Japan’s Luxury Trains: Some of The World’s Greatest Railway Journeys

Ever since the first train departed Shimbashi Station in 1872, Japan’s rail network has been a key cog in the nation’s success. From the subway ferrying locals on their daily commute to the office, or the legendary Shinkansen connecting distant parts of the country together, railways play a vital role in the lives of most who call this country home. 

But one aspect that doesn’t get as much attention (unless you are in the know) is Japan’s wealth of luxury trains, which offer travelers experiences that cannot be matched anywhere else in the world. These trains have been meticulously designed and their breathtaking interiors are made to elevate your journey alongside their Michelin-grade meals, panoramic views of the Japanese countryside and personalized service from the staff on board. 

But then the next question is which one to take? The Land of the Rising has many luxury cruise trains to choose from, each with their highlights, making it a tough choice for travelers. To make things easier, below is a list of my top Japanese luxury trains that you should consider riding, split into ones that are easy to book, alongside others that are much more exclusive to get a booking on.

Spacia X – A Futuristic Luxury Train from Tokyo to Nikko

Spacia X train driver operating the cockpit from Tokyo to Nikko

Interior of Spacia X train with lounge-style seating

Only beginning service in 2023, Tobu’s Spacia X looks something straight from the future rather than an elegant sightseeing train; but don’t let that fool you. The interior designs take inspiration from traditional crafts made in towns that the Spacia serves, with these having a history dating back to the Edo period. Fitting, as this train connects Tokyo to Nikko, a picturesque town nestled in the mountains of Tochigi with deep connections to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Shogun of the Edo period, as well as the nearby Kinugawa Onsen area. 

While regular seats are available for booking, if you really want to experience the Spacia X the way it’s meant to, you have to at least get a seat in the special ‘Cockpit Lounge’ that is furnished with sofas and wide windows for you to see the world go by, alongside a café that offers refreshments. 

If you want something more private, private compartments are also available, including the exclusive ‘Cockpit Suite’, offering the best seats in the house and evoking the feeling of being in a private jet.

Saphir Odoriko: The Best Way to Start An Onsen Getaway to Izu Peninsula

JR East's Saphir Odoriko is the upgraded version of the regular Odoriko Limited Express and connects Tokyo with the Izu Peninsula, known for its majestic scenery and excellent hot spring resorts. 

Operating since March 2020, the Saphir Odoriko features only Green Car seats, ensuring every passenger enjoys a spacious, first‑class ride. The Premium Green Car has skylight windows and only 15 seats. 

The modern gateway to the Izu Peninsula, connecting Tokyo with hidden hot springs and quiet towns.

Glass-front design that offers panoramic views of Japan.

The train’s interior was designed by the legendary Ken Okuyama, the man behind the Hokuriku and Akita Shinkansen (along with another luxury train that will make an appearance on this list), with spacious seats and large windows for you to enjoy the view of the passing scenery. 

It should be noted that the Saphir Odoriko does not have standard seating, with every ticket being ‘Green Car’ at the minimum (equivalent to business class on airlines), allowing each passenger to enjoy the comfort the Saphir has to offer. There is also ‘Premium Green Class’, which only has 15 seats per train and is decked to offer the most relaxing ride possible; fully adjustable leather seats, windows on the ceiling to allow for more natural light, and you even have a view of the driver’s compartment throughout the journey. For families and small groups, private compartments are available and akin to a lounge, with a table, plenty of seats, and even artwork adorning the walls.

There is even an entire car dedicated to food and refreshments, with all meals on board taking inspiration from the Izu Peninsula and the menu designed by Miyuki Igarashi, a popular celebrity chef in Japan. The refreshment carriage has bar stools for you to enjoy a nice coffee or tea as you watch the world go by but also has regular booth seats too.

Shimakaze: Journey to Ise-Shima in Comfort and Style

The next luxury train on this list is the Shimakaze, one of Kintetsu Railway’s flagship trains, which connects the Ise-Shima region with Kyoto, Nagoya, and Osaka. Entering service in 2013, the Shimakaze includes the facilities you have come to expect from Japanese luxury trains: comfortable and large adjustable seats, large windows for sightseeing, and a carriage dedicated to food and drink, with everything on the menu sourced directly from locations along the line, giving it a nice local touch.

Inside, wide seats and tables by the window invite travelers to relax and enjoy the views

What stands out about the Shimakaze is the variety of private compartments on board. First is the usual Western-style with comfy shared sofas and a table. Still, there are also uniquely designed Japanese-style compartments, including a horigotatsu—a traditional Japanese low table with a hole in the floor and legless chairs. Finally, there are spacious saloon compartments that anyone can use without an additional fee. Perfect for chatting with friends and family as you pass through the Japanese countryside.

Twilight Express Mizukaze: A Throwback to A Bygone Era

We are now at the trains that I would put under the ‘exclusive’ category. I put them here for a multitude of reasons, such as these are more like cruises rather than just train rides for one, but none more so than the fact that to get a booking on any of these luxury trains, you must enter a lottery system, meaning a ticket is not guaranteed. 

The Twilight Express Mizukaze, one of Japan’s most exclusive luxury trains, passing through Japan's scenic views.

The first exclusive luxury train is the Twilight Express Mizukaze, operated by JR West, and takes its concept of ‘a hotel on wheels’ to heart. It’s a 5-star hotel that takes you on a tour throughout West Japan. The interior takes inspiration from the 1920s and 30s but adds a modern touch to evoke the feeling of nostalgia amongst guests.

