TOTTORI -- A sightseeing train car dubbed "Wakasa" began its service Saturday, running along a 19.2-kilometer section between Koge and Wakasa stations.
Renovations to Wakasa Station, managed by the third sector Wakasa Railway Co. in Wakasa, Tottori Prefecture, were also completed, with a cafe opening inside.
On the day before the renovation's completion, a municipal bus called the Yazu Bus also began operations in the town of Yazu, in the same prefecture. The train, the station and the bus were all designed by industrial designer Eiji Mitooka , 72, with the hopes of attracting tourists and revitalizing local communities.
The Wakasa has a dark green exterior that harmonizes with the rural landscape seen along the railway line. Wood was lavishly used for both the floor and walls of the car, creating a space with warmth. The station building also has a wood-focused interior, and the retro-flavored ticket gate area and waiting room project an atmosphere of relaxation. The newly opened cafe, located in the store space near the entrance, offers take-out hamburgers, sandwiches, coffee and cake sets.
"I hope this station will be used not only as a waiting space for trains but also as a place for townspeople to interact with each other or meet tourists," said Wakasa Mayor Koki Yabe, who also serves as president of the railway.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Wakasa Station on Saturday, the new train departed to Koge Station, seen off by local residents.
"The sofa in the waiting room is stylish and comfortable. It also wonderfully matches the design of the train," said Hiroko Yoshino, 49, a company employee, who visited the newly refurbished station from Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo.
In fiscal 2017, the railway started turning three of its train cars into sightseeing trains, aiming to make up for a slump in the number of passengers by luring tourists to the area that's seen a decrease in population. The first blue "Showa" train was introduced in March 2018, and the red-brown "Yazu" was introduced in March of the following year.
Tours of towns along the train line have been held since then. According to the Kirinnomachi Tourism Bureau, organizer of the tour, a total of 2,471 people have joined the tour from the service's inception to the end of December last year, causing an estimated economic gain of 131.74 million yen.
Yasuhiro Ishizuka, director general of the bureau said, "No matter which train they board, passengers can enjoy a unique riding experience. We are sure that the number of passengers who aren't tourists will increase, as well."
Meanwhile, the Yazu Bus service, with the buses colored a vivid red, inspired from the local specialty of persimmons, began on Friday.
Because the buses stop at Koge and Wakasa stations, passengers traveling through these stops can continue to enjoy the designs of Mitooka, which will hopefully inspire repeat customers.
The buses carry up to 36 people each and use plenty of the wood as the sightseeing trains. The fare is 100 yen per ride.
At the departure ceremony held in front of Koge Station, Yazu Mayor Hideto Yoshida said, "Another part of Yazu's charm has come to fruition. Although, keeping public transportation in hilly and mountainous areas is a major issue, we hope that residents and tourists will become accustomed to the buses."
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