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The Seven Stars in Kyushu (ななつ星ｉｎ九州, Nanatsuboshi in Kyūshū) is a deluxe sleeping car excursion train operated by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) in Japan since October 2013.[1][2]

Seven Stars in Kyushu

The Seven Stars in Kyushu, November 2013
Overview
Service type	Excursion train
Status	Operational
Locale	Kyushu
First service	15 October 2013
Current operator(s)	JR Kyushu
Route
Termini	Hakata Hakata (loop)
On-board services
Seating arrangements	Lounge car
Sleeping arrangements	2-person suites
Catering facilities	Dining car
Observation facilities	Observation car at end of train
Technical
Rolling stock	77 series coaches
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	Diesel-hauled
Operating speed	100 km/h (60 mph)

Design

The overall design concept of the train was overseen by industrial designer Eiji Mitooka.[2] The name of the train is derived from the seven prefectures of Kyushu and the fact that the train is made up of seven cars.[3]

The dedicated diesel locomotive, DF200-7000, for the train was built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Kobe, based on the JR Freight Class DF200 locomotive, modified for use in Kyushu and finished in a livery of deep maroon.[4] It was completed in July 2013.[5] The coaches are based on the 817 series EMU body design and are mounted on 787 series EMU bogies.[4] Manufacture of the passenger coaches was split between Hitachi in Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi, and JR Kyushu's Kokura Works in Kitakyushu.[4]

Train formation

The train consists of the DF200-7000 locomotive and seven coaches: five sleeping cars, a lounge car, and a dining car,[1] with a total capacity of 28 passengers.[6] The rear car of the train features two deluxe suites with observation windows at the end.[2] All suites have their own toilets and shower facilities, designed in porcelain by the late Sakaida Kakiemon XIV.[7][8] The total cost of building the train was approximately 3 billion yen.[6]

The train is formed as follows.[9][10]

Car No.	Running No.	Type	Manufacturer	Weight (t)	Facilities
1	MaI 77-7001	Lounge car	JR Kyushu	45.3	with piano, bar counter and observation area
2	MaShiFu 77-7002	Dining car	JR Kyushu	45.2	with toilets
3	MaINe 77-7003	Sleeping car	JR Kyushu	45.4	3 suites, shower room
4	MaINe 77-7004	Sleeping car	Hitachi	44.3	3 suites, toilets
5	MaINe 77-7005	Sleeping car	Hitachi	44.3	3 suites
6	MaINe 77-7006	Sleeping car	Hitachi	44.2	3 suites, toilets
7	MaINeFu 77-7007	Sleeping car	Hitachi	45.1	2 deluxe suites, mini kitchen, crew room

• 
  MaI 77-7001 (car 1)
• 
  MaShiFu 77-7002 (car 2)
• 
  MaINe 77-7003 (car 3)
• 
  IMaINe 77-7004 (car 4)
• 
  MaINe 77-7005 (car 5)
• 
  MaINe 77-7006 (car 6)
• 
  MaINeFu 77-7007 (car 7)

Route

The train operates on two-day and four-day circular tours of Kyushu, starting and finishing at Hakata Station.[10] Coach tours are provided from various stations along the route.[10]

2-day itinerary

Day 1

Hakata → Nagasaki

Day 2

Aso → Yufuin → Hakata

4-day itinerary

Day 1

Hakata → Yufuin

Day 2

Miyazaki → Miyakonojō → Hayato

Day 3

Hayato → Kagoshima-Chuo → Kagoshima

Day 4

Aso → Bungo-Mori → Hakata

History

The dedicated Class DF200-7000 diesel locomotive for this train was delivered to JR Kyushu's Oita Depot from the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Rolling Stock Company in Kobe on 2 July 2013.[11] Four coaches were delivered from Hitachi's Kudamatsu factory on 18 July 2013.[12] The train entered revenue service on 15 October 2013.[13]

See also

• List of named passenger trains of Japan
• Joyful Train, the generic name for excursion and charter trains in Japan
• Cassiopeia, a luxury sleeping car train operated by JR East in Japan
• Twilight Express Mizukaze, a luxury sleeping car excursion train operated by JR West in Japan
• Train Suite Shiki-shima, a luxury sleeping car excursion train operated by JR East in Japan

References

Further reading

• Rowlatt, Bee (3 October 2013). "Japan's new luxury sleeper train". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 24 December 2013.

External links

• Official website

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