Enjoy Kyushu's delicious cuisine and stunning scenery aboard a luxurious train. Three unique sightseeing train trips

"36 Plus 3" allows you to enjoy a highly flexible trip around seven Kyushu prefectures

The first train we will introduce is the "36 Plus 3," which has been a hot topic since it began operation on October 16, 2020. A major feature that other trains don't have is that this train travels all over Kyushu. If you depart Hakata Station on Thursday, you can travel around the seven prefectures of Kyushu over a five-day period until Monday. The train's travel distance is 1,198 km, making it the longest circular train in the world (according to JR Kyushu).

What's more, there are five routes with departure and arrival stations set for each day of the week, making it easy to plan your trip starting from your main tourist destinations, such as Fukuoka, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, Oita, and Nagasaki.

36 Plus 3 Operation Route

When you hear "tour," you might think of something like a sleeper train, but since "36 Plus 3" only operates during the day, tickets are sold separately for each route. This means you can't sleep on the train, but it allows you to enjoy a more flexible trip. You can purchase tickets for all routes and travel around Kyushu, or just pick and choose the routes you like. The appeal is that you can use it according to your schedule and budget.

Another great thing about each route is that you can get off at any station along the way, which is one of the best parts of traveling by train. For example, the Sunday route includes a 30-minute stroll at Mojiko Station. This free time can be used to enjoy souvenir shopping and taking photos, making the trip even more memorable.

JR Kyushu calls tourist trains that are particular about the design of the carriages and incorporate the culture and stories of the areas along the line "D&S (Design & Story) Trains." Atsushi Hori, the person in charge of the new D&S train project, says, "The 36 Plus 3 is a culmination of the technology, products, and services that JR Kyushu has accumulated."

The reason is that even the carriages of the 36 Plus 3 are special. They are renovated versions of the 787 series carriages that debuted in 1992. The 787 series was the first carriage that Eiji Mitooka, a famous designer who has worked on JR Kyushu carriages and station buildings, was involved in from the planning stage.

The interior layout is also full of personality. Cars 1 to 3 are private rooms, while cars 5 and 6 are seated passenger rooms. Car 1 has a tatami floor and Western-style chairs, creating a retro atmosphere. The view from the window of this private room will look a little different.

Car 3 will be the first car in 17 years to sell souvenirs and drinks unique to Kyushu, as well as a buffet where you can enjoy light meals. Car 4 will be used as a multi-purpose car for in-car experiences and events.

There's also a little fun on board the train.

"One of the most representative cars of the 787 series is the old express train called 'Tsubame', and in fact, an object based on this 'Tsubame' motif is hidden inside the '36 Plus 3' car. When you ride, I would like you to look for the hidden Tsubame." (Mr. Hori)

If you book a meal plan in advance, you can enjoy cuisine from famous restaurants along the line. On the Friday route from Kagoshima to Miyazaki, you can eat French cuisine that uses plenty of Kagoshima ingredients. The menu is a mix of Japanese and Western dishes that use the seasonal bounty of the region, tailored to each route. In private rooms, you can enjoy a bento box, and in seated rooms, you can enjoy a bento box. Also, dinner is provided only on the route departing from Nagasaki on Mondays.

If you're planning a weekend trip, we recommend the Saturday route, which departs from Miyazaki Airport Station. You can then head north and enjoy sightseeing in Kyushu. Of course, COVID-19 measures such as temperature checks, gloves, masks, and disinfection are thoroughly implemented, so you can use it with peace of mind.

36 plus 3

"A Certain Ressha" - Enjoy sweets from world-renowned chefs in a luxurious passenger car

For those who want to enjoy not only the space inside the train but also luxurious meals, we recommend the "Aru Ressha" train, which JR Kyushu has been operating since 2015.
This impressive-looking train is modeled after the Kyushu Railway Brill Passenger Car, a luxury train that was ordered by the then Kyushu Railway from the American company Brill in 1906, and has become popular for its classic and luxurious design.

"The interior space, which makes extensive use of wood, is luxurious as well as gentle and warm, and I think you will be able to relax during the approximately three-hour ride," says Takashi Shinohara of the Sales Department (Tourism) at JR Kyushu. As Shinohara says, woods such as maple and walnut are used lavishly in the interior and furniture, creating a gorgeous yet calming space.

The carriages alone will make you feel luxurious, but what makes the trip even more elegant is the unusual course that focuses on sweets. The chef in charge is Yoshihiro Narisawa, a world-renowned chef from NARISAWA in Minami Aoyama, which has been selected as one of the "World's 50 Best Restaurants" for over 10 years in a row.

Chef Narisawa personally visited the producers to select the ingredients, and the menu features a variety of Kyushu's mountain and sea delicacies. The tableware is original work of art made by Kyushu artisans. The course begins with colorful small box-style dishes and soup, followed by four desserts made with plenty of seasonal fruits.

