Okayama, the "Land of Sunshine," has some wonderful tourist trains. "La Malle de Bois " takes you on a tour of art and culture, while "SAKU-bi SAKU-ra" takes you to nature and fine cuisine. We've put together information on the features, highlights, and operation of each train.
2025.07.15-
Table of Contents
- La Malle de Bois - A travel toolbox for enjoying art and scenery
- Interior Features
- Various operation routes
- [Special Feature] La Mar Setouchi x Okayama Wine
- In-car services
- SAKU-bi SAKU-ra - Enjoy the nature and delicious food of northern Okayama Prefecture
- Route and highlights
- In-car gourmet
- Operation information and reservation methods
- Operating time
- summary
La Malle de Bois - A travel toolbox for enjoying art and scenery
"La Malle de Bois" means "wooden suitcase" in French. This tourist train debuted in 2016 with the concept of a "travel toolbox."
The striking black and white exterior has playful windows resembling suitcases, while the interior features a wooden deck and high-quality seats, creating a stylish cafe-like atmosphere.
Interior Features
One thing to note on the train is the fusion of modern art with other art pieces. Artworks that you can actually touch are on display, such as works by Bunpei Kado and "The Story of the Ferry" by Masahiro Hasunuma, which is based on the Utaka Ferry.
At the counter seats facing the window, you can freely read books about travel and art while watching the ever-changing scenery of Setouchi. You can spend a relaxing time with original background music by Agematsu Agematsu playing.
Various operation routes
From JR Okayama Station, you can travel on the Setouchi to four destinations - Uno, Mihara, Hinase, and Kotohira- and it is popular for its diverse operating routes.
La Mar Setouchi (Okayama Station to Uno Station)
A trip to Uno, the setting for the Setouchi Triennale. You can tour the station decorated with art and enjoy access to artworks scattered across the islands of the Seto Naikai. Cycle spaces are also available, so you can load your bike and enjoy cycling around Uno.
During the Setouchi Triennale, the train will run between JR Okayama Station and JR Uno Station. We recommend taking the art train to the gateway to the island of art (Uno Port). Don't miss the station tickets (JR Unoyama Station, JR Yahama Station, Bizen Tai Station, JR Uno Station)!
[Operating days] Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays in August and October (excluding October 18th and 19th)
[Fare] Adults 1,370 yen (JR Okayama Station to JR Uno Station (one way)) *All Green Car reserved seats
Operation time
Departs JR Okayama Station at 10:11 → Arrives JR Uno Station at 11:16
Departs JR Uno Station at 16:18 → Arrives JR Okayama Station at 17:24
La Mar Bizen Osafune (Okayama Station - Hinase Station)
A journey to experience the best of traditional crafts. In Imbe , the birthplace of Bizen Pottery , you can visit the charming streets lined with red brick chimneys, and in Osafune, you can visit the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum, famous as a mecca for Japanese swords.
From Hinase Station, connect to the tourist boat "NORINAHALLE" and take a 60-minute cruise to see the Hinase Islands and oyster farming rafts. At the final stop, you can enjoy the local specialty "kakioko" and fresh seafood at "Gomi no Ichi."
[Operating days] October 18th and 19th
[Varies depending on the section] *All Green Car Reserved Seats
Operation time
JR Okayama Station 9:40 departure → JR Higashi Okayama Station 10:01 departure
JR Osafune Station 10:23 Arrival → JR Imbe Station 10:34 Arrival
JR Hinase Station 10:52 arrival
JR Hinase Station 14:22 departure → JR Imbe Station 14:38 departure
JR Osafune Station 14:50 departure → JR Higashi Okayama Station 15:06 arrival
JR Okayama Station 15:24 arrival
La Mar Shimanami (Okayama Station - Onomichi Station)
A journey where you can fully enjoy the spectacular views of the Seto Naikai. From the train window, the calm waters of the Setouchi Sea, the scattered islands, and the beautiful villages in the mountains appear one after another.
It is also convenient for trips from JR Kasaoka Station to the Kasaoka Islands, and from JR Onomichi Station to the Shimanami Kaido. If you transfer from JR Onomichi Station or JR Mihara Station to the tourist high-speed cruiser SEA SPICA, you can enjoy a boat trip to Hiroshima , touring the islands of the Setouchi .
