{"id":10166,"date":"2019-09-13T08:00:52","date_gmt":"2019-09-13T06:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog?p=10166"},"modified":"2019-09-13T08:40:11","modified_gmt":"2019-09-13T06:40:11","slug":"west-express-ginga-galaxy-train","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/west-express-ginga-galaxy-train","title":{"rendered":"The West Express Ginga: The Futuristic \u201cGalaxy\u201d Train"},"content":{"rendered":"

JR West<\/strong> has announced the launch of a new train which will link the Keihanshin area with a number of stations in the Sanin and Sanyo regions in western Japan. The Ginga train will launch in spring 2020<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The concept of the long-distance train<\/strong> is based around interstellar travel. Ginga means \u2018Milky Way<\/strong>\u2019 in Japanese, and the trains route along the western regions will represent the stars spread throughout the galaxy.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The futuristic design of the West Express Ginga<\/strong> will include a long stripe on the side, symbolizing long-distance travel and the dream of visiting exotic, faraway destinations. It will be lapis lazuli<\/strong>, a fantastic shade of deep blue which resembles the sea and sky.<\/p>\n

\"Wrapping
Wrapping design of the West Express Ginga – Image by \u00a9 JR West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The six-car train<\/strong> will carry roughly 100 passengers and will run throughout the day and night. The fourth car, and parts of the third and sixth cars, will be used as spaces where passengers can lie down<\/strong> or use the space freely for other other activities. More features are expected to be announced over the coming months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Car Number<\/strong><\/th>\nFacility<\/strong><\/th>\nFacility nickname<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
#1<\/td>\nReserved seat in Green Car (first class car)<\/td>\nGreen Car: First Seat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
#2<\/td>\nReserved seat on local train (couchette in ladies’ area)<\/td>\nCouchette\uff08Ladies)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
#3<\/td>\nReserved seat on local train (compartment)<\/td>\nFamily Cabin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Free Area<\/td>\nLounge Space: Myojo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
#4<\/td>\nFree Area<\/td>\nLounge Space: Yusei<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
#5<\/td>\nReserved seat on local train (couchette)<\/td>\nCouchette<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
#6<\/td>\nPrivate room in Green Car (first class car)<\/td>\nGreen Car: Premier Room<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Free Area<\/td>\nLounge Space: Suisei<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The new Ginga service<\/strong> will be covered by the JR Pass<\/a>. The price for a trip from Osaka<\/a> to Izumoshi Station<\/strong> in the Shimane Prefecture (including both the normal fee and the express fee) is estimated at 10,000 yen<\/strong>, according to JR West. This is cheaper than similar alternatives which currently run.<\/p>\n

There will be more expensive green car<\/strong> (first-class) seats available for a higher price. Travelers with a JR Green Pass<\/a> will be able to board the luxury cars at no extra cost<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\n \n Buy your JR Pass\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n

“Ginga Trains”: Over 70 years of affordable long-distance travel<\/h2>\n

The first \u201cGinga\u201d train<\/strong> began running in September 1949. It carried passengers overnight between Tokyo and Osaka<\/strong>. The journey took over 9 hours<\/strong> (now it takes 2 hours 30 minutes by Shinkansen bullet train<\/a>!).<\/p>\n

At first only first and second-class tickets were available but, later on, JR West made cheaper third-class tickets<\/strong> available, making the journey much more affordable.<\/p>\n

With the completion of the Sanyo Shinkansen line<\/strong><\/a>, the Ginga services were cut back in the 1970s. However, it wasn\u2019t long before they made a comeback in 1987<\/strong>, when the service was relaunched<\/strong> to meet the needs of business travelers who wanted to travel between Osaka and the capital overnight.<\/p>\n

The rise of cheaper overnight buses and flights<\/strong> between the two cities eventually diminished the Ginga\u2019s appeal until the service stopped<\/strong> again in March 2008.<\/p>\n

Now, Ginga trains will ride again!<\/strong> This time with much more style and speed than the original models. Keen train-lovers will be able to visit Japan\u2019s incredible west coast on Ginga trains in just in time for the cherry blossom season<\/strong><\/a> and the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

JR West has announced the launch of a new train which will link the Keihanshin area with a number of stations in the Sanin and Sanyo regions in western Japan. The Ginga train will launch in spring 2020. The concept of the long-distance train is based around interstellar travel. Ginga means \u2018Milky Way\u2019 in Japanese, and the trains route along the western regions will represent the stars spread throughout the galaxy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10167,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3],"tags":[],"acf":{"pageresume":"JR West has announced the launch of a new train which will link the Keihanshin area with a number of stations in the Sanin and Sanyo regions in western Japan. 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