New restaurant in Kyoto on an abandoned elevated railway line

On Wednesday, the Umekoji area in Kyoto caused a lot of excitement as the highly anticipated open opening of the future train restaurant. It’s an exciting opportunity for visitors to enjoy an interactive dining experience on board, an upgraded 681 Series Thunderbirds Co., Ltd. Express train. Produced by artist Sebastian Masuda, it is the first restaurant in the country to be located on an abandoned elevated railway line.

Car Not 3 Future Bar

Future train experience

Guests first pass the “ticket door”, which is the entrance to the store. They are then taken to a mysterious platform. This is the beginning of their “journey forward” which takes place inside three train cars. Currently, cars 2 and 3 are open to the public. The former is the main restaurant, which is decorated in vibrant plum colors.

Car No. 2 Dining Area

It serves Kyoto-style dishes like a retro train carriage. The outstanding project in the menu is arguably the UME Mirai Gourmet Burger. A luxurious burger topped with wagyu beef topped with local vegetables and pickled plum-shaped bread. Other highlights include the future Ekiben box with sandwiches, meat, fish and more, Kyoto-style pasta and Aocunthe birdmate’s fluffy pancakes and the five-story tower parfait of kawaii.

For those who feel pecked but aren’t enough to crave a big meal, there are a variety of lighter dishes to choose from, such as crispy fries and bite-sized Yakitori. Meanwhile, the imaginative drink menu features three color shakes that showcase the essence of Japanese flavor and aesthetics. Guests can also enjoy creative cocktails and non-alcoholic cocktails made using local ingredients such as Yuzu and Matcha.

Food and drinks can be enjoyed in the dining area or in car No. 3, a more casual place with bar counter, box seats and overhead table space. Car No. 1, located in the front of the train, will be open on September 20, 2025. It will be used as an art space to host activities using video, light and sound installations.

About Sebastian Masuda

Masuda is a pioneer of Kawaii culture, who opened his famous store Doki Doki in Harajuku 30 years ago. In 2011, he was the artistic director of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, the huge music video “Pon Pon Pon”. Four years later, he teamed up with Diamond Dining to create Kawaii Monster Cafe. It quickly became a symbol of the original, attracting international celebrities such as Ariana Grande and Katy Perry.

Masuda and Diamond Dining decided to collaborate again in future train projects. The idea is based on the “Partner Agreement on Regional Revitalization of Railway Elevated Space in Kyoto Station Area in Nishiji”, which was signed in March. The project is involved in 11 companies, including the West Japan Railway Company, the Kyoto Station Construction Department and local financial institutions.

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