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Travel Through Japan In Style In JR’s New Luxury Sleeper Train, The Shiki Shima (Video)

By Tony Dot Vega

Posted on March 19, 2017

4 min read

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This train ride isn’t cheap.
Image source: Kyodo News

Feel like taking a multi-day luxurious train tour through Tohoku and Hokkaido that might just empty out your wallet? If so, then you’re going to want to check out the East Japan Railway Company’s (JR East) newest sleeper train, the “Train Suite Shiki Shima” (Foour Season Island).

Unveiled on Thursday (Mar. 16) at its home station, JR Ueno Station, the Shiki Shima is the pinnacle of Japanese luxury. With an interior that is best described as ‘modern traditional Japanese,’ passengers of this gorgeous train can expect to encounter all sorts of unique features not found on a typical train.

Set to start operating on May 1st, the Shiki Shima will take passengers on one, two or three night round trip tours through the Tohoku and Hokkaido areas of Japan. It features individual suites packed with Japanese touches, such as tatami mat bedrooms and bathtubs made of Japanese cypress. The Shiki Shima Suite, which is the most luxurious of the train’s suites, even features a two level design with a kotatsu on the second floor so you can stay warm while you enjoy the beutiful views from the privacy of your own suite.

Spread out over the Shiki Shima’s 10 train cars, passengers will find one lounge car, two observation decks and one dining car. Passengers can relax in the train’s lounge car, which features a design inspired by a Japanese forest. Or, if its mealtime, they can head over to the dining car to enjoy some top quality cuisine that makes use of local Tohoku/Hokkaido ingredients, all while taking in the scenery thrrough the dining car’s many windows.

So how much will a trip on this fancy train cost you? If you’re looking to go all out and take a 4-day trip in the Shiki Shima Suite, which is intended for two people, then that will set you back JPY950,000 per person (approx. US$8428). If you’re looking for something a bit more affordable, then you may want to opt out of the Shiki Shima Suite and go for a 2-day trip. This option will cost you a mere JPY320,000 (approx. US$2,839). So, you may want to start saving.

For more information, visit the official English language Shiki Shima website by clicking here.

Source: Nikkei, Kyodo News, Sponichi, Wikipedia