Twilight Express Mizukaze: Sanin, Sanyo, and Keihanshin

The Twilight Express Mizukaze is not just a train, it is a moving masterpiece. Designed with a “nostalgic modern” aesthetic that embodies the concept of superior quality with a touch of nostalgia, this luxury sleeper train offers a blend of tradition and sophistication.

Operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) since June 2017, the Mizukaze carries just 34 guests, making each journey exclusive, intimate, and unforgettable. Traveling through the Keihanshin, Sanin, and Sanyo regions of western Japan, this luxury train transforms travel into an art form, where every detail is curated to perfection. Step aboard, and let us take you on a journey unlike any other.

Twilight Express Mizukaze Carriages

The ten-coach train of Twilight Express Mizukaze is a world of its own, it consists of six sleeping cars, a lounge, a dining car, and glass-walled observation cars at either end. The interior is inspired by Art Deco, a style popular in the 1920s and 30s, giving the train its “nostalgic modern” vibe, complete with decorative touches from the region along the routes. Aboard, the journey here feels less like travel and more like the destination itself.

Observation Car (Car No. 1, 10)

At each end of the train, lies glass-walled observation cars that invite you to sink into plush armchairs and watch the passing scenery. With its panoramic windows and softly lit interiors, Twilight Express’s observation cars feel like modern verandas, framing the journey as if it were a living scroll painting. Step out onto the open deck to feel the fresh breeze (just don’t forget to bring a cardigan).

Salon De L’ouest (Car No. 5)

The heart of social life on board, Salon De L’ouest is a lounge car designed for conversation, quiet reading, or sipping a drink. The interior features muted greens, warm timbers, and handwoven textiles, making the atmosphere intimate yet inviting. Guests usually gather here for a tea ceremony.

Diner Pleiades (Car No. 6)

Dining on Mizukaze is one of the voyage’s highlights. The Dining Car Pleiades offers white-linen service in a room styled after the grandeur of Europe’s golden-age trains, while the cuisine remains firmly rooted in Japan’s culinary heritage. The menus are curated by renowned chefs from Kyoto and Osaka, and change with the seasons and reflect the regions through which the train passes.

The Suite (Car No. 7)

The pinnacle of the Mizukaze experience is The Suite, which occupies the entirety of Car No. 7 on the Twilight Express Mizukaze. This exclusive space features a bedroom, a bathroom with a bathtub, a living and dining area, and even a private balcony (yes, a balcony on a moving train!) Designed with the proportions of a ryokan rather than a train, it exudes quiet sophistication and seclusion. For couples or families seeking the utmost privacy, The Suite is the most coveted reservation on the railway.

Royal Twin (Car No. 2, 3, 4, 8, 9)

The Royal Twin cabins are Mizukaze’s signature rooms. Each features retractable beds that transform into a cozy sofa by day, creating a spacious area for relaxation. The cabins are framed by large windows, some of which can be opened to let in a refreshing breeze.

Royal Single (Car No. 4)

Like the Royal Twin, the Royal Single features doors crafted from wood sourced in the five prefectures of the Chugoku region, along with custom-made traditional items from areas along the route. The cabin is also framed by large windows, some of which can be opened to let in the fresh air.

Twilight Express Mizukaze Itineraries

Sanin Course (2-Day/1-Night)

Route: Kyoto – Kasumi – Hagi – Shimonoseki

Day 1 – Kyoto to Kasumi

Your journey begins at Kyoto Station, where the elegant Twilight Express Mizukaze departs westward along the scenic San’in coastline. Relax in your private suite or head to the observation car as the train glides past fishing villages, rocky headlands, and the Sea of Japan.

In the afternoon, disembark for a short visit to Daijo-ji Temple, home to 165 Important Cultural Properties by master painter Maruyama Okyo and his apprentices. Step into a living gallery where painted sliding doors form a “three-dimensional mandala,” enveloping you in seasonal motifs and spiritual imagery. A rare highlight is access to the Oukyoreihouko, usually closed to the public, where Okyo’s own brushwork can be seen and admired. The temple’s deputy chief priest provides expert commentary to deepen the experience.

