Wakayama Electric Railway Umeboshi Train from Idakiso to Wakayama Train Review
After visiting both cat stationmasters of the Wakayama Electric Railway at Kishi and Idakiso, it’s time to head back to Wakayama for lunch and to continue with the rest of my day. The next train departing was the Umeboshi Train, so I would have taken all 3 sets in service during the time of my visit.
Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line
Idakiso Station
Heading back in to Idakiso Station.
Idakiso Station has a ticket booth, the only other station on the Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line to have one, with the other being at Wakayama Station. The staff mainly gives out information and sells souvenirs, including souvenir tickets. You can also pay directly on board the train or upon alighting at Wakayama.
Yontama was still sleeping when it was time for me to leave Idakiso Station. Oh well.
A Tama caricature points passengers to the pedestrian railway crossing to the island platform.
There are also Gashapon machines along the path selling cat-themed toys. Perhaps these came from the defunct Toy Train or Omoden, which is now the Tama Museum Train.
An information board also describes the historical platform and shed first built in the 1930s and still in its original condition.
Crossing the railway crossing to the island platform.
Trains to Wakayama depart from Platform 2 on the left.
The original platform roof, supported by used rails.
The original station sign of Idakiso Station.
The track on Platform 2 is also the access track for the depot.
My incoming Umeboshi Train was arriving first.
Almost simultaneously, the Tama Train bound for Kishi was arriving at Platform 1. Almost perfectly timed to arrive exactly.
Since Idakiso Station is an intermediate station, take a numbered ticket from the machine upon boarding, if you do not already have a ticket. You will need it to determine your fare to pay when you alight.
However, as I was using the Kishigawa Line 1-Day Pass, I get unlimited rides on the Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line, and there was no need to pick up a numbered ticket.
The interior of the Umeboshi Train. The Umeboshi Train is based on plums from Wakayama, the biggest producer in Japan.
The cabinets around the gangway area display Umeboshi products from Wakayama along with Tama souvenirs.
A variety of seating options are available from individual seats to sofas.
The Umeboshi Train is decorated with Japanese style paper screens and bamboo blinds, with liberal use of wood.
A souvenir stamp can also be collected on board the Umeboshi Train. Bring your own notebook.
Kire Station
Making a brief stop at Kire Station.
Okazaki-mae Station
Making a brief stop at Okazaki-mae Station.
Kōtsū-Center-mae Station
Making a brief stop at Kōtsū-Center-mae Station.
A preserved Nankai Hirano Line Mo205 type train Car No. 217 sits outside Kōtsū-Center-mae Station, but does not look to be in good condition.
Kamayama Station
Making a brief stop at Kamayama Station.
Kōzaki Station
Making a brief stop at Kamayama Station.
Entering Nichizengū Station Platform 2, crossing with the Ichigo Train.
Nichizengū Station
Making a brief stop at Nichizengū Station. This is a crossing point near to Wakayama, allowing for a 15-minute frequency during peak periods on this section of the line.
Tanakaguchi Station
Making a brief stop at Tanakaguchi Station.
Meeting the JR West Kisei Main Line on approach to Wakayama Station.
Entering Wakayama Station on Platform 9.
Wakayama Station
My Umeboshi Train arrived at Wakayama at 12.39pm – 1 minute early. This makes the journey from Idakiso to Wakayama 19 minutes. On schedule, it takes 20 minutes.
Looks like Wakayama Electric Railway is targeting a 2.5 million annual ridership. A high target.
As Wakayama is a manned station with a proper gate line, all doors are opened on the platform as ticketing is done by the station staff.
Heading out of the gate line.
Upon exiting and showing my Kishigawa Line 1-Day Pass, the ticketing staff thanked me and gave me what I thought was a souvenir ticket.
Google Translate later on told me that this was a “settlement ticket”.
Heading down to the underpass.
I wasn’t planning to go back to Osaka yet as I was hungry. I decided to get lunch outside Wakayama Station.
Also, while the Rapid trains are frequent, I wanted to take the Kuroshio again since I was entitled to with my JR Sanyo-San’in Northern Kyushu Area Pass.
Heading out of the JR fare gates with my JR Sanyo-San’in Northern Kyushu Area Pass.
I realised here that the “souvenir ticket” which I got was most probably meant for me to exit from the JR gate, since Wakayama Electric Railway’s Platform 9 was within the JR paid area. Oh well, more souvenirs for me.
The façade of Wakayama Station. The Wakayama MIO shopping mall is attached to the station, with plenty of food options, where I had my lunch first before continuing on more train rides.
Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line