It's got Michelin-starred chefs, solid cypress¹ bathtubs and a cosy² snug³ complete with roaring fire: the Shiki-Shima could hold its own against any five-star hotel. Not bad for a train.

 

这辆名为“四季岛”的列车上有米其林星级厨师，有柏树实木浴缸，还有“熊熊燃烧”的壁炉为你带去温暖，完全可以和任何五星级酒店相媲美。作为一列火车也相当不错。
 

 

In a country best known for its super-fast "Shinkansen" bullet trains, the emphasis in Japan's latest extravaganza on rails is on savouring the moment, with no expense spared to create the most luxurious⁴ travelling experience.

 

Customers willing to shell out up to 950,000 yen⁵ per person can enjoy a top-of-the-range suite⁶ aboard the Shiki-Shima for four days and three nights of unparalleled extravagance.

 

The 10-car train has huge viewing windows through which customers can see the northern Japanese countryside used to grow the ingredients in seasonal⁷ delicacies⁸ prepared by the onboard chefs.

 

After dinner they can gather for a drink around the piano, or sit and soak up the atmosphere next to the fireplace -- actually a trick created by steam and coloured light -- on a journey that takes them from Tokyo to the northernmost island of Hokkaido and back again.

 

The light-gold "Train Suite Shiki-shima" sleeper⁹ -- whose name means "Four Seasons Island" -- departed Ueno Station in Tokyo for its maiden¹⁰ journey on Monday, carrying 33 passengers, according to operator East Japan Railway.

 

And despite the hefty price tag, there is no shortage of customers -- tickets are booked out through to March next year.

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