The Royal Express: Izu, Tokaido, Hokkaido

There are trains that take you from one place to another, and then there are trains that let you in for a wonderful experience. The Royal Express belongs firmly to the latter. Designed by Mitooka Eiji, the visionary behind the famous Seven Stars in Kyushu, The Royal Express is not simply a journey by rail but a  moving theatre of elegance.

Glide past the rugged coastline of Izu, trace the ancient path of the Tōkaidō, or sweep across the expansive landscapes of Hokkaidō, each route offers its own chapter of discovery.

Experience the Royal Express with Revigorate.

The Royal Express Carriages

Designed by Mitooka Eiji, the Royal Express carries his signature elegant and warm design, combining modern style luxury with traditional Japanese artistry. Featuring refined woodwork and plush seating, every detail of the Royal Express reflects his philosophy of creating spaces that feel both sophisticated and inviting.

Gold Class Family Cabin (Car No. 1)

Car One has been thoughtfully designed for families travelling together. Half of the carriage is dedicated to a playful children’s space, complete with a wooden ball pool and picture books, to entertain children on board. The other half is an observatory lounge with seating and ceiling decorated with handpainted leaves.

Gold Class Lounge (Car No. 2)

With interiors featuring rich brown walnut and warm wooden tones, Car Two offers a sophisticated, welcoming atmosphere. At its centre is a grand piano that sets the stage for live performances, while plush sofas and comfortable chairs invite passengers to linger, converse, and immerse themselves on the journey aboard the Royal Express.

Multipurpose Salon (Car No. 3)

Consider Car Three as a function room on rails. It is a versatile space, adorned with bright maple and framed by artwork along its walls. It serves as an elegant venue for exhibitions, intimate weddings, and private conferences. There is absolutely no sitting space on Car Three which gives it a gallery-like ambience.

Kitchen Car (Car No. 4)

The culinary heart of The Royal Express, Car Four features a beautifully finished Douglas fir interior and a white-oak floor. Its open design allows you to watch chefs at work across two dedicated kitchen blocks. There are also counters if you want a quick bite, as well as art pieces and delicate wood detailing that overall enhances the experience.

Platinum Class Dining Cars (Car No. 5, 6)

Designed in luxurious brown walnut, Car Five redefines the dining experience at sea level but on rails. There’s a piano at the centre of the carriage, creating an atmosphere more akin to a private restaurant than a train. Car Six offers a contrasting design, with interiors in light brown pear wood and high-roof ceiling with foil-stamped details and stained-glass inlays. There are also displays of Perry dolls and Odawara lanterns at the end of the carriage.

Platinum Class Passenger Car (Car No. 7)

Crafted primarily from warm teak, Car Seven carries an understated elegance with its warm teak tone that radiates comfort and luxury. At the end of the car are decorative displays which add an element of charm.

Rosewood Library (Car No. 8)

The final carriage, Car Eight, embodies serenity with interiors of deep rosewood. Here, you can enjoy a good book with a view of the passing landscape of Japan while savoring the simple luxury of reflection and unhurried time.

The Royal Express Itineraries

Trip to Izu (4-Day/3-Night)

Route: Yokohama – Izu – Hamamatsu – Kikukawa – Yokohama

Day 1 – Yokohama to Kawazu

Your journey begins at Yokohama Station, where The Royal Express departs for the scenic coastline of the Izu Peninsula. As Sagami Bay sparkles outside your window, lunch is served on board by Érumaiyon, a famous French restaurant from Izu Kogen. The chef features seasonal Shizuoka produce, prepared with classic French technique.

In the evening, enjoy a firefly viewing in Amagi, where you can hear the gentle murmuring of riverside waters. In this trip, you choose between two distinct accommodations: Ochiai Rou, founded in 1874 and a registered tangible cultural property, offering ryokan accommodation, or Ufufu, a modern Japanese retreat along the Kano River, if you prefer waking up to the view of the Kano River.

Day 2 – Numazu to Araimachi

The train continues along the historic Tōkaidō route, with views of Mt. Fuji rising in the distance. Enjoy your lunch on board the Royal Express prepared by Unagitoko Una Plus in Hamamatsu, a famed specialist in freshwater eel. Their signature “phantom eel” is raised in pure waters flowing from the Southern Alps.

In the afternoon, you’ll arrive at Araimachi, a former post town along the old highway, and settle into KIARA Resort & Spa Hamanako. The resort offers spa, serene lake views, and time to unwind at leisure. As dusk falls, the lake’s colours shift with the setting sun, creating a spectacular natural panorama.

