Top 5 Luxury Sleeper Trains in Japan – Including the World’s Only 7-Star Train (4K Video)

Top 5 Luxury Sleeper Trains in Japan – Including the World’s Only 7-Star Train (4K Video)

The fifth place is the famous Japanese sleeper train, the Sunrise Express. Starting from Tokyo Station. The Sunrise Express is a sleeper express train that runs on schedule every day. It is scheduled to depart Tokyo Station at 9:50 pm. The Sunrise Express arrives at Tokyo Station at 9:25 pm. The Sunrise Express began operation on July 10, 1998, and its exterior has been well-preserved. Immediately after boarding, purchase a shower card (330 yen), of which there are only 20 available. There are only 20 shower cards, and they sell out quickly, so we need to buy them early. There are two Sunrise Express trains, the Sunrise Seto and the Sunrise Izumo, both of which are 7 cars. The Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo arrive at Tokyo Station in their combined form, making a total of 14 cars. The Sunrise Izumo trains are from car 8 to car 14. It has a capacity of 158 people. This is car 14. We can see inside the room from outside. The Sunrise Express is a double-decker train. Today I’m taking the Sunrise Izumo. Car 13, B-class sleeper. There are several types of seats, and I’ll introduce them one by one. Today’s seat is number 11 in car 13. The bottom of the stairs is the lower deck. The top of the stairs is the upper deck. A seat called a B-class sleeper “Single”. This is the most basic seat on this train. On to today’s seat. A seat called a B-class sleeper “Single twin”. This seat (room) is completely private. It can be locked from the outside. This B-class sleeper “Single twin” is unique. There are upper and lower beds. It can be used by one or two people. There are stairs here. After boarding the train, the conductor will come to check our ticket. It can be locked from the inside. The air conditioning can be turned on and off. Plastic cups and trash bag. The bed is 75cm (29.5 inches) wide and 196cm (77.2 inches) long. Roomwear. Pillow and comforter. Rather than a bed, it feels like a bench with a sheet draped over it. Slippers. Speaker. If we’re close, we can hear the in-car announcements clearly. There are in-car information posted, which is useful. Smoking on the bed is prohibited. SOS button. There used to be a radio service, but it’s no longer available. Digital clock with alarm function. Switches for each light. It’s spacious enough. Heater vent. The smoking compartment has an ashtray. One AC power outlet. No USB port. There is a mirror on the door. Hangers. This room can accommodate up to two people, so there are also two hangers. We can put large luggage here. We can also put luggage on the stairs in this room. 9:50pm, departs Tokyo Station. After departure, an impressive chime sounds. There are in-car announcements in both Japanese and English. The stairs in this room are small, and it’s a bit difficult to climb them. To the upper bunk bed. Looking down, we can feel how high it is. This bed on the top bunk can be lifted up and stored. The top bunk bed feels a little narrower than the bottom bunk bed. The bed is fixed with this black band. I was worried that the bed would fall off, but it seems to be fine. There is a blind switch on the top bunk. The window on the top bunk is curved. The window on the bottom bunk is almost straight. When I lie down… The curved window makes it easier to see the view. Let’s go down. This bed, actually… We can change the bed into seats. There is a table in the middle. It is easier to use the top bunk bed when sleeping and the bottom bunk seats when eating and drinking. The window and blind on the bottom bunk. It is convenient to have a long cable. Wi-Fi is not provided on this train. Depart Tokyo and travel to Izumo. Let’s take a walk inside the car. It is a completely private room that can be locked in the room, so we can feel safe. Lower deck. This is a B-class sleeping “Single” on the lower deck. B-class sleeping “Single” are easy to use. Behind the door, there are two washbasins. We can use the washbasins freely. There is a power outlet for razors and hairdryers. We can switch between hot and cold water. There are trash cans so you can throw out your trash whenever you want. Each car has a private toilet. The toilets are cleaned well. There is no washlet. Toilet paper and cleaner are well provided. Next, let’s go to car 12. Car 12 has “Nobinobi seats”. This “Nobinobi seats” are not private, so there is a risk of your luggage being stolen. There are several stops along the way. This is Atami Station, which is popular for its hot springs. There is a conductor’s room in car 12. Car 11 next to it has the A-class sleeper “Single Deluxe”. There is a shower room exclusively for A-class sleeper “Single Deluxe”. Car 11 is the most luxurious car on this train. Let’s take a look at the “Single Deluxe”, the only A-class sleeper on this train. The big difference from the others is that it has a desk and a washbasin. The bed is 85cm (33.5 inches) wide, a little wider than the other rooms. Also, this is the only room where amenity bags are distributed. Skin care set, shampoo, conditioner. Towel. Dental kit, etc. On the first floor, there is a B-class sleeper “Sunrise Twin” room. It has twin beds side by side and can accommodate up to two people. Next, let’s take a look at car 10. There are vending machines in car 10. Tea, water, energy drink, cola, coffee. This is a vending machine for shower cards. Lounge space. If you are traveling with friends or family, you can chat in the lounge. It is also nice to eat and drink here alone. Car 10 has a shower room. You need the shower card to use the shower