STUART JORDAN looks into the luxurious excursions available in Japan.
With the announcement of an N Scale Twilight Express Mizukaze by Kato, I thought that it would be interesting to look in more detail at some of the Japanese luxury sleeper trains which run. In Europe we are used to the romanticism of sleeper trains like the Orient Express or Flèche d'Or with their Wagons-Lits, but rail operators in Japan go all out to create a ‘moving luxurious hotel’ – the actual brief for the Twilight Express.
The Twilight Express Mizukaze (fresh wind) is comprised of an 87 Series hybrid diesel multiple unit. It has been run as a sleeping car excursion train by West Japan Railway Company since 2017. The ten cars which make up the train were built jointly by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Kinki Sharyo.
The Art Deco Lounge Car.
The name is a throwback to the original Twilight Express, which ran from 1989 until 2016. This train was pulled by slightly less glamourous electric and diesel locomotives, depending on the route. The previously used branding was refreshed and used on the new service, which runs on excursions in Keihanshin, Sanin, and Sanyo in Western Japan.
The living/dining room in the main suite.
The train itself was designed by engineer Tetsuo Fukuda and interior designer Kazuya Ura. The concept of the design was to create ‘a hotel rolling through the beautiful Japanese landscape. Superior quality with a touch of nostalgia’.
The view from the observation car.
The distinctive front of the train, which looks a little like a wicket keeper’s helmet, is an observation deck where passengers can get a drivers-eye view of the journey. The front coach also includes an observation room. An identical car is at the back of the train.
Accommodation is made up of three types of room – Twin, of which there are thirteen spread across five coaches, two single rooms which share a coach with one of the twins, and a suite which takes up an entire coach. The total capacity is 34 passengers. A dining car and lounge car make up the remainder of the ten-car consist.
The sweeping lines of the exterior are continued on the Art Deco interior design, which is quite frankly jaw-dropping. A hotel on rails indeed.
K10-1570 Twilight Express Mizukaze 10 Car Set
The Shiki-shima (four seasons island) is a sleeper train which runs in the east of Japan. The official designated class is E001 Series, which is an electric diesel hybrid which can run using power from pantographs or using the onboard diesel generators on non-electrified routes.
The windows of the lounge represent the trunks and branches of trees.
The name refers to the fact that the train runs all year round and allows passengers to view the changing seasons of Japan on their journey. The tagline of the service is ‘Journeys to Discover Hidden Depths’, with an emphasis on getting to the heart of what makes Japan the country that it is.
The observation car also allows a driver's eye view.
The design of the outside of the locomotive is distinctively angular, with non-symmetrical triangular viewing windows in the lounge car and on each observation coach just behind the driver’s cab. Despite its modern exterior, the interior (the work of designer Kiyoyuki Ken Okuyama) leans heavily on traditional Japanese design conventions.
The bright elegant dining car.
The 10-car train consists of two driving coaches which act as observation cars, a lounge car, a dining car, the Shiki-Shima Suite split across two floors which takes up a full coach, a deluxe suite coach, and five coaches all with three suites.
K10-1447 JR E001 Train Suite Shikishima 10 car Powered Set
Seven cars for seven prefectures – this train gets its name from the number of coaches and the number of regions in Kyushu, the southern-most main island of Japan. The train operates two different circular tours from Hakata – a two-day and a four-day itinerary. Coach tours are available from various stops along the way.
The lounge (with piano) shows off the Japanese-style interior design.
The locomotive is a diesel DF200-7000, based on the DF200 freight locomotive and was built especially for the train by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The total cost of the train and the seven coaches was 3 billion yen, which is nearly 22 million pounds.
The Blue Moon with rear view window.
The interior design, overseen by Eiji Mitooka, is a blend of both traditional Japanese and western styles, with an emphasis on local Kyushu craftsmanship and materials. The ‘Blue Moon’ lounge bar has a piano, with musical performances during the evening as the guests watch the scenery go by. The Blue Moon is situated at the end of the train and has a window which stretches across the back wall for views.
The light wooden panelling of the dining car.
Dinner is either served in the dining car, or in restaurants along the route. With a selection of local cuisine on offer, this is definitely the excursion to choose if you want to immerse yourself in Japanese culture.
K10-1519 Seven Stars in Kyushu Cruise Train 8 Car Powered Set