Nagasaki Electric Tramway Co. is again offering passengers the chance to down a beer while enjoying the city’s landscape from the safety of a specially designed electric tram.
The annual service by the private streetcar operator is ¥3,000 for a 90-minute ride.
With counter seats facing the windows, passengers are allowed to drink all they want from a range of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, and even enjoy a meal. The car will run the Nagasaki city tracks once a day until Sept. 20.
Since the streetcar fleet offering a “refreshing beer” debuted more than 20 years ago, the service has grown in popularity, prompting the firm to extend the run by 20 days.
But this year’s rides are fully booked and the other hopefuls must be put on a waiting list. The service began July 4 and runs daily except for Sundays, public holidays and selected dates in the Bon holidays on Aug. 9 and from Aug. 13 to 16.
“I enjoyed sipping beer while being swung over the tracks along the road. It made me feel like I was on a real trip,” said Nagasaki businessman Koichi Nakamura, 54.
“I’m looking forward to another ride next year.”