Newsletter July Issue
Wed 1 Jul 2026
- Check it now
JAPAN BY RAIL - AUTUMN 2026
Mon 19 Oct - Tue 10 Nov 2026
- 10 places remain, BOOK NOW
JAPAN BY RAIL - Autumn 2026
Mon 19 Oct - Wed 4 Nov 2026 (2 week option)
- BOOK NOW
FORGOTTEN WORLD NZ 2027
Sat 30 Jan - Sun 8 Feb 2027
- BOOK NOW
VIETNAM BY RAIL 2027
Mon 8 to Sat 20 Mar 2027
- 2 suites remain - BOOK NOW
Welcome, welcome back.
If you are new to St James Rail (SJR) - welcome.
To our regular SJR travellers - welcome back.
St James Rail specialises in personalised, escorted tours, across Australia and around the world - we’ve been looking after people for more than 40 years as we explore the world by rail.
We are very proud that our tours are researched, planned and led by us - Takako Ishige and Owen Johnstone-Donnet - who are your personal contacts and tour leaders from the first email or phone call, until the end of the tour.
Featuring Tours
JAPAN BY RAIL - AUTUMN COLOURS 2026
Scenic rail tour around Japan in the season of autumn colours — nature, culture, history, art and food. A 22‑day journey across Honshu, Hokkaido and Shikoku, combining the speed of Shinkansen with slow, scenic local trains for a gentler look at Japan’s autumn landscapes. Stay in modern hotels and traditional ryokan, unwind in hot spring inns, and enjoy seasonal cuisine from izakaya meals to special dining experiences. Discover gardens, textiles, art, small villages and islands off the beaten track, meeting local people along the way. A 2 week option is also available.
Date: Monday 19 October – Tuesday 10 November 2026
FORGOTTEN WORLD RAILWAY - NZ 2027
If you haven’t joined before, don’t miss this opportunity for a short break to New Zealand to experience the ‘Forgotten World’ – a 142 km railway adventure where we drive our own motorised rail carts through 24 tunnels and across 98 bridges - travel through the rugged King Country landscape. A unique 10 day rail experience on the north island of New Zealand, with two nights in Auckland before the tour to explore Waiheke Island.
Date: Saturday 30 Januray to Sunday 8 February 2027
HO CHI MINH TO HANOI by TRAIN 2027
Experience an eight-day / seven-night journey that turns Vietnam into a slow unfolding panorama, trading speed for immersion and rhythm. Voyage through Vietnam’s most spectacular destinations, from Ho Chi Minh City’s vibrant pulse to Hanoi’s timeless charm, past UNESCO World Heritage sites and pristine coastal wonders in unparalleled comfort. Unpack once as the train becomes your moving hotel – with off train excursions each day, meeting local people, tasting local food and immersing yourself in the landscape through which we pass.
​
Date: Monday 8 March to Saturday 20 March 2027
Sign up for SJR Newsletter
