The Koshino Shu*Kura is a sake tasting "joyful train" operated by JR East in Niigata Prefecture, Japan's top sake-producing region. The train runs mostly on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from spring to autumn on three scenic routes around Niigata, each starting at Jōetsumyōkō Station. Onboard: complimentary local sake, paid tasting flights of premium Niigata brews, live music, and lunch boxes featuring regional ingredients — all enjoyed along the Sea of Japan coast. Cars 2 and 3 are free with a Japan Rail Pass or JR East Regional Pass; Car 1 requires a dining package. Seat reservations are required and should be made in advance.
There are some train rides you remember for the destination. The Koshino Shu*Kura is the kind you remember for the journey itself. Picture this: wide picture windows looking out over the Sea of Japan, a counter of carefully curated Niigata sakes lined up at a brewery-style bar, jazz or traditional folk music drifting from the next carriage, and a bento of local specialities waiting on the table in front of you. For three hours, the train winds along the coast and through Niigata's golden rice country — the very same rice country that produces some of Japan's finest sake.
This is one of JR East's "joyful trains" — sightseeing trains designed around a theme — and it might just be the most enjoyable way to learn about (and taste) Niigata's most famous product.
Why Niigata, Why Sake
Niigata is "snow country" — its mountains receive some of the heaviest snowfall in Japan, and the meltwater that runs off them is exceptionally pure. Pure water and high-quality rice are the two essential ingredients for making great sake, and Niigata happens to produce both in abundance: it is Japan's largest producer of rice, and one of the top sake-producing prefectures in the country.
The train's name reflects all of this beautifully. "Shu" (酒) means sake, and "Kura" (蔵) means brewery or warehouse — together, the name evokes the rolling sake breweries this train is built to celebrate.
On Board the Koshino Shu*Kura
The interior of the Koshino Shu*Kura is specifically built for the occasion. Seats are arranged to maximise the view, with enough space to enjoy drinks and snacks comfortably. The train consists of three cars, each with its own distinctive character. 
Car 1 — The Observation Deck
Built with special wide windows that maximise the view, Car 1 features booth-style seating that can accommodate up to six people together — wonderful for families or groups travelling as a party. Important note: Car 1 is reserved exclusively for passengers who have booked a dining package, which includes a curated multi-course meal paired with Niigata sake. Rail pass holders cannot sit in Car 1 unless they've purchased this package.
Car 2 — The Event Space (Open to All)
This is the heart of the train. Car 2 is built to resemble the interior of a sake brewery — the standing tables are designed to look like sake casks, and the side facing the Sea of Japan has dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows. This is where the sake tasting events happen, where live music and dance performances take place, and where the Kuramori (蔵守) counter sells additional sake, snacks, bentos and souvenirs (including a sampler set of five Niigata sakes, and the much-loved Yukimuro miso gelato at around ¥330).
The atmosphere here is the most social on the train — passengers wander in from the other cars, the staff cheerfully top up sake cups, and you can chat with fellow travellers between sips.
Car 3 — Reclining Seats and Open Space
Car 3 is filled with traditional reclining two-by-two seats and includes an open space used to chat and relax with other passengers. This is the standard car for JR Pass and JR East Pass holders, and it's a comfortable place to settle in for the scenery between sake tastings.
Train Services and Routes
The Koshino Shu*Kura runs on three routes, each with its own name. On operating days, the train makes one return journey on one of the following routes:
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The traditional Koshino Shu*Kura — runs between Jōetsumyōkō Station and Tōkamachi Station
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Yuzawa Shu*Kura — runs between Jōetsumyōkō Station and the winter resort town of Yuzawa, with its terminus at Echigo-Yuzawa Station
- Ryuto Shu*Kura — runs between Jōetsumyōkō Station and Niigata Station
All three routes start at Jōetsumyōkō Station, which is easily reached from Tokyo in about two hours on the Hokuriku Shinkansen (covered by your JR Pass). From Kanazawa it's about an hour on the same line. The train mostly operates Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Japanese public holidays from spring to autumn, with one round trip per operating day.
The complete journey takes around three hours one way, with stops at scenic viewpoints along the coast where you can step off briefly to take photos.
Riding the Koshino Shu*Kura with the Japan Rail Pass.
