Luxury Train Travel in Japan

Luxury train travel in Japan is a delightful mode leisurely sightseeing that pairs Japan’s love of rail transit with extravagant comfort. Tickets to these trains are usually able to be bought only in Japan, but All Japan Tours can purchase tickets for passengers interested in these once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

There are four main luxury trains in Japan: Twilight Express Mizukaze, Train Suite Shiki Shima, Seven Stars in Kyushu, and The Royal Express. .

Twilight Express Mizukaze, operated by West Japan Railway, is a hybrid diesel sleeper train, running a picturesque route from Kyoto and Osaka down through the Chugoku region, as far southwest as Yamaguchi prefecture. This luxurious train has a forest green exterior inherited from the former Twilight Express, and is trimmed in gold lining. The exquisite and comfortable interior is inspired by the Art Deco style, with little touches borrowed from regions along the route. Twilight Express Mizukaze can be compared to a beautiful hotel rolling through the Japanese countryside, that includes six sleeping cars, a lounge car, a dining car, and two observation cars on either side. .

Train Suite Shiki Shima is a hybrid electric/diesel sleeper train operated by JR East. The train departs out of Ueno and travels through northern Japan in three distinct routes offering different breathtaking views, with the longest 4- day itineraries reaching up as far as southern Hokkaido. This gorgeous champagne-gold colored train is decorated inside to be the very picture of modern elegance, with lacquered suites that have a working fireplace and cypress wood bath, a dining room car with bright golden chandeliers, and a futuristic rounded observation deck with large windows. In addition, a Michelin-star chef was hired to craft the onboard menu. .

Seven Stars in Kyushu is a luxury sleeper train operated by JR Kyushu. Starting at Hakata Station in Fukushima, the train takes passengers to view the stunning landscape of Kyushu in high-class luxurious comfort. The seven coaches’ exteriors are painted a deep maroon color, perfectly complementing the polished maple and redwood interiors, and giving the whole train a rich, rustic charm. The train departs on two different itineraries: a 2-day route that focuses on the northern half of Kyushu, and a 4-day route that takes a longer course around the edge of the whole region. .

The newest train is The Royal Express, operated by the Tokyu Corporation. This luxury day train has bright, royal- blue carriage cars, a private carriage for kids with children’s library and ball pit, and an ornate Victorian-era décor in all the carriages. With golden highlights peeking out from every corner, first-class cuisine, and live classical music, The Royal Express overflows with elegant allure. This train offers passengers the verdant rural landscape and rugged contours of the Izu Peninsula, starting in Yokohama traveling 3 hours south to Shimoda. Clear days also offer incredible views of Mount Fuji. Shimoda is famed for natural beauty and hot springs, and noted in Japanese history as the point where Commodore Perry’s Black Fleet landed in Japan, ushering in the Meiji Restoration. Itineraries include one-way trips, as well as a round-trip package with an overnight stay in Shimoda.

Group Tour Style	Budget	Deluxe	Deluxe-Plus	Signature	Active
Group Tour Style	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours
Feature	Our Budget Tours are designed for our guests who are on a limited budget. Explore the must-see sights and enjoy a hassle-free trip to Japan at an affordable price.	Sample all Japan has to offer, from unique locales to must see tourist attractions. Our Deluxe Tours are fully guided, and use our luxury coaches for your convenience and comfort.	Experience Japanese culture at a slower pace, and with a smaller group size than our deluxe tours. Stay in each city longer so you can soak in the culture and fully appreciate the destinations.	Enjoy upgraded hotels, a slower pace, and a smaller group size for a more intimate experience. Access to a wide range of unique activities that immerse you in authentic Japanese culture.	Explore Japan off the beaten path via Japanese public transportation, walking, hiking, cycling and more. Take more time to enjoy local experiences and picturesque landscape.
Advantage	Our most cost-effective way to see the highlights of Japan while staying in budget-friendly accommodations. If you would like to have a set of quick stops to sample the must-see sights of Japan, or if you plan to explore Japan on your own but would like to take a short trip to learn about Japan before your self-guided journeys, these are the tours for you.	Our most popular tours for everyone. Fully-escorted - the most hassle-free way to visit Japan for the best value. From Hokkaido to Kyushu, the duration of our Deluxe Tours range from 5 to 27 days. Whether you want to see the best of Japan in a shorter time, or take your time in each city, you will find a tour package that suits your preferences.	Smaller group sizes enable our guests to access more of Japanese culture and traditions. Our Deluxe-Plus Tours are carefully balanced for you to discover the unique Japanese culture, history, arts, food and spectacular scenery Japan has. If you love Japan and want to appreciate the best of everything Japan can offer, these are the tours for you.	Dive into the cultural aspects of Japan at a more leisurely pace. Enjoy more than just sightseeing. All of our Signature Small Group Tours feature a wide range of cultural experiences through interaction with the people and places that represent all that is authentic about the destination. Get an alternative, more in-depth understanding of Japanese culture and art.	Our Active Small Group Tours combine the best cultural locations with off-the-beaten-path destinations via Japanese public transportation. Discover the country of Japan the way the locals do and see Japan from a different angle. A focus on getting away from the crowds and into the real Japan, see the diversity of Japan’s countryside unfold before your eyes.
Group Size	20 to 45 people	10 to 35 people	6 to 24 people	4 to 16 people	4 to 13 people
Fully-escorted	Comprehensively escorted by AJT's professional English speaking tour guide				Your guides are local experts and residents of the city you are visiting, they do not always escort the group when traveling between cities
Pace	Fast pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	Perfect pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	More leisurely pace to soak in and fully appreciate the destinations, plus free time to explore on your own
Airport Transfers	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified	Airport transfers are included* (If no options are taken: hotels are not requested to be changed and passengers use the correct airports)	Airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Private airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified
Transfer between cities	Transfer between cities via private coach and Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary			Transfer between cities via private coach and first class Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary	Transfer between cities via Shinkansen (bullet train) or express train. Private minivans are also used occasionally where public transport is not available or practical
Sightseeing	Sightseeing by private coach with an escorted guide		Sightseeing by private coach and public transportation with an escorted guide		Sightseeing via public transportation (local train, subway & local bus) with local guides
Admission fees and activities	All entry fees to sites and activities listed in the itinerary are included
Luggage Transfers	Luggage transfers by private coach from hotel to hotel, plus separate luggage transfers are included on select tours				Separate luggage transfers are included
Meals	Breakfast every morning, plus meals as indicated (vegetarian or special meals can be arranged)
Accommodation	Carefully-selected budget hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected superior/deluxe hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/boutique hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/luxury hotels and ryokans	Accommodations range from local Japanese inns (minshuku) to budget hotels, to superior/deluxe hotels depending on the tour and destination
Ages	4 years old and above			6 years old and above
Health & Activity	In order to enjoy our tour, you should be able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing activities can only be accomplished on foot. Wheelchairs can be arranged upon request. However, we regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.				These tours are tailored to the energetic traveler; guests should feel comfortable walking from 4 to 10 miles a day depending on the tour and destination.

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Luxury Train Travel in Japan

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