Koshino Shu*Kura
This train was built around the concept of sake,
as Niigata Prefecture is the king of locally brewed sakes
Niigata, the King of locally brewed sakes
The Koshino Shu*Kura was built around the concept of sake as Niigata Prefecture is the king of locally brewed sakes.
The name “Koshino Shu*Kura” was inspired by the image of Echigo's sake breweries and rich nature.
(Koshino = Echigo, Shu = sake, Kura = brewery, * = rice, snow, flowers)
Sake Tasting Corner with Selected Fine Sake from Niigata Prefecture
Inside the train, a sake tasting corner has been set up, where passengers can enjoy five different brands of carefully selected famous sake from Niigata Prefecture.
With large windows right before your eyes, gaze out at the scenery as it flows past.
Original “Sake” and “Food” menus
View Travel Packages created especially for the Koshino Shu*Kura and featuring specialty Niigata sake and food are also available.
- Debut year
- May 2014
- Service area
- Koshino Shu*Kura: Joetsumyoko to Tokamachi Stations
Yuzawa Shu*Kura: Joetsumyoko to Echigo-Yuzawa Stations
Ryuto Shu*Kura: Joetsumyoko to Niigata Stations
Travel Guide
Recommended spots along the Koshino Shu*Kura train line
Kiminoi Shuzou
Founded in 1842, Kimi no I Sake Brewery is dedicated to the time-consuming process of making sake using water from the underground streams at the foot of the Myoko Mountains. Sake brewery tours are available by advance reservation. For details, please visit the website.
- Access
- About a 15 minute drive by car from Jōetsumyōkō Station
Station near the Sea of Japan (Ōmigawa Station)
When you get off at the platform, the sea is right in front of you! The train stops for a few minutes, so enjoy taking a commemorative photo with the Sea of Japan in the background.
Rinsenji Temple
This is the temple where the famous warlord Kenshin Uesugi spent his childhood. His gravesite and other items related to him still remain. The gate is a masterpiece of the Taisho era, incorporating Japanese and Chinese styles from the Kamakura period.
- Access
- About a 20 minute walk from Kasugayama Station
or 10 minutes by car from Naoetsu Station
Bijinbayashi
A 90-year-old beech forest stretches over the hills of Matsunoyama. The trees’ tall, elegant silhouettes inspired the name bijinbayashi, meaning “forest of beauties.”
- Access
- About a 50 minute drive from Tōkamachi Station by car
Nishikigoi no Sato
Visitors can appreciate the beautiful Nishikigoi, which are called “swimming jewels,” up close in the Japanese garden and viewing pond.
- Access
- About a 25 minute walk from Ojiya Station
Mikuni Kaido Shiozawa-juku Bokushi Douri
The street was awarded the “Urban Space Category Grand Prize (Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award)” at the 2011 Urban Landscape Awards. The street is lined with gangi, warehouses, and townhouses that recreate the atmosphere of the old Mikuni Kaido and a shukuba (Edo era post station).
- Access
- About a 3 minute walk from Shiozawa Station
Naenataki Waterfall
Selected as one of the “100 Best Waterfalls in Japan,” Naenataki Waterfall has a 55-meter drop. It is also called “Earthquake Falls” because of its powerful sound. The splash of the water plunging into the basin is a powerful sight.
- Access
-
About 15 minutes by city bus (Suginosawa Line). 35 minutes walk from Suginosawa Nishino bus stop.
Imori Pond
Located in Ikenotaira Onsen, Imori Pond has a circumference of about 500 meters and reflects the 2,454-meter-high Mt. Myoko.
- Access
- About 10 minutes from Myōkō-Kōgen Station by local bus
Shoun Sanso and Kimura Tea Ceremony Museum
This famous garden is beautiful with the elegance of a Japanese garden and the fresh greenery of a variety of trees. At the Kimura Tea Ceremony Museum in the garden, visitors can savor tea in tea bowls that is of such high quality, it is designated as a national treasure.
- Access
- About a 7 minute drive or 25 minute walk from Kashiwazaki Station
Kashiwazaki Sea Bream Chazuke Eating Tour
“Kashiwazaki tai chazuke” (sea bream chazuke) is a dish of sashimi or grilled sea bream served with local koshihikari rice in a warm broth. It can be enjoyed at about 30 restaurants in Kashiwazaki. Kashiwazaki tai chazuke won the Grand Prix at the 4th National Local Donburi Championship!
Hara Sake Brewery
Hara Sake Brewery was founded in 1814. The brewery produces sake with a high percentage of rice grown under contract and all rice is milled in-house. Sake brewery tours are available.
- Access
- About 8 minutes walk from Kashiwazaki Station
Brewing Town of Settaya: Sightseeing Tour with Volunteer Guides
Nagaoka City's Settaya district is a “brewing town” where miso, soy sauce, and sake breweries are concentrated. Please enjoy a town tour with a volunteer sightseeing guide (fee required).
