Day train
Aru Ressha
ARU RESSHA is JR Kyushu's two-car dining train between Hakata and the spa town of Yufuin, recreating a luxury carriage the Kyushu Railway ordered from the J.G.
Brill Company in 1906 that never ran. Guests take a seasonal five-course meal by Yoshihiro Narisawa at tables or in compartments of maple and walnut on a three-hour run through northern Kyushu.
From
¥38,000 per person
Length
about 3 hours 10 minutes
Age
No children under 10, including infants on a lap
Japan
We apply for you
Tell us the journey and the season. Our team in Japan watches the ballots and application dates, applies with the route and suite you want, settles your requests with the operator, and arranges the nights before and after at places we know. At the operator’s own fare.
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Have it reviewed for USD 85The route
A day
Hakata to Yufuin (morning) and Yufuin to Hakata (afternoon)
Hakata to Yufuin · Kyudai Main Line
One return trip a day on set dates through the year (calendar on the official site); dates are on sale to February 2027 and the train runs on from March 2027, dates to be announced. Hakata about 10:58 to Yufuin 14:08; Yufuin about 15:00 to Hakata 18:03
The special cars
Table for two (car 1)
5 on board
Maple interior under a coffered ceiling like the one on Seven Stars in Kyushu; tables 1 to 5; table 1 has a smaller window.
Table for four (car 1)
3 on board
Tables 11 to 13, for three or four only, never for one or two; table 11 has a smaller window.
Compartment for one (car 2)
1 on board
Compartment 21, in walnut with kumiko latticework; a smaller window than the rest.
Compartment for two (car 2)
6 on board
Compartments 23 to 28, in walnut and kumiko latticework, the craft used on Seven Stars in Kyushu; compartment 27 has a smaller window, and 28 has the wheelchair space.
Before you go
Dining
A five-course meal (starter, a rice dish, a meat course, a main dessert and three mini sweets) by Yoshihiro Narisawa of NARISAWA in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo, made mainly from Kyushu produce he has chosen and served on tableware made for the train by Kyushu craftsmen, with drinks included; the menu changes with the season (autumn menu from 5 September to 30 November 2026, winter menu planned from 5 December 2026).
How it is booked
Aru Ressha is sold only as a package with its meal. Tell us your dates and our team in Japan reserves the seats and any meal for you, passes on your preferences and requests, arranges anything special with the operator, and books the stays before and after.
Dress
None.
Good to know
Allergies cannot be catered for. Luggage space is limited, so large suitcases may not fit; outside food and drink may not be opened on board; no power sockets.
Every fare
From ¥38,000 per person, two sharing a table or a compartment, Hakata to Yufuin or back, with the course meal, free-flowing drinks and the one-way JR ticket included (JR Kyushu's own tour, 2026 to February 2027); ¥50,000 for one guest alone at a table for two or in a two-person compartment, ¥44,000 in the single compartment; children 10 and 11 ¥32,000.
About the train
Eiji Mitooka and Don Design Associates, from the model of the original carriage by the late Nobutaro Hara, with Kento Hara of the Hara Model Railway Museum; black and gold outside with arabesque decoration, maple in car 1 and walnut with kumiko latticework in car 2 (2015).
Run by JR Kyushu, since 2015.
Stay before or after
Yufuin Onsen
RyokanYufuin Tamanoyu
由布院 玉の湯
In Yufuin, where the morning ARU RESSHA ends its run from Hakata.
Lake Kinrin, Yufuin
RyokanKamenoi Bessou
亀の井別荘
In the centre of Yufuin, the train's terminus.
Kawakami, Yufuin
RyokanSanso Murata
山荘 無量塔
A Yufuin inn, for a night before the afternoon train back to Hakata.
Q&A
Aru Ressha is sold only as a package with its meal. Tell us your dates and our team in Japan reserves the seats and any meal for you, passes on your preferences and requests, arranges anything special with the operator, and books the stays before and after.
From ¥38,000 per person, two sharing a table or a compartment, Hakata to Yufuin or back, with the course meal, free-flowing drinks and the one-way JR ticket included (JR Kyushu's own tour, 2026 to February 2027); ¥50,000 for one guest alone at a table for two or in a two-person compartment, ¥44,000 in the single compartment; children 10 and 11 ¥32,000.
Hakata to Yufuin (morning) and Yufuin to Hakata (afternoon): One return trip a day on set dates through the year (calendar on the official site); dates are on sale to February 2027 and the train runs on from March 2027, dates to be announced. Hakata about 10:58 to Yufuin 14:08; Yufuin about 15:00 to Hakata 18:03.
No children under 10, including infants on a lap; children 10 and 11 pay the child price and have the same menu. Under-15s must travel with a parent or guardian, and under-18s without one need a signed consent form.