Aoniyoshi Sightseeing Express train in Japan

As far as traversing the beautiful country of Japan is concerned, we all know that the tried-and-tested JR Rail Pass is probably one of the most efficient ways to get from city to city. But, if the novelty of hitching a ride on its speedy shinkansen has worn off, you’ve still got a slew of alternative transport options to make travelling within Japan an exciting affair once again.

You’ve got WILLER EXPRESS’ overnight buses, while the Kyo-Train Garaku’s thoughtfully-themed cabins promise a fascinating time onboard. Well, the Aoniyoshi Sightseeing Express Train is another one to consider when you’re out and about in the Kansai region. Here’s all you need to know about this regal purple train that services the Japanese tourists hotspots, in style, nonetheless.

The current exchange rate is ¥100= ~S$0.90 as of 3rd March 2025. 

What is the Aoniyoshi Sightseeing Express train?

Image credit: @nara_mie_kintetsu_trip via Instagram

The Aoniyoshi is a sightseeing train that operates around the Kansai region of Japan; in particular, the Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara prefectures. It is owned by Kintetsu Railway, a Japanese railway passenger service whose railway system is the largest in all of Japan.

A carriage containing Twin Seats on the Aoniyoshi.
Image credit: Kintetsu Railways

There are 2 types of seats aboard the Aoniyoshi – Twin seats and Salon seats – and the train only ferries a maximum of 84 passengers per trip, so your journeys with the train shouldn’t be too packed. Onboard, there’s a sales counter doubling as a cafe which sells souvenirs and regional snacks, as well as a small library to enjoy a good read.

How much are tickets for the Aoniyoshi train & how to book tickets?

A map of the route the Aoniyoshi operates along.
Image credit: Kintetsu Railways

Prices for tickets for the Aoniyoshi train start from ¥1,410/pax, but prices vary between routes and the number of people you’re booking seats for. In fact, seats will cost more if you’re booking for a single person only; because of the layout of their Twin seats, solo travellers will essentially be taking up 2 seats, hence the higher price tag.

Besides their Twin seats, travellers in groups of 3 or 4 can opt to book their Salon seats as well for no additional cost. Below is a table of the ticket prices for both solo travellers and those traveling in groups of 2 to 4:

Image adapted from: Kintetsu Railways

Booking tickets for the Aonioshi train can be a doozy especially for first-time riders, but it shouldn’t be too difficult. Unfortunately, your trusty JR Pass doesn’t cover rides on Kintetsu Railways operated trains, so you’ll have to get your tickets directly from Kintetsu Railways themselves.

To put it simply, in order to ride the Aoniyoshi train, you’ll have to pay for 2 kinds of tickets per person: a basic fare ticket and a limited express ticket. By the way, the prices you see in the aforementioned table includes both basic fare and limited express tickets. Firstly, you can purchase limited express tickets online via the Kintetsu Railways website.

We recommend booking your limited express tickets online before your trip so you don’t have to buy them at the physical ticketing counters on your visit. However, you can also purchase them on-site at stations marked with a red “Limited Express Tickets” sign.

Image credit: KKday

As for basic fare tickets, you can’t purchase them online beforehand, so you’ll have to purchase them when you’re at the train station. Similarly, you can buy your basic fare tickets at ticketing booths at the station, but you can also use prepaid cards like Suica or ICOCA cards to pay for them hassle-free.

Once you’re past the gantries, head to the designated train platform, show the train conductor your tickets and you’re in. If all that is a little confusing, here’s a table breaking down exactly what you’re paying for, and we’re using a ride from the Osaka-Namba station to the Kintetsu-Nara station as an example.

What to expect on the Aoniyoshi Sightseeing Express train?

Choose between cosy Twin seats or private Salon seats

Image credit: Kintetsu Railways

If you’re looking to tour the prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto, or Nara, hitching a ride on the Aoniyoshi is one posh way to do so. Your luxurious experience begins even before you set foot into the train, as the train’s stunning paint job harks back to the Tenpyo Era, where purple was widely regarded as the colour of nobility.

Image adapted from: @sim_nagra & @ceci.cxy via Instagram

Once inside, you’ll notice motifs of birds and flowers adorning the sangria purple carriage interiors, symbols that were synonymous with the Nara during its time as Japan’s capital. Carriages 1, 3, and 4 are all lined with Twin seats, which are perfect for couples to sink into, and each pair of seats comes with a small table to rest your belongings upon.

The large windows are also great for unobstructed views.
Image credit: @michiyo_333 via Instagram

You’ve got the choice of booking Twin seats that face each other if you’re travelling with a chatty partner, or window facing seats if you’d rather gaze out to the picturesque scenery of the Kansai region.

Image credit: @nara_mie_kintetsu_trip via Instagram

Those wanting a little more privacy can instead opt for the Salon seats – these are located in Carriage 2 along with the sales and cafe counter. These salons consist of 4 chairs and are separated by partitions for a touch of exclusivity; perfect for families and groups of friends who want more space to themselves.

The washroom on board is equipped with a baby chair and diaper-changing bed, which is super convenient for parents travelling with little ones.
Image credit: Kinetsu Railways

There’s free Wi-Fi for all to use on the Aoniyoshi, and all seats come with a power outlet to charge your devices, and the restroom in Carriage 3 is free for all to use.

Munch on regional snacks & enjoy a good book at small library

Image adapted from: @sim_nagra via Instagram

The highlight of trips with the Aoniyoshi will have to be their onboard sales counter. Located right behind the Salon seats, it’s essentially a cafe and gift shop where you can purchase snacks and souvenirs that’re exclusive to the surrounding prefectures.

Image adapted from: 珈妡又加薪, @kkhankluay via Instagram

But, you wouldn’t want to miss out on goodies like Nara’s famous Daibutsu pudding (¥400) which sports a portrait of Buddha, fruit juice (¥450) produced from local fruits, and dainty Aoniyoshi butter sandwiches (¥850) that’s only sold here. Other tasty treats include hearty pork katsu sandwiches (¥600), matcha gelatos (¥450), as well as craft beers (¥650) fresh from the Yamato province.

Image credit: @nara_mie_kintetsu_trip via Instagram

Souvenirs-wise, you can bring home a plethora of trinkets and knick-nacks which include tote bags (¥1,100), keychains (¥850), chopsticks (¥2,000), and notebooks (¥1,800). Even if you’re not planning on getting anything, feel free to snag a complimentary post card depicting the Aoniyoshi at the counter to commemorate your trip.

Image credit: Kinetsu Railways

Meanwhile, bookworms can retreat to the small library found in Carriage 4. It’s a small reading nook that’s stocked with mostly Japanese reads, but do have a seat on the comfy leather sofa here, to have a crack at books of your own.

Take a ride on the Aoniyoshi Sightseeing Express train

Commute times on the Aoniyoshi aren’t terribly long, which might disappoint some travellers who’d prefer to have more time to kick back in their seats. Their Kyoto to Osaka-Namba route’s the longest of them all, taking only 1 hour and 15 minutes to travel between stations. Moreover, if you’re heading to Nara from Kyoto, the ride is only 35 minutes.

This means it’s a great choice of transport when you’re in the most popular parts of the country. Besides, a trip on the Aoniyoshi doesn’t require you to stray too far from the hottest tourist attractions in Japan, making it a convenient addition to your itineraries.

For more train-fueled journeys to embark on:

• Singapore to Portugal: the longest train journey in the world
• Singapore to Penang train guide
• Panoramic train from Jakarta to Bandung
• Hello Kitty Shinkansen in Japan

Cover image adapted from: @nara_mie_kintetsu_trip,  Kintetsu Railways via Instagram