Matsuyama Beer Train

Travel Reports by jmaccc

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August 4, 2016 - Matsuyama Beer Train

I had the most amazing time riding on the �[�Ă��r�[��g��b�R��. Directly translated from google, it�fs called the Sunset Beer Truck Train. But really it�fs just a train where you have access to all you can drink beer/drinks and a nice meal while watching the sunset on an open air train. It�fs a seasonal train so you can only ride on selected dates in the summer. If you're interested then definitely buy early because it sells out fast! I tried to buy tickets for August when I found out about it in June but I was told all the seats for the dates I was interested in were all booked. I was a little devastated but the lady at the counter told me I could call a separate number and be put on the waiting list so I asked someone to help me call and luckily a spot opened up!

Beer on the train is apparently sponsored by Kirin! You can also get other alcholic drinks too if you like things liek chu-hais instead.

Here�fs how it went down: When you get to the station, you're greeted by the Beer Torroco workers. They ask you for your name, you pay 5,000 yen per person and they had you a nice fan and your seat assignment before they send you in the right direction. At 5:57pm, we boarded the train and we had no idea what to expect. There are two cars that make up the train, one is relatively normal looking and the other was a nice open air part. But we found our seat assignments in the normal car and we were a bit disappointed and curious as to how or when we would get to go to the other side.

In the meantime, I scanned the crowd. Everyone around us were relatively older and some looked like they drank a bit before even getting on the train. We saw snacks and we realized we messed up by not bringing any beforehand!

I had work before this and had no time to get ready and no idea what to expect so when they brought out the drinks, I was ready!

We sat directly across from two older ladies and it was a bit awkward because everyone was speaking Japanese and we just had no idea what was going on. Soon enough the train started moving and eventually everyone was shuffled into the open air part of the train and that�fs when the party really starts.

They gave everyone bentos and it looked and tasted delicious. They filled everyone�fs glasses and we all cheered, �gKANPAI!�h We ate and enjoyed the breeze in our faces and the occasional leaf that found its way to our bentos. But even then, all we could do was laugh and set it free in the wind again. We made a stop to see a cute dog and some local merchants selling goods that looked like they accompanied alcohol really well.

Our bentos for the night! It was honestly better than most of the enkai food that we usually have to pay for so we definitely chowed down. And even got to take whatever we couldn't finish home with us.

Obsessed with cute dogs in cute uniforms. I think that lady in the back really wanted some snacks from the local merchants. O.O I feelss her though, They looked great! (Sorry they're not pictured!)

We saw beautiful mountains and rice paddies in the beginning of the ride but as I took out my camera with excitement, the ladies sitting across from us assured us the views would only get better. And of course, they were right. We met the ocean and said bye to the sun as it set displaying a truly beautiful and unique double sun image.

As the drinks poured in, we continued on with the most joyous atmosphere. Everyone was just enjoying themselves eating, chatting and taking in the breathtaking views. It was just a beautiful moment that made you feel happy to be alive.

Ngl, I was a little confused but the bottom part is created by the reflection of the ocean. Guess that's not too hard to figure out but...alchohol.

We had a longer stop in Iyo-Nagahama where you get to walk around. We didn�ft know where to go so we just took a stroll to the pier and a quick bathroom break before getting back on the train. The night was coming to an end but the train had one last festivity! DRUNK BINGO. Being an ALT, we love using BINGO to help teach English but I didn�ft imagine it to be so fun and thrilling. Even when we didn�ft win, we cheered in happiness for whoever did. Though by the end of the night, everyone at our little table won some type of gift which was usually small cans of alcoholic drinks.

But I think the best part of the night came as the night was ending. By this time, we had more than a little bit of alcohol in us to take the edge off of being the only foreigners on the train. We talked to the ladies across from us and just got to know each other. They were coming from Saijo, home of the tallest mountain in western Japan (Mt. Ishizuchi). We chatted about how scary the climb was and how we wanted to climb it. It was their second time of the Beer Train and even if we couldn�ft understand each other at times, we just laughed and enjoyed each others company. They offered their snacks to us and Mick gave them a key chain from New Zealand that made them exclaim, �gkawaii!�h And before we knew it, we were back at Matsuyama Station. The night had come to an end and we made sure to take a picture with our new friends before we parted ways.

Blurry due to the excitement of winning BINGO! But this was probably one of the most exciting games of BINGO I've ever played!

Don't let these ladies fool you, they drink like tanks!

You see, that's the thing about traveling and going through the trouble of finding these local events�cyou get to meet people that truly make you realize how lucky you are, to be where you are, at that exact moment in your life. The night might have ended but these are memories we�fll keep forever.

So next summer, make sure to look out for the Matsuyama Beer Train!

http://www.jr-shikoku.co.jp/03_news/press/15-05-15/01.html
#loveshikoku #loveshikoku2016 #matsuyama #japan #trains

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List of Posts:
2016/10/05 - The Birthday Kippu
2016/08/04 - Matsuyama Beer Train