Great views, great sake on train near Iwakuni

Daytime is getting shorter and autumn is starting to creep in. Enjoy the crisp and cool weather at some scenic attractions off base. If you are located in the Iwakuni area or, will be in the area this season, take a ride on the limited-time “sake train” running along the scenic valley of the Nishiki River throughout autumn season.

Nishikigawa Railway Company will run “Kikizake Ressha” (literally “sake-sampling train”), every other weekend between Oct. 5 and Dec. 14 this year.

The 7,000-yen (about $65) fare includes a round-trip ticket between Iwakuni and Nishikicho Stations on Nishikigawa-Seiryu Line, a gorgeous bento lunch box packed with local delicacies and five small sake bottle samples from local breweries. The train will take passengers through breathtaking scenic areas while they enjoy local sake and local foods.

Yamaguchi Prefecture is home to wonderful breweries that brew high-end sake of smooth, fruity texture with well-balanced flavors of bitterness and sweetness. You can sample five of the most popular brands of their products - Gangi, Kinkankuromatsu, Kinsuzume, Gokyo and Dassai on this special train.

The sake train leaves Iwakuni Station at 12:30 p.m. and will take you on a 90-minute ride to Nishikicho Station. Once there, hop onto the optional “tokotoko” electric tram for some more sightseeing on another 90-minute tour of scenic Kusatsuki Spa for 500 yen.

The train will get you back to Iwakuni at 5:13 p.m. if you would take the optional tokotoko train. If you don’t take the option, then you will be back at Iwakuni at 3:23 p.m.

It’s absolutely a great idea to enjoy a beautiful autumn day in Iwakuni. Only 50 seats are available for each train. So, call Nishikigawa Railway at 0827-72-2002 and reserve your seats today!

Nishikigawa-Siryu Line “Kikizake Ressha” (Sake Train)
Date: Oct 5, 19, Nov. 2, 16, 17, 30 and Dec. 14
Number of seat available: 50 (Nov. 16 and 17: 70)
Fee: 7,000 yen (including round-trip tickets of Iwakuni – Nishikicho Stations, five small bottles of sake and a lunch box)
URL: http://nishikigawa.com/

Reservation and more information, call 0827-72-2002.