Haven’t you always wanted to travel on a sleeper train (night train)?
Currently, the only sleeper train in Japan that operates on a regular schedule is the Sunrise Seto/Izumo, which generally runs once a day between Tokyo and Kagawa, and Tokyo and Shimane.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to the Sunrise Seto and Izumo, from its attractions to how to make reservations and purchase tickets. It also introduces travel know-how that is different from that of airplanes and bullet trains.
Table of Contents
- What is the appeal of Sunrise Seto and Izumo?
- What are the destinations and times for Sunrise Seto and Izumo?
- Sunrise Seto and Izumo sleeper cars
- Sunrise Seto and Izumo shared space
- Sunrise Seto and Izumo fares and charges
- How to buy tickets for Sunrise Seto and Izumo
- Various Q&A
- Q. Can I make a reservation through JR East’s “Eki-net”?
- Q. Can I purchase tickets from automatic ticket vending machines such as the “Midori Ticket Machine”?
- Q. I want to take my child with me, but I can’t get a Sunrise Twin ticket.
- Q: What should I bring with me?
- Q. The shower cards were sold out!
What is the appeal of Sunrise Seto and Izumo?
The appeal of sleeper trains is being able to travel while taking a restful night. With the exception of a few areas, all rooms on the Sunrise Seto and Izumo are private, and the beds, pajamas, power outlets, and other amenities are on par with those of a hotel.
Another benefit is that you will arrive at your destination early in the morning, allowing you to make the most of your day.
There are flights that will get you there early in the morning, but it’s pretty tough to get to Haneda Airport at around 6am. If you take a sleeper train, you can leave Tokyo Station before 10pm, enjoy the journey to your heart’s content, have a drink, take a shower, and then head to your destination the next morning.
We will explain in detail how to ride this attractive sleeper train, the Sunrise Seto/Izumo!
What are the destinations and times for Sunrise Seto and Izumo?
The destinations are Takamatsu Station in Kagawa Prefecture and Izumo Station in Shimane Prefecture.
Although they are collectively called the “Sunrise Seto and Izumo,” they run together as a total of 14 cars, with 7 cars coupled together until they separate into 7 cars each at Okayama Station, becoming the “Sunrise Seto” and “Sunrise Izumo,” which head to the Shikoku and San’in areas, respectively.
[Downbound]
Departs Tokyo Station at 21:50 → Arrives Takamatsu Station at 7:27 / Arrives Izumoshi Station at 9:58
[Upbound]
Departs Takamatsu Station at 21:26 / Departs Izumoshi Station at 18:55 → Arrives Tokyo Station at 7:08
*Operates once a day. May increase frequency during peak seasons
Of course, you can get on and off at stations along the way. For example, you can get on at Osaka (departing at 00:33) and go to Tokyo, then change to the Shinkansen at Okayama (arriving at 6:27) and arrive at Hakata Station at 8:30… that’s how a travel expert would use it. By the way, please note that Osaka Station and Sannomiya Station are only stops for upbound trains, and Hamamatsu Station is only stops for downbound trains.
The timetable is subject to change, so please check the JR website at the end of this article for the latest information.
Sunrise Seto and Izumo sleeper cars
Now let’s take a look at the types of beds available.
The grade name such as “A Sleeper” or “B Sleeper” written after the sleeper type is necessary information when making a reservation , so it will be easier if you know it (more details will be given later in “How to Buy Tickets”).
All A and B berths are private and can be locked with a combination lock . Each room is also equipped with charging sockets, pajamas, and disposable cups .
Single Deluxe (A-class sleeping car)
The most luxurious private room
The private rooms are almost like those in a business hotel, with spacious 85cm-wide beds, desks, washstands, and amenity sets. There are 12 premium rooms in total, 6 in Seto and 6 in Izumo.
The amenity kit comes with a shower card, which allows you to use the shower room reserved for A-class sleeper passengers . This is a nice feature, as the shower rooms reserved for B-class sleeper passengers tend to be crowded.
The carriages on the Sunrise Seto and Izumo are generally two-story, and all of the Single Deluxe rooms are on the second floor. The view from the windows is high, and there is less vibration from the wheels, which is a plus.
