The train-type entertainment restaurant "FUTURE TRAIN KYOTO DINER & CAFE" (hereinafter referred to as "FUTURE TRAIN"), Japan's first restaurant built on an abandoned railway viaduct, will finally celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, September 20, 2025, in the Umekoji area with the aim of regional revitalization.
During the soft opening in August 2025, over 5,000 visitors came, generating significant buzz for the dining areas in cars 2 and 3. For this grand opening, the immersive experience area in car 1 "FUTURE BIRD" - an upcycled decommissioned Thunderbird express train (681 series) - and the "Terrace Seating" in car 5 adjacent to the tracks will be newly opened to the public. This will reveal the complete picture of "FUTURE TRAIN" with all cars assembled.
photo by Kaori Uemura
Thunderbird Reborn as Stage for "Future-Bound" Experience
Car 1 "FUTURE BIRD" is an immersive experience area that upcycles a decommissioned Thunderbird train as a "future-bound train powered by imagination energy." It has been reborn as a theatrical space where art, video, light, and sound merge. As a new tourism and cultural spot in the Umekoji area, it provides a special time that stimulates the sensibilities of visitors.
"FUTURE BIRD" was realized through collaboration between artist Sebastian Masuda, a pioneer of Japan's Kawaii culture, and IMAGICA EEX Co., Ltd., which specializes in digital creative work. The interior is themed as "the engine room of a future-bound train," featuring retro-futuristic decorations combined with three-dimensional CG, lighting, and sound effects to guide passengers into a special story.
"FUTURE IMAGINATION Course" Begins with Boarding FUTURE BIRD - Experience "Riding," "Feeling," and "Tasting" (Reservation Required)
For the grand opening, a boarding-type art content experience inside the "FUTURE BIRD" car has been developed. Reservations have begun for the new plan "FUTURE IMAGINATION Course," which combines approximately 20 minutes of immersive boarding experience with course cuisine.
Course Name: FUTURE IMAGINATION Course
Price: 11,000 yen (tax included) *10% discount campaign until end of October
*Includes admission and service fees
Operating Days: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday (planned)
Time: 6:45 PM - 8:45 PM (2-hour session) *Boarding start time (6:30 PM)
Content: Boarding experience content (approx. 20 minutes) in Car 1 / Aperitif / 7-course meal
Age Requirement: Junior high school students and above
Reservations Start: Thursday, September 11, 2025
This marks the beginning of "FUTURE TRAIN's" unique experience that connects "riding," "feeling," and "tasting" into one continuous journey.
Guides Who Carry "Imagination" on "FUTURE TRAIN"
Two original characters guide the story of "FUTURE TRAIN." The conductor of the leading car "FUTURE BIRD" is Birdy Buddy, recognizable by their pink hat and colorful tail. They warmly guide visitors from the departure of the journey to the final farewell.
The time-space travel companion is Pink Bird, the flight attendant. This "space-time attendant" features a uniform modeled after pink feathers, appearing in video presentations and meal service progression, connecting the entire "FUTURE TRAIN" story as they guide customers.
Opening Party on September 18th (Thursday)!
Prior to the grand opening, a special party will be held on September 18th (Thursday) with all cars reserved exclusively. Music producer Shinichi Osawa (MONDO GROSSO), who has ties to Kyoto, will serve as guest DJ for this "time-traveling party" that fuses train × platform × art. Birdy Buddy and Pink Bird are also scheduled to appear.
Comment from Sebastian Masuda (Creative Producer)
"This restaurant was inspired by the excitement I felt as a child when boarding trains to go far away, and the anticipation of not knowing what would happen at the destination.
When I heard we could use actual train cars, the first thing I requested was the 'Thunderbird,' which I personally used when traveling between Kyoto and Hokuriku.
I asked this train, which would soon complete its service, to take on a new role connecting past, present, and future.
'FUTURE TRAIN' is a 'future-bound train powered by imagination energy.'
The special scenery visible from the viaduct, the dining experience on the future-bound train and platform, and the art experience in Car 1.
I wanted to breathe new life into the abandoned line and create a place that stimulates the sensibilities of visitors.
I would be happy if we could help your 'future' start moving in a slightly more positive direction."
Project Background
This project was launched based on the "Cooperation Agreement for Area Revitalization through Railway Viaduct Space Utilization in the Kyoto Station West Area" concluded in March 2025 among 11 companies including West Japan Railway Company, Kyoto Station Building Development Co., Ltd., Umekoji High Line Co., Ltd., Regional Economy Vitalization Corporation of Japan, local financial institutions, neighboring businesses, and the City of Kyoto, with the aim of regional revitalization in the Umekoji area. For project details and soft opening information, please refer to the following releases:
March 21, 2025 release: Cooperation Agreement Press Release (PR TIMES)
August 5, 2025 release: Soft Opening Press Release (PR TIMES)
Restaurant Information
Restaurant Name: FUTURE TRAIN KYOTO DINER & CAFE (Future Train Kyoto Diner & Cafe)
Address: 3-7 Kankiji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture / Umekoji High Line / Direct connection to Umekoji-Kyoto-Nishi Station
Access: 1 station from JR Kyoto Station (approximately 20-minute walk)
Grand Opening Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Seating Capacity: 88 seats in total
Admission (Cover Charge): 700 yen, under junior high school students 300 yen (preschool children free)
Operating Hours:
Weekdays: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM / Weekends and holidays: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Official Website & Reservations: https://www.futuretrain.jp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futuretrain.kyoto/
Sebastian Masuda
Born in 1970. Residing in New York. Involved in theater and contemporary art since the early 1990s, opened the shop "6%DOKIDOKI" as an expression platform in 1995. With consistent unique color sensibility, creates works across art, fashion, and entertainment boundaries. Art direction for Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's "PONPONPON" MV, produced KAWAII MONSTER CAFE, helping introduce Kawaii culture to the world. 2017 Cultural Affairs Agency Cultural Exchange Ambassador, 2018 Visiting Researcher at New York University, 2019 Newsweek Japan's 100 Most Respected Japanese People Worldwide. https://sebastianmasuda.com/
Planning & Development
DD Group
Company Name: DD Group Co., Ltd.
Location: Mita NN Building 18F, 4-1-23 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative: President & CEO Atsuhisa Matsumura
URL: https://www.dd-grp.com/
Restaurant Operations
Diamond Dining
Company Name: Diamond Dining Co., Ltd.
Location: Mita NN Building 18F, 4-1-23 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative: President & CEO Atsuhisa Matsumura
URL: https://www.diamond-dining.com/
Facility Management
Umekoji High Line
Company Name: Umekoji High Line Co., Ltd.
Location: Kanden Fudosan Kyoto Building 8F, Shiokoji-dori Karasuma Nishi-iru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City
Representative: President Norio Hashimoto
Note: Invested by Kyoto Station Building Development Co., Ltd. and others
