Japanese Futurism

Shiki-shima

JR East's spaceship on rails. Designed by Ken Okuyama (Porsche, Ferrari), only 34 passengers, cypress baths, and Michelin-starred kaiseki cuisine. The ultimate Japanese rail luxury.

Passengers

2017

Launched

Suites

Okuyama

Designer

What Makes It Special

Designed by a Legend

Ken Okuyama, the designer of the Porsche 911 (996), Ferrari Enzo, and Maserati Quattroporte, designed the Shiki-shima's exterior. The train looks like a spacecraft — sleek, silver, and futuristic. The interior was designed by Kengo Kuma (the architect behind the Tokyo Olympics stadium and the V&A Dundee) and others. The result is a train that feels like a Japanese ryokan that happens to move — minimalist, warm, and deeply considered. Every detail, from the lighting to the textiles, was designed by Japanese artisans.

Only 34 Passengers

The Shiki-shima carries only 34 passengers in 17 suites. This is not a money-making venture for JR East — it is a statement about Japanese craftsmanship and hospitality (omotenashi). The train operates on a lottery system for booking, with tickets costing ¥320,000 to ¥950,000 per person for a 2-4 day journey. The suites feature cypress wood baths, washlet toilets, and beds designed by a Japanese mattress manufacturer. The observation cars at the front and rear offer panoramic views of the passing landscape.

Michelin-Starred Kaiseki

The dining on the Shiki-shima is overseen by a Michelin-starred chef who creates seasonal kaiseki menus using ingredients sourced from the regions the train passes through. The two dining cars — Komorebi (sunlight filtering through trees) and Hashi (bridge) — feature different design concepts. Breakfast is a traditional Japanese spread with local fish, rice, miso soup, and pickles. Dinner is a multi-course kaiseki experience with wine pairings. The menu changes with the seasons — sakura in spring, matsutake mushrooms in autumn, snow crab in winter.

Routes Through Northern Japan

The Shiki-shima operates routes through northern Japan — Tohoku and Hokkaido. The 2-day "Tohoku Route" runs from Ueno (Tokyo) to Aomori, visiting Nikko, Iwate, and Aomori. The 4-day "Hokkaido Route" runs from Ueno to Hokkaido, visiting Otaru, Sapporo, and the Shiretoko Peninsula. The train stops at stations long enough for excursions — onsen visits, local craft workshops, and nature walks. The journey is designed to showcase the best of rural Japan, regions that most international visitors never see.

Routes

Seasonal2 days

Tohoku Route

Ueno-Aomori

Signature4 days

Hokkaido Route

Ueno-Hokkaido

Seasonal3 days

New Year Route

Winter Hokkaido

Seasonal3 days

Autumn Route

Fall Foliage

"The Shiki-shima is not a train. It is a journey through Japanese craftsmanship."

— JR East Official

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