room. Let’s take a look inside the shower room. When we enter, first lock the door. Next, insert the shower card. There is a hair dryer installed. There are three modes: dry, set, and cold. SOS button, wash button, and information. There are no towels provided in the shower room, so you will need to bring your own. It is a clean shower room. There is a hand shower and grab bars. Rinse-in shampoo and body soap from the Japanese brand POLA. The shower water runs for 6 minutes. Temperature can be adjusted. The shower has sufficient water pressure. We can stop the shower midway by pressing STOP. After we finish the shower, press the flush button. The inside of the shower room will be flushed. It makes a loud noise, which is surprising. It was a comfortable shower. Next, let’s take a look at car 9. Car 9 has a B-class “Solo” sleeper. This is a B-class “Solo” sleeper on a single floor. It is the smallest private room. This is a B-class “Solo” sleeper on the upper deck. It is a little cramped, but it’s better because it’s a private room. All the rooms in car 10 are “Solo” sleepers. Car 9 is similar to car 13, and has “Single” and “Single Twin” rooms. Behind this door is also car 9. Number 1 in car 9 is a wheelchair accessible “Single Twin” car. Car 9 has a wheelchair accessible toilet. There are no toothbrushes on the train, so it is better to bring one with you. We can close the curtains at the sink. I brush my teeth and get ready for bed. Return to the room and change into the loungewear. It is a yukata-type loungewear . The loungewear is made of thin fabric and is comfortable to wear. Go to the upper bunk bed. The bed is hard. The pillow is also hard. We can set an alarm so we don’t have to worry about oversleeping. Since it is a sleeper train, there is some shaking while it is running. This is what the train sounds like. It may be a good idea to wear earplugs, but there is also the problem that it is difficult to hear the alarm. If I lower the blinds and turn off the lights, it will be pitch black. The next morning. Good morning. A dark view from the window. This is the best part of a sleeper train. In winter, it is cold, so the heater function is useful. The lower bunk is warmer because warm air comes out from below. Where are we? We have passed Osaka and are now in Okayama Prefecture. Before arriving at Okayama, there is an in-car announcement saying “Good morning.” At Okayama, the Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo are separated. Sunrise Express won the Good Design Gold Award in 1998. Sunrise Express won the 1999 Brunel Award. Arrive at Okayama Station at 6:27am. The separation point between Sunrise Seto and Izumo is between cars 7 and 8. The separation between Sunrise Seto and Izumo is popular and many people watch. The separation is quick. Sunrise Seto departs first at 6:31am and heads to Kagawa Prefecture. Sunrise Izumo departs at 6:34am. Passengers of Sunrise Seto, which departs first, cannot see the separation. Passengers of Sunrise Izumo, which departs later, can see the separation. Departs Okayama Station. After this, Sunrise Izumo heads to Izumoshi Station. In winter, there are days when we can see snowy scenery in the mountains. We can enjoy the scenery during daylight hours. We can also see Lake Shinji on the right side of the direction of travel. Enjoy the scenery while heading to Izumoshi Station. Izumoshi Station arrives at 10:00am. From Tokyo Station to Izumoshi Station, it is 953.6 km (592.5 miles) and the ride took 12 hours and 10 minutes. This Sunrise is the only sleeper express train in Japan that operates on a regular schedule. Reservations can be made from 10:00am one month before the date of travel (it is difficult to make reservations). It was a very good train. Next is the West Express Ginga, which is not ranked. The West Express Ginga is a long-distance tourist train that debuted in September 2020. This is also a popular train, and some seats are difficult to reserve. This train is not strictly a sleeper train, so it is not ranked. Although it is not a sleeper train, it has couchette (simple sleeper) seats like this. It is comfortable because we can lie down in the simple sleeper. Currently, we can get a lunch box for an additional fee. This is a reserved seat in the green car, the “First Seat.” We can recline the seats to make beds. It’s almost a sleeper train. There are no facilities such as showers, but it’s a good train. 4th place is Cassiopeia Journey. Departs from Ueno Station in Tokyo. Platform 13 at Ueno Station. Cassiopeia is a sleeper express train that ran regularly from 1999 to 2016. With the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen, the sleeper express Cassiopeia ceased operation in March 2016. After that, it was operated as a special train for groups as “Cassiopeia Cruise” and “Cassiopeia Journey”. Between car 12 and the electric locomotive. The red electric locomotive pulls Cassiopeia. Cassiopeia’s trains are 12 cars with a capacity of 176 people. All rooms on Cassiopeia are A-class sleepers. Only the “Single Deluxe” was an A-class sleeper on the Sunrise Express. The “Observation Suite” at the end of car 1 is the largest room. The exterior of Cassiopeia. It’s cool. Prices vary depending on the course and the contents of the group tour, so I haven’t written them here. A group tour of the Cassiopeia Journey cost about $1,000 or more. I’ll be using the room in car 1. Seat 3 in car 1. Like the Sunrise, the door to the room can be locked. There is a call button. The room is called a A-class sleeper “Maisonette Suite”. Internal lock. Light switch, peephole. As the name “Maisonette Suite” suggests, it is a double-decker room. The upper deck is the