Sweets Course
Operating days: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays
Schedule： Departure from Amanohashidate Station (16:05) → Arrival at Nishi-Maizuru Station (17:24)
Fee: 5,000 yen and up
Of the three courses, we tested the morning course, which departs from Fukuchiyama Station.
JR Fukuchiyama Station and Kyoto Tango Railway Fukuchiyama Station are located in the same building, so transfers are smooth. I drove to Fukuchiyama Station for my next work. I left my car at a coin-operated parking lot near Fukuchiyama Station and boarded the Tango Kuramatsu.
When I passed through the ticket gate and went up to the platform, the Tango Kurokumatsu was already on track 1, and a KTR300 diesel train, the first of a new model for Kyoto Tango Railway, was on track 2. The Tango Kurokuromatsu, which will be boarding this time, is a KTR700 diesel train (KTR707) designed by industrial designer Eiji Mitooka based on the theme of pine trees in Amanohashidate. The train was remodeled based on the concept of a dining room in the “Kyoto of the Sea,” and has been in service since May 2014.
The train’s distinctive interior, with its abundant use of oak and other natural wood, is eye-catching, with five sets of tables seating four people and five sets of tables seating two people, as well as a counter and a kitchen in the back, truly living up to its name as a restaurant train.
Shortly after boarding the train, it is 10:08 on schedule. The train slowly leaves the platform with the distinctive roar of a diesel train. Normally, it takes about 1 hour from Fukuchiyama Station to Amanohashidate Station by regular train. The express train, Hashidate, takes about 50 minutes, but the Tango Kuroshimatsu Morning Course makes the journey take 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Departing from Fukuchiyama Station, we enjoyed the first morning plate while enjoying the train window. The morning plate consists of six colorful dishes richly prepared with local ingredients and accompanied by homemade focaccia branded with the family crest of Mitsuhide Akechi, the builder of Fukuchiyama Castle. These dishes are prepared by “Katashima,” a patisserie cafe with its main branch in Yabu City, Hyogo Prefecture, and another branch in Fukuchiyama City. Each dish is a gentle taste suitable for a wake-up bite.
[Breakfast plate]
Sausage and chickpea stew
Gazpacho” cold soup
Smoked Potato Salad with Carrot Rapé and Choux Rouge
Shrimp & Avocado with Local Eggs
Amanohashidate Oil Sardine and Ratatouille
Fruit salad with yogurt on ice
Homemade focaccia (with Akechi family and Kikyo family crest)
It was not long before we enjoyed our morning plate. Fourteen minutes after departure, the train arrived at Oe Station at 10:22. The train stops here for about 35 minutes. Oe Station has an island-type platform with two lines on one side. It is the only manned intermediate station on the Kyoto Tango Railway Miyafuku Line, and is nicknamed “Shuten-doji Station,” which is derived from an ogre that appears in the legend of the extermination of ogres on Mount Oe. The station’s store sells a variety of specialties derived from the ogre, such as ogre buns, and there is also a park in front of the station called Oeyama Onigawara Park, which is decorated in the colors of the ogre. Of course, you can take a stroll in the park while the train is stopped.
10:57 a.m. After a 35-minute stop, the Tango-Kuromatsu starts moving again and begins its journey toward Amanohashidate Station. By this time, the second dessert plate and coffee are served.
Nationally, “Uji tea” is famous for its origins in the production process of Uji, in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture, and one of the best production centers of Uji tea is Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture. Originally, most tea leaves produced in Fukuchiyama were distributed outside of Fukuchiyama as “Uji tea” and were not well known.
In recent years, Fukuchiyama tea, produced and processed exclusively in Fukuchiyama, is gradually gaining recognition. The rich aroma and flavor of the tea is brought out in each of the desserts, and one can’t help but smile.
Dessert Plate
Fukuchiyama Tea and Amataki Yuzu Bourdonnage
Matcha green tea terrine sablé sandwich
Gyokuro Jule and Shiratama Azuki Bean Curd
By April, when the train will be in full operation, the trees along the line will be even more vividly green than they are now. By that time, cherry blossoms will probably be reflected in the windows of the trains. As I was thinking about how luxurious my time would be, the “Tango Kuramatsu-go” slipped into Miyazu Station. At this point, the train changed direction and proceeded to the Miyatoyo Line. The “Tango Kuroshimatsu-go” arrived at Amanohashidate Station at 11:47 (scheduled to arrive at 11:48 during the main operation).
The entire morning course that we tested this time takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes, as mentioned above. The normal trip from Fukuchiyama to Amanohashidate also takes about 1 hour. Of course, you can make it a goal to take the “Tango Kuroshimatsu-go”. If you are considering a trip to Amanohashidate, why not spend a little more time and spend a little more luxury on the “Tango Kuroshimatsu-go”? A simple trip will surely turn into a very luxurious time.
© Source travel watch
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.