Day train
Shikoku Mannaka Sennen Monogatari
The Shikoku Mannaka Sennen Monogatari is JR Shikoku's three-car sightseeing train from Tadotsu on the Seto Inland Sea, past Kotohira, over the Sanuki mountains to the Oboke gorge, the way into the Iya valley, once each way on its running days.
Its farmhouse-style cars and a meal from a local kitchen make an unhurried half-day crossing of the island.
From
¥5,130 per person
Length
about 2 hours 30 minutes
On board
Three cars, all Green class
Age
Children 6 to 11 pay half the fare and limited express charge but the full Green charge
Japan
We apply for you
Tell us the journey and the season. Our team in Japan watches the ballots and application dates, applies with the route and suite you want, settles your requests with the operator, and arranges the nights before and after at places we know. At the operator’s own fare.
Already have an itinerary in mind?
Have it reviewed for USD 85The routes (2)
A day
Sora no Sato Kiko (down train)
Tadotsu to Oboke · Zentsuji, Kotohira (welcome drink in the train's own waiting room), Tsubojiri (switchback), Koboke and the Oboke gorge on the Yoshino river
One return trip a day on set days through the year
A day
Shiawase no Sato Kiko (up train)
Oboke to Tadotsu · Koboke, Awa-Kawaguchi (a stop to meet local people), Awa-Ikeda, Tsubojiri (switchback), Kotohira, Zentsuji
Same days as the down train
The special cars
Haruakari no Sho (car 1)
Spring-green sofas in a dark wood interior modelled on an old farmhouse, seats facing both sides of the line; boxes 7 and 8 are group seats for three or four (¥9,000 a table from 2 October 2026), box 6 is sold singly and may be shared.
Natsusugashi / Fuyusugashi no Sho (car 2)
Indigo-dyed floor and a 7-metre bench sofa meant for groups of six or more, like sitting round a hearth; boxes 1 and 2 are group seats for three or four.
Akiminori no Sho (car 3)
Autumn-red sofas in Tokushima cedar; seats sold singly and may be shared.
Before you go
Dining
Meals are ordered ahead and differ by direction: on the down train a Western-style plate of Kagawa produce by the head chef of Kamitsubaki, the restaurant run by Kotohira-gu in its woods; on the up train the 'grown-ups' yusan-bako', a three-tier Tokushima picnic box by the head chef of the Japanese restaurant Misho Fujimoto. Each is ¥6,300 from 2 October 2026; drinks, light meals, local sake and goods are brought to the seat.
How it is booked
Tell us your dates and our team in Japan reserves the seats and any meal for you, passes on your preferences and requests, arranges anything special with the operator, and books the stays before and after.
Good to know
No pets (assistance dogs excepted); no outside food or alcohol apart from water and tea.
Every fare
From ¥5,130 per person, Tadotsu to Oboke in a Green seat, fare, limited express and Green charge included (from 2 October 2026), plus ¥6,300 for the meal, which must be ordered ahead.
About the train
'Nihon no tatazumai' (the look of old Japan): a farmhouse interior in dark wood and Tokushima cedar, with a mirrored ceiling modelled on the rack above a hearth and low-set lighting; concept and design by JR Shikoku staff with roots along the line.
Run by JR Shikoku, since 2017.
Q&A
Tell us your dates and our team in Japan reserves the seats and any meal for you, passes on your preferences and requests, arranges anything special with the operator, and books the stays before and after.
From ¥5,130 per person, Tadotsu to Oboke in a Green seat, fare, limited express and Green charge included (from 2 October 2026), plus ¥6,300 for the meal, which must be ordered ahead.
Sora no Sato Kiko (down train): One return trip a day on set days through the year. Shiawase no Sato Kiko (up train): Same days as the down train.
Children 6 to 11 pay half the fare and limited express charge but the full Green charge.