TOHOKU EMOTION, which runs on the Hachinohe Line (between Hachinohe and Kuji Stations), is one of JR East sightseeing Joyful Train. Inside the train is a large window overlooking the Pacific Ocean, decorated with motifs of traditional Tohoku crafts, and a live kitchen where you can watch the cooking process!
In this issue, you can't notice them unless you learn about them from the TOHOKU EMOTION ride report! We will introduce points you don't want to miss, dishes offered, recommended model courses, and more. Why not discover and experience a new Tohoku while enjoying a view of the Sanriku Sea and a menu featuring Tohoku ingredients? The view of Sanriku from inside the train
What is "TOHOKU EMOTION"?
The Hachinohe line on which TOHOKU EMOTION runs was severely damaged by the tsunami generated by the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011. TOHOKU EMOTION is filled with various attractions such as design, food, art, and scenery. The "Tohoku Restaurant Railway" is a restaurant space where the entire train is a restaurant, including a live kitchen where food is prepared right in front of your eyes and dishes centered on Tohoku ingredients. Visitors can enjoy dishes made with Tohoku ingredients while gazing at the scenery of the Sanriku region. TOHOKU EMOTION logo On the outward journey departing from Hachinohe Station, you can enjoy a course meal that combines the sensibility of a popular chef with local ingredients, and on the return journey, you can enjoy a TOHOKU EMOTION original dessert brought to you by Hotel Metropolitan Morioka. It is recommended to take a round-trip ride, with lunch on the outward journey and dessert after dinner on the return journey! TOHOKU EMOTION dessert buffet (return trip)
Departing from Hachinohe Station
Many scenes in the TOHOKU EMOTION trains feature motifs of traditional Tohoku crafts. You can also see traditional Hachinohe crafts in Hachinohe Station, so why not experience a variety of cultures? Yawata-uma" on display in front of the ticket gate Hachinohe Enburi's "Enburi Eboshi
TOHOKU EMOTION" on platform 1 at Hachinohe Station
TOHOKU EMOTION will depart from Hachinohe Station at 11:06 on this day. The recommended access from the Tokyo area is the Hayabusa departing Tokyo Station at 7:32 a.m. / arriving at Hachinohe Station at 10:24 a.m. TOHOKU EMOTION was in line 1 just after 10:30 a.m.
The train itself is said to be a campus based on the concept of "design, food, and art. Exterior view of "TOHOKU EMOTION The train is designed to look like a campus. TOHOKU EMOTION celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2023. To commemorate this, the train is running with the 10th anniversary head mark until March 31, 2024. The headmark is designed to symbolize the circle of customers connected through the 10th anniversary, and the colors reflect the seasons of spring, summer, fall, and winter. Before boarding the train, passengers can take commemorative photos with the limited edition TOHOKU EMOTION panel. Please be sure to take pictures to capture the memories of your trip. 10th anniversary head mark Limited edition "TOHOKU EMOTION" panel Service crew members greeted us at the entrance. The uniform is chic with a black vest and slacks. Inside the car, they serve with a white apron over this uniform. There are service crews who wear a tie and those who wear a bow tie. It looks like a garçon of a French restaurant.
Service Crew Uniform
Boarding the "TOHOKU EMOTION
You get into TOHOKU EMOTION! There was only one entrance and a red carpet in front of the door. A lantern hung above the door, just like the entrance to a restaurant!
A red carpet welcomes visitors! Lanterns at the entranceOnce inside the car, don't forget to get the "Oshigaki of Scenery" located near the entrance. This is a pamphlet compiled by the Hachinohe Transportation District staff who work on the Hachinohe Line. It introduces the highlights of the Hachinohe Line that you will pass through on the route map. This will help you enjoy the recommended scenery without missing anything. A guidebook of the scenery Inside is a highlight map
Introduction to the train
Inside the train is an all-seat restaurant space centered around a live kitchen. The interior of the three-car train features motifs of traditional Tohoku crafts and artwork from around the Tohoku region.
Car 1 has seven private compartment seats, and the wall fabric is based on a traditional Fukushima craft called "Sashikoiori". Sashiko-ori is a weave made by floating warp and weft yarns of different colors on a plain weave. The unique patterns created by the threads are still being passed down in various regions of Tohoku. The table is made of artificial marble in subdued colors and the seats for four are upholstered in chic leather colors.
Car 1 (compartment private room car)Car 2 is a live kitchen where food is prepared right in front of you. The window glass is decorated with a motif of the pattern made by Aomori Prefecture's "koginzashi" stitching technique. The walls of the counter reproduce the texture of Nambu tetsu, Iwate's world-class iron casting tradition. The interior walls are decorated with a motif of Aomori's "Nambu Hime-mari," a pattern reminiscent of a princess wearing a juni-hitoe (12-layered robe) in the Heian period (794-1185). Car 2 (Live Kitchen Space Car) Counter with a reproduction of the texture of "Nanbu-tek" iron Car 3 is an open dining space. The floor is decorated with the same "Kogin Sashimi" motif as Car 2. The lighting is made of amber, of which Iwate is said to be the largest producer in Japan, and the finishing material for the fixtures is based on Ogatsu inkstone from Miyagi Prefecture, which has a beautiful pure black color. Car 3 (open dining car) This time we boarded the first car. Menus and cutlery were already placed on the seats. The illustration on the luncheon mat was full of Tohoku elements! It depicts the Hachiman Koma and Enburi Karaboshi hat we saw earlier at Hachinohe Station. This one was done by Naomi Hasebe and her partner Achilles Gramanger, both from Fukushima Prefecture. Menu and luncheon mat Cute illustrations full of Tohoku elements
It's like a food circus!
