Hitachi Rail has announced its role in manufacturing rolling stock for Seibu Railway Co., Ltd.'s upcoming restaurant train, Fine Dining Train “vies.” The train is set to commence operations in March 2028, offering a sophisticated dining experience on the rails.
The Fine Dining Train “vies” builds upon Seibu Railway’s existing “Fifty Two Seats of Happiness” restaurant train, which has been serving passengers since 2016. The new train is designed to provide an even more refined and exclusive dining atmosphere. The design will be based on Seibu Railway's flagship limited express train “Laview,” also manufactured by Hitachi, which debuted in 2019.
Hitachi Rail will leverage its expertise in rolling stock manufacturing, applying technical know-how from the Laview project. This includes creating open and spacious interiors with large windows and employing design philosophies that harmonize with surrounding landscapes. The train aims to offer a comfortable travel environment that integrates dining and space at a high level.
The naming and logo design for the train were developed by Toshiyuki Konishi and Hideyuki Tanno of POOL inc. and POOL DESIGN inc., respectively. The name “vies,” meaning “lives” in French, was chosen to reflect a respect for nature and the enrichment of passenger lives. The logo design features an organic curve in the letter “s” and an underline, symbolizing the train's form and the rich culinary experience it offers.
Seibu Railway's existing restaurant train, “Fifty Two Seats of Happiness,” was designed by architect Kengo Kuma and features design elements inspired by Chichibu, a prominent tourist destination. The train operates primarily on weekends and holidays between Ikebukuro/Seibu-Shinjuku and Seibu-Chichibu stations, and it will celebrate its 10th anniversary in April 2026.
Hitachi Rail, known for its contributions to sustainable mobility, continues to innovate in the railway sector. Its involvement in the Fine Dining Train “vies” project underscores its commitment to delivering high-quality rail experiences that blend technology, comfort, and aesthetic design.
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