Beautiful Japanese sightseeing train will be unforgettable way to travel country's north island

The efficiency of Japan's commuter trains can't be overstated. The rail networks that service Tokyo and other urban population centers are all about getting as many people as possible to their schools and offices with maximum efficiency, and they do an incredible job meeting that goal.

But Japan is also a country that loves hospitality and for-fun travel, and when train designers put their skills towards those goals they can do some amazing things too.

Seen here is the exquisitely designed Royal Express, a sightseeing train operated by Tokyu Dentetsu, one of the major private railway companies in the Tokyo area. The eight-car train's amenities are a far cry from the plasticky bench seats and hanging straps of ordinary trains, instead inviting passengers to take a seat on elegantly upholstered seating as they relax and enjoy the journey.