Japanâ??s first luxury sleeper train began operation last year. This train has been booked solid ever since. Many people are wondering what all of the fuss is about including us. Weâ??ve done some research on this train to try to figure out what makes it so popular.

About The Train
The Seven Stars in Kyushu was named after the Big Dipper. The train is supposed to symbolize people navigating their way to new opportunities. When first looking at the train, it doesnâ??t look much different than other one with its reddish-brown lacquer paint. However, the eight-car train is filled with luxury. Among the train cars is a lounge, dining car and five cars that consist of 14 suites. The train only accommodates 30 passengers at the most. The interior of The Seven Stars is pretty impressive. The main component of the train cars is wood. Both the floor and the walls are made of intricate woodwork and have Japanese decorations sprinkled around them which gives it a unique feel. Thereâ??s a window in the lounge car that can be used as a movie screen. Guests can listen to music being played on the piano or have some traditional Japanese tea in the small tearoom.

The Suites
Just like with the rest of the train, no expense has been spared with the suites. Each one has its own shower room that is made out of wood. The wash basin is made of a beautiful porcelain. Each suite has luxurious bedding and numerous windows that allow passengers look outside at the scenery that they are passing by, even if they are lying in bed.

Destinations
Passengers will depart from Hakata Station which is located in Fukuoka. They will then tour Kyushu Island and see things like Nagasaki, Aso in Kumamoto and Yufuin in Oita Prefecture. They will return back to Hakata Station once their trip is over. Passengers can either choose the two day, one night trip or the four-day, three night trip.

Cost
Tickets can be pretty pricey for such a short trip. They can cost up to $5,500 per person, which is 550,000 yen. Despite the fact that prices are so high, The Silver Stars has received approximately 10 times the amount of reservation requests that they can fulfil.

If you want to take a ride on The Silver Stars then you will have to wait. As of right now thereâ??s about a 6 month wait for reservations to become available. In general, Kyushu is a popular tourist destination with approximately 30 million people visiting it annually. Thereâ??s no doubt that many of these visitors will try to catch a glimpse of The Silver Stars while they are in the area.