The cruise train THE ROYAL EXPRESS has decided on its winter 2027 plans for the "THE ROYAL EXPRESS Izu Journey." Alongside a 1-night, 2-day trip to experience the nature and history of Shimoda, a new 2-night, 3-day trip centered on West Izu has been added, focusing on the grand nature of "White Fuji" (白富士), Mt. Fuji. The trips bring together expansive scenery, local cuisine, traditions that live on in each area, and the warm hospitality of the people at each destination, so travelers can experience the charms of Izu and Suruga with all five senses.
The two plans are "Journeys of Sparkling Beauty" (「美しさ、煌めく 旅。」) that let travelers feel the natural beauty of the New Year season in Izu.
The Two Plans at a Glance
Winter Radiance White Fuji Cruise Plan (冬麗白富士クルーズプラン): 2 Nights, 3 Days (New Plan)
Departure dates: Friday, January 15 and Friday, January 29, 2027
A journey around the Izu sea and Mt. Fuji set against the clear winter sky. Travelers stay at two Michelin Key-selected inns on consecutive nights, Fugaku Gunjo (富岳群青) and Numazu Club (沼津倶楽部). Experiences open only to tour guests include a nerikiri (a type of Japanese confection) making experience by the long-established Miyakoan (みやこ庵) at Numazu Club, and an Italian course at Ristorante Sakurakagami (リストランテ桜鏡), a well-known restaurant at the foot of Mt. Fuji, with a special violin and piano performance.
Colorful Sparkle Shimoda Cruise Plan (彩り煌めく下田クルーズプラン): 1 Night, 2 Days
Departure dates: Friday, January 8; Tuesday, January 12; Friday, January 15; Monday, January 18; Friday, January 22; Monday, January 25; and Friday, January 29, 2027
A trip to Shimoda, Izu, in January, when the air has a crisp New Year chill. Travelers ride the train while looking out at the deep blue sea from the window. In Shimoda, the plan visits the scenic spot Tsumekizaki (爪木崎), where about 3 million wild daffodils release a sweet fragrance and offer an early sign of spring.
The day-2 itinerary differs depending on the departure date.
1. New Plan: Winter Radiance White Fuji Cruise Plan
Schedule
2 nights, 3 days, with 2 departures in total:
- Friday, January 15 to Sunday, January 17, 2027
- Friday, January 29 to Sunday, January 31, 2027
Itinerary
Day 1
The trip to Izu and Suruga starts with a welcome reception at THE ROYAL LOUNGE YOKOHAMA at about 11:00 AM. The train leaves JR Yokohama at about 11:50 AM and arrives at Izukyu-Shimoda at about 3:15 PM. On board, with the deep blue sea outside the window and live music playing, passengers are served a course meal by the chef of the well-known Izu restaurant Elmayon (エルマイヨン, French), made with seasonal ingredients from Shizuoka.
After arrival, THE ROYAL BUS takes travelers to Fugaku Gunjo (arriving at about 4:40 PM), a renowned West Izu inn selected for a Michelin Key. All 8 rooms have an open-air bath with a view of Mt. Fuji, so guests can look out at Mt. Fuji rising above the clear winter sea.
Meals: lunch (on the train) and dinner
Day 2
Leaving Fugaku Gunjo at about 10:00 AM by THE ROYAL BUS, the group boards THE ROYAL EXPRESS at Izukyu-Shimoda, departing at about 11:15 AM and arriving at Ito at about 2:30 PM. Lunch on day 2 is sushi by Kogen Sushi (こうげん寿し), which uses local fish landed at Ito Port. The restaurant selects fresh, fatty seasonal fish and serves it as Edo-style nigiri.
THE ROYAL BUS then continues to Numazu Club (arriving at about 4:00 PM), the night's inn, which is selected for a Michelin Key and is a tangible cultural property. It has just 8 guest rooms overlooking a pine grove and a basin where Mt. Fuji's underground water wells up, and guests can spend time in the architecture of a cultural property. As a special event for tour guests only, the long-established Numazu wagashi shop Miyakoan holds a nerikiri making experience inside Numazu Club.
