Railway firm Fujikyuko Co. is set to introduce a new Fujisan View Express train later this year as a part of a project to commemorate its 90th anniversary.
The new train will replace the previous 2000 series Fujisan Express that is scheduled to finish operations on Feb. 7.
"Fujisan View Express will be a set of three cars, and it is scheduled to start operating sometime in April, to run alternately with the other 8000 series Fujisan Express train," said Fujikyuko spokeswoman Hiroko Arai.
"It will be readied with snacks and drinks, and along with the wooden interior, it offers a very relaxing moment."
Fujisan View Express has been designed by Eiji Mitooka, an industrial designer known for his work with JR Kyushu, including the Seven Stars in Kyushu luxury cruise train, Kyushu Shinkansen 800 series and, recently, the two-car excursion train Aru Ressha operating since August.
"Mitooka has previously worked on our Fuji Tozan Densha, as well as the architectural designs for our Otsuki, Shimoyoshida and Mount Fuji stations. We decided to welcome him once more, as the public reactions to his designs were very positive," Arai said.
Mitooka said that Fujisan View Express will be a special luxury train for passengers to get a close look at World Heritage-listed Mount Fuji.
The train runs between Otsuki and Kawaguchiko stations in about 45 minutes, and makes brief stops at Tsurubunka Daigaku Mae, Mt. Fuji and Fuji-Q Highland stations. Passengers will have to pay an additional charge of up to ¥300 on top of a regular train fare.
The Fujisan Express train carried 3.37 million passengers in 2015. The railway is expecting this to grow in 2016 with the new Fujisan View Express.
