A Tasteful Trip: A lonely journey on a Japanese restaurant Train

Do you need a traveling companion if there is a box of goodies in front of you, and beautiful landscapes flash by outside the window? One of the best experiences of traveling on a high—speed Japanese train is a bento lunch box with traditional food. There are many wonderful express trains running around the country, in which you can fully enjoy the journey, and one of them is called Rokumon. It transports passengers between the cities of Nagano and Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture.

See with what comfort each of the passengers of the Rokumon makes a trip, traveling alone with himself.The high—speed train "Rokumon" is one of the few places where you can ride while enjoying lunch alone. On the menu you will find a large number of dishes prepared by chefs of local top-class restaurants.

Japanese journalist Momo Momomura decided to experience all the delights of a luxury trip with extra comfort. She booked her ticket online and chose a traditional kaiseki menu for lunch.

In translation, the name "Rokumon" means "six coins", which is associated with the coins on the coat of arms of the Sanado clan from Nagano Prefecture. The outside of the train is painted red, and its interior impresses even seasoned travelers.

The guide showed the girl her place. The journalist was pleased that it is fenced off from prying eyes and gives a cozy personal space.

The compartment for one is separated from the common car by a door that can only be opened by the passenger himself when he wishes.

The traveler's order is already waiting on the table. In the lunch box in front of Momo, I found Kaiseki's dinner.

The menu includes meat, fish and vegetables, beautifully decorated in boxes with several levels.

The guides are always ready to explain what is included in each dish and fill the glass when it is empty. Traveling is more like flying in business class.

The food is cooked like in the best restaurants. Everything is very tasty, fresh and natural.

The beautiful landscape outside the window complements the pleasure of dining and traveling.On a regular express train from Nagano to Karuizawa can be reached in 25 minutes, but in the restaurant train the trip lasts 2.5 hours so that passengers have time to fully enjoy all the delights of comfort.

"Rokumon" stops at stations where travelers have the opportunity to see local attractions. For example, at Komoro Station, you can walk in the garden, and in Ueda — take a picture with people dressed in costumes from the popular historical drama Sanada Maru, which tells the story of the Japanese samurai warrior Sanada Yukimura from Nagano Prefecture.

With such a variety of offers, there is no time to be bored alone. Time flies by imperceptibly. At the end of the trip, the journalist received a gift of Shinshu vermicelli, which this region is famous for, and a coupon for coffee in a cafe at Karuizawa station.

The price for a ticket in the "Rocumon" was $ 137 one way, but this trip justified all the expenses.During a luxurious trip without a companion, it was not boring, but Momo really wanted to share with someone the impressions that overwhelmed her after the trip. Loneliness sometimes gives you the opportunity to enjoy the joys of life to the fullest — the main thing is that it does not last too long.

The journey can be turned into a real fairy tale if you choose the right transport. The Belmond Andean Explorer train is a luxury hotel on wheels, with the most picturesque views in the world, which you do not want to leave even after the end of the trip.