Japan luxury train

What are the luxury trains in Japan?

Japan has only three true luxury “rail cruises”, designed as multi-day journeys combining private suites, fine dining, curated excursions, and highly personalized service:

1 - Seven Stars in Kyushu (JR Kyushu)

Operating exclusively on the southern island of Kyushu, Seven Stars debuted in 2013 as Japan’s very first luxury cruise train.

Its interiors blend Kyushu craftsmanship with Western elegance: maple and cherry wood paneling, lacquer inlays, and locally woven fabrics created by regional artisans. The atmosphere feels intimate and refined, with a strong sense of place rooted in southern Japan.

2 - Train Suite Shiki-shima (JR East)

Shiki-shima primarily travels through northeastern Japan (Tohoku), and on select itineraries reaches as far as Hokkaido.

Designed by Ken Okuyama, the train combines futuristic lines with traditional Japanese materials. Expansive panoramic windows at both ends of the train showcase the landscapes, while inside you’ll find precious woods, washi paper, handcrafted details, tatami elements, and clean modern design. Some suites even feature a Japanese soaking bath with views.

3 - Twilight Express Mizukaze (JR West)

Mizukaze explores western Honshu, including Kyoto, the San’in and Sanyo regions, and the Setouchi Inland Sea.

Inspired by the original Twilight Express sleeper train, Mizukaze reimagines the concept in a contemporary luxury setting. Art Deco influences meet Japanese craftsmanship, with noble wood floors, decorative panels inspired by traditional motifs, and wide picture windows throughout.

These three trains form a category of their own, very different from Japan’s scenic or tourist trains (Royal Express, Resort Shirakami, Futatsuboshi 4047, etc.). While those can be charming and comfortable, they do not offer hotel-level luxury.

Each of these three trains delivers a true multi-day rail journey with private suites, gourmet cuisine, guided excursions, and personalized onboard service.

What defines a Japanese luxury train?

In Japan, a train is considered “luxury” only when it operates as a full rail cruise, meaning all of the following are included:

Private suites with en-suite bathrooms

All three trains offer only private suites with personal bathrooms. On Shiki-shima, some cabins even feature a traditional Japanese bath facing the scenery.

High-touch service inspired by Japanese luxury hospitality

Each train carries a dedicated onboard team providing highly personalized service. On Seven Stars, crew members learn passengers’ names and use them throughout the journey.

Gourmet dining included

Every train has its own dining car. Menus highlight regional ingredients along the route:
Seven Stars works closely with Kyushu chefs and producers.
Shiki-shima showcases the terroirs of Tohoku through a dedicated culinary team.
Mizukaze partners with renowned chefs and producers from western Japan.

Meals are fully integrated into the experience and always included.

Multi-day itineraries with guided excursions

Journeys typically last 2 to 4 days and include organized stops (cultural sites, rural regions, onsen, or heritage locations depending on the train). All excursions are built into both the itinerary and the price.

Very limited capacity

Each departure carries only 28 to 34 guests, depending on the train. This intentionally small scale explains the extremely high demand and the widespread use of application lotteries in Japan.

In short, a Japanese luxury train offers a complete rail cruise: premium accommodations, fine dining, hotel-style service, and carefully curated routes, for a very small number of passengers.

Why are seats on Japanese luxury trains so hard to get?

These trains were originally designed primarily for Japan’s domestic high-end market.

Each regional JR operator (JR East, JR West, JR Kyushu) developed just one train, with a strong artisan approach: bespoke design, noble materials, and collaborations with local chefs and craftspeople.

Capacity is extremely limited:

Seven Stars: 14 suites
Shiki-shima: 17 cabins
Mizukaze: 17 suites

That means only 28 to 34 guests per departure. This very low capacity is the main reason availability is so scarce.

How does booking work (and why is there a lottery)?

Demand far exceeds supply on all three trains. Waiting lists are so long that operators introduced a lottery system to allocate seats.

Applicants submit a form with preferred dates and cabin type. When requests exceed availability (which happens virtually every time), a random draw determines who may proceed with booking. Selected guests must then confirm and pay promptly.

This system began in 2013 with Seven Stars and was adopted again in 2017 with the launch of Shiki-shima and Mizukaze. Shiki-shima made headlines at its debut, with up to 76 applications per cabin, more than 1,300 candidates for just 17 suites.

Can international travelers ride Japan’s luxury trains?

In theory, yes. In practice, foreign travelers face significant barriers when relying on the lottery system:

– application forms are mostly in Japanese
– some applications require a local address
– payments often go through domestic Japanese systems
– the lottery makes long-term trip planning uncertain

In addition, onboard communication is primarily designed for a Japanese audience, and English support can be limited depending on staff and departure.

All of this makes access difficult for international travelers booking independently.

Discovery Trains, authorized Mizukaze distributor in France and Switzerland

While Seven Stars and Shiki-shima remain largely focused on the Japanese domestic market, Mizukaze has taken a different approach by gradually opening to international travelers.

Since 2024, JR West has implemented a special system allowing a very small number of accredited foreign agencies to offer selected suites through direct reservation, outside the lottery.

Under normal circumstances, each Mizukaze cabin receives between 5 and 40 applications, depending on the itinerary. However, on certain predefined departures, and with advance booking, it is now possible to secure confirmed space for non-Japanese travelers.

Discovery Trains is among these selected agencies.

We are therefore able to offer, on specific departures, suites reserved for international guests (particularly English-speaking travelers), bypassing the usual lottery process.

Availability remains extremely limited. If traveling aboard a Japanese luxury train is on your bucket list, we strongly recommend reaching out as early as possible.