Tokyu and JR Central will operate the cruise train “THE ROYAL EXPRESS ~TOKAIDO・FUJI CRUISE TRAIN~” between November and December 2025, crossing the four prefectures of Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Aichi, and Gifu.
The high-quality tourist train “THE ROYAL EXPRESS” designed by Mitooka
“THE ROYAL EXPRESS” is a tourist train that began operating in July 2017 by modifying the Izukyu 2100 series train, and is characterized by its high-quality interior space designed by Eiji Mitooka, who also worked on JR Kyushu’s “Seven Stars in Kyushu”. While it mainly operates in the Izu area connecting Yokohama Station and the Izukyu Line, it has also operated on courses around Hokkaido, the Setouchi, and Shikoku through collaboration between JR Hokkaido, JR West, and JR Shikoku.
The service has been operated in the JR Central area for two periods, in autumn 2024 and spring 2025, and a trip was planned to experience Shizuoka’s tourist resources overlooking Mt. Fuji. In autumn 2025, the service area will be expanded to Aichi and Gifu prefectures, and the “Tokaido Fuji Cruise” will be developed, packed with the charms of the Tokaido, such as local ingredients, famous hotels, history and traditional culture. There will be a total of six operations departing and arriving at Yokohama Station, with departure dates of November 7 (Fri) / 14 (Fri) / 28 (Fri) and December 5 (Fri) / 12 (Fri) / 19 (Fri), for a 3-night, 4-day plan.
A 4-day trip around the Tokaido from 820,000 yen
On the first day, an authentic French lunch will be served on board the THE ROYAL EXPRESS train as it departs from Yokohama Station, and after arriving at Shizuoka Station, a traditional craft experience, a special dinner at a famous restaurant, and accommodation will be provided. On the second day, the train will depart from Shizuoka Station and proceed to the Aichi/Gifu area, which will be the first to operate on the train, while enjoying eel dishes from a famous restaurant in Hamamatsu. After disembarking at Gifu Station, the train will travel by bus to either the Mino/Gifu area or the Inuyama area, depending on the departure date, and enjoy free sightseeing in the surrounding area.
On the third day, the train will run from Gifu Station to Washizu Station, and the onboard lunch will be newly prepared by an Italian restaurant in Nagoya City. On the fourth day, the day after staying at a resort hotel on the shores of Lake Hamana, the train will board from Hamamatsu Station and return to Yokohama Station while enjoying the taste of local ingredients at Chinese cuisine prepared by a restaurant owner in Shizuoka City, which will also be offered for the first time. The cost of the trip for two people sharing a room is 820,000 to 890,000 yen per person, and Tokyu, the organizer, will accept applications until July 31 (Thu). If the number of participants exceeds the capacity of 26 people per trip, participants will be selected by lottery.
