Stunning views and relaxing travel

There are so many neighborhoods and prefectures to explore in Japan, each with its own unique cuisine, landmarks, flora, communities, and culture. While taking the Shinkansen or flying can make your commute faster, you might miss out on some of the stunning scenery along the way. With Japan’s scenic trains, the journey to your destination can be an attraction in itself. These scenic trains offer a variety of onboard services that will make you wish the journey never ended.

Sapphire Maiko

A luxurious train that blends in with nature

Located in Shizuoka Prefecture, the Izu Peninsula is famous for its hot spring resorts and stunning ocean views. Sapphire Maiko Offering a premium journey to Izu, with stunning views of the coastline and Mount Fuji along the way, the journey takes approximately two hours from either Shinjuku or Tokyo Station.

The train was designed by renowned industrial designer Ken Okuyama, who is known for designing and overseeing famous luxury projects such as the Ferrari Enzo and Bulgari Octo. Okuyama is also the designer of other iconic JR East trains such as the Yamanote Line and the Hokuriku Shinkansen. The Sapphire Dancer is sleek, dark blue in color, and looks like it’s gliding on the waves as it speeds along the tracks.

As a luxury express train, the Saphir Odoriko offers many amenities to make your journey as relaxing and enjoyable as possible. Passengers can choose from three types of seating: Premium Green Carriage, Green Carriage Private Seats, and Standard Green Carriage. Large windows and skylights in all carriages fill the space with brilliant natural sunlight, and there’s plenty of room to gaze at the natural scenery along the way, so any seat choice is a luxurious experience.

Saphir Odoriko’s interior

Carriage 1 has premium green seats with individual seats in each row. The seats are upholstered in a quilted plush material. The seats are equipped with reading lights, power sockets, cup holders, a seat swivel bar, some luggage storage space and a retractable table in the armrest. There are only 20 premium green seats on the Saphir Odoriko, so there is plenty of space for every passenger.

Carriages 2 and 3 are private cabins in the Green Carriage. For families and large groups, these cars offer a more intimate experience with separate rooms. You can book a room for up to 4 or 6 people, allowing the group to talk and move around freely. The rooms have a cafe-like atmosphere, with seating in a more sofa-like style, creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Carriage 4 is Saphir Odoriko’s buffet restaurant, with an exclusive menu curated by chef Miyu Igarashi of Chinese restaurant Miyu. Dishes include “Izusan Restoration” Sakura Shrimp Wonton and Noodle Soup, and Miyu Japanese Black Beef Ankakai curry. Enjoy these dishes while taking in the view of Sagami Bay. You can also try mango cheesecake and special Shizuoka green tea. The bright colors complement the surrounding landscape.

Once you arrive in Izu, you can continue your journey of relaxation and luxury with a stop at one of the many hot spring baths in the area. You can also take great photos with Mount Fuji in the background and dine at some of the excellent restaurants.

Sunrise Express

Experience the nostalgia of a Japanese sleeper train

Before the era of super-high-speed Shinkansen, night trains were common throughout Japan. But as night trains have become more of a novelty, the Sunrise Express has brought back nostalgia and the increasingly rare opportunity to experience a sleeper train. Currently, the Sunrise Express Seto and Izumo trains are the only regular night trains still in operation.

The Sunrise Express is aptly named and you can ride it at midnight so you can be awakened by the golden light of the sunrise. The two trains run together through Tokyo, Osaka and Himeji. At Okayama, the Seto and Izumo trains separate. The Seto train travels south to Takamatsu, while the Izumo train continues north to Matsue and Izumo. From Tokyo Station to Osaka, the journey takes about 7 hours.

Sunrise Express has a wide range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. Nobuyuki Saseki The beds are the cheapest and are semi-private bunk beds with carpet. Private rooms are more expensive but more comfortable, with more space, softer beds, luggage storage and a separate enclosed bedroom. These private rooms vary in size. There is also a deluxe room with a bed, desk and sink.

Interior of the Sunrise Express

As a sleeper train, the Sunrise Express has some unique amenities. The lounge is equipped with large windows and side tables so you can enjoy the view in a peaceful setting. You can also buy a drink from the nearby vending machine and enjoy it while you relax. One of the most popular amenities is the shower room. Yes, you can shower on a moving train. Passengers can purchase a card from the ticket machine to reserve a shower time of up to six minutes.

