Japan Railway East has a special train package in December that allows dogs to ride without cages from Tokyo to Izu. This special train is called the Wanderful Train. Wan is the sound dogs make in Japanese, so this is some cute word play.
Onboard the train will be a veterinarian, just in case the four legged passengers need medical assistance and the seats will have protective sheets in case there are any "accidents". Little JR caps will be available for the dogs to borrow for the doggie photos.
The Wanderful Train departs from Ueno Station in Tokyo on December 9th and carries the dog and its people to Izu Kogen Station on the eastern side of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, returning the next day. The train ride is part of a tour package and includes a night at either the Wan's Resort Jogakasi Kaigan or the Izu Kogen Wanwan Paradise Hotel, both dog-friendly facilities with outdoor dog runs. The package, which includes round trip train fare and hotel costs for two adults and one dog, costs 69,000 yen at Wanwan Paradise and 74,000 yen at Wan's Resort. The package is limited to small dogs. I don't know what is considered a small dog, but it seems like almost all dogs in Japan are small.
What do you think about this tour package? Would you like to ride the train and stay at a resort with your little dog?
Oh my gosh Pamela: What an adorable idea, the dogs with hats are so cute, thank-you for sharing, it brightened my day.
ReplyDeleteCatherine
Well, it's a good idea for owners of small dogs. The question is how to take the dogs to the departure station without a cage. You'll have to be driven there by a family member? Or walk there if you live close enough... Or are you supposed to carry the doggy in a cage on the local train and then let it out inside the Wanderful train?
ReplyDeleteShinkansen is also holding a lot of events. You can now rent the last carriage of a Shinkansen Tokaido train for a group and hold an event, eg. a wedding ceremony and reception, a famous author or singer can hold a reading/book signing event or mini concert with refreshments... I've even heard of a pro wrestling event!
That sounds like a fun activity. I'd be in it! Not sure my dogs would enjoy it though.
ReplyDeleteIf I had a dog, yes. Somehow, I don't think Lizzie would much like it!
ReplyDeletePerhaps users will need to keep their dogs in their cages during transit, such as before boarding the train. It's a special train and I think dog lovers will be happy.
ReplyDeleteBut what about dogs?
Do dogs want to enjoy train travel with their owners? It depends on the dog’s personality, but dog lovers will want to be with them all the time.
especially owners who feel guilty about letting their dog sit at home.
Cute train naming.🐶