Wednesday 8 May 2019

Royal Box: High-Grade Car on the Izukyu Line

A star-studded sky on the ceiling of Royal Box car, EMU Izukyu 2100 series, Kurofune train

On January 25th, Izukyu issued a press statement announcing that Royal Box car of Izukyu Kurofune train will be operated from April 1st to June 30th in line with the Shizuoka Destination Campaign.

What is Kurofune train and Royal Box car? Kurofune train (set R-4 of the EMU Izukyu 2100 series) was created based on the image of Kurofune, which abruptly visited Japan led by US Commodore Perry in 1853 to demand the Tokugawa Shogunate to open the country to the world. Seeing that, the Japanese called them "Kurofune" (black ships). Accepting Perry's request, the Tokugawa Shogunate signed a treaty opening Shimoda Port to U.S. trade in 1854. As you noticed, Shimoda is the terminal of the Izukyu Line. Royal Box car is a special high-grade car (SaRo 2182) coupled to Kurofune train. It was once operated as a Green Car (the first-class car), but recently not coupled to Kurofune train due to its high maintenance cost.

During the period of the Shizuoka Destination Campaign, Royal Box car is specially coupled to Kurofune train. To my joy, Royal Box car requires no extra charge. It is good news for passengers. I recently enjoyed riding Royal Box car between JR East Atami and Izukyu-Shimoda stations. The unique service was its star-studded sky including meteoric showers on the ceiling. It was projected while the train passed through tunnels. It was very beautiful and wonderful memory for my travel.

Royal Box is the best entertainment car on the railways in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Set R-4 of the EMU Izukyu 2100 series, Kurofune train, stands at Izukyu-Shimoda terminal