Kansai Sightseeing Train Aoniyoshi

I'm not exactly a train enthusiast, but when traveling in Japan, if my itinerary allows, I would still want to experience some of the special trains. Kyushu has many unique trains 🚂, while Kansai has relatively fewer options. Knowing that there is a sightseeing train called Aoniyoshi running between Osaka and Nara, I made sure to set aside time to ride it. During my trip to Kansai, I scheduled the 9:10 departure from Namba. Aoniyoshi is a poetic term praising the ancient capital of Nara. The train was remodeled from the retired 12200 series limited express train in 2021. Its purple exterior represents the highest rank in the "Twelve Cap and Rank System." To allow passengers to experience the rich history and culture of ancient Nara, the train's interior and exterior design are inspired by treasures from the Shosoin Repository, featuring decorations based on the "Tenpyo culture" of the Nara period. The train has only 84 seats, most of which are two-person window-facing seats designed for enjoying the scenery outside. There are also a few 3-4 person seats, each separated by partitions for privacy. Car 2 features a bar counter offering train-exclusive items such as raisin 🍇 butter sand cookies, purple sweet potato Mont Blanc, "Yamato Brewing" beer 🍻, and souvenirs. Car 4 houses a library where passengers can relax on sofas and read books 📚 related to the train route. The sightseeing train is reasonably priced, with tickets costing 1,410 yen for adults and 710 yen for children. Since seats are limited, reservations are a must!