Sunrise Twin (B-class sleeping car)
A private room for two, perfect for friends or couples
This is a private room for two people, with two 75cm-wide beds, similar to a hotel twin room. When you sit on the bed, you will be facing each other.
There are 4 rooms in Seto and 4 in Izumo (8 rooms in total), all on the first floor. The rooms on the first floor have little lateral shaking and no stairs, so they are recommended for groups of friends or families with children.
Single (B-class sleeper)
A “basic” sleeping car with sufficient facilities and a large number of rooms
Seto and Izumo have 80 rooms each (160 rooms in total), which is the largest number of private sleeping compartments available. The beds are about 70cm wide. They also come with a simple table.
The photo shows a room on the second floor, with curved windows that offer a good view of the night sky. The first floor room is designed to give a relatively spacious feeling above your head. Both are spacious enough to get changed while standing, and there is plenty of room to place a suitcase.
By the way, out of the 80 rooms, there are only a few “single” rooms that are “single” and have no distinction between the first and second floors. This is due to structural constraints such as being located on wheels, and although the vibrations are quite large, there is the advantage of having more headroom, so there are apparently many enthusiasts who prefer these rooms.
Single twin (B-class sleeping car)
Can be separated into upper and lower sections for use by two people
A room with bunk beds, consisting of a high-headroom “single room” with an additional lift-up bed on top. There are 8 rooms each in Seto and Izumo (16 rooms in total).
The lower bunk can also be removed and folded up to create a two-seater seat facing each other. It’s like a secret base.
It will be a little more expensive, but if there is availability, it is possible to use it by one person (price will be explained later). If two people are using it, the price per person will be roughly the same as a “single” room.
Solo (B-class sleeper)
The cheapest private room among sleeper cars
It is a private room that is 1100 yen cheaper than a single room and has almost only the space of a bed. The structure, which makes the most of the space by cleverly combining the first and second floor rooms, is almost artistic.
The second floor room has a loft-like atmosphere, with stairs leading up to the bed.
In the first floor room, avoid the ledge above your head (second floor room) and crawl into the bed. In both rooms, the ceiling height of the bed area is just under 1.5m, so if you need to change clothes while standing, do so near the entrance to the room.
It’s best to avoid bringing large suitcases. The table is a protruding part of the window that is used as a drink holder. Note that the foot of the bed is a little narrow. But maybe the feeling of being wrapped up in this shelter is actually good.
Relaxed seating (reserved seating)
Reserved seats where you can stretch your legs and lie down
The cheapest seat is the “Nobinobi Seat.” It is like a 2nd class cabin on a ferry where everyone sleeps together.
The “Nobinobi Seat” is not a sleeping car but a “regular reserved seat”. The fare for a sleeper train is calculated in three stages: “board ticket + limited express ticket + sleeping car fare”, but here you can use it just with “board ticket + limited express ticket” like a regular limited express train.
Each room is equipped with a covered blanket, a reading lamp, a desk to put your small items, underfloor heating and only a partial wall separating each room from the next.
The floor is hard, so you can lay a blanket and lie down on it. Some people bring sleeping bags. The only outlets are shared in the hallway, so it might be difficult to charge your smartphone while you sleep.
Sunrise Seto and Izumo shared space
Shower room
You can use the shower by purchasing a shower card (330 yen) from the vending machine and inserting it. There are two shower rooms in total, one each in Seto and Izumo.
The hot water lasts for a total of 6 minutes. Use the start and stop buttons to wash your body. However, the water pressure is sufficient, so you may have more time than you need. Shampoo and body soap are provided, but you will need to bring your own towel.
By the way, shower cards are limited in number and sell out quite quickly. The shower rooms themselves can be used late at night or the next morning, so the trick is to get a shower card as soon as you board . Experts board from cars 3 and 10, where the card vending machines are located, and grab a shower card before putting down your luggage.
Lounge
There is a lounge with six seats in each of the Seto and Izumo stations. It is convenient for enjoying a beer while looking out the window, or when it is difficult to eat in the spacious room.