living area. It is a decent size. Indoor slippers like we would find in a hotel. Shoe polisher. Telephone. If anything happens, we will be called here. The headrests are simply covered with white cloth. The seats are purple in color. In Suite category rooms, welcome drinks are served. White wine from Iwate Prefecture. Whiskey. Mineral water. Coasters, glasses. The light switch is in a place like this. Here is… Bathroom. Private toilet. Sink and mirror. Soap and plastic cups. Retractable sink. The water is not potable. Small trash can. Toilet flush button. Toilet paper. Shower guard. Shower room. Is it similar to the Sunrise shower? But the shower time here is a whopping 18 minutes. Of course, we can adjust the shower water temperature. I left the bathroom. There is a charging outlet . Apparently there used to be a monitor here. Heating, digital clock. Air conditioning control switch. Light switches. Trash can. Go down the stairs. Let’s take a look at the lower deck. A flashy trash can. Wardrobe. There are two hangers inside. Twin bed. The window is almost straight, but slightly curved. Bedside light, SOS button. We can play music in the room. Light switches, etc. Roomwear, amenity bag. Purple roomwear. Face towel. Bath towel. Ample amenities. Almost all the amenities we need are available. Beauty set. Skin care set. By the way, amenities are only provided in the Suite category rooms. Shampoo, body soap, and conditioner are also provided. Departing from Ueno Station. The staff members see us off. There are also people such as train enthusiasts who see us off. A chime sounds. Time for a break. Let’s have this wine. This seat can be pulled forward. It can be used like a couch. I can sit with my legs stretched out, so it’s comfortable. Again, the view is better from the upper deck window. The lower deck is quite close to the tracks. I didn’t take a good look at the bed, so I’ll take a look. The pillow is a little hard, but it’s better than the Sunrise Express. The bottom is like a mattress, so it’s a real bed. The bed on the Cassiopeia is more comfortable than the Sunrise Express. The upper deck room is spacious. There is on-board sales on the Cassiopeia. Come to think of it, the Sunrise didn’t have on-board sales or a dining car. Let’s take a walk around the car. The conductor’s room is in car 1. There are rash cans like the Sunrise Express. To car 3. Car 3 is the dining car. Cassiopeia goods are on display. The aisle of car 3. Car 4 has the “Cassiopeia Twin” room. This is a slightly larger end room than the Cassiopeia Twin. It’s spacious enough. All rooms on the Cassiopeia have toilets. Unlike the Sunrise Express, the Cassiopeia is convenient because we don’t have to use the shared toilet. It’s also nice that there is a sink. The Cassiopeia Twin rooms are on the upper deck or lower deck. Cars 5 and 9 have mini lobbies. The vending machine here is out of service. This is the mini lobby. There are only small seats and tables. There are shared shower rooms in cars 6 and 10. There are no showers in rooms other than the suites, so you have to use the shared shower rooms. The shower rooms are similar to those in the Sunrise Express. There is a convenience store on board, but it is currently closed. This is in front of car 12. The vending machines sell Pepsi, coffee, and water. Car 12 is an observation car. It is spacious. Because it is connected to an electric locomotive, we cannot see the view ahead. It is close to the tracks, so the dynamic view is enjoyable. There is a little snow on the ground. I rode in February. It is nice to relax in the observation car. There are shared toilets in cars 2, 7, and 11. They look like the toilets on regular express trains. Meal time announcements. Lunch in the dining car in car 3. Let’s take a look inside. An elegant atmosphere. A welcome message. There are various exhibits. The meal menu is written on it. A French course meal is served in the dining car. A commemorative badge and red wine. Premium paper towels. Hors d’oeuvres: Scallop salad, Cassiopeia style. The train passes Koriyama Station. French bread and butter. Fish dish: Seared red sea bream with red wine cream sauce and creamed mushrooms. Meat dish: Sautéed domestic beef loin with apple sauce. It was an authentic French course meal. Coffee after the meal. A commemorative card for our ride. Since I’m here, I’ll use the shower. 18 minutes is more than enough time. Yukata-style roomwear. I lie down on the bed. Playing music creates an elegant atmosphere. There are three types of music. The final stop for this day is Sendai Station. Cassiopeia has mainly run in eastern Japan. This Cassiopeia will be completely retired in June 2025. It was a popular sleeper train in Japan after 26 years of service. The Royal Express is not on the ranking. This is an expensive sightseeing train that has been in operation since July 2017. There are tours available that cost over $2,000 for a two-day course and over $8,000 for a four-day course. However, since it is not a sleeper train, it is not on the ranking. It has the same designer as the “Seven Stars in Kyushu” that will be introduced later, so there are some similarities. Personally, I like the violin playing on board. Western and Japanese course meals are served on board. The ceiling is similar to the Seven Stars in Kyushu. Grand piano. The interior is elaborate. Library lounge. Ocean view of Izu. On the two-day, one-night trip, I stay at a high-class onsen ryokan. Since the Royal Express is not a sleeper train, we cannot sleep on the train. But personally, I also like relaxing at an onsen ryokan. In third place is the Twilight Express Mizukaze. Price for the two-day, one-night trip. Starting