Notice of Familiarization Tour for [SL Taiju 'Hanitsu'] and [Journey to Encounter the Heart of Aizu]

Image of SL Taiju 'Hanitsu'

Regarding the [SL Taiju 'Hanitsu'] and the [Journey to Encounter the Heart of Aizu], please also refer to this accompanying press release.

Tobu Railway Co., Ltd.

Secretariat for the 'Encounter the Heart of Aizu' Tour Creation Project

1. Overview of the Fam Tour

Dates: Saturday, June 27, 2026 – Sunday, June 28, 2026

Gathering: 9:00 AM, Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the front entrance of Tobu Railway's Shimo-Imaichi Station

Dismissal: Around 5:30 PM, Sunday, June 28, 2026, at JR Shin-Shirakawa Station

Accommodation: Hotel near Aizu Wakamatsu Station

◎ Main Itinerary

[Day 1]

- Ride on the SL Taiju 'Hanitsu' (Shimo-Imaichi Station to Aizu Wakamatsu Station *SL towing begins after Aizu Tajima Station)
- Hospitality inside and outside the train (distribution of bento boxes, sake, local specialties, travel itineraries, and announcements by locals)
- Departure ceremony for SL Taiju 'Hanitsu' and a marche at Aizu Tajima Station
- Dinner at a restaurant featuring Aizu local cuisine and sake

[Day 2]

- Experiencing the 'Encounter the Heart of Aizu' contents via a chartered bus
- Lacquerware experience and lunch at Seki Biko-do / Human Hub Tenneiji Warehouse (Aizu Wakamatsu City)
- Tour of a thatched roof practice area, artisan experience, and sake tasting at Ouchi-juku (Shimogo Town)

*Please note that some parts of the itinerary may be subject to change.

2. Application for Participation

Please provide the following required information to the application contact.

[Required Information]
- Company Name
- Participant Name (Department, Title, Name, Gender)
- Number of Participants
- Contact Information (Phone Number, Email Address)
- (For Media) Intentions for coverage and photography on the day

*Application Deadline: Sunday, May 31, 2026

*Since there is a limit on the number of passengers, you may not be able to participate even if you apply. We will notify you by email or other means in such cases, so please understand in advance.

3. Application and Inquiry Contact

Fam Tour Information Office (within Aizu Dream Development Co., Ltd.)

Contact Person: Usui

Phone: 080-7357-2196

Email Address: usui@add-dream.co.jp

4. Detailed Information on the Implementation of the 'Encounter the Heart of Aizu' Tour Creation Project and Fam Tour

[About the 'Encounter the Heart of Aizu' Tour]

The Secretariat for the 'Encounter the Heart of Aizu' Tour Creation Project aims for the sustainable revitalization and tourism promotion of the Aizu area through sightseeing trains. To create a unique and differentiated tourism story of the Aizu Nishi Kaido, we have created a thematic tour, 'Journey to Encounter the Heart of Aizu', utilizing the sightseeing train operated by Tobu Railway. This tour allows participants to enjoy interacting with various local talents in the Aizu area and experience their hospitality.

This time, Tobu Railway, Yagan Railway, Aizu Railway, and the Tohoku Headquarters of East Japan Railway Company will operate a special run of the SL Taiju 'Hanitsu' between Tobu Railway's Shimo-Imaichi Station and JR East's Aizu Wakamatsu Station on Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28. The tour will be held in conjunction with this special operation.

This special operation was realized through the collaboration of four railway operators: the 'Council for the Promotion of Sightseeing Trains such as SL Taiju (Secretariat: Aizu Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture)', established by local municipalities along the line to establish a sightseeing route connecting Nikko and Aizu to revitalize the Aizu area; Tobu Railway, which operates the SL Taiju with the aim of 'assisting the reconstruction of Tohoku'; and Yagan Railway, Aizu Railway, and JR East, which are deploying the Fukushima Destination Campaign.

The specially operated train will be named SL Taiju 'Hanitsu', derived from Hanitsu Shrine, which enshrines Lord Masayuki Hoshina, the first lord of the Aizu domain. Please note that for the section from Shimo-Imaichi Station to Aizu Tajima Station, it will be towed by a diesel locomotive.

*The name 'Hanitsu' used for this SL Taiju originates from Hanitsu Shrine located in Inawashiro Town, Fukushima Prefecture. This is the divine name of Lord Masayuki Hoshina, the first lord of the Aizu domain. It combines 'Ha' (earth), the root of all things in the Five Elements philosophy, and 'Nitsu' (port/domain lord), meaning 'the Aizu lord who mastered the logic of all things'. Hanitsu Shrine is enshrined on the north-south axis based on the North Star faith, similar to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, and is located at the demon gate (northeast direction) of Tsuruga Castle (Aizu Wakamatsu Castle). It was built to pray for the peace of Aizu. Situated on the 'Path of the North Star' leading to the North Star with the majestic Mount Bandai in the background, it is a shrine dedicated to the long-lasting peace of Lord Masayuki Hoshina's spirit. By giving the SL Taiju the nickname 'Hanitsu' when operating it as an Aizu sightseeing train, we incorporate the historical and cultural background of Aizu and the thoughts of our predecessors.

We will conduct this familiarization tour targeting product planning and information dissemination personnel of travel agencies, media, etc., for the purpose of future sustainable commercialization of travel products, further refinement, and information dissemination to tourists.

[Target Participants for the Fam Tour]

Product planning and information dissemination personnel from travel agencies, media, etc. (both domestic and inbound are acceptable)

[Fam Tour Participation Conditions, etc.]

We are recruiting 30 people.