Hakata, Kagoshima-Chuo, Miyazaki Airport, Oita, Sasebo. The departure station varies depending on the day of the week. On Thursdays — Red Route, on Fridays — Black Route, on Saturdays — Green Route, on Sundays — Blue Route, on Mondays — Gold Route. Together, these five routes form a 1,160-kilometer loop connecting seven prefectures of Kyushu.
The train consists of six cars of the 787 series. The car bodies, previously used for the express train "Tsubame," have been completely repainted in black. The floor of car 1 is covered with tatami made from igusa grass grown in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture. Car 2 features Kyushu’s only private compartment, designed for six guests. In September 2026, car 6 was refurbished and now includes ten private compartments.
Station stops are part of the journey. Tamana, Ushinohama, Kirishima-Jingu, Osumi-Okawara, Hizenhama, Kamiarita. Local artisans present their crafts on the platforms, and in Mojiko, eighty minutes are allotted for free exploration.
There are no sleeping accommodations. The train operates only during the day, arriving in the next city by evening.
Rooms where guests enter without shoes. Three out of four rooms have been recently renovated and feature low partitions.
The only room designed to accommodate six people in one space. Wheelchair-accessible seats are located in the same carriage and must be requested at the time of booking.
Private rooms. They can be booked for one guest at an additional charge. Located in the same carriage as the buffet.
The partitions with the corridor are made of glass, and the design of the seats in each room is unique. This carriage is intended exclusively for the Premium Lunch Plan.
The only carriage that is not private. This is the only car accessible with a ticket and where the JR Kyushu Rail Pass can be used. All seats are reserved, so you may sit together with other guests.
Dining is provided by restaurants located along each route, rather than by a dedicated chef. Meals are served exclusively in private compartments in cars 1–3 and 6; not available in car 5. The meal-inclusive option is not available for the daytime Monday service on the Sasebo – Hakata route.
Depending on the route and season, restaurants may change (please confirm current information when booking): Red Route — “Hanakomachi” (Kumamoto); Black — “Miroku” (Kagoshima) for cars 1–3 and “France Kitchen Shunsai” for car 6; Green — “pappacarbone” (Miyazaki); Blue — “RISTORANTE Oba” (Oita); Gold — “Nihonryori Nagaoka” (Fukuoka).
All meals are served in multi-tiered boxes, with different menus for cars 1–3 and car 6. In car 6, Japanese sweets for tea and a post-meal drink are also served.
Car 3 features a bar offering local alcoholic beverages from across Kyushu as part of the “Kyushu Sake Journey” concept. All fares include one welcome drink; additional beverages are charged separately. Dietary allergies cannot be accommodated.
Private compartments (cars 1–3 and 6) are sold exclusively as tour packages organized and serviced by JR Kyushu, with only car 5 available for boarding with a regular ticket. Tour packages are generally offered three times a year, and applications are accepted no later than five days before departure. Tickets go on sale one month prior to departure at 10:00, with no waiting list system. Compartments in cars 3 and 6 may be reserved for a single passenger for an additional fee; however, cars 1 and 2 are not intended for occupancy by one or two persons.
Special meals for allergies are not provided. Children under 15 or elementary school students must be accompanied by adults, and participants under 18 must provide parental consent. Oversized luggage can be stored in the luggage compartment of each car. The lead car and direction of travel may change without prior notice due to operational reasons, and a specific window view cannot be guaranteed upon reservation.
For up-to-date information, please inquire in advance.