The first operation of JR West's new tourist train "Hanaakari" began in northern Kyoto Prefecture and other areas on October 5, 2024. Local residents welcomed the train at the station platforms at JR Higashi-Maizuru Station (Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture), Kyoto Tango Railway Amanohashidate Station (Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture), and Yuhigaura Kizu Onsen Station (Kyoto Tango City, Kyoto Prefecture) as the train arrived, creating excitement.

Mayor Kamoda giving a speech at the welcoming ceremony (Hamamachi, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture, Higashi-Maizuru Station)

At Higashi-Maizuru Station, Mayor Kamoda Akizu and others held a welcoming ceremony, and the local mascot "Chokimaru" also appeared to welcome the train. When the train departed, local residents waved flags and saw it off.

Women performing Miyazu Odori dance to welcome the arrival of the tourist train "Hanaakari" (Monju, Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto Tango Railway Amanohashidate Station)

The train arrived at Amanohashidate Station just after 2:00 p.m. Five female members of the Miyazu Dance Promotion Association performed the folk dance "Miyazu Dance" to the accompaniment of the song "♩Tango no Miyazu de pin to dashita." Passengers were seen getting off the platform to take photos of the dance.

At Yuhigaura Kizu Onsen Station, 46 local kindergarten children also welcomed the train, waving small flags decorated with the train.

The Hanaakari's route is about 180 kilometers from Tsuruga Station (Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture) to Kinosaki Onsen Station (Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture), and the journey takes about five hours. The service will run until December 22nd, making one round trip every week on Saturday and Sunday.