Kansai Sightseeing Train Aoniyoshi

I’m not exactly a train enthusiast, but if my itinerary allows when I go to Japan, I still want to ride a special train. Kyushu has many distinctive trains 🚂, but Kansai has fewer. Knowing that there is the Aoniyoshi sightseeing train between Osaka and Nara, I specially arranged time to take it. When I went to Kansai, I booked the 9:10 train departing from Namba.

Aoniyoshi is a poetic phrase praising the ancient city of Nara. It is a refurbished 12200 series limited express train retired in 2021. The purple body color represents the highest rank in the "Twelve Level Cap and Rank System." To let tourists feel the long history and culture of ancient Nara, the interior and exterior are designed based on treasures from the Shosoin, decorated with patterns inspired by the "Tenpyo Culture" of the Nara period.

The train has only 84 seats, most of which are two-seaters facing the windows so passengers can enjoy the scenery outside. There are a few 3-4 person seats, each group separated from the aisle by partitions to maintain some privacy. Carriage No. 2 has a bar counter selling exclusive onboard products, including raisin 🍇 dried butter sand cookies, purple sweet potato mont blanc, "Yamato Brewing" beer 🍻, and souvenirs. Carriage No. 4 has a library where you can sit on sofas and read books related to the route 📚.

The sightseeing train ticket price is not very expensive, 1410 yen per adult and 710 yen per child. Since there are limited seats, you must book in advance!
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Post by followmetoeatandplay | Jun 3, 2025