Traveling to Mie with the Kintetsu Shimakaze 近鉄 しまかぜ
Premium class on rail
The Kintetsu Shimakaze is a luxury tourist train that departs from the major cities of Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya to arrive in Kashikojima in Mie Prefecture for an unforgettable experience.
The Kinki Nihon Tetsudo or more simply Kintetsu Railway is the largest Japanese private railway company, with 600 kilometers of lines spread over the prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Aichi, and Mie. Competition is fierce with JR, which is often exceeded on a number of links, offers more departures.
- Read also: The train in Japan, a practical guide
An exceptional train for an exceptional rail journey
The Shimakaze is an exceptional train from all points of view, already because it gathers all the know-how of the Kintetsu from its conception.
The Shimakaze, an express tourist train, was put into service in March 2013 and won the prestigious "Blue Ribbon" design award in 2014. It deserved it as its references are so important. Its lines are taut, dynamic, and expressive. A beautiful blue and white livery like the sea and the sky of the Ise-shima coast.
Every day, three trains depart simultaneously from the three major cities connected to the Kintetsu network, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya to all meet at Kashikojima, a tourist town in Mie.
- Read also: Ise-Shima National Park
Every detail counts, Japanese perfectionism
On the train, you place your feet on a beautifully made mikageishi granite stone floor to immediately feel luxurious. You feel good that you are not in one of these usual suburban trains and so much the better! This granite floor is very rare because it is very heavy in an area where kilo hunting reigns. But here, you have to dazzle, so every detail counts to achieve it.
Like these free and locked lockers, in which you can store your suitcase so that it does not clutter you in your place. Your place precisely, where you will spend the most time, and that you will not want to leave as everything is fabulous there. The comfort is worthy of a Business class on an airplane but with the beautiful landscapes parading before your eyes through the very large window. The first car is panoramic, with the overhanging view behind the driving cabin, like in the most beautiful travel film there is.
Take a seat for maximum comfort
On each "Premium seat," you have 1.25 meters of space, more than on the Green class of a shinkansen, the Japanese high-speed train. The seat is in light leather and several electrically controlled functions allow the reclining of the backrest and the legs to the end of the feet for total relaxation. You can even operate the electric control of your blind by pressing a button. A hostess brings you a hot towel to wash your hands and you can fall asleep like a baby, but wait, it would be a shame not to enjoy everything else.
There are also spaces for groups, "lounges" for 4 to 6 people, whose places are at the same price as for the Premium seat. The family area for 3 or 4 people is Japanese style with a kotatsu, provided you take off your shoes, naturally.
You will have adjustable air conditioning and a screen that gives information on the trip, the stations crossed, the high tourist sites, and even a panoramic view thanks to a camera installed at the very front.
- Read also: 10 things to see in Mie Prefecture
Unexpected comfort on the rails
Some details have been created with a particular focus on female audiences. The train, a guy's story? Onboard the Shimakaze, no, because here, ladies are pampered. As soon as you board, on the beautiful granite floor, a delicately perfumed smell tickles your nostrils because a specific diffuser has been installed. In addition to the restrooms on board, which are always spacious and clean, a makeup room is available for ladies to get a makeover with a large, well-lit mirror, a shelf to put down their items, and a courtesy curtain for privacy.
A smoking compartment is accessible onboard for smokers.
Useful information
As in many "Limited Express" mainline trains in Japan, there is a bar car. Everything is magnificent, swivel stools along a counter facing the landscape from where you can taste real dishes like in a restaurant, specialty of local seafood on rice pilaf (1400yen), or a bento at the prestigious beef from Matsusaka (1400 yen), a city where the train passes through. If you prefer a small formula with dessert and drink (1100yen) you will still be entitled to a tasty cake. And a good local beer to quench your thirst.
- Read also: Culinary specialties of Mie Prefecture
Price: it will cost you 5560 yen (about $45/41€) for a trip from Kyoto to Kashikojima.
You can stop before the end to visit the Ise Grand Shrine, Toba Aquarium, or visit the Ise and Kashikojima pearlware production sites.
Certainly, a trip onboard the Shimakaze will impress and make all the other train journeys a mere train ride...
- To go further: The travel guide in Mie from Japan Experience