Day 3 – Hamamatsu to Fukuroi

Day three celebrates Shizuoka’s maritime bounty. Lunch is curated by Naoki Maeda of Sasue Maeda Fish Store in Yaizu, a legendary fishmonger supplying Japan’s top chefs. His exclusive menu, crafted with “TEAM Maeda,” offers dishes prepared from the freshest catch of Suruga Bay.

As the train passes through tea plantations, you’ll witness Shizuoka’s traditional Kusaba agricultural methods, recognised as a World Agricultural Heritage practice. These age-old techniques sustain both the land and the tea culture. In the evening, spend the night at Kitanomaru Katsuragi, a luxurious retreat combining the beauty of traditional Japanese design with modern amenities.

Day 4 – Kikukawa to Yokohama

The final morning unfolds with clear rivers, sea views, and Mt. Fuji rising against the blue sky, a scenic farewell to Shizuoka. Lunch is prepared on board by Atsuko Kato of Rakan, a renowned one-table restaurant in Shuzenji. Her artistic kaiseki presentation is a visual and culinary masterpiece.

Before the train’s return to Yokohama Station, enjoy a tasting of Shizuoka water wasabi, grown in spring-fed streams that flow at a constant 13°C. Recognised as a World Agricultural Heritage product, Shizuoka wasabi is famous for its pristine quality and subtle heat.

Prices:

Contact us for pricing and departure dates.

Inclusions:

• Three nights aboard The Royal Express in a luxury sitting cabin

All meals included:

• Day 1 lunch by Érumaiyon
• Day 2 lunch by Unagitoko Una Plus
• Day 3 lunch by Naoki Maeda / Sasue Maeda Fish Store
• Day 4 lunch by Atsuko Kato of Rakan

Exclusive seasonal experiences:

• Firefly viewing in Amagi.
• Tasting of Shizuoka’s World Agricultural Heritage products (tea and wasabi)

Accommodation highlights:

• Day 1: Choice of Ochiai Rou or Ufufu
• Day 2: KIARA Resort & Spa Hamanako
• Day 3: Kitanomaru Katsuragi
• Dedicated steward service and full access to lounge and dining cars

Trip to Tokaido (4-Day/3-Night)

Route: Yokohama – Shizuoka – Gifu – Washizu – Hamamatsu – Yokohama

Day 1 – Yokohama to Shizuoka

Your journey begins at Yokohama Station, where The Royal Express departs toward the coastline of Shizuoka. As the train passes along Sagami Bay and Suruga Bay, you can see Mount Fuji appear in the distance. Lunch is prepared on board by Érumaiyon, a famous French restaurant from Izu Kogen.

Upon arrival in Shizuoka, take part in a hands-on folkcraft experience, guided by artisans preserving techniques handed down since the Imagawa and Tokugawa eras. Dinner is by Simples, where Chef Inoue will present you creative dishes made with ingredients sourced from Shizuoka’s finest producers, like fresh seafood from Sasue Maeda Fish Store.

Overnight accommodations include a choice between: Sum Comfort, a lovingly restored folk house; or Hotel Associa Shizuoka, a modern luxury hotel.

Day 2 – Shizuoka to Gifu

The train departs Shizuoka and runs along the historic Tōkaidō line. Lunch is provided on board by Unagitoko Una Plus, a renowned Hamamatsu restaurant, famous for its “phantom eel,” raised in the clear underflow waters of the Southern Alps.

There are two different courses you can choose from on your Day two journey:
Inuyama Course (selected departures only)

Disembark at Gifu and continue to Inuyama, home to Inuyama Castle, Japan’s oldest surviving wooden castle tower. Standing on a rise above the Kiso River, the castle commands a spectacular view of autumn foliage. Accommodations include Sankouen Kaiseki Ryokan; or Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden, set beside the historic Jo-an Teahouse and traditional gardens.

Mino Course (selected departures only)

Alternatively, visit Mino, famous for its historic paper-making townscape at Udatsu-no-Machinami. Here you can stay at Nipponia Mino Merchant Town, a heritage hotel that still radiates its Edo-period charm with modern comfort, or at Miyako Hotel Gifu Nagara River, with an elegant riverside view beneath Mount Kinka. Dinner options include Asadaya if you prefer seasonal cuisine or teppanyaki dining featuring Hida beef and Gifu seafood.

