A Mobile Villa Headed to the Forest: A Fantastic Ride on Kyushu's Yufuin-no-Mori

In Kyushu, Japan, there's a kind of travel where the journey itself is the ultimate purpose. The Yufuin-no-Mori (Yufuin-no-Mori) sightseeing train perfectly embodies this sentiment. This time, I departed from the bustling Hakata Station and boarded this legendary emerald green train, bound for the mountain town of Yufuin, nestled amidst the shimmering hot springs. This wasn't just a simple journey, but a prelude to a two-hour journey filled with ritual, delicious food, and breathtaking scenery.

The Journey's Starting Point: The Excited Waiting at Hakata Station

The journey begins the moment you step into Hakata Station. Passengers waiting for the Yufuin-no-Mori train on the platform couldn't conceal their excitement. As the train, clad in a classic European retro style and gleaming metallic emerald green, slowly approached the platform, a murmur of admiration echoed, accompanied by the sound of shutter clicks. It felt less like a daily commuter train and more like a mobile villa, ready to take you on a journey of fleeting escape from reality and into a dreamlike world. Stepping into the train: A space enveloped by the warmth and detail of wood

As soon as I stepped onto the Yufuin-no-Mori train, I was immediately enveloped by the warm, wood-toned interior. From the floor, walls, armrests, to luggage racks, the abundant use of wood creates a calm and elegant atmosphere, reminiscent of a forest cabin. My seat was next to a large picture window, and the dark green velvet was soft and comfortable, with a classic floral pattern adding a touch of sophistication.

This train's design is ingenious. To provide passengers with a wider view, the carriage floors feature a "high-rise design" (ハイデッカー structure), making the seats higher than usual. The scenery outside the windows is like a flowing scroll, unobstructed. The connecting passages between carriages are even designed as arched bridges, making every step a delight to explore.

A Flowing Feast: More than just scenery, it's a delight for your taste buds.

After settling in, I eagerly headed to the much-anticipated salon car and the sales counter. This is the heart of the Yufuin-no-Mori train, brimming with laughter and joy. The bar offers a wide variety of limited-edition items, from exquisite bento boxes and desserts to original souvenirs—everything is irresistible.

I redeemed the "Yufuin no Mori Bento" I'd pre-ordered online. This meticulously crafted bento, made with local Oita ingredients, is not only rich in flavor and rich in texture, but also a visual feast. Next, I ordered a Yuzu Mitsu Soda (Yuzu Mitsu Soda), made with Yufuin yuzu. The sweet and sour, refreshing flavor, paired with the idyllic scenery passing by outside the window, was a truly delightful taste memory of the trip. Many passengers also purchase ice cream made with the famous "B-speak" roll cake here, a uniquely sweet treat for the train.

Poetry Outside the Window: The Transformation of Scenery from City to Countryside

After leaving Hakata City, the view outside the window gradually shifted from skyscrapers to the tranquil Chikushi Plain. Sunlight bathed the lush green rice paddies, and the rolling hills loomed in the distance. The train's announcement system doesn't just announce stations; it also provides friendly advance notice of passing scenic spots.

One of the most iconic moments of the journey is when the train passes Jien Falls (Jien no Taki). The train deliberately slows down to allow passengers a clear view of the magnificent waterfall, divided into two sections. Carriage attendants hold up signs to remind passengers, ensuring no one misses this breathtaking moment. To capture this breathtaking view, many experienced passengers choose seats on the right side of the train departing from Hakata (Seats C and D).

A Unique Sense of Ritual: Capture a Wonderful Memento of Your Journey

Yufuin no Mori's most celebrated feature is its warm service. Friendly train attendants push the service cart and ask with a smile if anyone needs any assistance. They also provide commemorative plaques for the day, allowing passengers to wear the conductor's hat and take photos inside the train, adding a unique sense of ritual to the journey. In the rocking carriage, stamping our own commemorative stamps and permanently recording this wonderful memory in our travel guidebook has become a tacit agreement among all passengers.
When the train announcement announced our impending arrival in Yufuin, I felt a pang of reluctance. The two-hour journey, overwhelmed by the richness of the experience, flew by in a flash. As we slowly pulled into Yufuin Station, nestled among the mountains, and gazing back at the beautiful emerald green train, I deeply realized that Yufuin Forest is more than just a means of transportation; it's a truly magnificent journey in itself. It composes the perfect opening for our upcoming Yufuin journey in the most elegant and leisurely manner.

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