News On Japan

Luxury on Rails: 'The Royal Express' Sets Off on Lavish 4-Day Tour

SHIKOKU, Jan 27, 2024 (News On Japan) - Starting at 960,000 yen per person for a 3-night, 4-day journey, the opulent 'The Royal Express' tourist train, akin to a luxury hotel, departed from Okayama on Friday, January 26th.

Luxury on Rails: 'The Royal Express' Sets Off on Lavish 4-Day Tour

Covering the Shikoku and Setouchi areas, the journey promises a luxurious 3-night, 4-day experience.

Running from January 26th to March 4th on Fridays through Mondays for a total of six times, the price starts at 960,000 yen per person (double occupancy), with a capacity of 15 couples or up to 30 guests.

The tour is particularly popular among people in their 70s.

The popularity largely stems from its interior. The dining car, where meals are served, features designs utilizing traditional craftsmanship.

The train boasts stained-glass ceilings and handmade artisan interiors, radiating luxury. A lounge car offering panoramic views and a library for reading are also included.

Staffing mirrors that of hotels, with 13 attendants for a maximum of 30 passengers. A violinist also accompanies diners in the dining car, enhancing meals with live performances.

Lodging includes actual luxury hotels. On the first night, guests stay at 'Yuyama-so Asan Kotonami' in Kagawa Prefecture. The second night is spent in Ehime Prefecture's Dogo Onsen, at hotels like 'Bettei Oborodzukiyo' or 'Setouchi Retreat Aonagi by Onkochishin.' And on the third night, they stay at 'Azumi Setoda' in Ikuchijima, Hiroshima Prefecture.

Source: TBS

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Large Typhoon No. 25 was moving north toward the Ogasawara Islands at 5 a.m. on September 19 and was forecast to pass near the Izu Islands and Kanto from September 20 through September 21, bringing the risk of torrential rain, violent winds and rough seas, with some areas expected to receive more than 300 millimeters of rain over 48 hours.

A black bear has been spotted near one of the most popular hiking trails on Mount Takao in western Tokyo, prompting authorities to urge visitors to take precautions ahead of the five-day Silver Week holiday and the approaching autumn foliage season.

Starbucks is considering selling a majority stake in its Japanese business, potentially valued at as much as $3 billion, or about 470 billion yen, as the U.S. coffee chain seeks to concentrate management resources on its struggling North American operations.

Japan's Halloween Jumbo Lottery went on sale nationwide on September 16, offering a combined top payout of 400 million yen for the first prize and its adjacent-number prizes.

A new top-tier "Supreme Class" offering fully private compartments above the level of Green Car service will debut on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen on October 1, with passengers able to experience the new seating at a demonstration booth at Shin-Osaka Station.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Travel NEWS

The Kyushu Shinkansen will resume operations along its entire route on September 18 after suffering extensive track and other damage in the Kumamoto earthquake, raising hopes that the long-awaited restoration will help revive tourism in disaster-hit areas ahead of the Silver Week holiday period.

Prolonged rain is disrupting tourism ahead of Japan's Silver Week holidays, forcing Nagatoro's popular river cruises to remain suspended for an 11th consecutive day while increased water flow at Fukuroda Falls in Ibaraki Prefecture is drawing more visitors.

A new top-tier "Supreme Class" offering fully private compartments above the level of Green Car service will debut on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen on October 1, with passengers able to experience the new seating at a demonstration booth at Shin-Osaka Station.

Tokyo Disney Resort will launch its annual Disney Halloween event on September 16, with a special parade previewed ahead of the opening and visitors allowed to enjoy the parks in costume during the event period.

Visitors can climb to the top of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, about 300 meters above the sea, for sweeping 360-degree views of the Akashi Strait, Kobe, Awaji Island and, in clear weather, as far as Osaka.

A mobile battery caught fire inside a Tobu Isesaki Line train in Saitama Prefecture on September 14, leaving a high school student with minor burns before another passenger extinguished the flames.

GO, Waymo and Nihon Kotsu said they aim to launch Japan's first commercial fully driverless taxi service in Tokyo during 2027, using Level 4 autonomous vehicles that can operate without a driver on board under specified conditions.

Kajima Corp. has unveiled the construction site of KAJIMA TREE, a roughly 60-meter wooden tower being built for the International Horticultural Expo that will open in March 2027.