Kyushu | Aboard Two Stars 4047, a Show-Stopping Sightseeing Train
Sipping sake as Omura Bay slipped past my window, I felt the joyful thrill of discovering something wonderful that somehow isn't on the radar of most travellers to Japan.
At a fraction of the cost of famous luxury trains like the Seven Stars in Kyushu, yet far less crowded than the wildly popular Yufuin no Mori, the Two Stars 4047 offers gorgeous interiors, idyllic views, and fantastic value.
In this guide, I share why this train will stop you in your tracks, and how to secure the best seats and coveted jiggly soufflés. Come on board with me!
This post is not sponsored & reflects my personal opinions and research. The information in this post are current as of February 2026.
One. What makes Two Stars 4047 special
Snapshot
What: Two Stars 4047 Design & Story train
Where: Takeo-Onsen ↔ Nagasaki in West Kyushu, Japan
When: Friday to Monday + national holidays (~3 hours)
Why: Striking interiors, coastal & countryside scenery, and slow travel bliss.
Cost: ¥5,250, or ¥1,500 with an All/Northern Kyushu Rail Pass.
How: Book online & collect tickets in-person (details below!)
The Train
The Two Stars 4047 belongs to JR Kyushu's 'Design & Story' (D&S) series of sightseeing trains, each telling its region’s story through thoughtful design. Designed by renowned industrial designer Eiji Mitooka (the visionary behind the Seven Stars in Kyushu luxury train and other iconic JR Kyushu trains), this one celebrates Saga and Nagasaki prefectures—the 'two stars' of West Kyushu.
The warm wooden furnishings and humbly opulent lounge area create an impressive space that feels less like public transportation, and more like a boutique hotel that masterfully blends traditional and modern design.
The Journey
The elegant pearl-white train with golden accents winds along western Kyushu coastlines, treating passengers to picturesque views of either the Ariake Sea (morning route) or Omura Bay (afternoon route). Inland, peaceful countryside unfolds: paddy fields, tree-covered hillsides, and occasional small towns.
While the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen whisks passengers to Nagasaki in 31 minutes, Two Stars 4047 takes a leisurely 2 hours 53 minutes along the older line. No complaints on my end for this slow travel experience!
Large panoramic windows reveal Two Stars 4047’s striking interior.
Two. Where & When to take Two Stars 4047
The train operates Friday through Monday and on national holidays, making two one-way trips daily along different routes (check the official schedules and route info).
The Morning Route from Takeo-Onsen to Nagasaki (10:22 am - 1:15 pm) runs along Ariake Sea, whereas the Afternoon Route from Nagasaki to Takeo-Onsen (2:53 PM - 5:51 PM) winds along Omura Bay. Each one stops at different stations for scenic photo opportunities and local shopping.
Both terminal stations are easily accessible from Fukuoka via shinkansen (bullet train) or limited express train.
Enjoying sake and scenery along the afternoon rou
Three. Step inside the stunning Two Stars 4047
With only 3 cars catering for up to 87 passengers, Two Stars 4047 feels rather exclusive! Cars 1 & 3 are for reserved seating, whereas Car 2 is a shared lounge space.
Cars 1 & 3 - Reserved seating
Car 1 features lighter wood tones while Car 3 shows off a darker-toned wood. Both contain standard seating and coveted window-facing sofas, with Car 1 also offering booth seating for groups of 3 or 4.
Window-facing sofas in Car 1 of Two Stars 4047—prime position for sea-gazing!
The darker-toned Car 3 of Two Stars 4047. Who else prefers the aesthetics of Car 1? 🤭
There are luggage storage areas as well as overhead racks in Cars 1 & 3; I had no trouble finding space for my suitcase.
Luggage storage area in Car 1 of Two Stars 4047.
Luggage storage area in Car 3 of Two Stars 4047.
Car 2 - The showstopper
The shared Lounge 40 is a showstopper. Intricate kumiko lamps with Japanese wooden lattice patterns command attention, while vibrant flooring adds to the spacious carriage's appeal.
Window-facing tables (offering prime sea views) and comfy sofas are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
There's a sales counter where you can purchase regional drinks like premium sake from Saga and Nagasaki, tea from Ureshino, local snacks, and—depending on your route—bento boxes or soufflés.
Honestly, this was the most beautiful train car I've ever stepped into!
I was wowed by the stylish Lounge 40 of Two Stars 4047!
A blend of traditional and modern design in Lounge 40.
Fancy a cheeky drink or treat? The lounge has you covered.
Four. How to book tickets and snag the best seats
All seats are reserved, but not all are equal! Here's how to snag your desired seats (likely those window-facing ones!).
Booking tickets & reserving seats
Online ticket sales and seat reservations for All/Northern Kyushu pass holders open at 10:00 AM JST one month before your travel date, and can be made up to 6 minutes before departure (the official guides and FAQs may be helpful). The platforms are only available between 5:30 AM and 11 PM JST.
For All Kyushu or Northern Kyushu JR Rail Pass Holders:
Reserve your seat with a ¥1,500 fee.
You can select specific seats online, but not the window-facing sofa seats.
In all other cases (including if you have a national or Southern Kyushu JR pass):
Tickets cost ¥5,250 (includes the base & express fares, as well as seat reservation).
You can’t select specific seats but can request window vs. aisle preference.
The best seats
Whether you’re taking the morning or afternoon road, the seats on the left side (in the direction of travel) offer sea views.
