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วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 27 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2564

LUXURY TRAIN TRAVEL IN JAPAN

   From Worldometer (new  COVID-19 deaths yesterday):

        DAY  USA  WORLD   Brazil    India    South Africa

June     9    1093     4732         1185       246       82
July    22     1205     7128        1293      1120     572
Aug    12     1504     6556        1242        835     130
Sept     9     1208      6222       1136       1168       82
Oct     21     1225      6849         571        703       85
Nov    25      2304    12025        620        518      118
Dec    30      3880    14748       1224       299      465
Jan     14      4142    15512       1151       189      712              
Feb      3       4005    14265       1209       107      398
          25       2414    10578        1582       119      144
Mar     2        1989      9490        1726       110      194
          31       1115     12301        3950       458       58
April   6          906     11787         4211       631       37
May    4         853     13667         3025     3786       59 
         26         607     12348         2399     3842     101

The New York Times this morning reported:

Over the past few years, Japan Railway has introduced three luxury train systems.  While very expensive, they all nevertheless have been popular.  Your Japan Rail Pass cannot be used for these trains.

So let me start with the economical Green Car Japan Rail Pass, which costs $383/7-days, $618/14-days or $803/21-days.  Pretty much takes you everywhere in Japan.  You can reduce your cost by using the Ordinary Car for about a third less.  Even cheaper is a Willer Express Bus pass for half the cost of the ordinary car.  As useful and expeditious as the Bullet Train has been, the price is certainly reasonable.


Yesterday, I reported on various luxury trains throughout the world.  In general, they cost from $500/day to well beyond $1000/day.  In comparison, the expensive Crystal cruise generally goes for around $500/day.  However, you can find other ships with sufficient opulence for $100/day, and less.  My 111-day around the world cruise will cost a little more than $300/day, but includes actually traveling around the world, a beverage package (that will permit up to 15 drinks/day), WiFi, tips and all port charges, including taxes.

The three luxury trains in Japan:

  • The ultimate indulgence is the so-called $10,000 suite Shiki-Shima.  Here is a shorter version that says $12,000/ticket.  Read this.  Well, what does it really cost?
    • The 3-day/2-night trip in the fanciest cabin, the Shiki-Shima Suite:  $12,400 for two people, or $9000 for two in the cheap rooms.  There are 17 suites.
    • Thus, divide by three and the range would be $1500 to more $2000/day per person.
  • The 4-day/3-night trip goes up to $12,500/person in the the most expensive rooms.  The trip goes all the way up to Hakodate on Hokkaido for $3125/day.
  • Whole train accommodates 34 passengers
  • Here is a comment from a private traveler:
It’s a short journey by the Shiki-Shima organized limo from the Palace Hotel in Tokyo, and we get to Ueno station in about 15 minutes and are met kerb-side by the Shiki-Shima staff in their distinctive traditional uniforms. We’re whisked through the station (quite busy on a Monday morning) in minutes, our luggage going separately, being taken to the special Prologue lounge at platform 13, which is reserved for the Train Suite Shiki-Shima only. Here we are served drinks and local delicacies as we’re given train goody bags, special pins to identify us as being Shiki-Shima guests and lots of information as well as iPod style devices which means at various points throughout the trip we can listen to a commentary in English.
  • Includes fancy meals.  The sushis, for example, were a work of art:
  • There are two cars for views and one each for a bar lounge (where there is live music) and fancy dining.
  • 2, 3 and 4 day trips, from Ueno Station in Tokyo to points north, and returning to Ueno.
  • Began service in 2017.
  • Train only travels at 70 MPH, around one-third that of the Bullet Train.
  • Train was designed by Ken Okuyama, who is noted for his work with Ferrari and Maserati.
  • Here is a photo of just the bathroom for the two most expensive suites:
  • One way to insure for a place on the train is to book with organizations.  For example, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has a package of a ten-day tour that includes side-trips on the Shinkansen to Kyoto for special artsy visits and a extravagant meals, with stays at the Peninsula Tokyo and Ritz-Carlton (Kyoto), for anywhere from $30,000 to$50,000/person (so $3000 to $5000/day).
  • The Twilight Express Mizukaze operates between Kyoto-Osaka and Shimonoseki, located at the western tip of Honshu in Yamaguchi.
    • Designed by Kazuya Ura, who is known for his luxury hotel style.
    • There are five different tours available, all either 2-day 1-night or 3-day 2-night trips.  
    • 34 passengers in a traveling 5-star hotel with exquisite dining.
    • Depending on route, about $2800/day.

  • Seven Stars is a sleeper train based on Kyushu now in its 8th year of operation.
    • Kyushu has seven prefectures and the train has seven cars.
    • Starts and finishes at the JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka.
    • The 4-day itinerary includes an onsen visit and goes down to Miyazaki for $5400 or $1350/day.
    • The 2-day journey visits Oita, Mount Aso and Arita porcelain for $2550 or $1275/day.

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