Shimane: Ichibata Train to Introduce Newly Designed Car Based on Concept of Mythology in November

The Yomiuri Shimbun

16:14 JST, March 28, 2026

MATSUE — Ichibata Electric Railway Co., which operates train services in eastern Shimane Prefecture, will launch services of a brand-new train model in November.

The new train has been named Amenomurakumo, after a sword — one of the three sacred treasures of the Imperial family — that appears in an ancient Japanese myth originating in the prefecture. The single-car train can carry up to 49 passengers.

The interior and the exterior of the train were designed by industrial designer Eiji Mitooka, whose portfolio includes Kyushu Railway Co.’s luxurious sleeper train “Nanatsuboshi in Kyushu” (Seven Stars in Kyushu). The base color of the body of the Amenomurakumo is red, with gold lines drawn to represent gathering clouds — the meaning of Izumo, the prefecture’s ancient name. The train appears to be running through clouds.

Wood is used in abundance for the train car’s floor, and there are plans to install sofa-like seats, as well as window-facing seats with tables to admire the views outside. The company will introduce two Amenomurakumo train cars for about ¥858 million.

“This is a one-of-a-kind train that you can ride only here,” Mitooka said at a recent press conference in Matsue. “I’d like to continue working on the train car until the last minute,” he added, indicating possible changes to the current design.