The first dish is a surprise dessert served in a cocktail glass. The next dish is served on a large glass plate, and the lights in the car light up the train, transporting you to a sweet world. The third dish is the main dessert served on a ceramic plate. These are all hearty delicacies that are extremely satisfying. Finally, bite-sized mignardises (snacks) are served, which can be enjoyed with a drink or tea.

Although there are only four dishes, none of them are too heavy and have a well-balanced taste, so delicious that both men and women will be addicted to them. Another fun thing about "Aru Ressha" is that the menu changes every month so that you can enjoy seasonal ingredients.

"The sweets have been very well received, and I myself am excited every month wondering what the next course will be. In addition to the sweets, the conversations with the crew have also been well received, and we are currently taking thorough measures against various viruses to ensure safety while providing hospitality." (Shinohara)
In addition to the route between Hakata and Huis Ten Bosch, a new route from Saga to Nagasaki to Sasebo will be added in January 2021. There are plans to hold a tasting event where you can compare three types of Saga sake.

We also asked Shinohara about his recommended view from the train window, and he said the Omura Line (only on the Saga-Nagasaki-Sasebo route) from Nagasaki's Haiki Station to Isahaya Station. He told us that it's a great location with the ocean right next to it, and that the sparkling ocean is particularly impressive at sunset.

In a gorgeous space that makes you feel like you're in a palace, you can enjoy a luxurious course of sweets while looking at beautiful scenery... Whether you ride with friends or by yourself, it's sure to be a memorable trip. This tourist train is especially recommended for people who love sweets.

A Certain Train

The pioneer of restaurant trains: "Orange Restaurant" where you can enjoy the sunset on Kyushu's west coast

Another tourist train with a food-focused appeal is the Orange Restaurant on the Hisatsu Orange Railway, which is also famous as a pioneer of restaurant trains. It began operating in 2013 as a "moving restaurant running along the west coast of Kyushu," but since there were no examples to follow at the time, it was built from scratch.

The service runs on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. The menu for each section is decided, and currently, breakfast is served between Izumi Station in Kagoshima and Shin-Yatsushiro Station in Kumamoto, lunch is served between Shin-Yatsushiro Station and Sendai Station in Kagoshima, and sunset is served between Sendai Station and Izumi Station (autumn/winter schedule).

The food served places emphasis on local production and consumption and the story of the region, with each trip being handled by a famous restaurant along the line. Although the coffee beans are not produced locally, 99% of the other ingredients are from the areas along the line. Original menus incorporating local specialties, such as sweet potatoes and black pork from Kagoshima, and tomatoes and Aso red beef from Kumamoto, are popular.

In order to use seasonal ingredients, the menu changes four times a year to reflect the seasons. For example, in winter, there is an abundance of root vegetables, including Sakurajima daikon radish. There is also a wide selection of local citrus juices and shochu delivered directly from the brewery, allowing you to enjoy unique food pairings.

In autumn and winter evenings, the plan is called "sunset" instead of dinner, and there is a reason for this. The evening hours have been carefully planned to be the most beautiful plan for the sunset. For that reason, this year's operating schedule was set so that you can enjoy the sunset from inside the train even more. There are four flights a day in spring and summer, and three flights a day in autumn and winter, and it is truly a plan for enjoying a meal as the sunset approaches.

Sakura Maeno, a flight attendant at Orange Diner, told us about the scenery. She said that the highlights of the trip are the calm waters of the Yatsushiro Sea, an inland sea along Kyushu's west coast, and the rough waves of the East China Sea, an open sea.

"If I had to pick a station, it would have to be Ushinohama Station. Just beyond the platform is the sea, and in the evening the town and the entire sky are bathed in orange, creating a very romantic atmosphere. Also, don't miss Satsumataki Station, which is said to be a secluded station. This used to be a swimming beach. After disembarking, customers are guided to a higher ground by walking for about 2-3 minutes along a promenade hand-made by our employees. The view from there is beautiful and offers an outstanding sense of openness," says Maeno.

During the ride, you'll see scenery that is just one meter away from the ocean. There are moments when you feel like the waves are going to splash onto the vehicle, and there are also spots where you can gaze at the horizon with nothing blocking your view and feel as if you're driving on the ocean. Such extraordinary spaces make the food taste even more delicious.

In the future, they are planning to have a sushi chef make and serve the sushi, as well as a luxurious seafood course using spiny lobster and sea urchin. Of course, they are taking all necessary measures, such as wearing masks and using disinfectants, as well as ventilation, so you can enjoy your trip with peace of mind. It is also worth noting that they are selling special plans that take advantage of the Go To Travel campaign.

Orange Restaurant

Kyushu's tourist trains are unique not only in the carriages themselves, but also in the style of travel they propose. Just leave everything to them and enjoy, and you'll be sure to make your travel memories even more memorable without missing out on the highlights. This is a style of travel we recommend for both first-time visitors to Kyushu and repeat visitors, as a slightly different tourist experience.