FINE DINING ON A TRAIN
The railway’s experience of dining on fine cuisine on a moving train is not new, and is usually offered on weekends between central Tokyo and the scenic mountainous area of Chichibu.
Called “52 Seats of Happiness”, it was launched in 2016.
So far, the dining train has served up French, Italian and Chinese courses, and themed drinks and desserts.
However, it has not been promoted much overseas.
Seibu Railway is looking to change that through its collaboration with STB.
Japan welcomed a record 21 million inbound tourists as of July this year, according to the country’s National Tourism Organization.
But most first-time visitors do not venture off the beaten track.
A lesser-known destination, Chichibu – more than an hour away from Tokyo – for instance, “is still quite relaxed”, said Mr Hirotoshi Tsutsumi, general manager of the sales and marketing division at Seibu Railway.
He said that the proportion of tourists is low, adding that a myriad of festivals is held there.
“More than one festival is held there during the day, meaning you are likely to encounter a festival when you are there,” he said.
For passengers, the food on board will be an experience.
Michelin-starred chef Tatsuya Noda, who visited Singapore for the first time in July, will be crafting a menu of Singaporean fusion cuisine.
“I want to present my first-hand experience of what has inspired me in the cuisine,” he said.
