Celia Grace NachuraSpring in Japan means one thing: sakura season! And what better way to experience the breathtaking blooms than aboard a special cherry blossom viewing train taking you right through the most stunning sakura landscapes? It seems we’re in luck: Come March 2024, Seibu Railway is making it happen.
For the first time ever, Seibu Railway is offering the 52 Seki no Shifuku (52 Seats of Happiness) Ohanami Train Tour, which will take travellers on a scenic sakura journey through Saitama, just outside Tokyo. Doesn’t a train ride sound like a more relaxed way to tick cherry blossom spots off your list? Mark your calendars for the maiden voyage on Thursday, 28 Mar 2024, then. It’s definitely bound to be a one-of-a-kind journey by rail!
If you’re interested in hopping aboard, get the scoop on Seibu Railway’s cherry blossom train tour below.
Also read: Japan Cherry Blossom 2024 Forecast: When & Where to See Sakura
What to expect on the cherry blossom train tour
Image credit: ★Kumiko★
Picture this: Relaxing on a comfortable train and sipping a sakura-themed cocktail as vibrant pink blossoms unfold outside your window. Sounds magical, right? The train tour will wind its way along the Seibu Ikebukuro Line, passing through prime cherry blossom viewing spots, including the Shakuji River, Inariyama Park, and Iruma River Bridge.
Image credit: Seibu Railway Official Website
It’s not just the views that make the experience worth indulging in, of course. Seibu Railway’s cherry blossom train tour also includes a delicious multi-course meal featuring local Chichibu ingredients. We’re particularly besotted with the sakura cocktails (or mocktails), but there’s also dumpling soup, savoury spare ribs, and a fluffy sakura roll cake for dessert. Still hungry? Additional food and drinks are also available for purchase onboard.
Also read: Sakura on Rails: Exploring The Best Sakura Spots in Northeastern Japan by Train
Here’s how to plan your train ride
Image credit: Seibu Railway Official Website
The cherry blossom train tour will last approximately three hours; the early lunch course will travel from Seibu Shinjuku Station to Ikebukuro Station, while the late lunch course will go from Ikebukuro Station to Seibu Shinjuku Station. Tickets are ¥12,000 (~S$108) per person inclusive of train ticket, meal, and event pamphlet. Bonus: Each guest receives a limited-edition event souvenir, too!
Keep in mind that each tour only has room for 30 passengers, so book as early as possible to secure a seat on this unique cherry blossom viewing train tour.
Featured image credit: Seibu Railway | Official Website
