• CONCEPT
  • DESIGN
  • NAMING & LOGO
  • CREATIVE TEAM
  • MEISTER TEAM
  • LOCAL to TRAIN
    The railways, which connects cities, are moving to an age of connecting people.
    The train, serving as the legs of the region, has been supporting the lifestyles of the people.

    Loading the charms of the towns along the line aboard, we hope the train will connect people to each other, to items, and to experiences.

    The Rail Kitchen Chikugo will gather people together, connect them, and allow for towns to be re-discovered.
    We will use this space to convey the charms of the towns.
  • Nishitetsu, treating you to our home-cooking made with pride, using ingredients from along the line.
    A place with a special yet relaxed feel, as if you’ve been invited to someone’s home.

    The exterior is inspired by a kitchen cloth, for a beautiful and clean expression.
    The train features a kitchen with a built-in kiln, and 52 seats across 3 dining cars. From the bamboo knit ceiling made from Yame bamboo, to the beautiful Jojima roof tiles in Ibushi Silver, the furniture from the furniture town of Okawa, and the Chikugo River as drawn by an artist, the interior has been realized using regional resources from along the train line.
    Kick back and relax while getting a taste of Chikugo’s culture and lifestyle.
  • Stuffed Full of Chikugo Charm
    The Rail Kitchen Chikugo was named to be associated with delicious meals as well as the region through which it runs.
    The train will promote Chikugo by discovering and transmitting the as-of-yet unknown charms and new attractions the Chikugo region has to offer.

    Strawberries, grapes, Japanese sake, boat rides on the Yanagawa River, the Omuta World Heritage site...
    The logo displays the primitive pleasures of eating, drinking, and gathering, through things and places found in Chikugo. Looking to see what’s crammed in there is part of the fun of this logo design.
    We hope you will all fully enjoy the charms that Chikugo has to offer.
  • The Specialists Who Draw Out the Region’s New Charms
    We gathered specialists from each genre, and used their collective power to draw out new charms of the Chikugo region. The combination of the specialist’s strong eyes for detail and the region are sure to create a new kind of value.
    TOTAL PRODUCE
    Transit General Office Inc.
    Established in 2001 by the current CEO & President Sadahiro Nakamura, Transit General Office Inc. operates about 90 stores, including brand-name apparel cafes, and restaurants. They are also bringing popular overseas brands to Japan, such as the world's best shaved ice "Ice Monster" from Taiwan, and the "Dominique Ansel Bakery" from New York, which sees long lines of patrons due to its popularity. They've also opened up a branch of the Hakata-originated "Niwakaya Chosuke" udon bar restaurant, in Nakameguro, Tokyo. Additionally, they do overall production work for shared offices, hotels, railroads, etc., and using their group synergy from production work, operation work, events, and real estate as a "culture engineering company," they work to create new cultures and topics that are completely new to Japan. In 2017 they were awarded the "Dining Out Award" in the Dining Out Industry Division.
    transit-web.com
    INTERIOR DESIGN
    Landscape Products
    Founded by Shinichiro Nakahara in 1997, Landscape Products began the manufacture and sales of furniture rooted in modern designs from the 1940s to the 1960s, and opened "Playmountain" in Jingumae, Shibuya (currently operating out of Sendagaya, Shibuya) in the year 2000. In the same year, Landscape Products incorporated, and subsequently expanded their scope of operations to include interior design for homes, offices, and shops, direct store development, production and wholesale, producing and directing exhibitions and events, editing/publishing, and branding. They opened "Playmountain EAST" in San Francisco in February 2017.
    landscape-products.net
    EXTERIOR & LOGO DESIGN
    Naoko Fukuoka
    Born in Hyogo Prefecture in 1976, Fukuoka is a graphics designer. In 2010 she established her company "woolen" (woolen Co., Ltd.). In 2008 she received the JAGDA Newcomer Award, the Package Award, and the Tokyo ADC Award; in 2009 she received the Japanese Package Design Golden Award; was nominated for the TDC Award in 2011; and received the Top Awards Asia April/August Award in 2017. In 2014 she began her self-publishing department "woolen press." Fukuoka creates branding, packaging, books, etc., based on graphic design.
    woolen2010.tumblr.com
    woolenpress.tumblr.com
    twitter : @woolen_info
    instagram : woolenpress
    ILLUSTRATION
    Makoto Kagoshima
    Born in Fukuoka city, Kagoshima is highly active in design work and art projects based on ceramics, both domestically and internationally.
    2017 Solo Exhibitions: Taipei "Small Containers"; LA "chariots on fire"; Tokyo "doinel", "Morioka Shoten"; Fukuoka "Dazaifu Tenmangu/Mitsubishi Estate Artium", etc. Has participated in many special exhibitions. 2017 Collaborations: UK "John Julian", "Donna Wilson"; Finland "LAPUAN KANKURIT"; Sweden "keramic studion"; Tokyo "Hobonichi"; Kobe "Familia"; Isetan Shinjuku "Meets (Iihoshi Yumiko)"; Kamakura "Romi-Unie Confiture"; Kyoto "Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu"; others
    MUSIC
    BAGN
    BAGN is a planning and direction company. The company name is the abbreviation for the concept that inspires all of their activities - Be a Good Neighbor. Under this theme, they strive to create a variety of places that overcome genre borders all across Japan, by looking at the local scene, and through editing/direction creative content. BAGN was established in 2014 as a part of the Landscape Products group. Starting with the Good Neighbors Jamboree held annually in Kagoshima, they are currently involved in a variety of activities such as the marketing, public place planning and direction for festivals and events all over Japan, producing shops and hotels, communication designs for corporations and local governments, etc.
    bagn.jp
  • The Meisters who Support the Region’s Charms
    Chikugo has wonderful regional resources, including agricultural, forestry, fishery products, and traditional handicrafts.
    The train interior and the food ingredients use many of these regional resources.
    People with strong wills and refined skills support these regional resources. Gaining an understanding of the hidden commitment and feelings behind them will let you taste these things more thoroughly.
    Inoue Rantai Lacquerware
    Masanobu Inoue
    Inoue Rantai Lacquerware was founded during the Meiji Era (1868 - 1912). In its third generation, their products are all knitted by hand. The previous generation has a history of producing the folding screens used during the coronation of the Showa Emperor. Currently, while protecting the dwindling traditional skills of Kurume Rantai Lacquerware, they're participating in exhibitions across the country, making efforts to pass along these skills to the next generation. The ceiling of the train uses bamboo knit materials, made from Yame bamboo - here, you can see for yourself the traditional Kurume Rantai Lacquerware skills that Inoue Rantai Lacquerware continues to protect.