Back on board, enjoy fine dining inspired by the regions along the route, before retiring for the evening in your suite as the train continues westward.

Day 2 – Hagi to Shimonoseki Station

Wake up to a seasonal Japanese breakfast at Koufuku no Chisouya Umenoha, featuring locally sourced ingredients from the San’in region. Afterwards, the exclusive Mizukaze bus (designed in the same elegant green and gold as the train) takes you to key heritage sites in Hagi, the city often called the “guardian of tradition.”

Begin with the Hagi Reverberatory Furnace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that marks Japan’s early industrial revolution. Built to cast iron cannons in the 1850s, it represents the domain’s determination to strengthen its defences during a turbulent era.

Next, your journey continues with a guided visit to Shoin Shrine and the adjacent Shoka Sonjuku Academy, where visionary teacher Yoshida Shoin inspired the young samurai who later led the Meiji Restoration. A Shinto priest provides cultural insights into Shoin’s lasting influence on modern Japan.

Your journey concludes at Shimonoseki Station, where you may now transfer via the luxury bus to Kokura Station, marking the end of your scenic journey.

Prices:

Contact us for pricing and departure dates.

Inclusions:

• One night aboard the Twilight Express Mizukaze in a luxury suite.

All meals included:

• Regional fine dining onboard (Day 1 dinner)
• Japanese breakfast at Koufuku no Chisouya Umenoha (Day 2)

Guided sightseeing excursions:

• Daijo-ji Temple with special access to Oukyoreihouko and commentary by the deputy chief priest
• Hagi Reverberatory Furnace (World Heritage Site)
• Shoin Shrine & Shoka Sonjuku Academy with lecture by a Shinto priest
• All ground transfers by the exclusive Mizukaze sightseeing bus.
• Dedicated steward service  and full access to observation, lounge, and dining cars.

Sanyo Course (2-Day/1-Night)

Route: Shimonoseki – Hōfu – Onomichi – Kyoto

Day 1 – Shimonoseki to Hōfu

Your journey begins at Shimonoseki Station, the western gateway of Honshu, where the Mizukaze departs along the storied Sanyo Main Line. Settle into the train’s elegant lounge or observation car as the Seto Inland Sea comes into view.

Disembark in Hōfu for a guided visit to the Mōri Museum and Mōri Garden. The museum houses treasures of the powerful Mōri clan, including the famed “Moral Principles for My Three Sons” attributed to warlord Mōri Motonari, known for the parable of the Three Arrows. Afterwards, stroll through the Mōri Garden, a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty, where you’ll find traditional landscape, seasonal blossoms, ponds, and tea houses.

Returning on board, enjoy dinner inspired by the bounty of Setouchi before retiring to your private suite.

Day 2 – Onomichi to Kyoto

Wake up to the shimmering seascape of the Seto Inland Sea, one of Japan’s most celebrated coastal panoramas. The train glides past the Obatake Strait, where ships navigate tidal currents beneath the Ōshima Ōhashi Bridge, and later runs along the Kure Line with views of countless islands scattered across the Mihara Seto waters.

In Onomichi, visit the Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art, dedicated to the celebrated painter whose Silk Road-inspired works bridge Japanese tradition with world heritage. Afterwards, gaze out over the Onomichi Channel, a cinematic strait separating Onomichi’s old town from Mukai-shima Island, dotted with shipyards, ferries, and graceful bridges.

Continuing east, the train passes through the countryside around Wake, Okayama Prefecture, offering scenic views of rice fields and gentle hillsides. Near Kobe, the journey culminates with a spectacular crossing beneath the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge, the world’s longest suspension bridge, before the Mizukaze makes its final approach into Kyoto Station which concludes your trip.