Meals: breakfast, lunch (on the train), and dinner
Day 3
On day 3, THE ROYAL BUS leaves Numazu Club at about 11:00 AM and heads to Gotemba. There the group has the whole of Ristorante Sakurakagami, a well-known restaurant at the foot of Mt. Fuji, to itself from about 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM. The restaurant offers a quiet space with a full view of Mt. Fuji, and an Italian course is served in this setting, with dishes that make full use of local ingredients. A mini concert of violin and piano is also held only for the tour guests, featuring violinist Junei Osako (大迫淳英).
The tour ends at Mishima at about 3:00 PM. Shinkansen tickets from Mishima Station can be arranged on request.
Meals: breakfast and lunch
Inns Used on This Plan
- Night 1: Fugaku Gunjo. All 8 rooms are suites with an open-air bath facing the World Heritage site Mt. Fuji. The modern, upscale interior is described as being like an art museum, and guests can look out at Mt. Fuji and Suruga Bay.
- Night 2: Numazu Club. A quiet, secluded villa. The simple, warm space is reminiscent of a private residence, with a garden spreading out in front of guests' eyes.
Meals Served on THE ROYAL EXPRESS and During the Tour
- Day 1: Elmayon (French). Based on the classics, the cuisine expresses the culture and depth of French cooking while valuing Japan's seasonal produce and ingredients. Authentic French cuisine is served on the train.
- Day 2: Kogen Sushi (sushi). Local fish landed at Ito Port is selected for freshness and fat content, and served as Edo-style nigiri.
- Day 3: Ristorante Sakurakagami (Italian). An Italian course that uses ingredients from the foot of Mt. Fuji. The restaurant is reserved for the group, which also enjoys a special concert by violinist Junei Osako.
2. Colorful Sparkle Shimoda Cruise Plan
Schedule
1 night, 2 days, with 7 departures in total:
- Friday, January 8 to Saturday, January 9, 2027
- Tuesday, January 12 to Wednesday, January 13, 2027
- Friday, January 15 to Saturday, January 16, 2027
- Monday, January 18 to Tuesday, January 19, 2027
- Friday, January 22 to Saturday, January 23, 2027
- Monday, January 25 to Tuesday, January 26, 2027
- Friday, January 29 to Saturday, January 30, 2027
Itinerary
The trip to Izu and Shimoda starts with a welcome reception at THE ROYAL LOUNGE YOKOHAMA. On board, with the deep blue sea outside the window and live music playing, passengers are served a course meal made with seasonal ingredients from Shizuoka by the chef of either the well-known Izu restaurant Elmayon (French) or Rakan (羅漢, Japanese).
In Shimoda, travelers can choose in advance to be guided to the scenic spot Tsumekizaki, where about 3 million wild daffodils release a sweet fragrance and offer an early sign of spring. A special guide is provided on the day. For the night, guests stay at one of Shimoda's well-known inns, Bettei Rakuyu (別邸 洛邑) or Seiryuso (清流荘), in a room with its own hot spring bath.
Lunch on day 2 is sushi by Kogen Sushi, which uses local fish landed at Ito Port. The restaurant selects fresh, fatty seasonal fish and serves it as Edo-style nigiri.
The trip ends at THE ROYAL LOUNGE YOKOHAMA, where travelers can relax and look back on the journey.
Departures on Friday, January 8; Friday, January 15; Friday, January 22; and Friday, January 29
- Day 1: Welcome reception at THE ROYAL LOUNGE YOKOHAMA at about 11:00 AM, then THE ROYAL EXPRESS leaves JR Yokohama at about 11:50 AM and arrives at Izukyu-Shimoda at about 3:15 PM. A dedicated car takes travelers to the inn. The French course by Elmayon is served on January 15 and 29, and the Japanese course by Rakan on January 8 and 22. On January 15 and 29, only the relaxing stay at the inn (inn shuttle car) is available. On the other dates, travelers choose between a Tsumekizaki Daffodil Festival geo-guide tour and a relaxing stay at the inn (inn shuttle car).
- Day 2: An inn shuttle car takes travelers to Izukyu-Shimoda, and THE ROYAL EXPRESS departs at about 11:15 AM and arrives at Ito at about 2:30 PM. From Ito, the group changes to the Saphir Odoriko (Green Car), leaving at about 3:10 PM and arriving at JR Yokohama at about 4:30 PM. The train used for this section may be an Odoriko. The group disbands at THE ROYAL LOUNGE YOKOHAMA.