Day 3 – Gifu to Washizu

Departing Gifu, the train travels south through Nagoya and into Mikawa, before arriving at Washizu Station near Lake Hamana. Your lunch on board is prepared by Bottegon, a celebrated Italian restaurant of Aichi, featuring the very best from Tōkaidō: fresh fish from Sasue Maeda in Yaizu, meats from Sakae-ya, and vegetables.

Enjoy the scenery of the old Tōkaidō road, where you can see tea plantations, pine groves, and post-town remnants recall centuries of travellers who came before. At Lake Hamana, check into KIARA Resort & Spa Hamanako, and enjoy the view facing the lake, where sunsets paint the waters in gold and crimson.

Day 4 – Hamamatsu to Yokohama

As the train glides past rivers, coastlines, and the enduring peak of Mount Fuji, enjoy your final day on board with a lunch prepared by Muramatsu, a famous Shizuoka restaurant specialising in delicately spiced Chinese cuisine crafted from fresh local produce.

Next, the train will make its final stop at Yokohama Station, where a farewell ceremony marks the close of your Tōkaidō journey.

Prices:

Contact us for pricing and departure dates.

Inclusions:

• Three nights aboard The Royal Express in a luxury sitting cabin

All meals included:

• Day 1 lunch by Érumaiyon and dinner by Simples
• Day 2 lunch by Unagitoko Una Plus and dinner depending on accommodation plan (either Inuyama or Mino)
• Day 3 lunch by Bottegon
• Day 4 lunch by Muramatsu

Guided off-train experiences:

• Folkcraft workshop in Shizuoka
• Inuyama Castle visit (Inuyama Course) OR Udatsu-no-Machinami heritage town (Mino Course)
• Accommodation options: heritage inns, luxury ryokan, or premium hotels in Shizuoka, Inuyama, Mino, and Hamamatsu
• Dedicated steward service and full access to lounge and dining cars

Trip to Hokkaido (4-Day/3-Night)

Route: Sapporo – Obihiro – Kushiro – Abashiri – Kitami – Asahikawa – Sapporo

Day 1 – Sapporo to Obihiro

Your journey begins at Sapporo Station, as The Royal Express departs into the expansive landscapes of Hokkaidō, where you’ll be greeted with hectares and hectares of land.  Lunch is prepared on board by Yamakyu, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Sapporo. As the train travels toward Obihiro, enjoy the  scenic views of the Tokachi Plains, a region of farmland and endless skies.

In the evening, disembark at Kamishihoro in the heart of dairy country for a Premium Dinner at Shinmura Farm. Here, you’ll be surrounded by green meadows framed by distant mountains, and savor a farm-to-table menu that showcases the richness of Tokachi’s soil and produce.

Day 2 – Kushiro to Abashiri

Begin your second day exploring the Kushiro Marshlands, Japan’s largest wetland area and home to rare red-crowned cranes. A guided nature walk or boat excursion reveals the balance of this ecosystem, celebrated for its misty, atmospheric beauty.

As the train continues northward, admire the scenic, coastal views of eastern Hokkaidō before arriving in Abashiri, a city with strong ties to the Sea of Okhotsk. Here, you may opt to visit the Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum, offering history into the natural phenomenon that transforms the sea each winter. Your dinner is served on board, showcasing the bounty of the sea and land.

Day 3 – Kitami to Enagaru

Travel through Kitami, once renowned as the world’s foremost producer of peppermint, before continuing to Lake Akan, located in Akan-Mashu National Park. Choose between a pleasure boat cruise across the lake, where volcanic peaks and forests form a beautiful backdrop, or a visit to the Lake Akan Ainu Kotan village and museum to learn about Hokkaidō’s indigenous culture.

Lunch is provided on board by Sasanoha, a long-established Kitami restaurant serving kaiseki that highlights seasonal ingredients with elegant simplicity. In the afternoon, the train follows the Sekihoku Main Line, a route of pristine beauty where you’ll see clear rivers, towering peaks, and the vast wilderness of Hokkaidō passing through your window.

Day 4 – Asahikawa to Sapporo

The final day of the journey showcases Hokkaidō’s most iconic landscapes: Biei and Furano. Known for their rolling hills, patchwork fields, and flower gardens, these areas are often described as “living paintings.” From summer’s colourful blooms to autumn’s golden harvest, the scenery is a perfect finale to your exploration of Japan’s northernmost island.

Lunch is served on board by Agriscape, a famous farm restaurant near Sapporo. Their French-inspired cuisine uses foraged wild plants, mushrooms, and fresh herbs, showcasing the harmony between Hokkaidō’s nature and people. As the train glides back into Sapporo Station, a farewell ceremony with the crew awaits, closing your four days of unforgettable journey through Hokkaidō.