Prices:

Contact us for pricing and departure dates.

Inclusions:

• One night aboard the Twilight Express Mizukaze in a luxury suite.
• All meals included: gourmet dining on board using seasonal Setouchi ingredients.

●       Guided sightseeing excursions:

• Visit to the Mōri Museum and Mōri Garden in Hōfu
• Visit to the Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art in Onomichi

●       Scenic highlights viewed from the train:

• Obatake Strait and Ōshima Ōhashi Bridge
• Mihara Seto (Seto Inland Sea)
• Onomichi Channel
• Wake countryside in Okayama
• Akashi Kaikyō Bridge
• All ground transfers by the exclusive Mizukaze sightseeing bus.
• Dedicated steward service and full access to observation, lounge, and dining cars.

Sanyo / Sanin Course (3-Day/2-Night)

Route: Kyoto – Okayama – Unnan/Matsue – Tottori/Higashihama – Kyoto

Day 1 – Kyoto to Okayama

Depart from Kyoto Station aboard the Twilight Express Mizukaze and begin your journey along the Sanyō coast. Early highlights of your scenic voyage include the magnificent Akashi Kaikyō Bridge, the world’s longest suspension bridge, seen as the train glides between Kobe and Awaji Island. Soon after, sweeping countryside views unfold around Wake, a peaceful stretch of Okayama known for its rice fields and wooded hills.

In Okayama, explore Kōrakuen Garden, one of Japan’s three great landscaped gardens. Designed in the Edo period by Lord Ikeda Tsunamasa, the garden retains its historic vistas of ponds, lawns, and tea houses. You’ll also get exclusive access to the Enyōtei Pavilion, where you can admire views over both the garden and Okayama Castle. Enjoy a viewing of the Noh stage before strolling the garden’s serene pathways.

The evening continues aboard with gourmet dining featuring seasonal ingredients from the Setouchi region.

Day 2 – Unnan/Matsue

The Mizukaze bus takes you inland to Unnan, once the centre of Japan’s legendary Tatara ironmaking. Visit the Sugaya Tatara Sannai, home to the country’s only surviving Tatara furnace, and step inside the residence and storehouses of the powerful Tanabe family, timber merchants once hailed as the “kings of mountains and forests.”

Continue to Matsue, a castle town where tea culture and traditional performance still thrive. Enjoy an Izumo Kagura performance, an ancient Shinto dance-drama, followed by a visit to Meimei-an, an Edo-period teahouse where a green tea service is offered. Lunch is taken in a thatched farmhouse, Shoku no Mori Muroyama Noen Kayabuki no Ie, serving regional cuisine prepared with local ingredients.

As evening approaches, take in the breathtaking sunset over Lake Shinji, one of Japan’s top 100 sunset spots, where the waters blaze red and gold in the fading light. Afterwards, return to the train for dinner onboard.

Day 3 – Isahaya to Tosu

The final day brings you to the coast of Tottori Prefecture, where your experience changes with the season. From December to April, enjoy an exclusive visit to the former Yoshida Clinic and the Tottori Folk Crafts Museum, which houses Shōya Yoshida’s celebrated collection of mingei works. In May, June, October, and November, stroll the vast Tottori Sand Dunes and explore the Sand Museum, where artists from around the world create extraordinary sand sculptures. From April to September, you may try your hand at the traditional fishing method of jibiki-ami on Higashihama Beach, casting nets with locals along a stretch of pristine coastline (please note: fish caught cannot be prepared for lunch due to time).

Lunch is taken at AL MARE, where chefs prepare refined dishes using unique ingredients sourced from along the Mizukaze route.

The train then continues east, crossing the soaring Amarube Viaduct, nearly 40 metres above the Sea of Japan, with scenic views of ocean and mountains. By afternoon, the Mizukaze glides back into Kyoto Station, wrapping up your scenic, three-day journey through western Japan’s landscapes, history, and culture.

