Restaurant train in Niigata: three cars, sake tasting and a view of the Sea of Japan
This train runs along the Sea of Japan. Rice fields, cliffs, and fishing villages drift past the window, and in the car you're served sake from Niigata.
That's Koshino Shu*Kura, a tourist restaurant train in Japan. It travels through Niigata Prefecture, a region of rice and sake, and consists of three cars. Lunch and tastings here are served by reservation only (as of 09/2026, train page on the JR East website).
Below you'll find out what's in the three cars, what they serve en route, where the train goes, and how to book a seat in advance.
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What Koshino Shu*Kura is
💡 In short:
- A JR East tourist train that runs through Niigata Prefecture, introducing you to local sake along the way.
- Inside there are three cars: a dining car, an event car, and a regular car with window seats.
- Lunch and tastings are booked in advance; you can't buy them on the day of travel.
- Season, routes, and booking: 09/2026, verified on the official JR East website.
Koshino Shu*Kura is part of the JR East Joyful Trains program. The name combines three Japanese words (according to Edge of Niigata, 2024): "Koshi" (the old name for Niigata), "shu" (sake), and "kura" (brewery). The prefecture is known for its Koshihikari rice and rice sake, and the local water and mild climate support roughly 90 sake breweries, more than anywhere else in Japan (as of 09/2026, Niigata tourism website).
The train is built around a single theme. You board, ride along the coast, and between stops you sample the region's drinks and dishes. Looking out the window matters just as much as eating: the route runs along the Sea of Japan coast.
© TRJN · CC BY-SAPhoto: TRJN, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe cars: dining, tasting, and window seats
The train consists of three cars, each with its own purpose (as of 09/2026, official JR East page). The first car is for passengers with lunch. It has tables for groups. Seats in the first car are sold only as part of a package; a separate ticket doesn't apply there.
© 羽吹舞 · CC BY-SAPhoto: 羽吹舞, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe second car works as a common area. It has a Kuramori counter with local drinks, snacks, and souvenirs, and next to it there's a tasting area. You'll be offered several Niigata sake varieties, and the selection changes periodically (as of 09/2026, Joyful Trains page).
The third car suits those riding for the view. It has soft seats with backrests and a lounge with sofas for eight people.
- The catch: lunch in the first car is sold only as a package, and the sake tasting costs extra.
Food and sake en route
The menu is built around Niigata. The bento boxes feature foods that pair well with sake: rice, seasonal vegetables, fish, and small bites. The lunch contents depend on the date and route, because the boxes are assembled for a specific departure (as of 09/2026, JR East website).
Sake here is not just poured, it is also explained. Guests receive a welcome glass of local sake, and at the tasting area you can compare several premium labels (as of 09/2026, official Niigata tourism portal). The counters in the car resemble sake barrels, and they are a comfortable place to stand with a glass by the large window.
Routes and travel season
The train runs on three routes, and each one starts from Joetsu-Myoko Station (as of 09/2026, official operator website). The direction is chosen based on the scenery and travel time.
Route | Section | What to see from the window |
|---|---|---|
Koshino | Joetsu-Myoko → Tokamachi | valleys and rice fields |
Yuzawa | Joetsu-Myoko → Echigo-Yuzawa | mountains of snow country |
Ryuto | Joetsu-Myoko → Niigata | the Sea of Japan coast |
The train runs mostly on weekends, roughly from spring to fall. Check the exact departure dates in the JR East calendar before booking. If you want to catch the autumn colors, book October.
© Mister0124 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Mister0124, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsHow to book a seat
Booking opens one month before the trip (as of 09/2026, JR East booking page). Seats in the first car are sold through the Joyful Train Reservation website. JR East pass holders can take a seat in the third car at no extra charge, but you should still reserve in advance.
If you are traveling around Japan with some flexibility and want to add this route to your plan, check trains and prices in advance: see trains across Japan and prices on Trip.com. Departures run mostly on weekends, and the first car sells out quickly.
Other restaurant trains in Niigata
Niigata has more than one train like this. There are other trains with dining cars and panoramic windows nearby, and they are worth comparing if you have an extra day in the region.
Kairi runs north from Niigata along the Sea of Japan coast and ends its journey in Sakata (as of 09/2026, Niigata tourism portal). The train consists of two GV-E400 cars, and one of them serves lunch: seasonal dishes and regional drinks, including cuisine from local ryotei restaurants.
The Setsugekka sightseeing train runs through the mountains and along the coast of the Joetsu region on the Echigo Tokimeki line. Its panoramic windows are among the largest in Japan, and lunch is prepared by restaurants along the line (as of 09/2026, Niigata Prefecture page).
If you prefer steam traction, add the SL Banetsu Monogatari: a train with a C57 locomotive and an observation lounge that runs on weekends.
© IRishikawa521 · CC BY-SAPhoto: IRishikawa521, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How long is the trip?
The trips are short and fit into a single day. Check the exact duration in the schedule on the JR East website before booking, because the time depends on the route. Keep in mind the journey to Joetsu-Myoko Station: you also need to get there separately.
Can you board the train without a reservation?
The third car requires a base ticket and a reserved seat, so you will not be allowed on board without a reservation.
What is served in the dining car?
In the first car, food is served as a bento box made from local products, and the contents depend on the departure. Guests receive a welcome glass of sake, and at the tasting area you can compare several labels. The sake menu changes periodically, so the flavors of two trips may differ.
When is the best time to go?
The train runs mostly on weekends, roughly from spring to fall. For autumn colors, choose October, and for a calm view of the coast, the start of the season works well. In summer, the number of seats in the first car does not increase, so book in advance.
Check the package and ticket prices on the official JR East website and in the booking system, because the fare depends on the route and date. Lunch and the tasting are priced separately.
In short: what to book
Koshino Shu*Kura takes one day and is easy to combine with a trip around Niigata. If you are going for the sake and lunch, take the first car with the package. If the view and a relaxed pace matter to you, a seat in the third car is enough. If you want more food along the way, add Kairi or Setsugekka on another day.
The trains run mostly on weekends, so book in advance. Find a date and route on Trip.com and lock in your seat while there are still open tables in the first car.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.