from Shimonoseki Station in Yamaguchi Prefecture. To Kyoto. Twilight Express Mizukaze is a luxury sleeper train that has been in operation since June 2017. It is one of the three most luxurious sleeper trains in Japan. The train is made up of 10 cars, has 16 rooms, and can accommodate 34 people. It runs through Sanyo and Sanin in Western Japan. Board from car 4. The interior design is in the “Art Deco” style. Basically, there are 3 rooms in each car. Car 7 is the only one room. Posters depicting the scenery along the line are displayed here and there inside the car. Room 401 is a barrier-free room called “Royal Twin”. My room is 402. The door is made of wood from the prefecture where the train runs. It’s a gorgeous key. The room category is “Royal Single” and it is the smallest room. The price is ¥445,000 ($3,100) for a 2-day, 1-night course. This is basically a room for one person, but it can be used by two people. The room size is 7 square meters. It would be small in a hotel room, but it is large for a train room. Toilet and sink. Separate shower booth. The ceiling feels high. At a glance, we can see that the interior is more luxurious than that of the Sunrise Express or Cassiopeia. The backrest of the seat. This seat is used as a bed at night. AC power outlet. There is an extra bed here. It is quite heavy. The floor is carpeted like a hotel. Stylish indoor slippers. Light switch. A badge showing that we are a passenger of Zuifu. Upon departure, staff and locals will see us off. Departing Shimonoseki Station. The door made of special wood is nice. Lock the door. Let’s take a look at the window and the surroundings. Blinds. Curtains with high light blocking properties. There are two types of blinds. The window here can be opened. On the desk… Welcome sweets. Japanese sweets from Shimonoseki. Stylish desk lamp. Tissues provided. BOSE speaker. Expensive cup (¥38,700/$267) and coaster. We can communicate with the crew by phone. Let’s take a look inside the desk drawer. Information. Mirror. Conversion plugs. There are only outlets in the room, so if you want to connect to a USB port, you will need to use this converter plug. There is a refrigerator. Drinks from the line are available. Wardrobe. Room wear. Special luxury hangers (¥38,700/$267). Deodorizing spray. Light switches. Air conditioner switch. Available in Japanese and English. SOS button. Shoe shine cloth, shoehorn. Brush. Safety box. Bathroom. The door here can be locked. Toilet. Made by the Japanese brand TOTO. Original toilet paper. Comes with a washlet. Smoked glass so it can’t be seen from outside. Bath towels. Makeup mirror. Sink. The water flow is a little unstable, but it comes out well. Face towels. With the ZUIKaze logo. Hotel-quality facilities. Bulgari soap. Stainless steel cup, hand towels. Amenity box. Body towel, toothbrush, comb, skin care set, eco bag. Bulgari conditioner, shampoo, and shower gel. Hair dryer by VENUSiS, a Japanese manufacturer. I’m looking forward to shower time. Information sent to my home in advance. Travel guidebook. Dress code, such as semi-formal and smart casual. Here is… Mizukaze’s special luggage tag. It looks like it can be used after boarding. The train runs through beautiful nature. The tablet is available in both Japanese and English. We can view the route on the tablet. The camera marks are photo spots. Both cars 1 and 10 have live cameras. Both are observation cars. We can order room service from a tablet. Guide map of the car. It lists the crafts used in the car. Take a break. Let’s take a walk around the car. The interior design is in the “Art Deco” style, and the interior is different from other trains in Japan. Car 5 is a lounge car, named Salon de l’Ouest. There are chairs and sofa seats. Mizukaze’s bear teddy. Lighting covered with washi paper from Shimane Prefecture. Woodblock print posters of Mizukaze. After departure, there is a tea ceremony event in car 5. O have matcha green tea and sweets. Tea utensils are placed. They are said to be high-quality tea utensils. The name of car 5, Salon de l’Ouest. Bar. We can order sake, cocktails, wine, etc. Paintings by a painter from Shimane Prefecture. Kiyomizu-dera Temple in spring. Smoking room. The smoking room is small and can only accommodate two people. Next, let’s look at car 6. The name of the dining car is “Diner Pleiades”. The red flowers are eye-catching. The dining car has a chic interior overall. Table seats. Panasonic induction cookers are installed. There is a lot of art in car 6 as well. Woodblock print posters of Kyoto and Osaka. Part of the kitchen is open, so we can see how the food is prepared. A chair designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Next is car 7. Various artworks are displayed in each car. Car 7 contains a room called “The Suite,” which is truly special. The Suite is a spacious room that uses the entire car 7. It has a separate living room, bedroom, and bathroom. As for rooms, room 701 of the Mizukaze, “The Suite”, may be the most amazing in Japan. In the center of the aisle is a white jar created by Tottori Prefecture’s first Living National Treasure. Although The Suite in Car 7 is amazing, the average price of the other rooms is lower than Shiki-Shima and Seven Stars in Kyushu. Therefore, I ranked Mizukaze 3rd in this ranking. To Car 8. There are various artworks, it’s like a museum. The “Royal Twin” in Cars 2, 3, 4, 8, and 9 is the basic guest room on Mizukaze. It is said to be 10 square meters in size. Over there… It’s a necklace with an amazing design. Cars 1 and 10 are observation cars. It’s an amazing necklace. There are various books on architecture, geography, railways, cooking, etc. We can read in the