The KAIRI ("marine village") train was designed around the concepts of the cuisine of Niigata and Shonai and of the beautiful vistas of the Sea of Japan. Experience the charms of the region through the foods served aboard the KAIRI.
The KAIRI is a new hybrid diesel configured with four cars providing service between Niigata and Sakata. Expressing a dynamic fusion of the setting sun and fresh snow using color gradation, the exterior was designed to become the newest addition to the Niigata landscape.
The sea and village life are prominent characteristics of Niigata Prefecture and the Shonai region of Yamagata Prefecture. With the idea of passengers enjoying wonderful seafood and village cooking while gazing at picturesque panoramas, the KAIRI was named for the sea (kai) and villages (ri).
Car interior
Car no. 1
The primary feature of this car is dual reclining seats. Relax in this spacious car while enjoying the beautiful views of the Sea of Japan, the Echigo and Shonai Plains and the Three Mountains of Dewa.
Car no. 2
Each compartment in this car seats four people. The seats can be folded down into a full-flat position for stretching out the legs and an extra level of relaxation.
Car no. 3: Shop
The foods sold in this car will make your KAIRI ride an epicurean delight. Enjoy foods made from fresh Niigata and Shonai ingredients. Made specially for the KAIRI, you will not find these products anywhere else. This car also serves as an event space where food and scenic beauty intersect.
Car no. 4: Dining
The dining car features both two-person and four-person seating where passengers can enjoy Niigata and Shonai cuisines to their hearts' content. The plates and other dishes used have been carefully selected to complement the foods.
Car layout
Sakata
Niigata
Hybrid diesel HB-300 series – four cars, 86-passenger capacity
Note: Layout images are illustrations.
Regular stops
Note:
The station stops are subject to change.
Route & Timetables
KAIRI (Winter timetable)
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
Niigata
10:11 (dep.)
18:31 (arr.)
Shibata
10:37 (dep.)
18:06 (dep.)
Nakajō
10:50 (dep.)
17:55 (dep.)
Sakamachi
10:58 (dep.)
17:47 (dep.)
Murakami
11:08 (dep.)
17:36 (dep.)
Kuwagawa
11:24 (arr.) 11:25 (dep.)
17:21 (dep.) 17:20 (arr.)
Sasagawa-nagare (Sea of Japan coastline)
(Scenic spot for foamy seas)
(Scenic spot for foamy seas)
Atsumi-Onsen
11:53 (arr.) 11:53 (dep.)
16:55 (dep.)
Tsuruoka
12:22 (dep.)
16:33 (dep.) 16:23 (arr.)
Amarume
12:34 (dep.)
16:11 (dep.)
Sakata
12:44 (arr.)
16:00 (dep.)
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
* The above information is current as of January 2022.
* The stops and times may be subject to change.
* Depending on the situation, it may sometimes not be possible to operate at reduced speeds, and scheduled stops may be shortened.
KAIRI
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
Niigata
10:11 (dep.)
18:31 (arr.)
Shibata
10:37 (dep.)
18:06 (dep.)
Nakajō
10:50 (dep.)
17:55 (dep.)
Sakamachi
10:58 (dep.)
17:47 (dep.)
Murakami
11:08 (dep.)
17:36 (dep.)
Kuwagawa
11:24 (arr.) 11:44 (dep.)
17:21 (dep.) 16:52 (arr.)
Sasagawa-nagare (Sea of Japan coastline)
(Scenic spot)
(Scenic spot)
Atsumi-Onsen
12:20 (arr.) 12:30 (dep.)
16:17 (dep.)
Tsuruoka
12:57 (dep.)
15:53 (dep.) 15:23 (arr.)
Amarume
13:09 (dep.)
15:10 (dep.)
Sakata
13:20 (arr.)
15:00 (dep.)
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
* The above information is current as of January 2022.
* The stops and times may be subject to change.
* Depending on the situation, it may sometimes not be possible to operate at reduced speeds, and scheduled stops may be shortened.
KAIRI (Revised inbound timetable)
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
Niigata
10:11 (dep.)
18:31 (arr.)
Shibata
10:37 (dep.)
18:06 (dep.)
Nakajō
10:50 (dep.)
17:55 (dep.)
Sakamachi
10:58 (dep.)
17:47 (dep.)
Murakami
11:08 (dep.)
17:36 (dep.)
Kuwagawa
11:24 (arr.) 11:44 (dep.)
17:21 (dep.) 17:20 (arr.)
Sasagawa-nagare (Sea of Japan coastline)
(Scenic spot)
(Scenic spot)
Atsumi-Onsen
12:20 (arr.) 12:30 (dep.)
16:55 (dep.)
Tsuruoka
12:57 (dep.)
16:33 (dep.) 16:23 (arr.)
Amarume
13:09 (dep.)
16:11 (dep.)
Sakata
13:20 (arr.)
16:00 (dep.)
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
* The above information is current as of January 2022.
* The stops and times may be subject to change.
* Depending on the situation, it may sometimes not be possible to operate at reduced speeds, and scheduled stops may be shortened.
KAIRI (Revised outbound timetable)
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
Niigata
10:11 (dep.)
18:31 (arr.)
Shibata
10:37 (dep.)
18:06 (dep.)
Nakajō
10:50 (dep.)
17:55 (dep.)
Sakamachi
10:58 (dep.)
17:47 (dep.)
Murakami
11:08 (dep.)
17:36 (dep.)
Kuwagawa
11:24 (arr.) 11:25 (dep.)
17:21 (dep.) 16:52 (arr.)
Sasagawa-nagare (Sea of Japan coastline)
(Scenic spot)
(Scenic spot)
Atsumi-Onsen
11:53 (arr.) 11:53 (dep.)
16:17 (dep.)
Tsuruoka
12:22 (dep.)
15:53 (dep.) 15:23 (arr.)
Amarume
12:34 (dep.)
15:10 (dep.)
Sakata
12:44 (arr.)
15:00 (dep.)
Stops
Outbound
Inbound
* The above information is current as of January 2022.
* The stops and times may be subject to change.
* Depending on the situation, it may sometimes not be possible to operate at reduced speeds, and scheduled stops may be shortened.
Calendar
Click on a date the train is in operation to search for empty seats and make a ticket reservation. * You need to be registered with JR-EAST Train Reservation.
* The above information is current as of January 2022.
* Service dates may be subject to change.
How to purchase
There are multiple ways to purchase tickets as follows.
Merchandise is no longer handled at offices as of the end of February 2022. For sales for trains departing April 2022 and after, use our official website (Japanese only).
*Reserved seat tickets (seats only) for Koshino Shu*Kura (car no. 3) and KAIRI (cars no. 1 and 2) are sold at reserved seat ticket vending machines at stations, JR Ticket Offices (Midori-no-Madoguchi), JR-EAST Train Reservation, etc., the same as before.
indicate the days this train is in operation.
