Starbound on HIGH RAIL 1375

Just two hours from Tokyo, yet worlds away from the city’s bustle, HIGH RAIL 1375 winds along the border of Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures, offering sweeping views of the Southern Alps and the dramatic peaks of the Yatsugatake Mountains.

Operating between Kobuchizawa and Komoro stations, the sightseeing train reaches the highest point on the JR railway network at 1,375 metres—earning its name as “the train closest to the sky.”

Few sightseeing trains in Japan—arguably in the world—reveal their charm as vividly at night as they do by day. On the HIGH RAIL Hoshizora evening service, the train pauses at Nobeyama Station for a guided stargazing session under the extraordinary skies of Minamimaki Village, home to one of the “Top Three Most Beautiful Starry Skies in Japan.”

Inside, the train continues its celestial atmosphere with constellation motifs woven into the interiors, while the HIGH RAIL Gallery in Car No. 2 invites passengers to peruse astronomy books beneath a domed ceiling illuminated with projections of the night sky.

The journey also extends into delicious flavors. Two meal options are available by advance reservation and feature a whimsical surprise: a miniature HIGH RAIL 1375 cutout that pops up when the lid is opened. The HIGH RAIL Hoshizora bento box features premium regional specialties such as Shinshu beef and salmon—but presented as Japan’s iconic soul food, the onigiri. The train’s refined yet down-to-earth character shines through in these thoughtful details.

The area surrounding the railway line offers a range of notable destinations, from Kiyosato Terrace, where Mt. Fuji appears above a sea of clouds on clear days, to Karuizawa, a popular mountain getaway known for its historic old-town charm.

Continuing the train’s stargazing theme, Nobeyama Radio Observatory—home to one of the world’s largest radio telescopes—offers a deeper look into the wonders of the universe.

Travel on HIGH RAIL 1375 is included at no extra charge with the following passes:

Advance seat reservations are required and available from one month prior to departure at JR ticket offices (Midori no Madoguchi) or through the JR-East Train Reservation website.

** HIGH RAIL 1375 does not operate daily.

** Check the timetable and operating calendar before travelling.

** Reservations for onboard meals are currently only available through a Japanese-language website.

Plan your starry journey aboard HIGH RAIL 1375 on the official website.