Luxury Train Trips in Asia

Shiki-Shima Luxury Train to Hokkaido

Surpassing the Seven Stars in Kyushu as the world's most luxurious train, the Shiki-Shima was recently launched by Japan Railways East to ply the route between Tokyo and Hokkaido with seasonal journeys of 2-4 days. Unlike the hyper efficient Shinkansen bullet trains, the Shiki-Shima is a newer edition of the emerging and popular slow train movement designed for a relaxing multi-day journeys marked by striking modern and traditional design, exquisite dining, and peerless service.

The ultra-modern concept train with traditional motifs was a prestigious Good Design Awards winner even before approval and construction lead Ferrari and Porsche designer Ken Kiyoyuki Okyama. Japan's luxury sleeper train has only 17 suites for a maximum of 34 passengers. Two exclusive two-floor suites each inhabit an entire train car, featuring traditional tatami mats, glass fireplaces, and a traditional-style wooden Cyprus bath tub, for bathing while passengers enjoy views over the countryside. Shiki-Shima's first and last carriages are stylish and bright observation cars with floor-to-ceiling windows where passengers may relax and take in the views of the countryside.

Fine dining is crafted by Michelin-starred chef Katsuliro Nakamura and features French, Japanese, but also local cuisine with guest chefs to be enjoyed to live piano in the lounge. Note that tickets for the Shiki-Shima sellout year or more in advance.

Eastern & Oriental Express

One of the world's most legendary trains, the Eastern & Oriental Express "E&O" was the first rail line journey between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok and is the ultimate rail journey through Southeast Asia. Comprised of luxury train carriages from Japan remodeled in Singapore in an elegance colonial-era style with inlaid wood, traditional Chinese decor, Malay textiles, and hand-crafted carpets from Thailand. E&O Journeys of one to three nights pass through ancient towns, tea plantations, and sleepy coastal villages of Southern Thailand and the Malaysian Peninsula. Past journeys have also ventured from Bangkok to Thailand's northern city Chiang Mai.

Traversing the scenic landscapes of Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia, the Eastern & Oriental Express epitomizes the quintessential Southeast Asian rail adventure. Adorned with opulent wooden interiors, the train boasts a Presidential Suite, State Rooms, and Pullman Cabins available with either single beds or bunks. This journey is a nod to vintage elegance, reminiscent of an Agatha Christie narrative, but seamlessly integrated with contemporary comforts.

Onboard, indulge in a sumptuous meal in the elegance of two dining carriages, Adisorn and Malaya with cuisine of the same very high standards already established by the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Europe. The dining cars, seemingly lifted straight from a Christie masterpiece, features acclaimed chefs designing exquisite menus that harmoniously merge Eastern and Western influences, tailored for each unique destination and local ingredients. Guests can indulge in the luxury of breakfast in bed, or elevate their mornings with a lavish champagne breakfast.

Eastern & Oriental Wild Malaysia

Spend a couple of days exploring Singapore with us before embarking on the Belmond’s Eastern & Oriental Express on its new Wild Malaysia journey. The route meanders through the eastern stretches of the Malay peninsula. In partnership with the conservation organization, Save Wild Tigers, on the second day, post-lunch, passengers will explore Taman Negara National Park—one of the planet's most ancient rainforests, established around 130 million years ago. The verdant sanctuary is home to leopards, tigers, Sumatran rhinos, water buffalo, hornbills, and macaques. Activities featured involve foraging, photography, and wildlife spotting.

On the following day, visit Penang Island, with excursions for a Peranakan cooking-themed culinary outing or a cultural and art-focused trip to Georgetown’s Colonial Quarter before reboarding at Butterworth and retracing the rails south back to Singapore after the final night.

The trips all take place on the legendary trains, which have 15 “restyled” deep green carriages—including eight sleeping cars, two restaurant cars, a piano bar car, and an open-air observation car—all decked out with Malaysian embroidery and Asian silks to reflect the grandeur of the local surroundings.

All of the cherry wood-paneled cabins are equipped with air-conditioning and private bathrooms, and available in three classes. The Pullman cabins' decor reflects that of Kuala Lumpur with red sofas and blue cushions and drapery to capture the city's blue skies, while the State cabins channel Penang’s marine blue-and-green hues. Presidential cabins radiate with gold and embroidered opulence.

While on board, guests will be immersed in Southeast Asian culture with interactions with artisans teaching traditional crafts, storytellers sharing classic tales, and entertainers playing Nanyang jazz and Malay tunes. Every meal will be an elevated experience, rooted in Peranakan flavors with a mix of Chinese, Malay, and other Southeast Asian influences.

Belmond’s Wild Malaysia will run March through October while their Essence of Malaysia itinerary will be offered annually from November through February.

Mizukaze Twilight Express

Japan's newer, exclusive and stylish Art-Deco Mizukaze, or "fresh wind" train, departs from Kyoto on one or two-night trips along the sublime coastlines of western Honshu, taking in the scenery along both the Sea of Japan and the stunning Inland Sea, including Mount Daisen, Matsue, Izumo and Miyajima.

