake Storytelling Society
Storytelling Group, “Monpe”
Shinano-Ōmachi folk entertainment
Shinano-no-kuni Matsukawa Kyogaku Taiko (drum troupe)
Popolo
- *Details will be provided onboard on the day of the event. Events may be canceled under certain circumstances.
Original merchandise and other goods are sold onboard.
Timetable & Calendar
How to Board
Package Summary
All seats on rapid service Resort View Furusato trains are reserved (non-smoking) seats.
Please purchase a reserved seat ticket in advance.
(If you use a JR East Rail Pass such as JR EAST PASS, you can make a seat reservation without paying an additional fee. Please make a reservation for a reserved seat (free of charge) at the sales location.)
Sale Price
Reserved seat ticket (regular season)
Adult 530 yen
Children 260 yen
- Seat reservations are available from 10:00 one month before the departure date at the ticket offices (Midori-no-Madoguchi) or reserved seat ticket vending machine of key stations, or from the JR-East Train Reservation website. (*Reserved seat ticket vending machines open at 10:10 a.m.)
- If you use a JR East Rail Pass such as JR EAST PASS, you can make a seat reservation without paying an additional fee. Please make a seat reservation (free of charge) at the place of sale.
Recommended information