The dishes you can enjoy in the train are original menus by popular chefs using Tohoku ingredients, and are brought to you by the service crew from the live kitchen in Car 2. Taking a cue from the phrase "food circus," the menu changes four times a year, with a new chef twice a year and a new menu every three months. It will be fun no matter how many times you ride the train!
The outbound menu from April 2023 to September 2023 is supervised by Chef Eiko Shibuya of "Sous-sus" located in Omachi, Akita City. Sous-sus" offers dishes that emphasize sauces and aromas and give a sense of the season. Menu for outward journey in July
Toast with sparkling apples!
As we boarded the train, a welcome drink of sparkling apple was brought to us. First, a toast! Listening to the music, light jazz was playing! I felt like I was waiting for a meal at a stylish restaurant. Welcome drink toast
Appetizers appear!
About 10 minutes after our departure, appetizers in a wooden box arrived.
This time, the appetizers included: "Brandade Croquette," a deep-fried dish of French origin in the largest plate, "Terrine Lapin," a popular rabbit terrine in France, "Marinated Squid," refreshing and perfect for summer, and "Chilled Edamame Soup," a tasty dish of edamame beans. Appetizers in a wooden box TOHOKU EMOTION also offers unlimited drinks. You can enjoy a luxurious trip, swaying on the train with a slight intoxication and enjoying the food!
It is also nice to see explanations of where the drinks come from on the menu, such as "Hayachine Kagura," a red wine from Iwate Prefecture, and "Takahata Classic," a red and white wine from Yamagata Prefecture. Drink menu and white wine "Shiwa Riesling Lion First, we ordered "Aomori Cidre" and "Aomori Apple Juice". The cider, which is refreshing and has a strong apple acidity, is perfect for hot days or with strong-flavored dishes. The Aomori Apple Juice will surprise you with the color of apple juice you have never seen before! When you drink it, you will be overwhelmed by the sweetness of the rich fruit. Aomori Cider Aomori apple juice
A view spot of Sanriku
As you savor your appetizers, you are informed over the train's announcement that Kabushima (Kabura-shima) is approaching. This is the beginning of the sea and sky view that is the essence of the Hachinohe Line!
Kabura-shima is a popular tourist spot with a shrine on top of the island. It is designated as a national natural monument as a breeding ground for petrels, and is the only place in Japan where you can observe them up close as they breed. Kabura-shima", a paradise for sea cucumbers After passing Kabura-shima, the scenery alternates between lush mountain forests and the ocean with its vast coastline. After passing Shark Station, you will see the Reedzaki Observatory. In this section, the train stops so that you can enjoy the scenery. You can enjoy the scenery at your leisure. Photo spot with a spectacular view: Ashigezaki Observation Deck Scenery to be enjoyed from the train window
Dishes one after another!
Next to the appetizers is the "sea bream viennoise. Underneath the crispy, golden brown batter, you will find a flaky sea bream and champagne sauce. The soft white meat, crispy batter, and green pea puree are a perfect match. The sweet and salty flavor fills the mouth.
Sea bream viennoiseAfter the fish dish, bread came on a small plate of Bunako, which is carefully handmade in Aomori, which boasts the largest beech tree accumulation in Japan. This bread is made with berries! When the surface dough is split open, it is a chunky purple dough. When I tried it, I could firmly taste the tartness of the berries. Berry bread Small plate of Bunako
To the live kitchen to see the main dish!
The dishes are not the only highlights of TOHOKU EMOTION. Let's go see the live kitchen space! You can observe how the dishes are being finished. Main dish being served While looking at the live kitchen, I found an illustration in the same taste as the luncheon mats placed on the seats! A large map with this illustration is displayed next to the live kitchen. There are three types of maps, one for the entire Hachinohe line, one for "FOOD" and one for the "TOURISM" theme. Tourist map around Hachinohe line
The main dish is served!
Here comes the main dish! This time it was confit of "Hinai-dori Chicken (Pirunai-dori)," the pride of Akita Prefecture. Many of you may have seen the name "Hinai-dori" (Hinai chicken) before. Hinai-dori is an original brand of Hinai Jidori chicken, which is said to be higher in protein and lower in calories than ever before. Confit is "a dish in which ingredients are slowly cooked in low-temperature oil. It is served with a sweet and salty sauce and has a refreshing taste without being overpowering.