Prices:

Contact us for pricing and departure dates.

Inclusions:

• Three nights aboard The Royal Express in a luxury sitting cabin

All meals included:

• Day 1 lunch by Yamakyu & Premium Dinner at Shinmura Farm
• Day 2 meals featuring Kushiro and Abashiri regional cuisine
• Day 3 lunch by Sasanoha
• Day 4 lunch by Agriscape

Guided off-train experiences:

• Kushiro Marshlands nature walk or boat excursion
• Lake Akan cruise or Ainu cultural visit
• Biei and Furano scenic exploration
• Dedicated steward service and full access to lounge and dining cars

Where to Stay

Yokohama

• InterContinental Yokohama (5 star): A luxury hotel located in Minato Mirai district. Its unique sail-shaped silhouette makes it a prominent landmark on the waterfront. The hotel offers a wide array of rooms and suites, many with spectacular views of Yokohama Harbor or the city skyline. It is noted for being spacious compared to typical hotel rooms in Japan

• The Westin Yokohama (5 star): A wellness hotel, opened in 2022. The hotel features spacious rooms and suites, each with a signature Heavenly® Bed for comfort and relaxation. There are also nearby attractions within walking distance of the hotel like Yokohama Landmark Tower, Cup Noodles Museum, and Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse.

• Hyatt Regency Yokohama (4 star): Located in the city's downtown district, Hyatt is known for its stylish interiors and convenient location near major attractions. The rooms feature modern japanese design with large windows where you can see views of the city or harbor.

• Richmond Hotel Yokohama Ekimae (3 star): Known for its convenient location near Yokohama's main station. Just a stone’s throw away from Yokohama Station, it’s the perfect choice if you prefer an accommodation that’s closer to the station. The rooms were described as larger compared to other hotels in Japan.

Sapporo

• Hotel Sosei Sapporo (5 star): Known for its design combination of Hokkaido's heritage and modern style, Hotel Sosei offers a convenient location close to shopping malls, restaurants, and other city attractions like Sapporo Factory, Sapporo TV Tower, and Odori Park. Some room's interior features Hamanasu flower motifs.

• Sapporo Grand Hotel (4 star): Hokkaido’s first full-scale Western-style hotel. Opened in 1934, the hotel offers a range of rooms from standard rooms, deluxe rooms, and suites equipped with sealy beds for a good night sleep. The hotel is located near the tree-lined Odori Avenue and offers direct access to the Sapporo Ekimae-dori Underground Walkway, which is particularly convenient during winter and for getting to JR Sapporo Station and the subway.

• Tokyu Stay Sapporo Odori: Situated in the heart of Sapporo, just steps from Odori Park and close to the city’s main shopping and dining streets. This is an excellent choice if you want easy access to both cultural attractions and modern conveniences. The hotel offers comfortable, well-equipped rooms, some featuring kitchenettes and washing machines, making it ideal for longer stays.

Where to Eat

Yokohama

• Sweets Garden Yuji Ajiki: A highly-regarded patisserie in Yokohama, known for its elegant French-style pastries and cakes. It’s a beloved and popular patisserie in the Kanagawa region.The shop earned numerous accolades, including multiple bronze awards from the prestigious Tabelog Awards. Try their signature roll cake or "Ajiki Roll" and other baked goods or “Yaki-gashi.”

• Yoda Tonkatsu: A highly-regarded, reservations-only restaurant, famous for its expertly prepared, deep-fried pork cutlets. The chef at Yoda, uses a method that results in a mere 1% moisture loss, making the cutlets exceptionally juicy and tender. Food critics and diners frequently call it one of the best tonkatsu restaurants in the world.

• Nakajo Yokohama: A famous high-end sushi restaurant. It is regarded as one of Japan's best sushi restaurants, known for its exceptional culinary experience using carefully selected, top-quality ingredients, particularly tuna from the wholesaler Yamasachi. The chef-owner is the second generation to run the restaurant, following the previous "Sushikappo Kiyokawa."

• Ramen Sugimoto: Known for its exceptional shoyu (or soy sauce) ramen. The restaurant gained its popularity as the protege of the legendary "Ramen Devil" by chef Sano Minoru. The restaurant was listed in the Michelin Guide Tokyo for four consecutive years and has won numerous awards.

