The Kintetsu Shimakaze: travel in luxury to Mie Prefecture
- Published on : 15/01/2020
- by : J.L.
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Shimakaze
@Oka21000 on Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Premium class on rail
The Kintetsu Shimakaze is a luxury tourist train that connects the major cities of Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya with Kashikojima, in Mie Prefecture, for an unforgettable travel experience.
Kinki Nihon Tetsudo, better known as Kintetsu Railway, is Japan's largest private railway company, with 600 kilometers of lines in the prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Aichi and Mie.
A unique train for an exceptional rail journey
A unique train for an exceptional rail journey
The Shimakaze is an extraordinary train in every respect, embodying the very best of the Kintetsu rail network.
The locomotive entered service in March 2013 and won the prestigious "Blue Ribbon" award in 2014. Its design and comfort make it one of the most striking trains on the Japanese rail network, with its beautiful blue and white livery evoking the sea and 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 meet up at Kashikojima, a tourist town in Mie prefecture.
Fares and timetables
Here are the most common fares for the Shimakaze:
- Osaka-Namba station → Kashikojima station: 5,460 yen
- Kyoto station → Kashikojima station: 6,150 yen
- Kintetsu-Nagoya station → Kashikojima station: 5,060 yen
Shimakaze trains depart from these terminals at different times:
- From Kyoto: departure at 10:00 a.m., arrival at Kashikojima at 12:44 p.m
- From Osaka-Namba: departure at 10:40 a.m., arrival at Kashikojima at 1:03 p.m
- From Kintetsu-Nagoya: departure at 10:25 a.m., arrival at Kashikojima at 12:27 p.m
For details of fares and timetables, or to make a reservation, visit the official website.
Shimakaze, a luxury train serving the Ise peninsula
kintetsu
Attention to detail
On board, your feet tread a magnificent mikageishi granite floor, which immediately contributes to the train's luxurious atmosphere. This type of granite is very rare, as its heavy weight demands special attention in the design of a train.
Luggage storage compartments allow you to make the most of your space. Comfort is comparable to that of an airplane's business class, with the added pleasure of watching superb landscapes unfold through large windows. The first car is panoramic, offering an unobstructed view just behind the driver's cabin.
Optimum comfort for a unique journey
The Shimakaze's premium seats offer 1.25 meters of personal space, more than in the "green class" of the Shinkansen, Japan's high-speed train. Upholstered in light-colored leather, these seats feature multiple settings for reclining the backrest and raising the footrest for optimum comfort. You can even control the opening of the blinds at the touch of a button. A hostess brings you a hot towel to wash your hands so you can start your journey in the best possible conditions.
The train also offers spaces for groups: lounges for 4 to 6 people, at a similar rate to premium seats. For families of 3 or 4, there's a Japanese-style area with a kotatsu, a traditional warming table that's very popular in winter.
Premium Shimakaze seats
Jérôme Laborde
You'll enjoy adjustable air-conditioning and a screen displaying information about your journey: stations along the route, must-see tourist sites, and even a panoramic view of the outside thanks to a camera installed on the front of the train!
World-class comfort on rails
In every carriage, a delicate fragrance is diffused by specially designed diffusers. The toilets, always spacious and spotless, are complemented by a ladies' make-up room, equipped with a well-lit mirror, a shelf and a privacy curtain.
A smoking compartment is also available for those who need it.
Gastronomy on board
As on many Limited Express trains in Japan, the Shimakaze has a bar car. Here you can enjoy restaurant-style dishes, featuring local seafood and the prestigious beef of Matsusaka, the town through which the train passes. Small bites and desserts are also available.
Travelling on the Shimakaze Express with the Kintetsu Rail Pass
Foreign visitors can use their Kintetsu Rail Pass or Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide to travel on the Shimakaze. These passes are ideal for exploring this region rich in culture and natural landscapes, located in the heart of the Japanese archipelago. They offer unlimited travel on Kintetsu trains for 5 days. What's more, holders enjoy special benefits at over 70 establishments throughout the Kansai region, Mie prefecture and Aichi prefecture.
