DMU JR West KiHa 48 series, Hanayome-noren train, stands at Kanazawa station
When we visited Hakui City, I found a gorgeous red colored train at Kanazawa station. What was that? It was JR West's sightseeing train called Hanayome-noren. The word "Hanayome-noren" means a bride sprit curtain in the Hokuriku area. It is a gorgeous traditional trousseau, which a bride brings with her when she marries.
As its name suggests, the outer design of the Hanayome-noren train was taken from local traditional crafts such as Wajima lacquer, Kanazawa gold foil and Kaga Yuzen hand dyeing. The interior is also decorated with traditional designs. Passengers can enjoy entertainment by local performances as well.
The train for Hanayome-noren is the DMU JR West KiHa 48 series (KiHa 48-1004 and KiHa 48-4). It was originally built as a commuter train in 1982, and, then, modified to a sightseeing train like JR East's Minori (harvest) in 2015. The technical specifications are just standard. For example, it has 220 PS diesel engines. The mechanism for transmitting power is hydraulic. The maximum operating speed is 95 kilometers per hour. It currently belongs to Toyama branch office of JR West Kanazawa depot.
JR West and IR Ishikawa Railway jointly provide two round-trip services a day every weekend with this sightseeing train. The operating route is between Kanazawa and Wakura-onsen stations (71 kilometers). It takes approximately 80 minutes one-way. We tried to reserve the seats at Kanazawa station, but it was unfortunately full due to the peak summer vacation season. I am hopeful of the next traveling chance to the Hokuriku area.
As its name suggests, the outer design of the Hanayome-noren train was taken from local traditional crafts such as Wajima lacquer, Kanazawa gold foil and Kaga Yuzen hand dyeing. The interior is also decorated with traditional designs. Passengers can enjoy entertainment by local performances as well.
The train for Hanayome-noren is the DMU JR West KiHa 48 series (KiHa 48-1004 and KiHa 48-4). It was originally built as a commuter train in 1982, and, then, modified to a sightseeing train like JR East's Minori (harvest) in 2015. The technical specifications are just standard. For example, it has 220 PS diesel engines. The mechanism for transmitting power is hydraulic. The maximum operating speed is 95 kilometers per hour. It currently belongs to Toyama branch office of JR West Kanazawa depot.
JR West and IR Ishikawa Railway jointly provide two round-trip services a day every weekend with this sightseeing train. The operating route is between Kanazawa and Wakura-onsen stations (71 kilometers). It takes approximately 80 minutes one-way. We tried to reserve the seats at Kanazawa station, but it was unfortunately full due to the peak summer vacation season. I am hopeful of the next traveling chance to the Hokuriku area.
Close up of Hanayome-noren train
Official information about Hanayome-noren train:
Official information about Hanayome-noren train including promotion movies (in Japanese):