observation car. We can call the crew from the tablet. To the observation lounge. It has a cool design. The design of the observation lounge is slightly different in Cars 1 and 10. We can sit in a chair and relax. Car 10 has a square mirror (Car 1 has a round mirror). Aroma oil is available. We can go to the observation deck from the door at the back. The observation deck is a distinctive feature of this train. The view from the observation deck. For safety reasons, only the observation deck on the opposite side of the train’s direction of travel can be used. Beautiful ocean view. It was a wonderful observation deck. Meals are taken in the room or the dining car. Lunch on the first day is in the room. A course meal is also served in the room. I enjoy original cocktail and Japanese sake. Lunch is taken at a time when the view is just right. On this day, the lunch was supervised by Hiroshima restaurant “Anagomeshi Ueno”. It was the best conger eel rice. After lunch. We disembarked in Yamaguchi Prefecture for an excursion. A grand welcome. Board the Mizukaze bus. The bus has a similar exterior and interior to the Mizukaze train. We got on the bus and moved. We visited the former Mori family residence and Mori family garden in Hofu. The residence was completed in 1916. A magnificent garden. A beautiful sunset. The dress code for the evening is semi-formal. I change into suits. There is a full-length mirror, which is convenient. Aperitif time in car 5. I have white wine and snacks. It’s completely dark. Dinner in the dining car at night. Dineer is designed by Kyoto’s Michelin three-star restaurant “Kikunoi”. Japanese Sake pairing. Authentic Japanese course meal . IH cooking heater on the table is working. Ponzu soy sauce. Shabu-shabu experience on the train. Lunch and dinner were amazing. When I returned to the room, the bed was made. Mizukaze original room wear. The fabric is thin and feels good to the touch. A firm comforter. A bed pad is laid on the seat. Pillow with moderate softness. I experience a shower. Overhead shower. Hand shower. There is no time limit for the shower, but there must be a limit to the amount of water. The shower had sufficient water pressure. Free Wi-Fi service is provided on the train. Wi-Fi communication speed varies depending on the location, but it was fast when I checked. The bed in this room is perpendicular to the direction of travel. There was almost no rocking as the train stopped at various stations during the night. The next morning, We had a substantial breakfast. The portions seemed quite generous. On this day, we got off for an excursion in Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture. Here we said goodbye to the Mizukaze bus. We boarded the high-speed sightseeing cruiser “SEA SPICA.” We returned to the train. Lunch in the dining car. The amount of food on the Mizukaze felt a lot. But it was delicious. The theme song was “MIZUKAZE” composed by Taro Hakase. We arrived at Kyoto Station at 4:53 pm. It was a very satisfying train for the price. The excursions and food were also good. After this, we were seen off by the Mizukaze at Kyoto Station. We go to the Hotel Granvia Kyoto inside Kyoto Station. The Mizukaze Lounge is on the 15th floor of Hotel Granvia Kyoto. If you are departing from Kyoto Station, you will meet at the Mizukaze Lounge. There is a view of Kyoto Tower from the window . The lounge is just big enough to fit all the passengers. After arriving, I had tea. To make a reservation for the Mizukaze, you need to enter a lottery on the official website. The lottery odds are high, and you need to apply multiple times to win (odds of 5 times or more?). Second place is Train Suite Shiki-Shima. The price for a 2-day, 1-night course. Starting from Ueno Station. Shiki-Shima is a luxurious sleeper train that debuted in May 2017. There is a lounge on platform 13 at Ueno Station. This is near where I boarded the Cassiopeia. The journey on Shiki-Shima begins and ends in this lounge. Welcome drink and welcome sweets. Shiki-Shima is scheduled to depart at 9:15am on this day. It enters platform 13 about 50 minutes before departure. Shiki-Shima has arrived at the platform. I’m excited. Shiki-Shima is a 10-car train with a capacity of 34 people. Car 2. The window arrangement is unique. The doors have a simple feel. The windows of the observation car look amazing from the outside. The design is futuristic. We return to the lounge and a welcome ceremony is held. Greetings from the crew and the driver. We board from platform 13.5, which is between platforms 13 and 14. Platform 13.5 is a dedicated platform for Shiki-Shima. The Shiki-Shima logo is on the floor and ceiling. Car 1. Board from Car 5. Car 5 is the lounge car. Each space in the car is themed around the four seasons, with Car 5 being designed to represent summer. The floor is wooden. The aisles of Shiki-Shima are designed to represent a luxury hotel. The windows are designed like this so that we can enjoy the scenery as if it were a painting. My room is Room 202 in Car 2. The room category is “Suite.” When I rode it, the 2-day, 1-night course cost ¥550,000 ($4,000). It has now risen to ¥700,000 ($4,870) for the 2-day, 1-night course. The interior of the room is designed to represent winter. Since it is a Japanese train, I personally prefer this Japanese style. It doesn’t feel old-fashioned, and the interior is sophisticated. In the back… There is a full-length mirror here. In front is the toilet and shower room. The sink. It is 9 square meters in size. This train also has an elaborate door design. This is the switch for adjusting the air conditioning. Set it to about 25 degrees. Seats for two. Soft, comfortable material. The