News
- Applications open for Mar-Sep 2023 journeys
Applications for March to September 2023 bookings are now open.
Application period: October 15th to November 15th (23:59) 2022 (Japan Standard Time).
Application page: https://www.cruisetrain-sevenstars.jp/english/application/
Brochure:https://www.cruisetrain-sevenstars.jp/_mg/wp-content/themes/cruisetrain.wp/common/pdf/22_all_en.pdf
- Details of the new course have been released.
Thank you for waiting.
We are opening our journey details from October 2022 to March 2023 have been announced.Please see below for the detail.
https://www.cruisetrain-sevenstars.jp/english/routes/We are waiting for many applications.
- Applications open for Oct 2022-Mar 2023 journeys
Applications for Oct 2022-Mar 2023 bookings are now open.
Application period: April 15th to May 6th (23:59) 2022 (Japan Standard Time).
Application page: https://www.cruisetrain-sevenstars.jp/english/application/
Brochure:We are going to purblish around 18th of Apr.
- Applications open for Mar-Jun 2022 journeys
Applications for March to June 2022 bookings are now open.
Application period: October 1st (10am) to 22nd (23:59) 2021 (Japan Standard Time).
Application page: https://www.cruisetrain-sevenstars.jp/english/application/
Brochure:https://www.cruisetrain-sevenstars.jp/_mg/wp-content/themes/cruisetrain.wp/common/pdf/20_all_en.pdf
- Seven Stars to visit all 7 Kyushu prefectures again!
From the 1st of May, Kyushu Railway Company will open applications for bookings on the Seven Stars in Kyushu, for Sep 2021 to Feb 2022 journeys. Also, from November 2021, the Seven Stars will enter the Hisatsu Orange Railway for the first time in 4.5 years. Guests are sure to enjoy a dynamic tour around Kyushu on the Seven Stars in Kyushu.
*Please note that we will only be taking applications from those based in Japan because of the current Covid-19 related border restrictions for entry to Japan for overseas visitors.
Outline of Autumn to Winter tours
Application period: May 1st to 31st 2021
Number of runs: 22 runs (4D3N x 13, 2D1N x 9)
Reference: 14 runs were sold for April-July 2021 (4D3N x 7, 2D1N x 7)Departure months: Sep 2021 to Feb 2022
*The route for the 4D3N tour changes depending on the month of departure.
・Sep-Oct departures include 4 of the Prefectures of Kyushu (Fukuoka, Oita, Kumamoto, Miyazaki).
・Nov-Feb departures include entering the Hisatsu Orange Railway on day 4, and visits 5 of the Prefectures of Kyushu (Fukuoka, Oita, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Kagoshima).Please read here for more information
- Additional suspension of services (added Feb 5)
To prevent the further spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Kyushu Railway Company made the decision to suspend all runs of the Seven Stars in Kyushu from January 16th up to the February 6th departure. Based on the current situation of the virus spread in Japan, the decision has been made to further suspend all previously scheduled 8 runs up till the 6th of March departure.
Additional suspensions of departures
- 4 Days 3 Nights Journey: Feb 9th, 16th, 23rd, Mar 2nd 2021 departures (Tue-Fri).
- 2 Days 1 Night Journey: Feb 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, Mar 6th 2021 departures (Sat-Sun).
With hopes that the virus situation improves, we will make preparations to resume services from the 9th of March. We look forward to being able to provide journeys at the standards we strive for including incorporating the local communities.
We sincerely hope that the guests who were scheduled to board the train, and the locals who have been supporting the Seven Stars can understand the reasons behind our decision to extend the suspension of services.
Scheduled resumption of services
1) 4 Days 3 Nights Journey: March 9th (Tue) 2021 departure
2) 2 Days 1 Night Journey: March 13th (Sat) 2021 departure*The dates for scheduled resumption are subject to change based on the situation at the time, such as the spread of the virus or policies implemented by the government. Please see the latest announcements on our web-page.
- Seven Stars will return to the Kyudai Main Line from April!
From April, the Cruise Train “Seven Stars in Kyushu” is scheduled to resume operations on routes incorporating the Kyudai Main Line, which will fully reopen in March 2021. We look forward to reconnecting with the locals in these areas.
- Start of Kyudai Main Line route: from April 3, 2021 departure (2D1N journey)
- Route details:
- 2 Days 1 Night journey
The route on day 2 will change to the Seven Stars travelling via the Hohi Main Line from Kumamoto, then the Kyudai Main Line from Oita, and further travel to Yufuin and Kurume, before returning to Hakata. - 4 Days 3 Nights journey
The route on day 4 will change to entering the Kyudai Main Line from Oita, then traveling to Yufuin and Kurume, before returning to Hakata.
Please see the press release for details.
*Please note that this information is yet to be updated to the “Journey details” section of the website.
- Notice of suspension of services
Due to the current state of emergency announced by the government and a surge in infections of COVID-19, it is likely to take time before we are able to provide journeys at the standards which we strive for, such as the warm hospitality from the local communities. In light of this, Kyushu Railway Company has made the decision to cancel all seven runs of the Seven Stars in Kyushu scheduled between Jan 16 and Feb 6.
Suspended services: 7 runs.
1) 2 Days 1 Night tours: Jan 16, 23, 30, Feb 6 departures.
2) 4 Days 3 Nights tours: Jan 19, 26, Feb 2 departures.Scheduled resumption of services
1) 2 Days 1 Night tours: Feb 13 departure
2) 4 Days 3 Nights tours: Feb 9 departureWe sincerely hope that the guests who were scheduled to board the train, and the locals who have been supporting the Seven Stars can understand the reasons behind our decision.
Please note that there may be further changes to scheduled services of the Seven Stars depending on the situation at the time. Updates will continue to be posted on this site.
- Applications to open for spring-summer journeys
Online applications are to open for spring-summer 2021 journeys, from November 4th to December 4th 2020.
Outline of 2021 spring-summer journeys
(1) Application period: November 4th to December 4th 2020
(2) Runs to be sold: Total of 14 runs (spring-summer 4D3N x 6, 2D1N x 5, premium journeys x 3)
(3) Route of journeys
(a) 4 days 3 nights journey (Tuesday departure)
・On this route, guests travel to 4 of Kyushu’s prefectures (Fukuoka, Oita, Kumamoto and Miyazaki). On day 2, guests spend the night at a hot spring inn (ryokan) in Yufuin (one of Yufuin Tamanoyu, Kamenoi Besso, or Sansou Murata).
(b) 2 days 1 night journey (Saturday departure)
・On this route, guests travel to 4 of Kyushu’s prefectures (Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, and Kumamoto). One of the highlights is the visit to Arita town, to a Arita-ware kiln (workshop)Premium journeys
(1) Tour: Home of Japanese porcelain, 5-day spring tour including the Hizen area
a) Tour date: April 7th to 11th 2021
*Guests will take the 2D1N Seven Stars journey on Sat-Sun(2) Tour: 5-day tour to explore Kyushu on the “36+3”and the Seven Stars
a) Tour date: April 19th to 23rd 2021
*Tue to Fri are the 4D3N journey on the Seven Stars(3) Tour: 5-day tour to enjoy the treasures of the sea and mountains of Miyazaki
a) Tour date: May 26th to 30th 2021.
*Sat-Sun will be the 2D1N journey on the Seven Stars.
- Resumption of services of the Seven Stars from Aug 15
As in previous news release, the Seven Stars in Kyushu is scheduled to resume operations from the 15 of Aug (Sat), on a modified route, with changes to excursions, meals and timetable.
Please see here for details about the modified route, new chefs and timetable.