    ※Kurume Rantai Lacquerware is a lacquerware made from knitting bamboo in a mesh shape, and painting it in lacquered layers. It is a Fukuoka Prefecture governor-specified special handicraft/folk craft.

    Jojima Roof Tile Co-Op
    Ryoichi Shibuta
    Roof tiles are manufactured at the Shibuta Roof Tile Factory, of the Jojima Roof Tile Cooperative Association. In their prime, there were 120 roof tile makers crowded together in the Jojima region, but lately the number of roof tile manufacturers has decreased sharply. In these conditions, Jojima Roof Tile has taken on the challenge of tiles that can be used in various situations, both indoors and outdoors, such as floor tiles, while continuing to protect traditional Jojima roof tiles. The train interior uses a new style of Jojima tile on the walls, made by the representative of the Shibuta Roof Tile factory, Ryoichi Shibuta. In response to the request from the train designer, the tiles were made with rare colors including red-tinted unglazed pottery in addition to the beautiful, glossy Ibushi Silver which is characteristic of Jojima roof tiles, to enhance the design.

    ※Even among the Jojima roof tiles, the ogre tile which adorns roof corners has been registered as a Fukuoka Prefecture governor-specified special handicraft/folk craft, as the "Jojima Ogre Tile."

    Okawa Furniture
    Table: 1's Corporation Co.Ltd., Mr. Kentaro Eguchi
    Chair & Sofa: Hirata Chair Manufacture Co., Ltd, Mr. Tetsuji Furukawa
    Made-to-order Furniture: Daiei Sangyo Co., Ltd, Mr. Hideki Nishi
    Wood Procurement: Satoh Lumber Co.,Ltd., Mr. Motoaki Sato
    This special project team is in charge of everything from material procurement to manufacturing the furniture and fittings needed to create the scenic train. The craftsmanship developed in Okawa, known as the "town of furniture," and the craftsmen’s teamwork embody the design concept of the carriages—a relaxing space that feels as if you are being invited to a house as a guest—and create a space with warmth that does not feel as if it is on a train.
    Takarajima Senkou
    This dyeing factory is located in Oki-machi. It dyes fabrics using traditional techniques with 100% natural dyes, such as indigo, plants, and India ink. Their fabrics are carefully hand-dyed one by one in the workshop. They commit to using comfortable natural dyes and natural minerals with unique colors. In addition to OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing), in the past few years they have developed their own clothing brand using their planning and dyed materials, attracting attention from overseas.
    Their dyed fabrics in various patterns are framed to decorate carriage interiors of THE RAIL KITCHEN CHIKUGO.
    Shimogawa Orimono
    Founded in 1948, this company manufactures kurume kasuri (cotton woven fabric that comes in various shades of blue with recurring patterns in white) in Yame-shi. There used to be several hundred kurume kasuri weavers at its peak. However, the number has kept declining and it has become serious problems due to dwindling producers and a shortage of successors. Shimogawa Orimono looks to the future and produces various original patterns and plain woven fabric, which is rare for kurume kasuri. It creates well over 100 various patterns from traditional ones to checks and stripes, which are suitable for modern clothes.
    Their kurume kasuri fabrics are used for staff uniforms and are also framed to decorate the carriages of THE RAIL KITCHEN CHIKUGO.

