Tour Kyushu aboard the Seven Stars cruise train

Seven Stars in Kyushu is the train that began Japan’s enthusiasm for luxury rail cruises. Operated by JR Kyushu since 15 October 2013, it makes circular journeys around Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands, starting and ending at Hakata station in Fukuoka.

What the experience is

The name refers to the seven prefectures of Kyushu and to the seven vehicles of the train: a deep maroon locomotive and six carriages. It was designed by Eiji Mitooka, the industrial designer behind most of JR Kyushu’s trains, and built at a cost of about three billion yen. Every surface is a piece of craftsmanship: marquetry and lattice screens in rare woods, and washbasins in Arita porcelain made by the late Sakaida Kakiemon XIV, one of Japan’s most celebrated potters.

All accommodation is in suites for two with a private shower and toilet. The two suites in the last car have a large window at the end of the train, looking back along the track. A lounge car with a piano and a bar, and a dining car, complete the train, and the number of guests is kept very small.

The journeys come in two lengths, two days and one night or four days and three nights. The route changes with the season but takes in the island’s volcanoes, hot-spring towns and coast, with excursions by coach to places such as Yufuin, Aso and Kagoshima, meals from well-known local chefs, and on the longer trip a night at a ryokan.

When to go

Departures run through the year in spring-summer and autumn-winter programmes. Places are released by application for a season at a time and are decided by draw when demand exceeds supply, so plan many months ahead.

Getting there

Hakata station is in central Fukuoka, about five minutes by subway from the city’s airport and under five hours from Tokyo by shinkansen. Guests gather in a dedicated lounge at the station before boarding.

Why OKYTO recommends it

Because nothing else shows so well how seriously Japan takes both railways and craft, and because Kyushu, with its volcanoes, onsen and food, is still little visited by travellers from abroad.