Across its 10 cars, 7 are dedicated to accommodation, with the largest and most luxurious simply named ‘The Suite’, which takes up an entire carriage and even includes its own bathtub, somewhat rare for luxury trains. In addition to the accommodation, there are 2 observation cars at the front and back of the train to take in the beautiful scenery, a lounge car for refreshments and unwinding, as well as a dining car for guests to enjoy world-class meals.

Interior of the Twilight Express Mizukaze dining car, featuring fine table settings and large windows with countryside views.

In terms of destinations, the Twilight Express Mizukaze has three different routes: the first is the 2-day Sanyo itinerary that starts in Kyoto and follows the Setouchi coastline down to Shimonoseki and back, the next is the 2-day San’in route, which again begins in Kyoto but heads up north to the Sea of Japan coastline via locations like Kinosaki onsen. The final route is the 3-day San’in-Sanyo course, which is a mix between the two and the perfect itinerary if you want to see the best that western Japan has to offer.

Shiki-Shima: The Crown Jewel of Japanese Luxury Trains

Shiki-Shima might look futuristic on the outside but inside tells stories of Japanese artisans, landscapes, and traditions.

The next exclusive luxury train is probably the most prestigious one in Japan, and that is the Train Suite Shiki-Shima operated by JR East. Like the Saphir Odoriko, the Shiki-Shima was also designed by Ken Okuyama, and the extravagance of this train is on full display when you enter at car 5, where the red carpet is literally rolled out for guests. Of course, you have the many suite rooms aboard, in addition to dining, observation, and lounge cars (with the lounge car in particular designed to recreate the effect of light passing through tree branches).

Where the Shiki-Shima takes it to the next level, however, is platform 13.5 at Ueno Station. This is a special platform that only the Shiki-Shima and its guests use, complete with a luxurious waiting lounge (also designed by Okuyama), aptly named ‘Prologue Shiki-Shima’, where passengers can relax, enjoy some drinks and local delicacies, and even receive train goody bags for the upcoming journey. Furthermore, all stations that the Shiki-Shima stops at have a special entrance exclusively for guests, allowing for smoother boarding and alighting.

Speaking of stations, there are a few routes that the Train Suite Shiki-Shima takes, depending on the season, including a basic 2-day/1-night journey through the central mountains of Honshu that runs for most of the year (with a winter route being through the Kanto region instead). The longer 4-day/3-night trip between April and September heads north into the Tohoku region of Japan and then the Seikan tunnel to Hokkaido before returning back to Tokyo. There is also a 3-day/2-night journey through just the Tohoku region available, but it only operates during the winter.

Seven Star Kyushu: The Gold Standard

Rounding off this list is Japan’s most well-known cruise train and considered to be one of the best railway journeys in the world; the Seven Stars Kyushu. This train set the standard for luxury rail in Japan, with JR Kyushu launching it in 2013, four years before the Mizukaze and Shiki-Shima. 

The Seven Stars in Kyushu passing by Mount Yufu, one of Japan’s most iconic rail journeys.

The Seven Stars just exudes luxury from the moment you step inside, with a classic wooden décor paying tribute to luxury trains that have before it (like the Orient Express) while mixing in Japanese elements, making its own beast. Each of its 10 guest compartments are suites, each one being meticulously designed to allow for maximum comfort, with many of the artwork and décor pieces being designed by local artisans of the region.

Interior lounge of the Seven Stars in Kyushu train with wooden design and large observation window

Front view of the Seven Stars in Kyushu train traveling through forested hills

Passenger view from the Seven Stars in Kyushu observation car looking down the tracks

Seven Stars in Kyushu train traveling along the coastline with Sakurajima volcano in the background

As one would expect, the meals aboard the Seven Stars are elegant affairs. Ingredients are sourced from locations along the line and chefs are brought aboard to cook on specific segments of the journey, adding an extremely local touch. And that’s one thing the Seven Star Kyushu prides itself on; connections with the local communities. If it’s not through food, then it’s through the excursions off the train where those who live in the area showcase the beauty of each location.

From the back observation car, passengers can enjoy their drinks and watch Kyushu’s landscapes pass by.

The Seven Stars Kyushu has two itineraries: a 4-day and a 2-day itinerary. The 4-day journey tours the entire island of Kyushu stopping through urban locales, hot spring getaways and dramatic volcanoes. The 2-day trip is highlighted with a journey around Fukuoka, Oita and Japan’s largest active volcano, Mt. Aso, along with several other stops along the way.

Why Your Next Journey Should Be on Japan’s Luxury Trains

Japan’s most exclusive rail experiences are more than just a way to get from A to B. They feel like a combination of gallery, dining room, and living history, all moving through some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes. Seats on the most luxurious departures, like the Seven Stars in Kyushu luxury cruise train, are usually handed out by lottery, so even passionate travellers often miss out.

Here's a closer look inside the private suite of the Seven Stars in Kyushu!

But because of our relationships, Untold Japan already holds the only private suite left for the Seven Stars in Kyushu’s November 2025 departure. That means you don’t have to take your chances in a draw, you can simply decide to go and know you’ll be there.

If the idea of riding through Kyushu in your own private suite, surrounded by fine craftsmanship and remarkable cuisine sparks your imagination, we’re here to make it happen. Book with Untold Japan today to discover the best of Japan’s train journeys.