A ¥3 billion "Seven Stars in Kyushu" luxury sleeper train debuts in Japan

▲Kyushu Railway Company unveils the ultra-luxurious tourist sleeper train "Seven Stars in Kyushu." (Photo / Screenshot fromSeven Stars in Kyushu official website)

Travel Center / Comprehensive report

Targeting Japan’s top domestic and Asian elite consumers, Kyushu Railway Company recently launched the ultra-luxurious tourist sleeper train "Seven Stars in Kyushu," which officially began operations on October 15.

With its deep burgundy body adorned with gleaming golden emblems, the top-tier tourist sleeper train "Seven Stars in Kyushu," built at a cost of ¥3 billion, was designed by Eiji Mitooka, design consultant for JR Kyushu. In addition to the lead locomotive, the train consists of seven carriages, named after Kyushu’s seven prefectures (Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Oita, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima) and seven key tourism elements (nature, gourmet food, hot springs, history and culture, energizing attractions, local hospitality, and the train itself).

▲(Left photo) The lounge in Car 1 features large floor-to-ceiling windows offering scenic views. (Right photo) Car 2 is the dining area, serving exquisite cuisine made from carefully selected ingredients across Kyushu. (Photos / Both fromSeven Stars in Kyushu official website)

Boasting an elegant and noble design that blends Japanese and Western styles as well as old and new elements, the "Seven Stars in Kyushu" showcases refined luxury throughout its interiors. At the end of the train is Car 1, the lounge carriage, which includes a bar, sofas, and swivel chairs. Once fully operational, live piano performances will also be featured here. The end of the carriage has large floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing passengers to sit on the sofa, listen to beautiful piano music, and enjoy the ever-changing day and night scenery outside.

The restaurant is located in Car 2. Blessed by nature, Kyushu is a treasure trove of gastronomy, and here you can savor delicious dishes made from fresh, seasonal ingredients throughout the year. Even when meals are occasionally served off the train during the journey, they are also exquisitely prepared using locally selected ingredients.

To provide a comfortable private space for ample rest even on the train, there are only 14 suites spread across Cars 3 to 7. Among them, there are only two first-class business suites located in Car 7. Each suite is built with wood and equipped with a cozy bed, desk, shower, and heated toilet.

Such a luxurious train naturally comes with a hefty price tag. Kyushu Railway Company offers package tours of three nights and four days or two nights and one day, with the highest single fare reaching ¥950,000 (approximately NT$300,000), available only at JR Hakata Station's dedicated window and through select travel agencies. But despite the high cost, all cabins up to June 2014 have been fully booked long ago. Many people say that traveling by train not only allows you to savor the beauty of Japan’s landscapes in detail but also offers a leisurely experience different from flying.
 

▲The "Seven Stars in Kyushu" has only 14 private suites. The left photo shows a first-class business suite layout, and the right photo shows a business suite layout. (Photos / Both fromSeven Stars in Kyushu official website)