While many people choose to fly or take a bullet train, the still-popular overnight trains are a real treat for international travelers. Why take a night train? These trains allow you to travel quickly overland, arriving at your destination by the following morning. Also, you will be able to sleep while you travel, more comfortably than on an airplane or an overnight bus. If you are planning a visit to Japan, consider booking travel on one of these trains, using the following tips.<\/p>\n
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Before the advent of the bullet train, there was a time when overnight trains were common across Japan<\/strong>. The country\u2019s elite, as well as tourists, traveled in style using these \u201cblue sleeper trains.\u201d Today, however, luxury night trains are becoming a novelty, harkening back to an earlier time, and cheaper trains. Currently, the Sunrise Seto and Izumo are the only regular night trains still in operation.<\/p>\n Table of Contents<\/p> Japanese overnight trains differ somewhat from western sleeper trains<\/strong> in the accommodations offered. Some of the trains do not have normal seating; many have carpeted areas separated by a partition.<\/p>\n Within your open, partitioned \u201croom,\u201d called nobi nobi <\/em>seats, you will find usually a window, a small table built into the wall, and some bedding and blankets<\/strong> to recline on. Other trains offer shared or private compartments with western style beds, and the luxury trains have the option of reserving a suite.<\/p>\n The Sunrise is unique in its operation. Between Tokyo, Himeji<\/a>, and Okayama, the Seto and Izumo trains are coupled together.<\/strong> At Okayama, they are detached.<\/p>\n The Seto then runs southbound to Takamatsu <\/strong>(Kagawa, north of Shikoku island),<\/strong>\u00a0and the Izumo goes north to Matsue and Izumo, <\/strong>in the Shimane Prefecture.\u00a0On the return trip to Tokyo, the trains also stop at Osaka.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The Japan Rail Pass<\/a>\u00a0will cover the base fare on overnight trains, <\/strong>including the Sunrise Express. You may be asked to pay an additional lodging fee or limited express fee.<\/p>\n On the Sunrise Express, supplemental fees range from \u00a59,500 to \u00a517,000, depending on the accommodations selected.<\/p>\n The JR Pass essentially provides a discount of \u00a510,000 to \u00a520,000<\/strong> off the entire price. In other words, you save the price of the ticket and only have to pay the supplement.<\/span><\/p>\n When you use simple seating, additional fees often do not apply.<\/strong> For example, the nobi nobi <\/em>seating on the Sunrise does not incur an additional charge; the JR Pass<\/a> covers such accommodations entirely.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nWhat is a Japanese sleeper train like?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
The Sunrise Express\u00a0routes<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Prices of the Sunrise Express<\/span><\/h3>\n