For JR Pass holders, the base fare for the Sunrise Express is fully covered. However, premium accommodations may require additional accommodation fees. Standard tickets include a discount on booking a Nobinobi Zaseki-style bed or private room.

Six doors

The encounter between travel and food

For food lovers, Six doors Trains bring gourmet food to Nagano Railway. Rokumon runs between Karuizawa and Nagano City. The train carriages are designed in a unique style.

Rokumon is famous for its dining experience where you can enjoy the rich treasures grown locally in the Gozan of Northern Shinshu, such as fresh vegetables and seasonal fruits. Business Shoji paper screens bring the natural beauty of Nagano indoors. The chef uses local ingredients and seasonal flavours to create a menu based on the concept of “tasting from the present moment”.

On board, passengers can enjoy a full menu that includes Western and Japanese cuisine. The “Primo Fito” meal plan, created by Trattoria Primo, a restaurant along the Rokumon Trail in Karuizawa, serves Italian dishes such as beef stew paired with locally produced wine. Kaisekior a traditional multi-course meal, prepared by Chikuma-based Chikuma-style Chikuba-tei. The meal is served in a special double-layered box called a already Beautifully decorated. All dishes are prepared in the train’s kitchen and can be enjoyed with a sip of the exclusive Rokumon matcha blend.

The Tale of Iyoda

The Tale of Iyoda Voted as one of Japan’s best tourist trains Japan Railway Magazine Due for completion in 2023, the railway will run along the scenic coast between Matsuyama and Yawatahama in Ehime Prefecture.

The train’s design combines Western and Japanese aesthetics, creating a nostalgic, retro-modern atmosphere. The lights are shaped like oranges, a specialty of the Ehime region, and give the carriages a soft glow. If you look closely, you’ll notice that the train attendants’ uniforms are also printed with orange patterns.

Mealtime is just as exciting. Continuing the multicultural fusion, meals are served in bento box compartments filled with colorful dishes. Tea is served in elegant hand-painted Tobe-yaki teapots and cups. These are traditional ceramics from Ehime Prefecture. There are also Tobe-yaki water sinks on the train.

Throughout the journey, the train slows down at various sights to give passengers more opportunities to take beautiful photos. At official stops, passengers are encouraged to get off the train to fully appreciate the surrounding area. A popular stop is Shimonada Station, where the train arrives just in time to watch the sunset. After enjoying the show on board, passengers can visit Ozu Castle, one of the many sightseeing spots along the way. Depending on the season, the castle will be covered in colorful cherry blossoms or maple trees.

Reservations for Iyonada Monogatari are accepted from 1 month to 10 days before the scheduled date of boarding. Reservations can be made online.

Xiao Xiaoxiu*Hidden

You may have been to a pub, but have you ever tried doing it on a moving train? Xiao Xiaoxiu*Hidden The theme is based on sake and Echigo’s breweries. Passengers can taste a variety of local sake from Niigata Prefecture. Each sake pairs perfectly with snacks that are also made from local ingredients. Enjoy a few glasses of sake while taking in the scenery.

Koshino Shu*Kara even has its own original sake, brewed in collaboration with Kiminoi Shuzo and served exclusively on the train. Koshi Tan Aya This is a rice variety that is particularly suitable for making sake, with a rich aroma and flavor. This special sake also uses a labor-intensive brewing process called Yamahanourishing the brewery’s natural lactic acid bacteria.

Koshino Shu*Kura’s specialty wines come in special glasses and Gold Ruler Wallet lets you extend the magic of the train to your own home bar. During meal service, each bento box is filled with seasonal dishes. As passengers dine, train attendants pour sake to pair with each flavor.

There are more local wines, snacks and souvenirs to try at the Kuramori Service Counter in Car 2. The Drink Comparison Set is a set of three wines, one of which is an aged wine. If you want to try other wines, the counter also provides draft beer and Yukimuro coffee. Don’t forget to get a commemorative stamp as a souvenir of your trip. The tasting corner has five different bottles of local brews. The brands are changed regularly.

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