The train is covered by the Japan Rail Pass and a variety of JR East Regional Passes — specifically for Cars 2 and 3. Car 1, as noted above, requires a separate dining package booking.
Onboard drinks and food are available at extra cost, and the complimentary sake served during the onboard tasting event is included for all passengers (Cars 2 and 3). Additional sake tasting flights and bottles are available for purchase from the Kuramori counter.
Due to the train's limited capacity, seat reservations are required before boarding. Reservations are recommended at least 3 days in advance for weekday trains and at least 10 days in advance for weekends and public holidays. Seat reservations can be made at any JR ticket window (Midori-no-Madoguchi) in person — they're free with your pass.
Tips for riding:
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Check the schedule before planning your trip — for current operating days and the timetable, see the JR East website. The train runs seasonally and only on certain days, so confirm well in advance
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The first morning train can feel early for some — the first departure of the day generally leaves Jōetsumyōkō around 10:00 AM. If 10 in the morning feels too early for sake (entirely reasonable!), the return service from the terminus that departs around 15:00 is a lovely afternoon alternative
- The main sake tasting event happens mid-journey — the 20-minute sake tasting event takes place between JR Kashiwazaki Station and JR Miyauchi Station, so plan to be in Car 2 around that point in the journey to make the most of it
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Pace yourself — and that's expected — while alcohol is served generously, passengers are kindly asked not to overindulge. The Japanese term honoraka (ほろ酔い) — pleasantly tipsy, not drunk — is the spirit of the train
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Bring small change for the Kuramori counter — the onboard counter is your gateway to additional sake samplers, bentos, snacks, and souvenirs. While cards are usually accepted, a few thousand yen in cash makes everything frictionless
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Continue the sake adventure at Ponshukan — once you arrive at Echigo-Yuzawa, Nagaoka or Niigata Station, look for Ponshukan (ぽんしゅ館), an incredible sake-tasting shop where you can sample dozens of Niigata sakes for ¥500. It's a beloved follow-on for sake-train passengers
- Don't drink? You'll still love it — between the live music, the brewery-style interior, the Sea of Japan views, the bentos and snacks, and the friendly atmosphere, the Koshino Shu*Kura is genuinely lovely even without the alcohol. Non-alcoholic drinks are available too
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is the Koshino Shu*Kura covered by the JR Pass?
Yes, Cars 2 and 3 are fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and most JR East Regional Passes (including the JR East Pass Nagano-Niigata Area). Car 1 requires a separate dining package booking. All passengers need a seat reservation, which is free with your pass.
2. How do I make a seat reservation for the Koshino Shu*Kura?
Reservations must be made in person at any JR ticket window (Midori-no-Madoguchi) in Japan. They cannot be made online by foreign visitors. Reservations are recommended at least 3 days ahead for weekday trains and 10 days ahead for weekends and Japanese public holidays.
3. How do I get to Jōetsumyōkō Station from Tokyo?
Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Jōetsumyōkō Station, journey time about two hours. The Hokuriku Shinkansen is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass, so it's a seamless connection.
4. Does the Koshino Shu*Kura run every day?
No. The train operates mostly on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Japanese public holidays, and only seasonally (spring through autumn). Always check the latest schedule on the JR East website before planning your trip.
5. Is sake included in the ticket price?
A complimentary sake tasting is included for all passengers in Cars 2 and 3 as part of the onboard event (around 20 minutes mid-journey). Additional sake — including premium sake flights, bottles, and food — is available for purchase from the Kuramori counter at extra cost.
6. What if I don't drink alcohol?
You'll still have a lovely time. The train's wide windows, scenic coastal route, live music performances, locally-sourced bento meals, and brewery-themed interior are wonderful regardless of whether you drink. Non-alcoholic drinks are available at the onboard counter, and many passengers ride for the experience and the views rather than the sake.
7. Which of the three routes is best for first-time riders?
All three are scenic and worthwhile, but Ryuto Shu*Kura to Niigata Station is often recommended for first-time riders because it covers the longest distance along the Sea of Japan coast and finishes at Niigata Station, which connects you back to the Joetsu Shinkansen for a fast return to Tokyo. Yuzawa Shu*Kura is especially lovely in winter for the snow scenery and is a natural pairing if you're already heading to the Yuzawa ski resorts.
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