Departures on Tuesday, January 12; Monday, January 18; and Monday, January 25
- Day 1: Welcome reception at THE ROYAL LOUNGE YOKOHAMA at about 11:00 AM, then THE ROYAL EXPRESS leaves JR Yokohama at about 11:50 AM and arrives at Izukyu-Shimoda at about 3:15 PM. A dedicated car takes travelers to the inn. The French course by Elmayon is served on January 12, and the Japanese course by Rakan on January 18 and 25. Travelers choose between a Tsumekizaki Daffodil Festival geo-guide tour and a relaxing stay at the inn (inn shuttle car).
- Day 2: An inn shuttle car takes travelers to Izukyu-Shimoda, and THE ROYAL EXPRESS departs at about 11:15 AM and arrives at JR Yokohama at about 3:00 PM. The group disbands at THE ROYAL LOUNGE YOKOHAMA.
Meals: lunch (on the train) and dinner on day 1; breakfast and lunch (on the train) on day 2. The itinerary may change due to weather, timetable revisions, and other circumstances.
Inns Used on This Plan
- Bettei Rakuyu. A secluded inn with only 8 guest rooms, all of them suites, for adults who want a luxurious time away from everyday life. A view of a white beach spreads out in front of the inn.
- Seiryuso. A renowned inn in Rendaiji Onsen. Since its founding in 1937 (Showa 12), it has carried on a spirit of hospitality with history and tradition while providing a relaxing space. Its rooms with open-air baths let guests enjoy hot spring water flowing freely from the source.
Meals Served on THE ROYAL EXPRESS and During the Tour
- Day 1: Elmayon (French). Served on January 12, 15, and 29. Based on the classics, the cuisine expresses the culture and depth of French cooking while valuing Japan's seasonal produce and ingredients. Authentic French cuisine is served on the train.
- Day 1: Rakan (Japanese). Served on January 8, 18, 22, and 25. Atsuko Kato (加藤敦子) of Rakan, a well-known restaurant that accepts only one party per day, cooks on the train. The food is plated in a way that expresses the changing seasons, like a painting.
- Day 2: Kogen Sushi (sushi). Local fish landed at Ito Port is selected for freshness and fat content, and served as Edo-style nigiri.
3. Sales Period, Price, and How to Apply (Planned and Sold by Tokyu)
- Number of departures: 9 in total (Colorful Sparkle Shimoda Cruise Plan: 7, Winter Radiance White Fuji Cruise Plan: 2)
- Application period: Thursday, October 8, 2026 to Sunday, November 15, 2026
- How to apply: Applications are accepted on the website or by mail, and seats are then sold by lottery.
- Price: Colorful Sparkle Shimoda Cruise Plan (1 night, 2 days): ¥240,000 to ¥270,000 (tax included). Winter Radiance White Fuji Cruise Plan (2 nights, 3 days): ¥470,000 to ¥530,000 (tax included). Prices are per person based on two people sharing a room.
- Capacity: 26 people per departure (minimum of 12 people required to run)
- Other: Details are available on the official website: https://www.the-royalexpress.jp
- Contact: Tour Desk, TEL: 03-6455-0644 (hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM; closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Sundays, national holidays, and the year-end and New Year holidays)
- Train timetables may change.
About THE ROYAL EXPRESS
THE ROYAL EXPRESS is a cruise train of 8 royal blue cars, including passenger cars, a kitchen car, and a multi-car that can be used for concerts, weddings, exhibitions, and more. Passengers enjoy special course meals prepared by well-known chefs along the route, live violin and piano performances, stays at local renowned inns, and encounters with the people of each region.
The train was designed by Eiji Mitooka. Its interior combines styles and designs from past and present and from East and West, such as kumiko (traditional wooden latticework), yosegi-zaiku (marquetry), and stained glass, like a mandala. The result is a classic space that feels both nostalgic and new, a stage that adds color to life and presents "Journeys of Sparkling Beauty" (「美しさ、煌めく 旅。」).
Like the train, the dedicated THE ROYAL EXPRESS bus is filled with top-quality materials and craftsmanship. Traveling by this bus widens the sightseeing area and allows travelers to experience the finer details of each region.
All images are for illustration purposes.
