Sleeping in A Night Train in Japan

For long distance travels, most people opt to start the day a bit earlier than usual. As transportation systems back then were not as fast and efficient as it is now, a number of people would wake up early and start the day so they may get to their destination before night falls. This may be due to the fact that most public transportation systems in the world operate during the day and not at night. Hence, for people who do not have their own private vehicles and only has public transportation to depend on, they have no other choice but to start their commute at sunrise if possible. However, this is not the case in Japan. 

Among the leading countries in Asia in terms of fast and efficient public transportation system, Japan also offers trains that operate during the night. While this option is no longer that popular among the masses due to the faster railway system that the country has developed, there are still some who opt to use night trains wherein they can sleep while traveling. This is so that the passengers can rest while still on their way to their destination; hence, they save time to go long distances.

The Development of the Blue Train of Japan

Also known as Blue Trains, or buru torein in Japanese, due to the color of the sleeper trains, these night trains are no longer as readily available and popular as they used to be back then. With the first Blue Train called the Asakaze, this night train traveled between Tokyo and Hakata early in the year 1956. Just after only two years, air-conditioned cars were added. Also called the “hotels on the move,” night trains reached the peak of its popularity during the late 1970s due to its romantic aspect. Because of this, sleeper trains were also often featured in various novels.

The price range for using night trains varies depending on how luxurious the accommodation would be. Probably the cheapest option would be getting just the seats and sleeping in an upright position, though this was not the most popular option due to it being uncomfortable. Most people preferred sleeping on the floor, though this cost a bit more but still remained affordable to the public. The sleeping area was carpeted for customers while there was a narrow walkway wherein people could leave their shoes. A good night’s sleep could be attained despite the simplicity of the situation as space was not cramped anyway. Pillows and blankets were provided to consumers so they no longer had to bring their own for added comfort.

For those who can afford more, they may also opt to get shared cabins with a single room or twin rooms that were being offered by certain night trains. These rooms come with bunk beds for a more comfortable sleep. For a more luxurious experience, however, people may also opt to get rooms that are almost similar to hotel rooms. These rooms offer amenities such as en-suite showers, though they will, of course, be more expensive in comparison to the other options.

Cassiopeia and Twilight Express: What Used to Be the Popular Night Trains in Japan

Back when night trains were still regularly used by the masses, the most popular night train in the country was the Cassiopeia. Considered as the most luxurious night train in Japan, the Cassiopeia only offered private rooms for its guests. This night train would start its journey in the late afternoon of every second day. Its route was going up the Pacific coast and ending in the far northern city of Sapporo. The train would go through the long undersea tunnel to Hokkaido prior to arriving in Sapporo the next morning.

Another popular option for a night train was the Twilight Express from Osaka, though this option was not considered as luxurious as the Cassiopeia. This night train would take the longest train route in the country with its travel time reaching 22 hours, almost a full day. The route of this train could cover about 920 miles during its regular travel. The journey would start just before the clock strikes 12 in the afternoon and would pass through Kyoto. It would then also go around the shore of the biggest lake in the country known as the Lake Biwa. After which, it would then travel up the Sea of Japan coast prior to passing through the same tunnel to Hokkaido. It would then arrive in Sapporo just after the Cassiopeia.

The best feature that both the Cassiopeia and the Twilight Express used to offer were the private suites located at the back of the train. This would enable the guests to watch the beautiful scenery fade away while lying in a comfortable bed. These suites would usually sell fast; hence, guests who were interested in staying in the suites would have to book early. On the other hand, sleeper trains began to decrease in operation as other modes of transportation developed through the years. The construction of the bullet train, also known as the Shinkansen line, dampened the popularity of night trains.

With its average occupancy dropping to less than 30 percent, the Asakaze service that ran between Hakata and Tokyo ceased in the year 2005. Upon the month of March in the year 2009, both night trains Hayabusa and Fuji also ceased to operate. On the 13th of March in the year 2010, the daily train Hokuriku that ran from Tokyo to Kanazawa, along with its previous Blue Train counterpart known as the Noto, also ceased to operate. Other factors that affected the operation of night trains were aging equipment and lack of overnight staff. Currently, the former Twilight Express can still be seen as an exhibit in the Kyoto Railway Museum.

Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo: The Only Surviving Regular Night Trains Today

Because of the decreasing popularity of night trains in Japan through the years, the country now only has two night trains that operate on a regular schedule. These two night trains are the Sunrise Seto and the Sunrise Izumo. Operated by JR West and JR Central, these night trains run as two sleeper trains composed of 14 car trains coupled together from Tokyo to Okayama and then run their separate ways from there. The Sunrise Seto, composed of 7 car trains, runs to the city of Takamatsu located on the island of Shikoku while the Sunrise Izumo, also composed of 7 car trains, runs to the city of Izumo located in Shimane Prefecture. Both trains also make their stop at Himeji, which is a part of their route between Tokyo and Okayama. A stop at Osaka is only done when trains are bound for Tokyo.

Unlike the previous night trains that offer seating, both the Sunrise Seto and the Sunrise Izumo do not offer regular seating. Private cabins as well as carpeted compartments, known as “nobi nobi seats,” are otherwise offered by the two night trains. There are different types of compartment depending on its capacity. The price range for these compartments can range from 9,500 yen to 17,000 yen. Facilities in these compartments include showers, toilets, small lounges, and vending machines. From all their accommodation, the nobi nobi seats are the ones that are quite popular and easy to sell out. It is also important to note that advance reservations are required for the Sunrise Seto and the Sunrise Izumo.

Traveling At Night: The Timetable of Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo

Only the Sunrise Seto and the Sunrise Izumo operate on a regular schedule. This works best for people who have somewhere to be at a certain time. The tables below show the outbound schedule and the return schedule of both sleeper trains. One key difference that one might notice between the two timetables is the stop at Hamamatsu, Sannomiya, and Osaka. For the outbound journey traveling from Tokyo, the trains would indeed stop at Hamamatsu located in Shizuoka Prefecture but not at Sannomiya and Osaka. On the other hand, on the way back to Tokyo, the trains would stop at Sannomiya and Osaka but not at Hamamatsu.

The Outbound Schedule