Minori (train)

The Minori (みのり) was a Limited express train service in Japan operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) between Niigata and Takada on the Shinetsu Main Line in Niigata Prefecture between March 1997 and 2002.

Rolling stock
Services were formed of Niigata-based 4- and 6-car 485 series EMUs.

History
The Minori services commenced from the start of the revised timetable on 22 March 1997, with one working in each direction daily.

Services were increased to three workings in each direction daily from 1 October 1997, with two services in each direction operating between Niigata and Nagano, absorbing earlier Akakura express services and coinciding with the opening of the Nagano Shinkansen. Services to and from Nagano were subsequently cut back due to poor loadings, reduced to two workings in each direction daily between Niigata and Takada from 1 December 2001. The Minori services were discontinued from the start of the revised timetable on 1 December 2002, being replaced by new Kubikino rapid services operating between Niigata and Arai.