wall panels are elaborate. It looks like a TV, but it’s a lacquer panel. The white kumiko is beautiful. There is a smartphone in each room. Light switch. Wall and ceiling lights. Two AC power outlets. SONY DVD recorder. Emergency light. DVD recorder remote control. There is a window in this place below. Blinds. There are no blackout curtains. There is also a small window here. All blinds must be opened by hand. Closet inspired by Sendai chest of drawers. Indoor slippers. Shoe shine cloth and brush. Hangers. Safety deposit box. Refrigerator. Not many drinks? Space to put large luggage. Dining table and chair. Japanese plum sweets and chestnut yokan are placed on the table. The key case is stylish. There is no desk in the room. Cups and bottle opener. The cups are covered with special paper. Departure at 9:15am. The windows are interesting. The Shiki-shima travels through eastern Japan. This time, the itinerary is from Ueno to Niigata and Nagano prefectures. Let’s take a look at the toilet. It has a washlet. Toilet paper. Toilet made by TOTO, a brand Japan is proud of. Shiki-shima original face and bath towels. Amenity box. Hairbrush. Toothbrush, body towel. Razor. Cotton set, earplugs, shower cap. Mouthwashes. There is a hair dryer on the shelf below. Hair dryer from Japanese brand PANASONIC. Hand towels. Let’s take a look at the sink. Shiki-shima original cups. Shiki-shima original tissue case. SARAYA hand soap. Water can be switched between hot and cold. There is also an outlet at the sink. Foot towel. Hanger. Let’s take a look at the shower room. A cool shower head. We can adjust the temperature here. It feels like a high-end hotel shower. Shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel from London brand Bamford. The shower room is quite spacious. Locked from inside. There are 15 Suites of the same type as this one, and two more than this one. Let’s take a look at the materials sent to my home in advance. Cruise guidebook. Explanation of the dress code, such as smart casual and semi-formal. Information in the room. Explanation of each car. Free Wi-Fi is provided on the train. Wi-Fi was generally available, although it depends on where the train is running. Let’s take a walk around the train. If we look closely at the window… There is a handle on the window. When the train shakes, this handle stands up. There is kumiko even in this place. To car 1. The aisle is mysteriously red. If we go through the red aisle, we will find the observation lounge. View Terrace Kizashi. The interior is decorated with a spring image. Sit in this chair… And look at the view from the window. The shape of the window is unique and it feels futuristic. This seat is a sofa. It was a nice observation room. Return to car 2. Next is car 4. The aisle is similar. 403 is a Suite for barrier-free access. Door switches. The lounge “Komorebi” in car 5. I sit at a table. The interior is inspired by summer. The white and gold colors create a refreshing atmosphere. The golden branch-like object is impressive. In the lounge, we can order soft drinks, mocktails, cocktails, tea, etc. I ordered a cranberry mocktail called Yuzuki. Shiki-Shima’s original coaster. Car 5 has a smoking room. It’s a small space with no windows. Near the center of car 5. There is a bioethanol fireplace. There is an “Akabeko” and a bell. These are record notebooks written by passengers who have ridden the Shiki-Shima in the past. The notebooks are growing. Doors. Grand piano. Bar. Live kitchen. All the cars have the same aisles. Car 10. It’s almost the same as car 1. Car 10 is at the front, and the driver is here. Nice view. Let’s go back to the room. I’m bored until lunch, so I’ll take a break in the room. The Tone River, Gunma Prefecture. Indoor slippers. There is a Shiki-Shima CD. We can listen to the theme song of Shiki-Shima. When the music is playing, it feels elegant. Similar to Cassiopeia. People seeing us off at Echigo Yuzawa Station, Niigata Prefecture. Dining car 6. The interior is said to be inspired by autumn. Lunch is a Chinese course meal. A chef from a Chinese restaurant called “Baiyan” in Tokyo will be on board the train to serve the food. Chinese Shaoxing wine. Quite strong flavor. Dried shark fin with abalone Seasonal medicinal soup. Taiwanese Lu Rou Fan. After lunch, we get off at Niitsu Station in Niigata Prefecture. Transfer to the Shiki-shima bus. The exterior of the bus is gold, similar to Shiki-shima. One of the things to look forward to is seeing the unique bus. The interior of the bus is surprisingly pop. The bus facilities are normal. We go to see the villa of the former Saito family, a wealthy merchant representative of Niigata. We enjoyed the tour. We return to the station. Shiki-shima appears. There are not many opportunities to take photos, so we take them while we can. When I return to the room… Yukata. A slightly hard pillow. The Shiki-shima staff laid a bed pad and sheets on the seat and made a bed for me. It’s a little early to make the bed. At 5:32pm, we depart from Niitsu Station. After this, we head to Obasute Station in Nagano Prefecture. The famous Nagaoka Fireworks Festival takes place here on the riverbed of the Shinano River. From 6:30pm, there is a piano and violin performance in car 5. A mocktail called “Koyomi.” It has the flavor of apples and pears, and is characterized by the addition of salt. The live violin performance is great. The dress code for dinner is semi-formal, so we change clothes. Dinner will be served by Shiki-Shima’s executive chef. Not only the food, but also the plates and dishes are elaborate. Delicious-looking bread. Hitachi beef sirloin steak with Japanese sauce. Black tea. Next, from 10pm, it’s pub