    ※Kurume kasuri is a kind of pre-dyed woven fabric that can depict various patterns using partly dyed threads with a bundle technique. It is an important intangible cultural property in Japan and has been certified as a traditional craft in Fukuoka Prefecture by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

    KUROKI BESPOKE ROOM
    Mr. Yuhei Kuroki
    This tailor, founded 46 years ago, is located in the pastoral landscape of Miyama-shi and produces custom-made suits, shirts, and shoes. It not only takes measurements to fit to the body of the wearer but also creates clothes very carefully, incorporating ideas about where the clothes will be worn while discussing the design and outfits in detail with customers. It also endeavors to use kurume kasuri (cotton woven fabric that comes in various shades of blue with recurring patterns in white) in order to pass down local crafts for posterity.
    Creating uniform shirts and vests for THE RAIL KITCHEN CHIKUGO. The front body of the vets, as well as the placket and sleeve placket of the shirts is made with kurume kasuri, which comes in various patterns to create playful garments.

    ※Kurume kasuri is a kind of pre-dyed woven fabric that can depict various patterns using partly dyed threads with a bundle technique. It is an important intangible cultural property in Japan and has been certified as a traditional craft in Fukuoka Prefecture by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

    Nichigetsu-gama
    Mr. Ryuta Fukumura, Potter
    This is the second generation of Nichigetsu-gama in Yoshii-machi, Ukiha-shi. It makes the best use of natural materials and approaches the clay with simple, authentic methods and fired in a wood fire kiln. The works created in the large climbing kiln are splendid and calm at the same time. They have recently been praised highly not only in Tokyo and Fukuoka but overseas as well.
    It produces the dishware for the vegetable plate and meat plate served on the train of THE RAIL KITCHEN CHIKUGO. Those dishes are carefully made one-by-one using an elaborate process. You will appreciate the glaze coating that creates a unique texture almost like metal and changes color with age.
    Hiromatsu Furniture Inc.
    Hiromatsu Furniture Inc. is a furniture manufacturer in Okawa-shi, known as the “town of furniture.” They have created “family furniture” by making the best use of the beauty of the wood, finished with natural oil. They cherish how materials change over the years and create simple but functional furniture that fits just right.
    They also create dishes for the seasonal vegetable pizza and trays to carry sake cups served on the THE RAIL KITCHEN CHIKUGO train. The joint of the beautiful oval pizza plate is its focal point. It is carefully devised to avoid causing troubles while serving on a crowded train, employing features such as the ability to change the height of the dish by attaching legs.
    Oumei Kamamoto
    Mr. Oumei Onimaru opened this kiln to produce koishiwara ware in 1983. Koishiwara ware has distinctive patterns created with the blade of a hand plane and brush marks. The pottery is very popular as typical daily vessel for use in daily life. The Oumei Kamamoto designs are full of originality, such as matte finishing and Polka dot patterns, which are beloved even by the modern young generation as a way to come into contact with historical pottery.
    You may appreciate the traditional techniques from the nonchalant patterns of the serving plates used on the train of THE RAIL KITCHEN CHIKUGO, created with blade of a hand plane before a ceramic slip is applied.

    ※Koishiwara ware has characteristic patterns created with the blade of hand plane and brush marks. It has been certified as a traditional craft in Fukuoka Prefecture by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

    Yamachiku
    Founded in 1963, this factory is located in Nankan-machi, near Omuta-shi. It carefully creates high-quality chopsticks by effectively utilizing bamboo. In a world where cheap chopsticks from abroad are widespread, this company seeks to make domestic bamboo production sustainable, turning high-quality materials into high-quality chopsticks to create a cycle that works and is economical for both the producer and consumer.
    Chopsticks used on THE RAIL KITCHEN CHIKUGO train are made of bamboo grown in Yame-shi. You may experience the warmth of the Chikugo region from the chopsticks made carefully from bamboo that was harvested, cut, and honed here.
    Takarajirushi Usuita Factory
    This factory in Hoshino-mura, Yame-shi specializes in manufacturing kyougi usuita (paper-thin wooden plates), which are rare in Japan. The main raw material of kyougi usuita is red pine. Its squared timber is shaved paper-thin, then dried for few days. It has been widely used as a natural wrapping material that is excellent for disinfection, breathability, and moisture proofing. There used to be many flourishing factories that manufactured kyougi usuita in the Kyushu region, however, the number has decreased due to the spread of plastic products and the aging of craftsmen.
    Kyougi usuita, carefully manufactured one by one, are used for the amuse bouche served on THE RAIL KITCHEN CHIKUGO train. These plates suggest a new fashionable way of using materials to suit a modern lifestyle.