JR West Japan Launches Luxury Sleeper Train: An Entire Carriage as One’s Private Room

▲The highlight of JR West Japan’s luxury sleeper train is that one person can have an entire carriage to themselves. (Photo provided by JR West Japan; all subsequent photos are from the same source)

Travel Centre / Comprehensive Report

Following JR East Japan’s recent announcement ofa luxury sleeper train with a duplex design,JR West Japan has also announced plans to introduce a luxury sleeper train featuring a “first-class private room” where one passenger can have an entire carriage to themselves. The new train will also debut in spring 2017, running through the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe, San’in, and San’yō regions.

Inspired by the concept of a “moving hotel,” JR West Japan’s green-themed luxury sleeper train will consist of 10 carriages and accommodate up to 30 passengers.The first and last carriages will serve as observation cars, while carriages 2, 3, 7, 8, and 9 (the second, third, seventh, eighth, and ninth carriages after the observation cars) will house 15 guest rooms in total—three per carriage. Carriages 5 and 6 will feature dining and bar areas.

▲Concept image of the first-class luxury room: from left, bathroom, bedroom, living room, and entrance with a private balcony.

The most unique feature is Carriage 4, the standout section of the luxury sleeper train. JR West Japan has designed this entire carriage to resemble a small residence, complete with a living room, bedroom, spacious bathroom, and a private balcony at the entrance—offering passengers the comfort of being at home once inside.

JR West Japan also noted that although the official itinerary for this luxury sleeper train has not yet been finalized, the expected pricing will be more affordable compared to the currently operating “Seven Stars in Kyushu” train.

▲Close-up photos of the %伎吞 (upper image) and bathroom (lower image).