Experience Luxury Train Travel with iBestTravel
Demand for luxury train travel has surged in the wake of the pandemic. The leisurely pace and Old-World glamour that define these voyages appeal to travelers seeking time for reflection and deeper connections to the people and places encountered along the way. While Europe boasts iconic trains, Japan’s Seven Stars in Kyushu represents the pinnacle of luxury rail travel in Asia. Newly renovated last year and a reader favorite, the Seven Stars celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. With only 10 cabins accommodating a maximum of 20 guests, the deluxe liner elevates the art of omotenashi (Japanese hospitality) to new heights.
Discover the Nanatsuboshi Experience
In late August, I climbed aboard the Seven Stars – known as the Nanatsuboshi in Japanese – to find out what it’s like to ride the country’s most elite train. The three-night, four-day Kirishima route runs east from Fukuoka to Oita Prefecture, south to Kagoshima Prefecture, and then back up through Oita, returning to Fukuoka. Reservations for tickets are accepted via a lottery system, and slots are already booked solid through 2024.
Departure from Hakata Station
On the morning of our departure from Hakata station, the passengers gathered at an exclusive lounge, where crew member Satoko Yamamoto, impeccably dressed in a white conductor’s uniform adorned with gold buttons, briefed me on my itinerary. After a toast to the journey ahead, we were whisked through a priority gate onto the platform.
A Glimpse Inside the Nanatsuboshi
In true Japanese fashion, the Nanatsuboshi pulled into the station at exactly 10:37 AM. Inside, the magnificent interior, designed by Eiji Mitooka, resembles a stage from an Agatha Christie novel set against the fantasy backdrop of Meiji-era Japan. Each car features different types of wood paneling, while the corridors are adorned with intricately crafted kumiko woodwork lattices and gold fixtures. Craftsmen from the region’s most esteemed ateliers designed every detail, from the shoji paper window screens and Aritayaki porcelain lamps in the guest rooms to the elegant cutlery that enhances the dining experience.
