There is something romantic about travelling by train, watching the landscape change beyond your window as the miles slip past. Aboard Japan’s Seven Stars in Kyushu, that experience becomes the journey itself.
JR Kyushu Class DF200 diesel locomotive DF200-7000 with the Seven Stars in Kyushu luxury cruise train at Aso Station / Rsa / Wikimedia Commons
Launched in 2013, Seven Stars was Japan’s first luxury sleeper train. It takes travellers through Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island, offering a closer look at it’s volcanic landscapes, hot springs, regional cuisine and centuries-old traditions.
With just 10 suites, seven carriages and interiors that celebrate Japanese craftsmanship, it feels less like a train and more like a boutique hotel on the move.
A train unlike any other
The name Seven Stars reflects Kyushu’s seven prefectures and seven themes that define the experience: nature, history and culture, food, hot springs, spiritual places, local people and trains themselves.
The deep burgundy exterior and gold detailing make a striking first impression. Inside, polished wood, intricate craftsmanship and Japanese design create a warm, understated elegance.
The seven-carriage train was refurbished in 2022, adding spaces including a salon, tea room, shop and bar. The Blue Moon lounge, with the piano music and comfortable seating, offers a place to unwind as the scenery rolls by. Large windows at either end of the train bring the landscape into the experience.
Suites made for slow travel
With only 10 guest compartments, the experience is deliberately intimate. The suites combine Japanese and Western design, with carefully selected materials and finely worked wood. Two deluxe suites offer additional space and distinctive layouts, including one with a large window that frames the passing countryside.
There is no need to pack up for another hotel or worry about the next connection. The train carries you onwards while you settle into the rhythm of the journey.
A taste of Kyushu
Food is central to the Seven Stars experience. Menus showcase Kyushu’s seasonal produce and regional specialities, with Japanese, French and Italian influences depending on the meal and itinerary.
Local ingredients and culinary traditions help tell the story of the island, bringing it’s landscapes and communities to the table. Some journeys also feature dishes from established regional restaurants. Each meal offers another way to discover the place you are travelling through.
From pottery villages to volcanic landscapes
Kyushu is a landscape of contrasts, with active volcanoes, coastal towns, hot springs and rural communities that have preserved their traditions over generations. The Seven Stars brings these different sides of the island together through it’s routes and excursions.
Depending on the itinerary, passengers may visit Hita in Oita Prefecture, known for it’s traditional crafts, including Onta pottery. Other journeys take in views of the East China Sea along the Hisatsu Orange Railway or the volcanic landscape around Sakurajima, near Kagoshima.
Excursions offer opportunities to discover local craftsmanship, regional food and the history of smaller communities. Rather than simply passing through, travellers get a glimpse of the people and traditions that give Kyushu it’s character.
The train offers both two-day and four-day journeys, with routes and stops varying by departure. Each itinerary provides a different perspective on the island.
The pleasure of taking your time
The onboard tea room introduces passengers to Japanese tea culture, while the lounge offers a place to spend the evening as the landscape fades beyond the windows. There is room to enjoy the quieter moments, too, without feeling that every hour needs to be filled.
Of course, this is not an ordinary rail trip. With limited suites, curated excursions and fine dining, Seven Stars sits firmly in the luxury travel category. Intentionally designed for travellers who want the journey to be as memorable as the places they visit.
The journey is the destination
Japan has no shortage of places worth travelling for, but the Seven Stars offers a different way to experience them. It brings together Kyushu’s landscapes, food and traditions without rushing from one attraction to the next.
Aboard the Seven Stars, the journey is not simply a means of getting somewhere; it’s the reason to go.
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