Again, traditional Tohoku crafts were used. The platter is made of Iwate Prefecture's Kokuji ware, which changes color from the inside to the outside. Confit of Hinai Chicken
The moving "Yono Emotion" that brings people together
An impressive spot not to be missed at TOHOKU EMOTION. It is Hirono Emotion. The TOHOKU EMOTION whistle blows near the Shukunohe and Uge stations. As you approach within a few meters of the whistle, your eyes are drawn to local people waving big fishing flags. Volunteers from the town of Yono gather together and continue to wave their flags with big smiles on their faces as TOHOKU EMOTION passes by in just a few seconds. An enthusiastic welcome from Yono Emotion
Click here for an article about the launch of TOHOKU EMOTION that shows the connection between ▼Yono Emotion and JR East
While we are being impressed by the Yono Emotion, a luxury box is brought to us. It is a dessert petit fours. That beautiful box is Aizu Nuri (Aizu lacquerware). The ease of opening the paulownia lid and the beauty of the finish and grain of the wood give it the weight of tradition. Petit fours like a ball of rice From left to right: "cacao tuile" with a good balance of sweet and bitter tastes, moist "cheese cake," and lemon-flavored "churros. Tuiles are French roof tiles, a pastry in the shape of a curved tile. The bitter taste of cacao, sugar and sweetness, the two flavors mix together. The cheesecake is not too sweet, but refreshing to the palate with its ingredients. The churros are sprinkled with lemon-flavored sugar for a refreshing taste. Three kinds of desserts
Arrival at Kuji Station!
The word "emotion" means "feeling. It was truly a train that allowed passengers themselves to experience joy, emotion, and surprise over and over again as they came into contact with the land. Kuji Station bulletins The waiting room at Kuji Station has a round table in the center. There is a display of colorful and lovely Kokuji pottery! This is the same Kokuji Pottery that was used as the main dish in the TOHOKU EMOTION train earlier. Kokuji Pottery is a traditional craft here in Kuji City, and the glaze is used to express soft shades of color. Kokuji-yaki is so familiar to local people that they are said to always have a piece of Kokuji-yaki in their homes. Round table decorated with Kokuji pottery
Stroll to "Michi no Eki Tsuji" (Roadside Station)
It is about a 7-minute walk from Kuji Station to Michi no Eki Kuji. Here, floats and other items from the Kuji Autumn Festival, held in September, are on display. The Kuji Autumn Festival is a festival dedicated to the Grand Shrine, Akiba Shrine, and Tatsumiyama Shrine, and is said to be the largest festival in northern Japan. The size of the floats used in the festival is quite impressive! The floats are so large that they rise up in the atrium of the roadside station, and their power is astonishing. The exhibition of Kuji's specialty, amber, and the souvenir shop were also worth seeing.
I spent about an hour at Michi no Eki Oji before my return trip to Kuji, where I would board the "TOHOKU EMOTION" train departing from Kuji Station at 14:18. Gorgeous floats of Kiyomasa Kato The Kuji Autumn Festival
Dessert buffet on the way home
I boarded the TOHOKU EMOTION train departing from Kuji Station at 14:18 to return to Hachinohe Station!
TOHOKU EMOTION departing from Kuji Station is a dessert buffet; from April to September 2023, return passengers can enjoy an assorted dessert plate, a 6-dessert buffet, and hors d'oeuvres such as cured ham and nuts. The desserts and hors d'oeuvres are buffet style, so you can indulge to your heart's content with whatever you like. Assorted dessert plate Dessert buffet and hors d'oeuvres
Arrival at Hachinohe Station!
Thank you for your train trip! The last stop is Hachinohe Station, but you can also make a stopover on the return trip. After enjoying dessert, you can get off at Hachinohe Station and enjoy sightseeing. There is a food stall village called "Miroku Yokocho" with 26 stalls in Hachinohe, so it is recommended to have a drink after a short walk. Miroku Alley
Location
Mikkaicho, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, 031-0032
Access
12 minutes walk from Hachinohe Station
Hachinohe Sanja Taisho Festival at the "Utori" in front of Hachinohe Station
At the Hachinohe Sanja Grand Festival Attraction Corner, located on the first floor of the "Utori" building adjacent to Hachinohe Station, you will find Hachinohe Sanja Grand Festival floats themed on "Saiyuki: Son Goku Fierce Battleground" and mini floats themed on "The Twelve Zodiac Signs". Visitors can also try their hand at making traditional handicrafts, such as coasters made of Nanbu Hishi-Sashi stitch and Hanabinshiki (flower vase) made of Nanbu Sakiori fabric! The souvenir store offers approximately 2,000 items from Aomori Prefecture. A powerful exhibition corner
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
*All images are for reference only.
Move your EMOTION with TOHOKU EMOTION
How was your experience on the TOHOKU EMOTION? In this issue, we introduced the inside of the train, trivia, and spots around the departure and arrival stations that remind you of TOHOKU EMOTION... Ride the TOHOKU EMOTION and experience the charm of Tohoku from various perspectives, from its food and traditional crafts to the enthusiastic welcome from the local people.
To make a reservation for the TOHOKU EMOTION, please visit the "Notto Joyful Train Reservation Site!Joyful Train reservation site Lanterns hanging at the entrance
