[HD] A TRIP BACK IN TIME! Review of the SUPER YAKUMO 381 Series Set from Okayama to Izumoshi

[HD] A TRIP BACK IN TIME! Review of the SUPER YAKUMO 381 Series Set from Okayama to Izumoshi

You cannot take this train anymore. The 381 series was beloved by many as the last limited express train from the G&R era. Its carpeted green car, old style washroom, and manual announcements basically made the train a rolling time capsule, taking people not only to their destination, but also to a bygone era of railroading. In 2023, I was able to snag a green car seat on the Super Yakumo set. And in this video, we will be taking Yakumo service number five from Okyama to Ishamoshi. A journey taking just over three hours to complete. It’s around 9:00 a.m. at Okyama Station and there is absolutely no shortage of fanfare and older JNR era rolling stock. Taking a look around, we were lucky to see numerous 113 and 115 series sets still kicking around. At the time of posting, Okama is receiving newer 227 series sets to replenish its fleet. 113s and 115s are still around in 2025. However, there are not many remaining in service. And in this historic shot, our Super Yako service arrives at track 2. The special livery was brought back in February 2023 after being used on upgraded Yakumo services between 1994 and 2006. Jerry. While in the presence of fanf fair, we leave right on the dot at 9:05. [Music] As we leave, let’s take a look at the journey. Yakumo services run on three main lines. The Sano main line takes us to the junction at Kurashki. From there, the Hakubi line winds through the mountains of eastern Chugoku to its northern coast. From Yonago City, we then transition to the Sunni mainline to our destination at Izumo City. At 3 hours and 4 minutes, we make 10 stops at a distance of just over 220 km or 138 mi. [Music] So, what made the train so special? I talked about it before, but the 381 series was a portal into a bygone era of railroading. The rice cooker design was uniform across Japan from 1964 through the privatization era, the late 1980s and through the 1990s. Our 381 series is just one of many variations of the base 485 series, of which over 3,000 cars were built. This variant was the first to fully implement tilting technology as a means to speed up connections between various cities. The JNR era of railroading took place during the beginning and expansion of the bullet train network. Oftent times you’d find yourself in one of these limited express trains for seven or eight hours at a time going from Ueno to Kanazawa or even from Osaka to Toyama. And as time went on, uniformity gave way to diversity and different train types along with better technology and most of all faster services. The expansion of the Shinkansen networks saw the eventual decline of this classic, though the basic design element has somehow lasted into the current day. The most obvious example here would be the Thunderbird and Shiraasagi service connecting the Zokuriku region from Osaka and Nagagoya respectively. So whether it’s a 381, 485, or even a 681683, the cabtop design remains a staple and icon of Japanese railways. These mountainside communities are few and far between, but there are a few minor hubs. Take for instance Nimi. This settlement of 27,000 is a hub for rail services into other parts of the Chigoku mountain range. [Music] As we’re still quite far from our tournament is now is a good time to do a tour. The green car at car number one is a panoramic car which I booked with my Japan rail pass. Now the front three streets are notoriously difficult to book because of totatu. And basically with its pending retirement, virtually everyone on board this car was a totu, which is Japanese for train spotter. Doesn’t surprise me one bit. Anyways, the green car was in a 2-1 configuration. My seat had a very ergonomic design. The tray table was inside the armrest and the recline was quite generous. Not to mention, seats here have a folding footrest, but don’t use it like this. However, the kicker here is the carpet, which is quite the novelty these days. Also, take a look at these curtains, which to my guess have to be at least 20 years old at this point. Looking at standard class, it was in a 22 configuration, but with a bit more of a modern look, I’d say there’s not much to say here aside from seats being on a platform like in car 1. But the bathroom is where it got interesting again. This place was cramped. Now, I am not exaggerating poor stability. This would not be a place you want to be while the train is moving. Arrival into Yona was at 1116. This part of Japan is in what’s called the Sanin region, which is basically Chikoku’s northern coastline. Compared to the millions who visit Tokyo and Osaka, the Sing region only sees a few hundred,000 visitors per year. While still in the middle of the spotlight, take a look as our Super Yako rockets by Lake Nakumi. Matsui is the largest city in Shimanet Prefecture with a population of about 200,000. The main station is located on an island and a 10-minute bus ride to Matsuay Castle. The structure is among Japan’s 12 remaining original castles. A really good alternative to Himimei Castle, I’d say. On this channel, I try to push the narrative that it is the train or vehicle that is the destination. This ride was very special only because there was literally no other chance to ride it again. Time is running out for these 1970s and 1980s era train sets across Japan. As of 2025, all 381 series sets have been scrapped and replaced by 11 newly built fourcar 273 series sets. One 381 series car remains on static display in Nagagoya at the SC Magiff Railway Museum. Meanwhile, JR East kept a few 485 series train sets to operate as quote unquote joyful trains, which were special sets used for tourists and charters. The last of those were retired in 2022. At last, we arrive at Izumoi station on time at 12:08. The Yakuma and the Sleeper Train Sunrise Izzimo are among five limited express services terminating at this station. And welcome to Izimo City, the westernmost city of the Lake Shinji Nakumi Metropolitan Area, also boasts its share of sacred sites and temples. Ichibata bus provides service to Izumo Taiisha, the country’s oldest Shinto shrine. But looking around the city, this is what no one tells you about suburban Japan. As for me, I awaited its departure and return trip to Okyama, thus bringing an end to this trip report. If you like Japanese trains, please consider following and subscribing for more vlogs to come. As always, thank you for watching. Heat. Heat.

Hello, and welcome back to the channel!

It’s been a while since doing longform content, and what better way to bring it back than to the time I went to Izumoshi on my first trip to Japan? Not many international visitors to Japan go far out into the Izumo Peninsula, but for foreign toritetsu like myself I had all the more reason to. These 381 series were being phased out soon, so I took the chance to hop on the green car of the SUPER YAKUMO set.

This museum on wheels took people back to a bygone era of railroading, the privatization era. Before the Shinkansen became a mainstay, these limited express trains were the backbone of intercity transportation. Notice the lack of onboard screens and power outlets, where all you had was a window to look out of.

As of 2025, none of the JNR-era 485 series limited intercity express trains and their variants remain in service, including the 381 series. Several cab cars remain in museums across Japan.

Train: 381 Series SUPER YAKUMO
Service: Yakumo 5
Origin: Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture
Destination: Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture
Distance: 220km (138 mi)
Time: 3 hours 4 minutes

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