Many people dream of one day that they travel in one of many scenic train trips when they visit Japan. It seems strange how a train trip can become so extraordinary that it is, in itself, a tourist destination. What attracts people to these train trips? Speed? Luxury? Or is it just the look of the train? For me, all of these answers are true, and I’m one of those who long for these scenic train trips!

It all started back in 2013 when I accidentally came across an exhibition called “Designing a Happy Journey: Reviving Kyushu through creativity” ,which introduced me to the success story of Japanese rail services in Kyushu and Japanese Maestro designer Eiji Mitooka. I had never known much about the Kyushu before but, on that day, I made a promise to myself that “I will visit this Kyushu traveling train at least once in my life!”

These are top 3 Kyushu’s train I would like to talk about.

Train No.1 Yufuin no mori

Yufuin no mori, which means “Forest of Yufuin”, is the name of famous Kyushu train. The exterior of the train is green blending itself into the backdrop of Kyushu’s untouched forest. Its inside is mostly decorated with wood. The lighting in the train is so well designed that it feels like the sun light shines through the forest and into the train. It’s as if you are one with the forest.

If this was a normal train, its slow speed is a disadvantage. But this disadvantage becomes an advantage because the journey is itself the destination instead of where the train stops. Only they come inside the train, they can feel that they’re already travelling.

Train No.2 Aso Boy!

Aso Boy! is the name of one of the famous sightseeing trains in Kyushu (Kumamoto - Miyaji). When this train coming close to stop at the terminal, almost everybody especially kids, who is standing around there will take photos of themselves with the train! Just seeing this train makes everyone happy! How can this be?

This train is designed for children in mind, and is all decorated by the kawaii (cute) dog called “Kuro-chan”. The “Kids” concept is superbly designed in this train.

You can see that one seat is designed for parents and another seat is for their child.

Another specialty is that they place up the driver’s room on the second floor so people in the trains can see the view in front of the train.

Not only that it has the special shop to sell the goods, snacks and drink, The train also has a little library and playgrounds. Like I told you earlier, this train is specially built for children :)

Furthermore, the playground equipments are wrapped with soft materials, so parents have no needs to worry that their kids will injure themselves while playing in the playground.

In the modern society, some parents need to work as hard as they can. Maybe they don’t have much time for their children. But this train provides an opportunity for family to have quality time together.

Some parents play with their children, while others read the story to their kids. I think it’s essential for the family to have moment like this. After I left the train, I feel really warm in my heart.

Train No.3 Shinkansen Train (Fukuoka to Kumamoto)

“Love is not about possession; Love is about appreciation.” - Osho

Shinkansen is one of many Japan’s original innovations, and has become such a famous icon of Japan. When people think of Japan, the bullet trains usually come up not far from the top of the list.

Shinkansen is known for more than just its sheer speed. It is also super cool! Its futuristic aerodynamic design on the outside combined with the comfortable and ergonomic interior is what sets these Shinkansens apart from other ordinary trains.

Many people are crazy about Shinkansens. It is not different from other people who are crazy about cars or motorcycles but the difference is no matter how wealthy you are, you can’t just buy a Shinkansen and keep it in your garage! So this makes these trains very special among other types of vehicles. Everybody can be crazy about it but no one can possess it.

Some people will think of the train as just a vehicle, which takes you from one place to another. They only see the destination, not the beauty of the view the along way, or not the time you spent with your loved ones on the journey.

But for me, only just when I step into the Kyushu train, the destination is reached. I enjoyed every moment during the journey and that makes your destination more special. And because my destination is the “train”, luckily my destination can be move :)

Enjoy your journey in Kyushu using Kyushu Train :)