However, there are only soft drink vending machines on board, so be sure to buy anything you need before boarding and bring it with you.
Sunrise Seto and Izumo fares and charges
Let’s look at the one-way fare for the maximum distance. Knowing the approximate fare will help you plan your travel expenses.
[Sunrise Seto] Tokyo to Takamatsu
; Single Deluxe (A-class sleeper): 28,930 yen
; Sunrise Twin (B-class sleeper): 22,650 yen per person for two people
; Single (B-class sleeper): 22,650 yen
; Single Twin (B-class sleeper): 22,500 yen per person for two people (24,550 yen for one person)
; Solo (B-class sleeper): 21,550 yen
; Nobi Nobi seat (reserved seat): 15,480 yen
*Sunrise Seto may be extended to Kotohira Station.
[Sunrise Izumo] Tokyo to Izumo City
, Single Deluxe (A-class sleeper): 29,490 yen
, Sunrise Twin (B-class sleeper): 23,210 yen per person for two people
, Single (B-class sleeper): 23,210 yen
, Single Twin (B-class sleeper): 23,060 yen per person for two people (25,110 yen for one person)
, Solo (B-class sleeper): 22,110 yen
, Nobi Nobi seat (reserved seat): 16,040 yen
Fares will increase or decrease depending on the section you are traveling, so for details please check the JR website at the end of the article or at the JR Ticket Office.
Also, the fare will fluctuate by 200 yen up or down during peak and off-peak seasons, and 400 yen will be added during peak season. Even if you take a regular train one way, the round-trip discount will be applied if you purchase the ticket at the same time.
How to buy tickets for Sunrise Seto and Izumo
As of February 2024, reservations for sleeper cars on the Sunrise Seto and Izumo are filling up quickly, with A-class sleeper cars on days before holidays being sold out in a matter of seconds . Here’s how to buy tickets to compete for them!
There are two ways to make reservations and purchases : online reservations and at the Midori counter .
Please keep in mind that JR tickets can be purchased from 10:00 AM on the same date, regardless of whether the end of the month is the 30th or 31st. Let’s start by looking at online reservations.
How to make an online reservation from “e5489”
First, register as a member. It is easy to pick up cancellations and play at 10:00.
You can make a reservation through JR West’s reservation site “e5489 (iigoyoyaku)”. If you have a smartphone, you can connect instantly by installing the “WESTER” app.
Let’s go through the small dedicated link called “Sunrise Seto/Izumo Reservation” on the top page . It won’t come up if you go through the normal “New Reservation” so be careful not to miss it.
The trick is to register as a WESTER member before using the service . You can use the service without registering, but you will have to enter your name and email address before your reservation is confirmed, which can be time-consuming.
Next, you select the date you would like to use, your departure and arrival stations, and the type of sleeping compartment, such as “single” or “sunrise twin.” However, you need to search for each type of sleeping compartment (there is no list), so if you are looking for a second option, such as “Single Deluxe wasn’t available, so what about single?”, you will need to enter the date and other details again from the beginning.
*However, results will only be displayed in a list for three types of rooms: “Nobi Nobi Seat,” “Single Deluxe (A-class sleeper),” and “Single Twin (B-class sleeper *a room with bunk beds).” (The rooms labeled “B-class sleeper” only indicate available “Single Twin” rooms.)
The advantages of online reservations are:
that it is easier to aim for a reservation at exactly 10:00 and it is easier to pick up cancellations.
“Single Deluxe” and “Sunrise Twin” often sell out a few seconds after 10am, depending on the time of year. Select the date and time, departure and arrival stations, and the type of bed, then press the “Member Login and Search” button in time with the time signal. This is also called “hitting 10am.” Make sure you have logged in once before then.
If there is a vacancy, select it and proceed. It will take a few clicks and a few seconds to complete the reservation. If there is no vacancy, you can immediately switch your target to “single” or “solo”, as there are often more available rooms.
Cancellations often occur just before the departure of a train. In addition, when making an online reservation, payment must be made at a station ticket machine or convenience store within three days of the reservation date , and cancellations can occur after that date. Therefore, the advantage of online reservations, which can be searched frequently, is that they are easy to find.
