Kawasemi Yamasemi
{{Short description|Japanese limited express train service}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name = Kawasemi Yamasemi
| image = Kiha47-8087_Kawasemi-Yamasemi.jpg
| image_width = 300px
| caption = Kawasemi Yamasemi in January 2023
| type = Limited express
| status = Operational
| locale = Kyushu, Japan
| predecessor =
| first = March 4, 2017
| last = March 15, 2025
| successor =
| operator = JR Kyushu
| formeroperator=
| ridership =
| line_used = Hōhi Main Line
| start = {{STN|Kumamoto|x}}
| stops = 3
| end = {{STN|Miyaji|x}} (since 2022)
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| observation =
| catering =
| stock = KiHa 47 series DMU
| gauge = {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}}
| el = 2,000 V DC overhead (Kumamoto to Higo-Ōzu), Diesel (Higo-Ōzu to Miyaji)
| speed =
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{{Nihongo|Kawasemi Yamasemi|かわせみ やませみ}} was a two-car limited express train operated by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) in Japan.
Overview
On November 9, 2016, JR Kyushu released a press release detailing its new themed limited express, Kawasemi Yamasemi, scheduled to debut in spring 2017.{{cite web|title=JR 九州 11 番目のＤ＆Ｓ（デザイン＆ストーリー）列車|url=https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/news/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2016/11/10/161109kawasemiyamasemi.pdf|publisher=JR Kyushu|language=Japanese|trans-title = JR Kyushu 11th Design and Story Train}} On December 16, 2016, it was revealed that the new train would begin operation on March 4, 2017.{{cite web|title=平成 29 年春ダイヤ改正|url=http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/news/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2016/12/16/H29TimetableRevision.pdf|publisher=JR Kyushu|language=Japanese|trans-title=Heisei 29 Spring Timetable Revision|access-date=2017-03-15|archive-date=2020-04-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425074239/http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/news/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2016/12/16/H29TimetableRevision.pdf|url-status=dead}}
The Kawasemi Yamasemi is named for the Kingfisher and Crested Kingfisher, and follows the Kuma River along its route.{{cite web|title=JR Kyushu Kawasemi Yamasemi English Overview|url=http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/train/kawasemi_yamasemi.jsp}} It features the birds extensively as its motif.
Design
The train was designed by Eiji Mitooka and Don Design and Associates, and used local resources (such as Japanese cypress and cedar) extensively in its construction.{{cite news|title=JR Kyushu unveils new sightseeing train colored after local forest, river|url=http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20170228/p2a/00m/0na/012000c|newspaper=Mainichi Daily News|date=2017-02-28}} Onboard sales will also consist of local products.
The President of JR Kyushu, Toshihiko Aoyagi, at the train's unveiling, was quoted as saying that he hoped the train would run as a symbol of recovery (from the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes).{{cite web|last1=Kaname|first1=Kakuta|title=Sightseeing train offers aromas and flavors of Kumamoto|url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201702280063.html|website=Asahi Shimbun}}
Operations
Between its inception and 2020, the train ran three daily round trips between Kumamoto and Hitoyoshi, running along the Hisatsu Line and Kagoshima Main Line.
Due to damage to the Hisatsu Line from the 2020 Kyushu floods,{{cite news |title=７月豪雨「肥薩線被害は１００億円超も」 ＪＲ九州社長、熊本地震超え最大級の認識 |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20200911-IQ2B2KHMFNMGHIQBWEWEYPP6TI/ |access-date=6 September 2024 |work=The Sankei Shimbun |date=September 11, 2020}} the Kawasemi Yamasemi ran between Kumamoto and Miyaji on the Hōhi Main Line since September 23, 2022.{{cite web |title=西九州新幹線が開業します 在来線各線区でダイヤを見直します |url=https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/railway/dia2022/pdf/press_kyushu22.pdf |publisher=JR Kyushu |access-date=6 September 2024}} Apart from the two termini, the train also stopped at Higo-Ōzu, Tateno, and Aso. The service made one round trip per day on weekends and holidays between September 23, 2022 and March 15, 2025.
The service ceased regular operations on March 15, 2025 due to schedule changes.{{cite web |title=2025 年春ダイヤ改正について |url=https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/news/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2024/12/13/241213_2025daiya_kaisei_1.pdf |publisher=JR Kyushu |access-date=5 May 2025}}
Train cars
The two cars are named Kawasemi and Yamasemi, respectively. They are both converted from KiHa 47 diesel multiple units. Kawasemi (blue) was converted from KiHa 47 8087. Yamasemi (green) was converted from KiHa 47 9051.{{cite web|title=JR九州のD&S列車「かわせみ やませみ」、3月4日いよいよデビュー|url=https://raillab.jp/news/article/1110|website=Raillab.jp|language=Japanese|trans-title = JR Kyushu D&S train Kawasemi Yamasemi, March 4th Debut}}
See also
- List of named passenger trains of Japan
- Joyful Train, the generic name for excursion and charter trains in Japan
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website|http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/train/kawasemi_yamasemi.jsp}}
{{JR Kyushu trains}}
Category:Kyushu Railway Company
Category:Named passenger trains of Japan