While Japan is known globally for everything from a centuries-old culture and modern pop culture to its cuisine, those who have visited the country even once will also associate it with a robust train system — both the local futsu trains taking locals throughout the cities and to nearby suburbs and the ultra-fast Shinkansen that travel between cities at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour.
For those wanting to traverse the country in style, there is also the Seven Stars sleeper train that carries up to 30 passengers in suites with panoramic views and constructed out of wood in traditional Japanese style by local artisans.
Seven Stars was established in 2013 and operates exclusively on the Kyushu island in the southwest of the country. This week, the train company announced that it is adding three new routes for the summer of 2026: one to the mountain gorge town of Takachiho, another to the volcanic mountain resort Unzen and a third to the highland plateau of Kuju located inside the Aso-Kujū National Park.
Luxury sleeper train Seven Stars debuts new itineraries
With the entire Kyushu Island spanning 36,782 square kilometers or roughly 14,202 square miles, the routes will take either two or three nights and leave from Hakata Station in the capital city of Fukuoka.
“Through the journey of Seven Stars in Kyushu, we would like to show you about Kyushu’s traditions and cultures, which have been passed down for over 100 years and also how wonderful Kyushu is,” Seven Stars announced of the new routes. “With this desire, we have organized unique Kyushu trips. Enjoy the Seven Stars journey and make unforgettable memories through the Seven Stars, a masterpiece of the artisans of Kyushu.”
Existing routes include the four-day tour throughout most major sites in Kyushu and the two-day one going past volcanic Mount Aso and then stopping in the hot springs town of Yufuin.
The luxury Seven Stars sleeper train takes travelers throughout the island of Kyushu.
Seven Star
How much does it cost to book a luxury sleeper train in Japan?
Prices for the routes start a ¥402,000 (roughly $2,700 USD) and go up to ¥1,500,000 ($9,500USD) depending on the level of luxury — the most expensive suites have floor-to-ceiling windows and butler service.
“At night, sip drinks at the bar and mingle with fellow passengers in the modern Japanese atmosphere as the pleasant sound of the live piano performance tinkles in the background,” Seven Stars writes further of the routes. “Enjoy the starry sky that peers in from the panoramic windows with a glass of bliss in your hand and relax on the sofas to take in the stunning views that pass by.”
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The launch of Seven Stars set off a market for luxury train travel in different parts of town. The Twilight Express Mizukaze was launched in 2017 for the scenic sites of Western Honshu while the Train Suite Shiki-Shima is the best option for those on a limited time schedule looking to depart from Tokyo: the itineraries leave from the city’s Ueno Station and go along scenic routes in the Tohoku and Hokkaido regions.
Related: These cool hotels literally look like planes and trains