Sapporo

• Sushi Miyakawa: A three-star Michelin sushi restaurant in Sapporo, run by chef Masaaki Miyakawa, who is known for his masterful Edomae-style sushi, which highlights fresh seafood sourced primarily from his native Hokkaido. His restaurant earned its third Michelin star in 2017, making it the only sushi establishment in Hokkaido to achieve the honor at the time.

• Moliere Sapporo: A Michelin-starred French restaurant famous for its use of fresh, seasonal ingredients from Hokkaido. Diners praise it for exceptional service, an intimate setting, and a fine dining experience that combines classic French techniques with local Japanese produce.

• Suyama Sapporo: A high-end Japanese kaiseki restaurants, specializing in traditional multi-course Japanese dinners. The dishes are based on Kyoto cuisine but make use of high-quality, local Hokkaido ingredients. The restaurant received its two stars in the Michelin Guide Hokkaido in 2017.

• Araki Tempura Restaurant: A Michelin-starred tempura restaurant, famous for its exquisite omakase courses, which showcase high-quality, locally sourced Hokkaido ingredients. The tempura is described as crispy, light, and not greasy.

• Nukumi Sapporo: A highly-regarded kaiseki restaurant, led by Chef Masaki Yamamoto. The name, Nukumi, means "warmth," which reflects the chef's culinary philosophy and the restaurant's intimate dining experience. Try their signature boiled dishes, sushi, and oyster sashimi.

Other Things to Do

Yokohama

• Minato Mirai Skyline & Landmark Tower: Yokohama’s futuristic Minato Mirai district blends modern architecture with waterfront view. Enjoy stunning views across Tokyo Bay to Mt. Fuji on clear days from the Landmark Tower Sky Garden Observatory. The area is ideal for a relaxing stroll, with high-end boutiques, art galleries, and harbourfront promenades.

• Sankeien Garden: A vast Japanese landscape garden where historic teahouses, temples, and pagodas were relocated from across Japan. Here, we can book you a private tea ceremony for a more immersive experience.

• Cup Noodles Museum: Learn the fascinating story of innovation and Japanese creativity as the Cup Noodles Museum. Here, you can make your own, customised instant noodle cup, guided by expert staff. Pair this with a gourmet ramen tasting at one of Yokohama’s acclaimed shops for a memorable culinary experience.

• Yokohama Chinatown: The largest Chinatown in Japan, Yokohama’s district brims with history and colour. We can book you a guided gourmet walk, which allows you to sample premium dim sum, Beijing duck, and regional delicacies at long-established restaurants.

Sapporo

• Sapporo Beer Museum: Housed in a red-brick Meiji-era brewery, the Sapporo Beer Museum traces the city’s brewing heritage. Here, we can book you a private tasting session of limited-edition brews and food pairings. For beer enthusiasts, the exclusive “Sapporo Classic” draft which is available only in Hokkaidō, makes this attraction a  must visit.

• Hokkaidō University Gingko Avenue: On the grounds of Hokkaidō University, a broad tree-lined avenue offers one of the city’s most beautiful sights. In autumn, golden gingko leaves blanket the road in luminous colour, while spring and summer bring fresh greenery like a nice breath of fresh air.

• Okurayama Observatory: Ride the chairlift up to the observation deck for breathtaking panoramic views over the city and Ishikari Bay. There’s a small museum on site that adds history to Japan’s ski legacy.
  
  

• Sapporo Snow Festival: An annual festival held every February, the Sapporo Snow Festival turns Odori Park into a wonderland of massive ice and snow sculptures, many illuminated after dusk. We can book you a private tour with access to VIP viewing lounges to experience one of Japan’s most spectacular winter events.

Write Your Story, Not Just Your Itinerary

The Royal Express does more than connect Yokohama to Izu, Tōkaidō, or Hokkaidō, it connects you to a tradition of Japanese hospitality that honours the journey as much as the destination. Here, meals are not simply served but celebrated, landscapes are not just seen but framed like living paintings, and time itself seems to stretch into something richer that makes you feel more at present.

Leave the planning to us. Experience The Royal Express with Revigorate. Contact us or give us a call at (+1 800 672 0517 | +351 289 009 580 | +44 808 189 0647).

Explore our other featured luxury sleeper trains: the Twilight Express Mizukaze, which travels along the Sea of Japan and through western Honshu, and the Train Suite Shiki-shima, which journeys through the forests and hot spring towns of eastern Japan. Alongside The Royal Express, these three trains showcase Japan’s landscapes, traditions, and hospitality at their finest.