Prices:

Contact us for pricing and departure dates.

Inclusions:

• Two nights aboard the Twilight Express Mizukaze in a luxury suite.
• All meals included: gourmet regional dining onboard and select off-train venues.

Guided sightseeing excursions:

• Okayama Kōrakuen Garden with Enyōtei Pavilion and Noh stage viewing
• Sugaya Tatara Sannai furnace and Tanabe residence in Unnan
• Izumo Kagura performance and tea at Meimei-an in Matsue
• Seasonal Tottori experiences: Folk Crafts Museum & Yoshida Clinic (winter/spring), Sand Dunes & Sand Museum (spring/autumn), or jibiki-ami fishing at Higashihama Beach (summer)

●       Scenic highlights viewed from the train:

• Akashi Kaikyō Bridge
• Wake countryside in Okayama
• Onomichi Channel
• Sunset over Lake Shinji
•  Amarube Viaduct
• All ground transfers by the exclusive Mizukaze sightseeing bus.
• Dedicated steward service and full access to observation, lounge, and dining cars.

Where to Stay

Kyoto

• Hyatt Regency Kyoto (5 star): The Hyatt Regency Kyoto is conveniently located close to temples, museums, and traditional streets, perfect for excursion before or after boarding the Twilight Express Mizukaze. The rooms here are modern with Japanese design touches. And has several dining options, including Japanese, Italian, and a grill, plus a bar for evening drinks.

• Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto (5 star): Built around an 800-year-old pond garden. The Four Seasons Hotel features spacious rooms and suites with serene garden views. Here, you can experience a private tea ceremony in the traditional tea house or unwind in the lounge and bar. The hotel also features a world-class spa for the ultimate retreat.

• Hotel Granvia Kyoto (4 star): Located just a stone’s throw away from Kyoto Station, Hotel Granvia Kyoto offers rooms ranging from standard to suites, all with modern amenities and city or mountain views. The hotel offers multiple dining options, from Japanese and Chinese to French, plus cafés and bars.

• Kyoto Century Hotel (4 star): Just a short walk from Kyoto Station, Kyoto Century Hotel features rooms with a simple design that mixes Japanese and Western touches. The hotel’s restaurant serves seasonal dishes, including Kyoto-style cuisine, and there’s also a lounge for coffee or drinks. With its mix of practicality and a relaxed atmosphere, it works well for both short stays and longer visits if you plan to stay for long and explore more of Kyoto.

• Kyoto Tower Hotel (3 star): Located right next to Kyoto Station, beneath the city’s iconic Kyoto Tower. The hotel features compact yet comfortable rooms complete with the essentials for a comfortable stay. The hotel has a restaurant offering Japanese and Western dishes, plus easy access to the tower’s observation deck for city views.

Shimonoseki

• Shimonoseki Grand Hotel (3 star): Sits along the Kanmon Strait, the hotel offers rooms with views of the water or city. And features several dining options, including Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine, plus a café.

• Super Hotel Premier Shimonoseki (3 star):  Just 9mins walk from Shimonoseki Station. This budget-friendly hotel features compact but comfortable rooms complete with basic amenities. Here, you can enjoy natural hot spring baths, a healthy breakfast buffet, and eco-friendly touches throughout the hotel.

Where to Eat

Kyoto

• Doujin: Located near Sanjo Station, the restaurant features a simple and warm atmosphere, with a striking counter table made from a single piece of hinoki wood that sets the stage for an intimate meal. The menu highlights seasonal ingredients and is paired with sake chosen by the chef.

• Tominokoji Yamagishi: A kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto housed in a traditional townhouse. The restaurant offers a seasonal course menu following the principles of classic kaiseki while adding the chef’s own creative touches, making each visit a little different. The dishes reflect Kyoto’s changing seasons, both in ingredients and presentation, offering a dining experience that feels thoughtful and distinctly local.

