The Shikoku Tosa Toki no Yoake no Monogatari (å¿Âå½åÂÂä½ æÂÂ代ã®å¤ÂæÂÂãÂÂã®ãÂÂã®ãÂÂãÂÂãÂÂ, Shikoku Tosa Toki no Yoake no Monogatari) is a limited express sightseeing train service operated by JR Shikoku in Shikoku, Japan, since July 2020.
The Shikoku Tosa Toki no Yoake no Monogatari is the third sightseeing train service in the Monogatari series introduced by JR Shikoku, after the Iyonada Monogatari and the Shikoku Mannaka Sennen Monogatari. Originally scheduled to start operations on April 18, 2020, its launch was delayed to July 4, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The train runs between Kà Âchi and Kubokawa in Kà Âchi Prefecture, offering views of Kà Âchi's natural landscapes. Its theming concept is based on the historical exploits and aspirations of important figures of the Bakumatsu and Meiji Restoration, particularly that of native sons such as Sakamoto Ryà Âma and Nakaoka Shintarà Â. The name of the train means "Tale of the Dawn of an Era".
The train service operates on Fridays, weekends, and holidays between Kà Âchi and Kubokawa, running one round trip per day. Meals created with local ingredients are served on every route. The service out of Kà Âchi is named Excerpts of Aspirations (ç«Âå¿Âã®æÂÂ, Risshi no shà Â), while the service out of Kubokawa is named Excerpts of Blossoming Flowers (éÂÂè±ã®æÂÂ, Kaika no shà Â).
Both services stop at the stations of KÃ Âchi, Tosa-Kure, and Kubokawa. Additional stops include:
KÃ Âchi to Kubokawa (Noon service)
Kubokawa to KÃ Âchi (Afternoon service)
A special service pattern also runs between Kà Âchi and Nahari, using tracks of the Tosa Kuroshio Railway Asa Line (also known as the Gomen-Nahari Line). Originally a limited-time run for group tours between in 2021, the service became permanent afterwards, running every year on Fridays from October to December. For this pattern, the service out of Kà Âchi is named Excerpts of the Sparkling Sea (ç Âæµ·ã®æÂÂ, Kirameki no shà Â), while the service out of Nahari is named Excerpts of Heroic Flights (éÂÂé£Âã®æÂÂ, Yuuhi no shà Â). Both services stop at the stations of Kà Âchi, Yasu, Aki, and Nahari.
The Shikoku Tosa Toki no Yoake no Monogatari uses a 2-car KiHa 185 series DMU for its services. The first car, painted black, is nicknamed KUROFUNE ("black ship"), while the second car, painted white, is nicknamed SORAFUNE ("sky ship"). An image of Sakamoto Ryà Âma is painted on the exterior of the train, along with images of the sun and the moon.
The interior of KUROFUNE is themed around late 19th century steamships, evoking the Black Ships that brought Japan out from isolation; the interior of SORAFUNE, by contrast, is themed with futuristic sci-fi elements of skyships and stars, signifying dreams for the future.