What is The “West Express Ginga” (West Express銀河) Train
Video:
Introduced in 2020 by JR West the West Express Ginga is a special tourist train, but with a difference.
- It has both luxury (Green) seating and sleeping births. It also includes a tatami family rooms and Nobi Nobi seats.
- It operates different routes according to the season. Those routes are:
- Kinan Route Kyoto / Osaka to Shingu via Wakayama & Kushimoto. The outward journey is overnight, but it returns to Osaka and Kyoto in the afternoon. On the return service the train has several long stops including a 40 minute stop at Kainan. The outbound night time journey also has a long time stop at Kushimoto (1 hr 10 mins). In fact the outbound journey at 12 hours 20 mins in total compared to just under 7 hours on the return Day time journey
- Sanyo Route Kyoto / Osaka to Shimonoseki on the Sanyo Main line. Both outbound and return journeys are done overnight with calls at Himeji, Hiroshima, Miyajimaguchi and Iwakuni.
- Sanin Route Kyoto to Izumoshi (via the Hakubi Line). Although part of the original service pattern it is now just operated on an occasional basis.
On board facilities
- Train accommodation consists of:
- Car 1 – Premium seats
- Car 2 – Ladies Car Seats & compartments
- Car 3 – Seats and family cabin (room)
- Car 4 – rooms & free space
- Car 5 – Nobi Nobi seats (simple sleeping spaces)
- Car 6 – Family Room
- There is no food / refreshment provided on the train, but for day time services there are long stops at particular stations where there are refreshment and gift stalls.
- There are no shower facilities provided.
- For day time services events may be held in the open space.
Train Concept
The train was designed by Yasuyuki Kawanishi. Kawanishi-san is famous for his special train designs. The train itself was for a long time a 117 series commuter electric unit that operated in the Kyoto area. Inside at least it is now completely unrecognisable to its former life.
The concept of the train is to provide relaxed travel at a fairly leisurely pace and at an affordable price but still be stylish. The train is very comfortable.
We would certainly recommend it for those who want a slow travel trip, particularly travelling overnight.
It should be noted that this is not a sleeper train as such and its services are not regular and the route changes with the seasons.
Gallery
Booking and tickets
All seats / sleeping berths are reserved on this train. Ordinary seats are “Green” (first class) so green car fare is payable.
Since 2025 all seats and berths on this train can now be booked at JR Travel Offices and JR west’s on line booking platform. You can also book through Nippon Travel AgencyNTA (NTA) , JR West’s affiliated travel agency. For large groups it is best to book through NTA.
Fares are basic fare plus green car fare for ordinary seats special fares also apply for other types of accommodation. Overall this is not expensive train to travel on! For accommodation please check. Some JR Rail Passes are valid for the ordinary seating.
Further information (Japanese only) https://www.jr-odekake.net/railroad/westexginga/
Early booking is advisable…
This is a popular train with locals and because of limited accommodation and limited number of runs (it does not run daily) seats get booked up quickly.
[TS Japan Rail can help you with schedule and how to book information]
For Rail Enthusiasts
As already stated the West Express Ginga is a completely remodelled 117系 former commuter train that used to run in the Kyoto area (so would have been in Kyoto Green livery). It is based at JR West’s Suita Depot with unit number M117. It is the only 117系 still in operation.
JNR / JR West 117 series in JNR “Kyoto Green” Livery.
Seen here at Kyoto Station in November 2011
(picture © TS日本鉄道旅行企画株式会社)
The West Express Ginga is popular with rail enthusiasts, and particularly when operating the day time Kinan Service on the Kii Hanto, rail enthusiasts can be seen taking pictures and videos as well as travelling on the train.
For the Kinan Route, which has a daytime return service to Osaka & Kyoto we would recommend travelling the following route, which would allow you to see various JR West and JR Tokai rolling stock:
[this is also a good route for tourists]
The Sanyo Route although overnight, will bring you to Shimonoseki. In the Yamaguchi Prefecture area there is still a lot of JNR EMUs (115系, 123系 105系)and DMUs (Kiha 40 / 47) operating as well as a lot of freight services. It is also easy to cross over to Kyushu for Kokura and Mojiko (JR Kyushu Railway History Museum) and further afield (Fukuoka, Oita, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima)
Other relevant posts….
Whether you want to See Japan by Rail or Explore Japan’s Railways, TS Japan Rail can help you plan your trip with ideas, designing travel itineraries, assisting with bookings and more.
We take the stress out of planning your trip and help ensure it is successful!
For more information on our services
see our homepage!