time. A half-sized Shiki-Shima original curry. A half-sized Shiki-Shima original ramen. After 11pm Wooden toothbrush and comb. The water pressure in the shower is sufficient. There is a limit to the time the shower can be used. I take a rest in the room. Since it is a sleeper train, there is some shaking. The lights go out with the push of a button. The next morning. Obasute Station, Nagano Prefecture. This day we take a different bus. The seats inside the bus are like those in first class on the Shinkansen. It’s a luxurious bus. At 8am, we head to Mann’s Wine Komoro Winery in Nagano Prefecture. We have breakfast here. The breakfast is made by a chef from the Japanese restaurant at Karuizawa Prince Hotel. We tour the winery. We do wine tasting. When I return to the car, my room has been cleaned. Lunch. The chef from Hikariya Nishi, a restaurant in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, makes the food. All the food served on the car was delicious. We return to Ueno Station. We arrive at Ueno Station in 10 minutes. We arrive at Ueno Station at 4:53pm. It’s been about a 32-hour journey. We return to the lounge and there is a farewell event. We toast with japanese sake. Finally, we see off Shiki-shima and it’s over. You can apply for Shiki-shima on the website, and you have to enter a lottery (5x or more?). The first place is Seven Stars in Kyushu. Price for a 2-day, 1-night course. Starting from Hakata Station. After departing from Hakata, the train will travel around Kyushu in 2 days and 1 night, then return to Hakata. The Seven Stars lounge is located inside JR Hakata City. Inside the lounge. The atmosphere is somewhat similar to the interior of the train we will be looking at. Welcome sweets and tea are served in the lounge. Shine Muscat jelly and Seven Stars chocolate. Ticket. We toast with the shout of “Seven Stars.” The Seven Stars has 10 rooms and can accommodate 20 people. We move to the platform one group at a time. The Seven Stars departs at 9:50an. At 9:29am, the Seven Stars arrives at the platform. The front of the Seven Stars is fitted with a diesel engine locomotive. This locomotive pulls the seven cars of the Seven Stars. This is the connection between the seventh car and the locomotive. The Seven Stars can accommodate only 20 people. Compared to Shiki-shima’s capacity of 34 people and Mizukaze’s capacity of 34 people, Seven Stars’ capacity of 20 people is small. The price of Seven Stars is higher because the capacity is smaller. This time, I stay in room 603, which is a “Suite” category. The kumiko on the outside of the door is amazing. There are 8 suites, 1 Deluxe Suite B, and 1 Deluxe Suite A. This suite costs ¥950,000 ($6,600) for one person. For two people, it costs ¥1,360,000 ($9,450) for two people. This is the price for a 2-day, 1-night course, and the price is almost double for a 4-day, 3-night course. The room uses a lot of wood and has a classic interior. Bathroom. Shower room. The rooms on Seven Stars are elaborate in every detail. The designer is a famous person called Eiji Mitooka. Curtains with strong light blocking properties. Chair and blanket. Seats in subdued colors. Cushions. Air conditioning control switch. Light switches. Cool lighting. Reading light. USB ports and outlets on the power strip. Light switches. Indoor slippers. The ceiling is curved, making the room look spacious. Window shades. Japanese-style shades. The key point is that they are quiet. Lace curtains. Wider windows. Before looking at the desk… We leave at 9:50an. Let’s take a look at the desk. Power strip. Wooden frame. Dacquoise. A baked confectionery that originated in France. We can place the baked confectionery on top of washi paper. It’s unusual to have a thermometer. Bottle opener. Mirror. Sony’s portable Wi-Fi. Mineral water. A regular cup. Original Seven Stars coaster. Safety deposit box. Inside the fridge. Beers. Fruit juices, water. Large wardrobe. Hangers. There are various hangers. Shoe shine cloth, brush, shoehorn. Star marks on the wall. Light switches. Open the door. Bathroom. Original Seven Stars bath towel and face towel. Let’s take a look at the sink. Amenities. Body towel. Body soap, treatment, and shampoo from Kyoto cosmetics company NEMOHAMO. Hand soap. Wooden cup. Dental kit. The cold and hot water switch is similar on all trains. One outlet. Hair dryer from Japanese brand PANASONIC. Nanoe-equipped hair dryer. Toilet window shade. Flush switch. Comes with a washlet. Communication buzzer. The toilet paper has the Seven Stars mark on it. The toilet lid is stylish. The toilet is made by TOTO and is the same as on previous trains. Shower room. Stylish shower room. Rain shower and hand shower. A handle for adjusting the temperature. The room was very well-finished. Amenities are distributed after departure. Information sent in advance. Luggage tag and leather tag with Seven Stars. Information. The dress code is generally the same for all railway companies. Let’s take a walk around the car. Car 7 is where Deluxe Suite B and Deluxe Suite A are located. The atmosphere around here is a little different from the others. There is only one Deluxe Suite B and one Deluxe Suite A, so it is difficult to make reservations. Return to Car 6. The wood used in each car is different, and the wood in Car 6 is light brown, giving it a bright atmosphere. There are sometimes Seven Stars posters on the edge of the car. The edge of Car 6. Car 5. The wood in Car 5 is reddish brown, giving it a slightly different atmosphere from Car 6. Next is Car 4. Looking at the wall… The stops are written on it. The wood in Car 4 is a little lighter. Go to Car 3. There is a KAZ bar in Car 3. Photography is prohibited in the