On the other hand, there are also disadvantages. You cannot specify “I want to sit on the second floor” or “I want to sit in room number X”. You can only sit comfortably in the seats.
How to purchase at the Midori counter
We also accept detailed requests. Leave it to experienced station staff.
You can also go directly to the “Midori no Madoguchi” (Green Window) to purchase a reserved seat. There will be a white piece of paper available called a “reserved seat purchase application form.” Write down the date you would like to ride and the type of bed you would like to sleep in, and hand it over to the counter. You can also tell them verbally.
The trick is to apply at 10:00 a.m. one month in advance. Experienced station staff will search for you on a special terminal called MARS. Tickets can be purchased at Midori no Madoguchi (Green Window) throughout the country.
The advantage is that you can tell them the exact location and grade of the room you want , such as “I’d like to sit in the center of the carriage” or “I’d like a single room on a single floor.” They will also quickly respond to requests such as “If a Sunrise Twin is not available, I’d like a Single Twin.”
A tip common to online reservations and Midori no Madoguchi is to aim for an upbound train . Upbound trains from Takamatsu and Izumo tend to be slightly less crowded than downbound trains from Tokyo. If it’s your first time on a sleeper train, you might not be able to sleep because it’s so much fun, so you might enjoy the return train journey more than going around the tourist spots while lacking sleep.
Various Q&A
Q. Can I make a reservation through JR East’s “Eki-net”?
A. Only “Nobinobi seats” can be reserved. Sleeper reservations are not possible.
Q. Can I purchase tickets from automatic ticket vending machines such as the “Midori Ticket Machine”?
A. You can only purchase “Nobinobi seats” here, but you cannot purchase sleeper tickets. However, if you are using a machine that allows you to talk directly to an operator, such as a “Talking Reserved Seat Ticket Machine” or “Midori Ticket Machine Plus,” you can also purchase sleeper tickets.
Q. I want to take my child with me, but I can’t get a Sunrise Twin ticket.
A. JR’s sleeper ticket rules state that one berth may be used by one adult and one child. In other words, as an idea, it is OK for a parent and child to use a “single” berth, which is somewhat easier to reserve.
If your child is a preschooler (toddler), they can ride for free. If you are between 6 and 12 years old, you can ride if you pay the child’s fare for the boarding ticket and the limited express ticket. However, it is quite cramped for two people to sleep on a 70cm wide bed. I still recommend that you get a “10 o’clock hit” at the “Midori no Madoguchi”.
Q: What should I bring with me?
A. There is only a soft drink vending machine on the train, so you should buy food and drinks in advance and bring them with you. Also, don’t forget to bring towels and handkerchiefs, as you will need them when washing your face, even if you don’t take a shower .
Q. The shower cards were sold out!
A. It is said that there are only about 20 shower cards per vending machine, so in the end, not many people can buy one. It might be smart to take a bath beforehand rather than joining the battle for one.
For example, there is a day-trip hot spring called “Ranpu no Yu” in front of Izumo City Station, which is open from 10:00 to 22:00 (closed on the first Wednesday of the month), making it convenient for taking a bath after arriving or before boarding a train. It is a famous hot spring with cloudy water.
- Sunrise Seto/Izumo
- [Downbound] Departs Tokyo Station at 9:50 p.m. → Arrives Takamatsu Station (Sunrise Seto) at 7:27 a.m., arrives Izumoshi Station (Sunrise Izumo) at 9:58 a.m.
- [Upbound] Departs Takamatsu Station (Sunrise Seto) at 9:26 p.m., departs Izumoshi Station (Sunrise Izumo) at 6:55 p.m. → Arrives Tokyo Station at 7:08 a.m.
- *Operates once a day. There is a possibility of additional service during peak periods.
- [Tokyo Station – Takamatsu Station] Single fare 22,650 yen
- [Tokyo Station – Izumoshi Station] Single fare 23,210 yen *For details, please check the official website.
![[Nationwide] 36 recommended “winter wonders 2025” you must see at least once in Japan](https://marunouchi.top/wp-content/uploads/japan-snow.jpg)
Leave a Reply Cancel reply