Mizukaze only carries 34 passengers who will enjoy the rare opportunity to explore places along the route not ordinarily open to the public. Sumptuous suites take up an entire rail car. A formal dining car features haute cuisine prepared by expert gourmet chefs featuring dishes prepared from a variety of local ingredients from along the route. Highlights include a stop at a famed onsen (hot springs) resort.

Mizukaze adds to Japan's growing collection of luxury Slow Trains, which include the Seven Stars in Kyushu and Shiki-Shima, which runs from Tokyo to Hokkaido.

Maharajas Express Rajasthan

Explore the culture highlights of Rajasthan on a variety of trips from three to days to a week aboard India’s luxurious Maharajas Express, including Jaipur, Ranthambore national park, magnificent Taj Mahal, the ancient royal city of Orchha, exquisite sculptures of Khajuraho and the holy city of Benares. Dining is complemented by dining stops in some of India's top five-star heritage hotels. The Maharajas features a spa carriage and 24-hour private English-speaking butler service. Spacious luxury cabins have en-suite shower rooms, independently controlled air-conditioning, and Wi-Fi.

Sights visited during the journey include Jaipur’s Amber Fort and gemstone bazaars, Ranthambore National Park, home to the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger, the Taj Mahal at sunrise, Orchha’s magnificent collection of striking UNESCO World Heritage palaces, fort and temples, exquisite architectural carvings and engravings in Khajuraho created between 950 and 1050 AD, Sarnath where the Buddha delivered his first sermon, walking tour of Varanasi and sunset cruise on the sublime Ganges.

Between sights, the journey is complemented by on and off-board live music and dance performances.

Eastern & Oriental Essence of Malaysia

Spend a day or two exploring Singapore with us before departing on Belmond’s Essence of Malaysia on the Eastern & Oriental Express, one of two seasonal itineraries organized by Belmond. After leaving Singapore’s Woodlands Station, the train heads northwards toward Kuala Lumpur, passing by rice paddy field farms and small rural villages. On the second morning, stop at Alor Setar station for a short cruise through Pulau Payar Marine Park in Langkawi, an area of thriving variety of sea life, where passengers will enjoy an island picnic with optional activities including snorkeling, paddle boarding, tai chi, meditation, and massages, before heading back on board to enjoy live entertainment.

On the following day, visit Penang Island, with excursions for a Peranakan cooking-themed culinary outing or a cultural and art-focused trip to Georgetown’s Colonial Quarter before reboarding at Butterworth and retracing the rails south back to Singapore after the final night.

All of the cherry wood-paneled cabins are equipped with air-conditioning and private bathrooms, and available in three classes. The Pullman cabins' decor reflects that of Kuala Lumpur with red sofas and blue cushions and drapery to capture the city's blue skies, while the State cabins channel Penang’s marine blue-and-green hues. Presidential cabins radiate with gold and embroidered opulence.

While on board, guests will be immersed in Southeast Asian culture with interactions with artisans teaching traditional crafts, storytellers sharing classic tales, and entertainers playing Nanyang jazz and Malay tunes. Every meal will be an elevated experience, rooted in Peranakan flavors with a mix of Chinese, Malay, and other Southeast Asian influences.

The Essence of Malaysia itinerary will be offered annually from November through February while Belmond’s Wild Malaysia will run March through October.

Seven Stars Kyushu

The Seven Stars, Japan's first Luxury Cruise Train is the finest luxury sleeper in the world, which meanders along the picturesque coastline and through striking volcanic landscapes of national parks and hot springs of Kyushu island in Southern Japan. Once the finest of Japanese luxury trains, a sleek burgundy and gold beauty with rich wood interiors with large panorama windows to savor in the countryside.

Named for the seven prefectures of Kyushu, the train is also comprised of seven cars. Typically, the Seven Stars offers two and four-day itineraries for passengers in one of their 12 spacious suites, each with a sitting area and a private bathroom and the suite carriages contain only 3 bedrooms per car. Atmospheric wood-paneled cabins on the Seven Stars feature one-of-kind hand-crafted fittings and fixtures, and are among the roomiest and comfortable of any luxury train cabins in the world.

The highlight of the all-suite train is the "caboose" car's Deluxe Suite A, a 226-square-foot room that boasts a 5-foot panoramic window overlooking the track behind the train. Public areas include the charming Blue Moon lounge car featuring panoramic views of passing landscapes from comfortable sofas and along with full bar service. In the evenings, live music brightens up the lounge atmosphere. In the Jupiter dining car, enjoy subdued but attentive service, with dishes featuring the best of Kyushu cuisine.

Stops along the way tour the best of Kyushu, including the top cultural and natural highlights of the island such as stopover in Arita for a tour of the prestigious Kakiemon pottery shop. On the longer 4-day itinerary, an overnight at a local ryokan is included where passengers will enjoy a soak in a renowned hot spring bath (onsen).

Note: Cabin availability on the Seven Stars is very limited and difficult to secure. Contact us to inquire about suites, itineraries and prices. Plan your journey aboard the Seven Stars and between other destinations in Japan with Indochina Travel.