KAZ bar, and the price is ¥25,000 ($174) per person for 90 minutes. There is a shop next to it. Seven Stars merchandise and other items are sold there. The scarves are expensive. Flashy ballpoint pens. Expensive plates. The Seven Stars will be renovated in 2022, with cars 2 and 3 being the main remodeled cars. The shop and KAZ bar we saw earlier were added during the renovation. The Seven Stars won the Brunel Award in 2014. There is a golden frog object on the wall of car 2. There is a shared toilet in car 2. If you need to go to the toilet while eating in car 1, you will come here. Let’s take a look at car 2. During the 2022 renovation, a tea room was added to car 2. The idea of ​​a tea room inside the car is unique. It’s a nice Japanese train. The salon space “Jupiter” in car 2. There is a surprise here… There is a ladybug object. Next to it… EuroCave’s wine cellar. This is where the chefs prepare the food. Car 1 is the lounge car “Blue Moon”. We have lunch. Since the capacity is 20 people, everyone can eat in this dining car at the same time. We can see the dynamic scenery from the window. Grand piano. Dog sculpture. The design is a little similar to the Royal Express. The ceiling looks almost the same. Drinks such as wine by the glass, cocktails, and soft drinks are free. Premium bottled wine is charged. There is a selection of expensive wines. Saga’s Higashiichi sake. Sushi by Yamanaka, a famous “Hakata-mae” sushi restaurant. Sushi such as shrimp, squid, tuna, and grouper. A special cocktail called “Seven Stars”. Sushi with sea bream, conger eel, and sea urchin. Tea. We take a break in the room during our free time. The room is 10 square meters, but it feels spacious. It was designed to make the room feel spacious. The event “Yatsushiro Specialty Igusa Craft Experience” will be held from 3:05 pm. I’ll make this by hand. Finished. Sightseeing after getting off the train (excursion). Wakimoto Beach in Kagoshima Prefecture. We’ll hear a story about sea turtles. Loggerhead turtles have been seen coming to lay eggs on Wakimoto Beach from May to September. After this, we’ll transfer to the Seven Stars bus. The Seven Stars bus comes into view . The color of the bus is the same as the train, and it has a luxurious feel. The words “SEVEN STARS IN KYUSHU” are written in various places. Let’s take a look inside. The seating arrangement is 2-2, and the interior is stylish. The ceiling design is also elaborate. The drink holders are normal. Looking up… Lighting and air conditioning. Original shades. It’s completely dark outside. We go back inside the car. When I get back to the room… The bed hasn’t been made yet. I change into suits and head to dinner from 7pm. It’s French food at a restaurant in Kagoshima. Caviar and Kirishima salmon gateau. French bread and butter. Butter-grilled Japanese amberjack (Paracaesio xanthura) from Kagoshima Prefecture. Pan-fried Kagoshima Prefecture Kuroge Wagyu beef rump. Tea. When I returned to my room after dinner, the bed was already made. Room wear. Let’s take a look at the bed. The pillows and bed are a little soft. It’s a relaxing room. When the window door is closed, the atmosphere changes. The Seven Stars runs at night. There is a bar time in car 1 from 10pm. Bar time is the best part of a luxury train journey. Seven Stars original curry. Nanamaru (Seven Stars x Ippudo collaboration ramen). A special cocktail called “Venus”. I go back to my room and took a shower. The shower room has wooden walls and floors, and it’s a relaxing room. The water pressure was fine, and I was able to take a comfortable shower. There was no time limit for showering. The toothbrush is made of wood. Earplugs, razor. Hairbrush. The Seven Stars runs at night, so there is some shaking. The next morning. 6 am. It’s dark outside. It’s getting light outside. We have about an hour’s stop at Nobeoka Station in Miyazaki Prefecture. That’s car 1. Before I knew it, the locomotive was gone. Tomato juice to wake me up. French toast. Looks delicious. Seasonal vegetables, prosciutto, and fruit. I got on the Seven Stars bus again. This is the port of Saiki, Oita Prefecture. After a little walk, I returned to the Seven Stars. I returned to my room. There was no special cleaning. The tea room event starts at 11:30am. The crew of the Seven Stars will make matcha (on some days, a tea master will make the tea). I had matcha and tea sweets. Lunch starts at 12:00pm. Ginjo tea from Shimodonozono. This is a creative Japanese dish made by the chef of the Japanese restaurant “Hosun” in Oita. After lunch, the train heads to Hakata Station. Getting ready to go back. A farewell ceremony will be held in car 1 from 4:15 pm. A cameraman is accompanying the Seven Stars, and all the passengers will watch the video he shot. This event will be the last, and we will return to the lounge and the event will not be held again. After that, I relaxed until I arrived at Hakata Station. Arrived at Hakata Station. After arriving at Hakata Station, I was able to use the lounge for about 30 minutes. This was the end of my Seven Stars trip. Mizukaze, Shiki-shima, and Seven Stars all had pretty similar flow. Which sleeper train you liked best depends on your preferences. Looking back at the video, they were all good sleeper trains. Thank you for watching.

Today, we will look at the TOP 5 Amazing Japanese Sleeper Trains, ranked in order of luxury and price.

■Contents
00:00 Intro
00:21 Nr 5: Sunrise Express
20:52 Unranked: West Express Ginga
21:51 Nr 4: Cassiopeia
37:56 Unranked: Royal Express
39:27 Nr 3: Twilight Express Mizukaze
1:04:13 Nr 2: Train Suite Shiki-Shima
1:30:00 Nr 1: Seven Stars In Kyushu

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