JR East Tohoku Headquarters will operate the new “Evening Way” limited express train with reserved seats between Sendai Station and Kogota Station/Ishikoshi Station on the Tohoku Main Line from July 4 (Fri), 2025.
In the past, the Tohoku Main Line had a variety of express trains, including the long-distance daytime express “Hatsukari” between Ueno Station and Aomori Station, but these were gradually discontinued with the opening of the Tohoku Shinkansen in 1982. After that, with the opening of the Seikan Tunnel, the sleeper express trains “Hokutosei” and “Cassiopea” connecting the Tokyo metropolitan area and Hokkaido made a spectacular debut, but by 2016, they had ceased regular service, handing over their role to the Hokkaido Shinkansen.
The “Evening Way” limited express train, which will be introduced on July 4 (Fri), will operate two trains a day in the outbound direction only every Friday night until September 26 (Fri) (except August 15th (Fri)). Even after October, it is scheduled to run mainly on Fridays, and although it will be treated as a special train, it will be the first regular express train in a long time to return to the Tohoku Main Line north of Sendai Station. The trains used are two-car Kiha 110 series diesel railcars with “retro wrapping” and comfortable reclining seats.
The “Evening Way No. 1” departs Sendai Station at 18:15 bound for Kogota Station (arriving at 18:51), and “No. 3” departs Sendai Station at 20:34 and runs to Ishikoshi Station (arriving at 21:36). Both trains pass through eight consecutive stations on the way from Sendai Station, and from Kashimadai Station onwards they stop at every station until the final destination. The fastest journey to Kogota Station is 34 minutes (No. 3), 10 minutes faster than local trains, and the timetable is arranged so that passengers can smoothly transfer to the Ishinomaki Line and Rikuu East Line at Kogota Station.
To board the “Evening Way”, you will need a reserved seat express ticket in addition to a regular ticket or commuter pass. The express fee from Sendai Station to Kogota Station is 1,290 yen (per adult), but “Ekinet” has set up a limited-time “Conventional Line Ticketless Express Ticket (Tokuwari)”, which can be purchased for 50% off at 640 yen. In addition, a commemorative campaign will be held for those who board from Sendai Station on operation days in July, where a 200 yen coupon that can be used at the convenience store “NewDays” will be distributed on the train.