[Operating days] Saturdays and Sundays in July and September
[Varies depending on the section] *All Green Car Reserved Seats
Operation time
JR Okayama Station 10:22 departure → JR Kurashiki Station 10:40 departure
JR Kasaoka Station 10:46 departure → JR Fukuyama Station 11:22 arrival
JR Onomichi Station 11:42 arrival → JR Mihara Station 12:03 arrival
JR Mihara Station 15:20 departure → JR Onomichi Station 15:37 departure
Departs JR Fukuyama Station at 15:58 → Arrives JR Kasaoka Station at 16:26
JR Kurashiki Station 16:52 arrival → JR Okayama Station 17:11 arrival
[Special Feature] La Mar Setouchi x Okayama Wine
Okayama Hareiro Campaign 2025 Special Project
Wines from Okayama Prefecture will be sold at the counter inside the La Mar Setouchi train. On that day, wineries in Okayama Prefecture will be available for tasting, and tasting and sales will also be available on board the train.
*Those tasting and purchasing train drinks must be 20 years of age or older.
Koresato Winery Day: August 23rd, October 12th
Funao Winery Day: August 9th, October 26th
Hiruzen Winery Day: August 31st, October 4th
[Limited quantity] For every bottle of wine purchased, we will give you one special snack from Okayama Prefecture!
In-car services
The on-board sales counter in car No. 2 sells original goods and local specialties. Popular items include the "mt Masking Tape set," the tin "La Malle de Bois " model, and "White Peach Nectar" made from Shimizu peaches from Okayama .
There is also a wide selection of special menus available by advance reservation, including the "Traveling Setouchi Sweets Box" (a set of five types of mini tarts) and the " Okayama Bara Sushi Travel Box" (packed in a Momotaro furoshiki wrapping cloth), perfect items to take home as mementos of your trip.
SAKU-bi SAKU-ra - Enjoy the nature and delicious food of northern Okayama Prefecture
concept
SAKU-bi SAKU-ra, which will debut in July 2022, offers a journey to enjoy the rich nature, hot springs, and fine cuisine of northern Okayama Prefecture, with the theme of "A journey that warms the body and soul and creates beauty."
The exterior, based on a pale pink color, evokes the image of healing hot springs and the cherry blossoms of the northern part of the prefecture. The gorgeous carriages, designed with petals blown by the wind, add color to the train lines.
Route and highlights
The Tsuyama(Okayama Station to Tsuyama Station) takes about an hour and a half. Along the way, the train makes short stops at Fukui Station, Yuge Station, and Kameko Station, where passengers can get off and enjoy a tour of the station buildings and take commemorative photos.
Fukuwatari Station : Characterized by the auspicious station sign featuring the Seven Lucky Gods
Yuge Station: One of the oldest wooden station buildings in the prefecture and a senryu poem
Kameko Station: A striking station building shaped like a large turtle
In-car gourmet
A major attraction of the "SAKU-bi SAKU-ra" is the on-board service that allows you to savor the rich cuisine of northern Okayama Prefecture.
All special menus require advance reservation and include:
Okayama Bara Sushi Bento: Traditional bara sushi made by Azuma Sushi: 3,200 yen (tax included)
Okayama Prefecture Kita Irodori Chirashi: Special bento box supervised by one-star chef Makio Terada: 3,200 yen (tax included)
STYLE Original Sweets Set: Set of 5 mini fruit tarts and white peach juice: 2,400 yen (tax included)
Operation information and reservation methods
Operation period
Both trains will operate between March 2025 and February 2026, mainly on weekends and holidays.
How to make a reservation
Ticket purchase: From 10:00 a.m. one month before the date of travel
・JR West “e5489”
・JR major station "Midori no Midori" (Green Window)
・Major travel agencies
In-car meals and services: Advance reservations required
・La Malle de Bois: STYLE Co., Ltd., "tabiwa by WESTER"
・SAKU-bi SAKU-ra: "Setouchi Tourism Navigation setowa"
Operating time
La Malle de Bois
This varies depending on the route, so please check the official website.
SAKU-bi SAKU-ra
Downbound: Departs Okayama Station at 10:55 → Arrives Tsuyama Station at 12:27 Upbound: Departs Tsuyama Station at 12:56 → Arrives Okayama Station at 14:30
summary
Okayama's two tourist trains each offer different charms to your trip. If you're looking for art and a diverse cultural experience, we recommend "La Malle de Bois," while if you want to enjoy the healing power of nature and delicious food , SAKU-bi SAKU-ra." Both offer a special travel experience that allows you to fully experience the charms of Okayama.
Please check the official JR West website for the latest operation information.
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.