Cruise Train "NANATSU-NO-SEI in Kyushu" to Renew Summer Uniforms

JR Kyushu will renew the summer uniforms for its cruise train "NANATSU-NO-SEI in Kyushu."

Incorporating Kyushu's traditional craft of Kurume kasuri, the new uniforms will enhance the harmony between space, experience, and human gestures, expressing a richer hospitality that unifies environment, action, and emotion.

Start of Wear

July 14, 2026 (Tue)

※ For the current fiscal year, the uniforms will be worn through October 30, 2026 (Fri)

Background of the Renewal

"NANATSU-NO-SEI in Kyushu" has long offered memorable travel experiences rooted in regional culture and human warmth.

Considering increasingly hot summer conditions in recent years, this renewal reflects the belief that ensuring crew members can work comfortably is essential to maintaining high-quality hospitality.

Under the philosophy that crew comfort directly contributes to superior service, the train operator has reevaluated the very concept of crew attire.

Key Features of the Renewal

(1) Expressing Kyushu's Aesthetic Consciousness with Kurume Kasuri

Selected garments now feature "Kurume kasuri," a traditional craft with over 220 years of history.

The fabric's soft texture and depth of expression harmonize with the train's interior, subtly conveying Kyushu's unique aesthetic sensibility. The design maintains continuity with the train's existing onboard roomwear※, weaving the entire journey into a cohesive visual narrative.

※ "NANATSU-NO-SEI" already uses Kurume kasuri for its onboard roomwear.

(2) New Attire for Tea Ceremony Hospitality

A new uniform has been introduced specifically for serving guests in the train's tea room—a special space within the train.

Designed to harmonize with the serene atmosphere, the attire enhances the elegance of gestures and movements, making each fleeting, once-in-a-lifetime moment even more memorable.

(3) Balancing Comfort and Elegance

Lightweight, easy-to-move-in fabrics ensure comfort even in summer heat.

Guided by the belief that crew comfort naturally leads to refined hospitality, the design achieves a balance between functionality and beauty. Attention has also been paid to materials and production processes to reduce environmental impact.

Design and Production

・Designer: Eiji Mitooka, Do! Design Institute

・Manufacturer: Next Branders Co., Ltd.

Release of Image Video

A new image video for "NANATSU-NO-SEI" has been produced. The video captures the train's unique travel experience and the heartfelt dedication of local communities who continue to preserve traditional craftsmanship. Please take a moment to watch:

https://youtu.be/UJ-JfHxJmC0

The new uniforms weave together Kyushu's natural environment and the spirit of its people.

Moving forward, "NANATSU-NO-SEI in Kyushu" will continue to deliver unforgettable travel moments, enhanced by these renewed uniforms.

Overview and Materials of the Summer Uniforms

The new summer uniforms incorporate traditional Kurume kasuri fabric from Kyushu, along with materials selected for lightness, ease of movement, and ease of maintenance. Designed to enhance crew comfort while expressing the refined presence and aesthetic values unique to "NANATSU-NO-SEI in Kyushu."

【Kurume Kasuri Shirt】

The crew's summer uniform features Kurume kasuri, a traditional craft passed down for over 220 years in southern Fukuoka Prefecture.

The fabric is produced by Shimo-kawa Orimoto in Yame City. Using traditional techniques of dyeing yarn before weaving, combined with careful weaving on Toyota automatic looms from 100 years ago, the fabric achieves the deep indigo hues and soft texture unique to natural dyeing.

Shimo-kawa Orimoto is a weaving studio committed to environmental stewardship and sustainable production, continuously striving to preserve and innovate traditional techniques. This garment embodies the crew's role as Kyushu travel guides, conveying the charm of regional culture and craftsmanship through attire.

【White Shirt】

The warp yarn combines high-quality cotton with functional polyester, while the weft uses stretchable specialty polyester. The fabric quickly absorbs and disperses sweat, ensuring a cool, dry feel even in summer.

High-density construction delivers a crisp appearance while maintaining moderate stretch. Resistant to wrinkling even after repeated washing, it is easy to maintain daily.

Without using polyurethane typically found in stretch fabrics, stretchability is achieved through the material's own structure, ensuring long-lasting silhouette and comfort.

【Jacket / Pants / Haori (Coat)】

The jacket, pants, and haori use lightweight, easy-to-move-in knitted fabric. Designed for long shifts, the fabric reduces physical strain and supports graceful movements during service.

The fabric features a three-layer structure (face, interlock, back) that combines high stretch and recovery properties to maintain a refined silhouette while ensuring stress-free comfort.

Made primarily from quick-drying, moisture-wicking polyester, the fabric remains smooth and comfortable even when sweating. Both black and white versions use undyed fabric, reducing energy consumption associated with dyeing and supporting sustainable production.

※ Uniform variations are tailored to specific service scenarios, including tea ceremonies, to meet diverse hospitality needs.

※ Profile of Eiji Mitooka

Born in 1947 in Okayama Prefecture.

Designer and illustrator active across architecture, railway vehicles, graphics, and product design. Particularly renowned for his designs of JR Kyushu trains and station buildings, which have attracted widespread attention beyond railway enthusiasts. Recipient of numerous awards including the Brunel Award (an international railway design prize), Transportation Culture Award, Mainichi Design Award, and Kikuchi Kan Prize. Recent works include the JR Kyushu Shinkansen Series 800 and public space designs for Shin-Hakata and Shin-Oita stations. Representative of Do! Design Institute, Inc.

※ Profile of Next Branders Co., Ltd.

Operating the lifestyle brand "Foo Tokyo," which designs "the luxury of doing nothing" with refined comfort at its core.

The brand offers loungewear, towels, and hair accessories. For "NANATSU-NO-SEI in Kyushu," it designs and produces guest nightwear, blankets, onboard amenities, and retail items. Represented by Masaaki Kuwabara, who is dedicated to sharing the essence of Japan with the world, the brand emphasizes locally rooted manufacturing, utilizing regional fabrics and sewing techniques. It aims to present high-quality everyday living by honoring artisans' skills and aesthetic values.