• Nikunotakumi Miyoshi: A meat-focused kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto’s Gion district. It has specialised in multi-course menus built around premium beef such as Omi, Kobe, and Matsusaka. Each course balances the richness of the meat with seasonal vegetables and seafood, highlighting different textures and flavours.

• Ogata: A two-star rated Michelin kaiseki restaurant. Led by Chef Toshirou Ogata, formerly of the renowned Wakuden, the restaurant focuses on seasonal ingredients such as Tamba matsutake, Maizuru crab, and Kyoto vegetables. With only eight counter seats and a few private rooms, the atmosphere is intimate and welcoming.

• Sushi Dokoro Ima: A small sushi restaurant in Kyoto that focuses on balance between rice, fish, and technique. The chef blends four types of rice and serves it at the ideal temperature to match each topping. Seafood is sourced daily from Kyotango and the Kyoto Central Wholesale Market, so the selection changes with the season and the market.

Other Things to Do

Kyoto

• Private Tea Ceremony in a Machiya Townhouse: Step into a beautifully restored Kyoto machiya townhouse for an intimate tea ceremony experience led by a master of the art. Learn the subtle gestures and philosophy behind Japan’s most refined ritual, accompanied by seasonal sweets. The quiet atmosphere and authentic setting make this a uniquely Kyoto experience.

• Fushimi Inari Taisha: Famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, Fushimi Inari is one of Kyoto’s most iconic spots. For a more immersive experience we can arrange for an early-morning or after-hours guided visit.

• Gion District & Geiko Encounters: Gion is Kyoto’s geisha district. Here, you can stroll through the atmospheric lantern-lit lanes of Gion. And then later in the evening enjoy a private dinner accompanied by geiko or maiko, complete with traditional dance and conversation. 

• Nanzen-ji & Zen Gardens: At the base of Kyoto’s Higashiyama mountains, Nanzen-ji offers expansive temple grounds with rock gardens, tea houses, and a striking aqueduct. We can arrange a guided walk for you as you learn about the principles of Zen aesthetics and admire the beauty, asymmetry, and seasonal beauty of the gardens.
  
  

Shimonoseki

• Karato Market: Shimonoseki is famous for its fugu (pufferfish), and Karato Market is the best place to try it. Because fugu can be deadly if not prepared correctly, only licensed chefs are permitted to serve it (so you’re in safe hands). Enjoy it as delicate fugu sashimi or in a warming hotpot, and pair it with fine sake from Yamaguchi for an unforgettable culinary experience.

• Akama Shrine & Dannoura Battlefield: Visit Akama Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Antoku, a child emperor who perished in the famous Battle of Dannoura in 1185. The shrine’s bright vermilion architecture overlooks the sea where the battle unfolded. We can arrange a guided tour for you as you stroll and learn about the tales of samurai, shifting tides, and the rise of the samurai-led shogunate.

• Kaikyokan Aquarium: For those looking for something more leisurely, the Kaikyokan Aquarium features a spectacular tunnel tank showcasing the swirling currents of the Kanmon Straits. It also houses one of the world’s largest collections of pufferfish species. An engaging stop for couples or families before or after your rail journey.
  
  

A Destination in its Own Right

The Twilight Express Mizukaze is more than a train, it is an experience of Japan itself. Every detail of the carriage, from the design of the observation cars to the artistry of the dining table reflects a refined commitment to beauty and depth..

If you’re planning a tailor-made journey through Japan, Mizukaze is not simply a mode of transport, it is a destination in its own right. This rare experience invites you to see Japan differently, watching its landscapes unfold at a measured pace while enjoying Japanese hospitality at its finest.

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

You may also wish to explore other luxury sleeper trains: the Train Suite Shiki-shima in eastern Japan and the Seven Stars in Kyushu in the south. Together, these three journeys reveal Japan’s many faces in the most refined way possible.