The Shiki-Shima Suite of the Train Suite Shiki-Shima. The train has only 17 cabins, all suites, and the most expensive room, known as Shiki-Shima Suite, is priced at 950,000 yen (US$8,480) per person when shared by two people. Photo: AFP
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https://scmp.com/magazines/style/article/2092652/inside-japans-new-luxury-sleeper-train-which-boasts-only-17-suites Leisure
Inside Japan’s new luxury sleeper train, which boasts only 17 suites
A ticket to ride this luxury train is US$10,000 one way
The Train suite Shiki-Shima during a training run in Inawashiro, Fukushima prefecture. Photo: AFP
A Japanese railway company has launched a new luxury sleeper train with sky views, bathtubs and dark wood interiors, joining the race for well-heeled tourists.
The top suite on the 10-car “Train Suite Shiki-shima” sells for US$10,000 per person for a four-day trip from Tokyo to Hokkaido, East Japan Railway said.
The train, which left with 33 passengers on its maiden voyage from Tokyo on Monday, features traditional tatami rice straw mats and bathtubs made from hiroki cypress wood in its executive suites.
Glass ceilings and walls are built into two observatory coaches at the front and rear of the train for the passengers to watch the scenery pass by.
An observatory car of the Train Suite Shiki-Shima. Photo: AFP
The journey includes stops in the northeast Tohoku region, which was hit by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
“We also want to empower the disaster-hit northern Japan for their recovery effort through the operation of Shiki-shima,” East Japan Railway Chief Executive Tetsuro Tomita said at the launch.
The train is fully booked until March 2018.
The bathroom of the Shiki-Shima Suite of the Train Suite Shiki-Shima. The luxury sleeper Shiki-Shima, which can accommodate up to 34 passengers, has 10 cars, including a lounge car, a dining car and two observatory cars. Photo: AFP
A crew member in the lounge car of the Train Suite Shiki-Shima. The luxury sleeper Shiki-Shima, which can accommodate up to 34 passengers, has 10 cars, including a lounge car, a dining car and two observatory cars. Photo: AFP
Demand for high-end train travel is growing in Japan, with several railway companies introducing new services.
The lounge car of the Train Suite Shiki-Shima. Photo: AFP
Kyushu Railway Co launched its Seven Star luxury coach four years ago, and JR West is set to launch its Twilight Express Mizukaze in June.