- Access
- 10 min. walk from Miyauchi Station
National Treasure - Flame-shaped earthenware (deep vessels with flame-like rims)
Flame-shaped earthenware excavated at the Sasayama Ruins can be viewed at the Tokamachi City Museum.
- Access
- About a 10 minute walk from Tōkamachi Station (West Exit)
Michi-no-Eki Cross-ten Tokamachi
The most notable feature of the souvenir shop is the Guinness Book of Records-registered “happiness-bringing umbrella with hanging dolls,” which boasts the largest number of these dolls in the world. You can see them anytime during the opening hours of the Souvenir Museum.
- Access
- About a 10 minute walk from Tōkamachi Station (East Exit)
Chijimi no Sato onsen
Enjoy the specialty, hegisoba (buckwheat noodles). A day-trip hot spring facility where you can stop by at your leisure.
- Access
- About a 20 minute walk from Ojiya Station
Roadside Station Minamiuonuma Imaizumi Memorial Hall Station
The permanent exhibition, “The World of Shiko Munakata,” displays over 40 works at any one time, including his masterpiece, “the two bodhisattvas and ten great disciples.
- Access
-
From Echigo-Yuzawa Station, take the train bound for Muikamachi and get off at Museum-mae (about 15 minutes). 3 minute walk from Museum-mae bus stop.
Saifukuji Temple Kaisando-Hall
This is a representative work by Ishikawa Uncho, a master carver. The carvings on the ceiling of the hall are breathtaking.
- Access
- A 10 minute drive from Urasa Station
Echigo-Yuzawa Station CoCoLo Yuzawa, Gangi-dori
Enjoy the taste of Niigata (sake, food, bath) at CoCoLo Yuzawa/Gangi-dori, which is equipped with Niigata's specialties, souvenirs, gifts, fresh foods, cafes, restaurants, etc.
Yuzawa Kogen Alp no Sato
With a total length of 1,300 meters, this 166-seat ropeway, one of the world's largest, allows visitors to enjoy a panoramic view of nature while walking in the air. At the summit, approximately 1,000 species of alpine plants are in bloom, and there are also restaurants, bobsledding and other fun activities.
- Access
- About a 10 minute walk from the west exit of Echigo-Yuzawa Station to the ropeway stop
Mitsuke English Garden
This is an authentic English garden designed and supervised by British horticulturalist Kay Yamada.
Flowering season:
April to May: Tulips, pansies, hyacinths, delphiniums, etc.
June: The most beautiful season of the year. Enjoy the garden full of old roses and flowers.
July: Annabelle (Western hydrangea), lilies, echinacea.
August - September: Common hibiscus, Japanese anemone
- Access
-
Take a 6 minute community bus ride from Mitsuke Station and get off at Chubu Sangyo Danchi Chuo. About a 5 minute walk
Echigo Sake Museum - Ponshukan Niigata
Ponshukan Niigata is a sake and rice store in Niigata, featuring a wide selection of local specialties. At the sake tasting museum “Saké Tasting Room”, almost all of the Echigo's sake breweries are represented. For 500 yen, you can taste up to five different sake breweries.
- Access
- Niigata Station CoCoLo West Bldg. 3F
Train Details
The Koshino Shu*Kura was built around the concept of sake as Niigata Prefecture is the king of locally brewed sakes.
The name “Koshino Shu*Kura” was inspired by the image of Echigo's sake breweries and rich nature. (Koshino = Echigo, Shu = sake, Kura = brewery, * = rice, snow, flowers).
In addition to offering snacks made with local ingredients, a sake tasting corner will be set up where guests can enjoy five different brands of carefully selected local sake from Niigata Prefecture at any given time. With large windows right before your eyes, gaze out at the scenery as it flows past.
Car interior
Raku Raku box seats
Car no. 1 [On sale with travel packages]
Sit with family members and friends around a table, enjoying sake and a meal.
Observation pair seats
Car no. 1 [On sale with travel packages]
Enjoy your trip with a view of the flowing scenery.
Event venue
Car no. 2
The Kuramori is a service counter with plenty of local sake, snacks and other fine products available.
A commemorative stamp is also available on Car no. 2 to commemorate your ride.
Please use it as a reminder of your trip.
Reclining Seats
Car no. 3 [Available with ticket (basic fare ticket and reserved seat ticket)]
With a large seating area, these seats are perfect for relaxing.
Open area
Car No. 3
Open space (sofa seats for 8 passengers) is available for passengers to relax freely.
Car layout
Jōetsumyōkō/Tōkamachi or Echigo-Yuzawa
Nagaoka/Niigata
- *The direction changes at Nagaoka (except for the Ryuto Shu*Kura).
