A train operator in Kyoto has unveiled a new carriage featuring a huge golden oval on the front and a luxurious interior.

Eizan Electric Railway Co. showed the train to the media on Wednesday, two weeks ahead of its March 21 launch on the Eizan Main Line. The train, named Hiei, is expected to become a new tourist attraction on the sightseeing route from central Kyoto toward Mount Hiei and Lake Biwa, the country’s largest lake, in Shiga Prefecture.

The train will operate every 40 minutes except on Tuesdays. Travelers can use the train, equipped with oval-shaped windows and spacious seats, at no extra charge.

The interior features a luxurious design with light-emitting diode devices. Eizan has also added more travel information in foreign languages, such as English and Chinese, to meet growing demand from foreign tourists visiting Kyoto, the former capital.

“We are seeing an increasing number of domestic and foreign tourists using the railway. We want many people to experience the new train car,” an Eizan Electric Railway official said.

KEYWORDS Kyoto, trains, toursim