. >> reporter: a tourist train setting out from kanazawa station near the sea of japan coast. passenger compartments resemble high-end you con or japanese style hotels. the entrance is decorated with gold leafs. the aisles have stepping stones like japanese gardens. car number two is this way, please watch your step. clerks from a famous local hotel greet the passengers. the clerks put the pass hospitality. they visit each compartment to take photos. are you ready? say cheese. >> these two sets of married couples met on the train. after taking pictures, they began really chatting. >> we were complete strangers before we met here. >> the whohospitality is so natural, it was such a pleasant surprise. >> middle aged and older people are especially fond of these trips. more than 20,000 people took the ride in the first six months. >> it's our 30th wedding anniversary. >> it'ss a nice way to commemorate it. >>. >> translator: i'm very surprised. i didn'tt expect it to be this popular. some people have ridden the train more than ten times. we're very grateful. >> another train allow