The Shikoku Mannaka Sennen Monogatari (四国まんなか千年ものがたり, Shikoku mannaka sennen monogatari) is a limited express sightseeing train service operated by JR Shikoku in Shikoku, Japan, since April 2017.
 Third compartment of the Shikoku Mannaka Sennen Monogatari | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Limited express |
| Status | Operational |
| Locale | Shikoku, Japan |
| First service | 1 April 2017 |
| Current operator(s) | JR Shikoku |
| Route | |
| Termini | Tadotsu Ōboke |
| Stops | 4 |
| Line(s) used | Dosan Line |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | KiHa 185 series DMU |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Electrification | 1,500 V DC overhead (Tadotsu to Kotohira), Diesel (Kotohira to Ōboke) |
Overview
editThe Shikoku Mannaka Sennen Monogatari is the second sightseeing train in Shikoku, launching three years after the Iyonada Monogatari. It started operations on April 1, 2017.[1]
The train runs through the center of Shikoku, showing passengers views of the countryside and mountains of Tokushima and Kagawa Prefectures.[2] Its route passes near attractions such as Ōboke Gorge, Zentsū-ji, and Konpira Shrine. The concept of the train service comes from yuzan (mountain-touring), an old local custom in which children brought lunch up the mountain to play during Double Third Festival (Hinamatsuri).[3]
Operation status
editThe train service operates on Fridays, weekends, and holidays between Tadotsu and Ōboke. Meals created with local ingredents are available on every route,[3] and the train operates as a limited express with reserved seating.
The morning service out of Tadotsu is named Travel to the Land of the Sky (そらの郷紀行), based on an old nickname for the remote mountain villages of Tokushima. The afternoon service out of Ōboke is named Travel to the Land of Happiness (しあわせの郷紀行), based on the slogan for Konpira Shrine (shiawase no konpira-san).[4][5]
The train stops at several different stations along its route, with both service patterns stopping at Ōboke, Zentsūji, Kotohira, and Tadotsu.[4] Additional stops include:
Morning Service (Tadotsu to Ōboke):
Afternoon Service (Ōboke to Tadotsu):
- Koboke, Awa-Kawaguchi, Awa-Ikeda, Tsubojiri, Sanuki-Saida, Konzōji
In early- to mid-July, the train also slows down near Shioiri for passengers to view sunflower fields in the area.[7]
The Shikoku Mannaka Sennen Monogatari was suspended between March 6 and July 4 in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8][9] In August 2024, the service reached 100,000 passengers in total ridership.[10]
Rolling stock
editThe Shikoku Mannaka Sennen Monogatari uses a 3-car KiHa 185 series DMU for its services. The first car (Spring Chapter) is painted green, the second car (Summer Chapter) white and blue, and the third car (Autumn Chapter) crimson.[6] The cars incorporate traditional Japanese motifs such as clouds and Japanese gardens in their designs.[11]
-
Spring Chapter (KiHa 185-14) in 2017 -
Summer Chapter (KiRo 186-4) in 2017 -
Autumn Chapter (KiHa 185-3102, originally KiHa-1002) in 2017
Gallery
edit-
Interior of Spring Chapter in 2017 -
Interior of Summer Chapter in 2017 -
Interior of Autumn Chapter in 2017
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "土讃線新観光列車の名前とデザインが決まりました！" (PDF). JR Shikoku. JR Shikoku. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ Tokunaga, Shota (April 6, 2024). "Tokushima: Tanuki-themed Train Station Welcomes Visitors; Locals Band Together for Revitalization Efforts". The Japan News. Yomiuri Shimbun. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ a b "「大歩危・小歩危」に沿って走る観光列車 ～ＪＲ四国「四国まんなか千年ものがたり」～". daily.co.jp. Daily Sports. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ a b 佐々木, 康弘 (November 29, 2016). "JR四国「四国まんなか千年ものがたり」運賃・食事・アテンダント制服を公開". Mynavi News. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ "旅のご案内｜四国まんなか千年ものがたり". JR Shikoku. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ a b 安藤, 昌季 (December 17, 2022). ""動く古民家"列車で秘境駅へ！ 料理も調度も凝りまくり「四国まんなか千年ものがたり」". Traffic News. mediavague Co. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ "乘觀光列車在向日葵花海中穿梭". Nikkei. Nikkei Inc. July 7, 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "新型コロナウイルスの影響による列車の運休について" (PDF). JR Shikoku. JR Shikoku. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ Ono, Masatomo (June 16, 2020). "JR Shikoku to resume services, sightseeing trains in July". Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ "観光列車「四国まんなか千年ものがたり」10日に乗客10万人到達 JR四国、缶バッジ配布へ". The Tokushima Shimbun. August 3, 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ "JR四國觀光列車x台鐵鳴日號設計師對談 揭密幕後設計故事". Yahoo News. January 17, 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.