The best reservable spots though? In my humble opinion, the window-facing sofas on the left side in Car 1 (left to right, facing the window: 7A, 7D, 9A, 9D) and Car 3 (left to right facing the window: 10A, 10D, 12A, 12D! They face large panoramic windows head-on to enjoy the scenery without craning your neck.
There’s a catch though: these can only be reserved in person at JR ticket offices or reserved seat vending machines in Kyushu (which can throw a spanner in the works for us tourists!).
Steal my strategy
Here’s my strategy for snagging the best seats possible (works whether or not you’re using a rail pass):
Book online first: Reserve a second-choice spot online before arriving in Japan as a backup. If you have a All Kyushu or Northern Kyushu rail pass, choose the left side in the direction of travel.
Change seats at a JR office: Once in Kyushu, visit any JR ticket office to change your reservation to the window-facing sofa seats, and pick up your tickets at the same time. Remember that Google Translate is your friend!
Grateful that my booking strategy worked out perfectly! ☺️
FYI
No change fee: There isn’t a charge for changing a seat reservation once.
Ticket collection: If you aren’t changing your reserved seat, you can also collect your tickets at the reserved seat ticket vending machine.
Sofas: If you book a single sofa spot, you might share the sofa with another passenger (which can feel a bit intimate)! The space between sofas is also snug, requiring a little manoeuvring to get in and out.
Five. Highlights of the afternoon route
After a lovely few days in Nagasaki (oh gosh, the wagyu there was incredible…but that's another story!), I was buzzing with anticipation as I boarded the train.
I'd secured three window-facing spots for my elderly parents and me, hoping the space beside me would be empty. Luck was on my side—I had the sofa all to myself!
Here are a few stops that stood out for me:
Nagasaki station - all aboard!
The start of one of my favourite Kyushu experiences.🚂
Isahaya station - sake tastings & local treats
Pop-up stores selling sake tastings, coffee, and honey sticks. I was stoked to sample some local sake!
Chiwata station - seaside wonder
Situated mere inches from sea, surely Chiwata station is the most charming station along the afternoon route?
Stamp station - souvenir alert
Don’t miss the stamp station in Car 1 where you can stamp a commemorative postcard, a lovely (and complimentary) souvenir!
Six. The must-eat: airy, puffy soufflés!
The train offers two signature food items by advance reservation: bento boxes for morning trains, soufflés for afternoon trains.
Taking the afternoon route like I did? The soufflés are a must!
These fluffy creations from Maman Gateau, a local Nagasaki café, are baked fresh on board and cost a reasonable ¥1,000. Made with green lemons from Shimabara (in Nagasaki Prefecture) and fermented butter, they are served piping hot with a dusting of icing sugar.
Watching the staff prepare the soufflés with sincerity is part of the experience!
How to Reserve Bento Boxes & Soufflés
Availability: Advance reservation only; bento boxes for the morning route and soufflés for the afternoon route
When to reserve: 1 month to 3 business days before boarding
Reservation link: Bento/Soufflé Reservation (the reservation requires your seat number, so do this after confirming your reservation). Find more details here.
Savouring my soufflé as paddy fields roll by - pretty sweet!
Final thoughts: a worthy experience
Elements like the exquisitely crafted interiors, sweeping coastal and countryside views, and local sake tastings, made the journey on Two Stars 4047 extra special.
For travellers who appreciate exceptional design and prefer a relaxed, unique travel experience over simply getting from Point A to Point B, this train ride is a genuine gem.
Having also ridden the popular Yufuin no Mori D&S train, I found Two Stars 4047 less crowded and a superior experience overall. Why it's not more well-known, I honestly don't know!
Five stars for Two Stars 4047! 🌟
FAQs
Can I board Two Stars 4047 with a JR Pass?
Yep, if you have an All Kyushu or Northern Kyushu rail pass (with a ¥1,500 reservation fee each). National or Southern Kyushu JR pass holders need to purchase regular tickets at ¥5,250 each.
What's the difference between the morning and afternoon routes?
Both follow the coast but in different directions. The morning route (Takeo-Onsen → Nagasaki) follows the Ariake Sea while the afternoon route (Nagasaki → Takeo-Onsen) follows Omura Bay, so their stops are mostly different.
Do I need to book food in advance?
Yes, bento boxes (morning trains only) or soufflés (afternoon trains only) require advance reservation from 1 month to 3 business days before your trip. Other snacks and drinks are available on board; no reservation needed for these.
Is the morning or afternoon route better?
There isn’t a clear winner to me, but I chose the afternoon route for the Chiwata station stop by the sea and the soufflés (plus, it worked well for my itinerary). I’m glad I did!
Which side should I sit on Two Stars 4047 for sea views?
The left side (in the direction of travel) has sea views on both the morning and afternoon routes.
How do I reserve the best window-facing sofa seats?
These seats can’t be booked online. Book any seat online first as backup, then change to window-facing sofa seats in person at any JR ticket office in Kyushu (we were at 7A, 7D, 9A & 9D in Car 1, and were very pleased!).
Can I bring large luggage on board?
Yep, both Cars 1 and 3 have dedicated luggage storage areas (subject to availability). Overhead racks are also available for smaller bags.
Thanks for dropping by my website! Your support means a lot and encourages me to keep creating and sharing helpful content. Discover more value-packed Japan adventures on my blog or @worthy.wanderlust.