Design and Supervision of Onboard Loungewear for the Cruise Train “Seven Stars in Kyushu”
“Seven Stars in Kyushu” is Japan’s first luxury sleeper train, running along the rails that connect all seven prefectures of Kyushu.
In both 2021 and 2022, it was awarded the title of Best Train in the World for two consecutive years in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, a prestigious global survey conducted by the leading American travel publication Condé Nast Traveler.
Offering a variety of multi-night itineraries, the train invites guests to experience the charm of Kyushu and its people through immersive encounters with local culture. During the journey, passengers stay onboard exquisitely designed cars featuring guest rooms, a bar lounge, a tea room, and salon spaces stretching across seven cars.
This October, Seven Stars in Kyushu will undergo a significant renewal under the theme:
“Connecting Stories That Span Over a Century.”
Through encounters with Kyushu’s traditions, culture, and the people and places met along the way, a new chapter in its timeless story is set to begin.
Loungewear Design & Details
The fabric used is Kurume Kasuri, a traditional indigo-dyed cotton textile that has been passed down for over 200 years in the Chikugo region of southern Fukuoka Prefecture. Reflecting the design concept and unique character of the train itself, we created a “social garment for a space of relaxation,” incorporating expressive detailing into both the top and bottom pieces. The color palette includes kodai urushi (ancient lacquer red), the signature tone of the Seven Stars in Kyushu, to blend harmoniously with the train’s interior.
The top design draws inspiration from the shawl-collar shirt, the origin of the tuxedo, and features a carefully constructed collar. Piping at the neckline and an adjustable drawstring waist on the bottoms symbolize the kizuna—the deep bonds connecting guests and the people of Kyushu.
A single line of stitching running down the front of the pants references the railway tracks themselves. To honor the enduring legacy of the Seven Stars in Kyushu and the hope that its brilliance will continue far into the future, each button is engraved with the train’s signature logo.