Make the most of your train ride
In addition to snacks and other items made with local ingredients, a sake tasting corner has been set up, offering five different brands of carefully selected Niigata Prefecture sake to enjoy at any given time. With large windows right before your eyes, gaze out at the scenery as it flows past.
In addition, travel packages exclusively for “Koshino Shu*Kura” will be available for passengers to enjoy an original menu of Niigata's “Sake and Food”.
Intackageion of travel packages
After boarding the train, a Kuramori staff member will ask you at your seat if you would like to choose the “basic course” or the “soft drink course.”
The menu is subject to change due to availability.
Basic Course
10月からのコース
(Image)
Koshino Shu*Kura's Specialties
-
Koshino Shu*Kura Original Daiginjo-sake
This is a sake only available on board in collaboration with Kiminoi Shuzou.
This daiginjo-shu brings out the best of “Koshitanrei,” Niigata's famous rice suitable for sake brewing.*Image is old bottle -
Choko (cup) and Kinchaku (purse)
A sake cup with the Koshino Shu*Kura logo and an original Kinchaku (purse).
Please use them when enjoying sake on your travels or at home.
秋Menu（10～11月）
-
Outbound
-
Inbound
- *The menu is subject to change depending on the availability of ingredients.
Hospitality
Locally brewed sake is offered
Cars no. 1 and 3
Local sake will be served to passengers. (Free tasting)
- *Cannot be offered to those under the age of 20.
Sake Tasting
Car no. 2
A sake tasting corner is set up at the service counter “Kuramori” with carefully selected local sake from Niigata Prefecture. Five different brands are always available. (For a fee)
*The brands of sake to be tasted will be changed periodically.
Kuramori (Service Counter) details
Example of sales menu
Alcohol and soft drinks
Draft beer,
Yukimuro coffee,
drinking comparison set: 3 cups of sake (one of them is aged sake) with snacks, 1 Koshino Shu*Kura sake cup in a paulownia box
Dessert
- Snow Room- Yukimuro gelato
*Other seasonal snacks, bento boxes, and souvenirs are also available.
*Menus may be subject to change.
*Onboard sales are available only at the “Kuramori (service counter).”
Koshino Shu*Kura Original Daiginjo-sake
This is a sake only available on board in collaboration with Kiminoi Shuzou.
The brewery has changed its brewing method to Yamahai, a more time-consuming and labor-intensive method than normal sake brewing, based on Niigata's own sake rice, “Koshitanrei”. This method of sake brewing nurtures the natural lactic acid bacteria that live in the brewery and is more in tune with Niigata's climate. It is characterized by a smooth, gentle and deep flavor, as well as a lightness reminiscent of melted snow. It is a sake with a refreshing finish that will leave you wanting more.
(1,000 yen per 180 ml bottle)
※越乃Shu＊Kuraオリジナル大吟醸酒は10/1以降、新ボトル(画像のもの）に順次切替えとなります。
お求めの際は旧ボトルを提供する場合がございますが、お酒の仕込み方法や味に変更はありません。
Sake Community “Niigata Bijou” for women who enjoy Sake
Bijo
“
We support the “Koshino Shu*Kura” train, on which you can enjoy the pride of Niigata, the Japanese king of sake!
“Niigata Bijou” is a community for women who enjoy sake, as well as for women who are interested in sake but have never had much contact with it, to “enjoy” sake in a casual way. Their help in developing the menu is much appreciated.
Route & Timetables / Calendar
How to Board
How to purchase
Travel Packages
Koshino Shu*Kura has a car (no. 3) that can be boarded with a basic fare ticket and a reserved seat ticket, and a car (no. 1) that is exclusively to those who have purchase a travel package.
Meal plan (Car no. 1)
Meals and other services are available in the travel packages (Car no. 1).
Sold on the “Joyful Trains Reservation Site.” (Cannot be purchased through the JR-EAST Train Reservation system)
■■Easy Online Reservations■■
Joyful Trains Reservation Site (Japanese only)
※We do not handle at JR Ticket Offices (Midori-no-madoguchi)
*Some boarding dates listed in the service calendar may not have travel packages set, or may not be available for reservation on the Joyful Trains Reservation Site because they are sold by another travel agency.
About reserved seat tickets in Car no. 3
Basic fare ticket + Reserved seat ticket (Car no. 3)
Seat reservations can be made at JR-EAST Train Reservation, JR Ticket Office（Midori-no-Madoguchi）at major JR stations, and seat Reserved Seat Ticket Vending Machines from 10:00 a.m. (*) one month prior to the date of use.
(*Reserved seat ticket vending machine opens at 10:10)
(If you use a JR East Rail Pass such as JR EAST PASS, you can make a seat reservation without paying an additional fee.
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