The pampering begins at Tokyo’s Ueno Station when guests are invited to relax and enjoy refreshments inside the “Prologue Shiki-shima” lounge. When it’s time to leave, ticket holders make their way to platform 13 ½ that has been built exclusively for the hybrid electric/diesel train. Similar to platform 9 ¾ used by the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter series, it lies between platform 13 and 14. Fortunately, however, the special platform is perfectly visible to Muggles!

Upon boarding, guests are led to one of the 17 rooms that range from standard suites with fold-out sofa beds and private bathrooms, to the ultra-luxurious Shiki-shima suite. Occupying one of the train’s ten cars, the two-level loft features a living room on the upper floor, a bedroom on the lower floor and a bathroom complete with a bathtub made of hinoki, or, Japanese cypress.

All passengers have access to the common areas which include two observatory cars with wall to ceiling windows that allow for beautiful views of the dramatic landscapes. Equally stunning is the lounge car whose wall is adorned with an Eastern Japan-inspired “quiet forest” motif.

A gorgeous gold-tinted dining car beckons passengers with exceptional cuisine prepared by celebrated Japanese chef Katsuhiro Nakamura. The Michelin-starred culinary artist delights guests with traditional Japanese cuisine made using French techniques and fresh ingredients collected along the way. The delectable food is served and consumed using nickel silver cutlery designed by Yamazaki Kinzoku Kogyo, best known for supplying silverware for the Nobel Prize award ceremony banquet.

Train Suite Shiki-shima, which made its inaugural journey on May 1, offers different itineraries depending on the time of year. From May to November, guests can select between a two-day trip to Yamanashi, Nagano, and Fukushima, or a four-day excursion through Hokkaido and other areas of northeastern Japan.