EMU Kintetsu16200 series, Blue Symphony, stands at Kashihara-jingumae station
Yoshino is a mountainous area located in the southern part of Nara Prefecture. It is known as a holy place for Shugendo, which is Japanese mountain asceticism-shamanism incorporating Shinto and Buddhist concepts. Kimpusenji temple, which was opened by En-no-ozuno in the 7th century, is the very center of Shugendo. Currently, the function of Yoshino is not only Shugendo, but also sightseeing. For instance, Yoshino is famous for its sakura (cherry) blossoms in spring. The autumn color is also very beautiful. When we visited there last month, we could see red-colored maple trees here and there. It was vivid backed by the blue sky.
To get to Yoshino Mountain, the Kintetsu Yoshino line is convenient. Kintetsu is Japan's largest private railway company, which has a 508.2-kilometer network. The Yoshino line is a 25.2-kilometer local route connecting Kashiharajingu-mae and Yoshino stations. Different from the other Kintetsu lines, the track gauge size of the Yoshino and the Minami-Osaka lines is 1,067 millimeters.
When we were waiting for the Yoshino line train at Kashihara-jingumae station, I came across a limited express, the EMU 16200 series named Blue Symphony. It is a sightseeing train operated between Osaka-Abenobashi on the Minami-Osaka line and Yoshino station. Blue Symphony was renovated from the EMU 6200 series in 2016. It is composed of three cars including one lounge car, which functions as a bar and a cafe. Two passenger cars have gorgeous classic designed seats. The extra cost for boarding this train is 720 yen per passenger.
To get to Yoshino Mountain, the Kintetsu Yoshino line is convenient. Kintetsu is Japan's largest private railway company, which has a 508.2-kilometer network. The Yoshino line is a 25.2-kilometer local route connecting Kashiharajingu-mae and Yoshino stations. Different from the other Kintetsu lines, the track gauge size of the Yoshino and the Minami-Osaka lines is 1,067 millimeters.
When we were waiting for the Yoshino line train at Kashihara-jingumae station, I came across a limited express, the EMU 16200 series named Blue Symphony. It is a sightseeing train operated between Osaka-Abenobashi on the Minami-Osaka line and Yoshino station. Blue Symphony was renovated from the EMU 6200 series in 2016. It is composed of three cars including one lounge car, which functions as a bar and a cafe. Two passenger cars have gorgeous classic designed seats. The extra cost for boarding this train is 720 yen per passenger.
Jizo-do (the main hall) in Kimpusenji temple near Yoshino station
Official movie about the EMU Kintetsu 16200 series, Blue Symphony 1:
https://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/blue_symphony/movie.html
Official movie about the EMU Kintetsu 16200 series, Blue Symphony 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zYuu9EzSKI
Official movie about the EMU Kintetsu 16200 series, Blue Symphony 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zYuu9EzSKI
Official information about the Kintetsu limited express trains:
Official information about the EMU Kintetsu 16200 series, Blue Symphony (in Japanese):