Following "Blue Symphony" and "Sakura Liner", I went to Imazato Station on Kintetsu Osaka and Nara Lines to photograph 80000 Series "Hinotori" and 19200 Series "Awoniyoshi".
80000 Series "Hinotori" debuted in 2020.
It consists of a 6- or 8-carriage set, and both cabbed carriages are high-decker premium-class carriages. It is designed by GK Industrial Design and equips accommodation to serve comfortable travel, such as backshell seats (both premium- and ordinary-class), vending machines for hot coffee and snacks, lockers for large-size luggage, and free Wi-Fi. The premium-class carriages also equip anti-vibration pneumatic actuators (active suspensions).
80000 Series awarded Blue Ribbon Prize in 2021.
19200 Series "Awoniyoshi" debuted in 2022, and converted from 12200 Series, which had been in service until 2021 known as "Snack Car" because of a small counter to prepare and serve onboard dining.
The name "Awoniyoshi" comes after poetic epithets for Nara in Japanese traditional 31-syllable poems.
19200 Series is a 4-carriage set. Its interior consists of "Twin Seats" 1+1 layout face-to-face or window-facing seats for two on the first (19201), second (19351), and fourth carriage (19301) from Osaka-namba, and "Saloon Seat" semi-open compartment for three or four on the second carriage (19251). The second carriage also equips a counter for confectionaries, drinks, and goods.
Except for special days, "Aoniyoshi" suspends its service on Thursday.