Japanese Sleeper Trains Look Ordinary From Outside But Their Interiors Are A Peaceful Oasis
Ilona BoredPanda staff
The 1960s saw great improvement in Japan’s economy, including the railways. The first modern high-speed rail line opened in 1964 and many limited express trains and overnight trains started to cross the nation. After the popularity of Japanese sleeper trains peaked in the 70s, however, the country’s expanding network of bullet trains, domestic air routes, and cheaper night buses have nearly wiped out this way of travel.
Image credits: ajitk55
The Sunrise Seto and the Sunrise Izumo are the only regularly operating sleeper trains left. On their outward journey from Tokyo, the two trains are coupled together as one long 14-car train until they reach Okayama.
Image credits: sandy_ganlath
At Okayama Station, the Sunrise Seto and the Sunrise Izumo are separated into two 7-car trains. Each train then continues on their own, eventually reaching different destinations. The Sunrise Seto goes to the city of Takamatsu on the island of Shikoku, and the Sunrise Izumo goes to the city of Izumo in Shimane Prefecture.
Image credits: ajitk55
On their return journeys, these two trains run separately from their starting points at Takamatsu and Izumo, and are coupled together once again when they reach Okayama and stay that way all the way to the final stop at Tokyo.
Image credits: kiji.life
The daily trains depart Tokyo at 10 pm and arrive at their destinations at 7:27 am (Takamatsu) and 9.58 am (Izumoshi). Taking advantage of this service can save travelers the expenses of a night in a hotel.
Image credits: happytrain_sunamichan
Image credits: apubby
The Sunrise Seto/Izumo don’t offer regular seating. Instead, the carts are equipped with private cabins and an open area called “nobi nobi” which invites to lay down on carpeted ground.
Image credits: espi_poler
Image credits: gwu
Depending on the compartment type, Japan Rail Pass holders will have to pay an additional supplement up to about 17,000 yen (~$153) to ride in the cabins, but usually will be able to use the “nobi nobi” without paying extra.
Image credits: apubby
Common use areas include a shower that passengers can use for 6 minutes after buying a token. However, there is a limited supply of these tokens, so everyone who wants to use the shower during their trip is advised to buy one early.
Image credits: apubby
Image credits: studioshuko
Other facilities on the train include toilets, vending machines, and lounges.
Image credits: W0746203-1 / Wikipedia Commons
Image credits: apubby
The Sunrise Seto/Izumo aside, numerous Japan Railway companies are trying to attract new customers by offering luxury sleeper trains. These usually have five-star lounges with working fireplaces, dining and observatory cars with floor-to-floor panoramic views and menus devised by Michelin-starred chefs. A trip on one of these can set you back up to $10,000!
Twilight Express Mizukaze
Image credits: AFP
Image credits: AFP
Image credits: AFP
The Seven Stars train
Image credits: japanspecialist
Image credits: japanspecialist
Image credits: japanspecialist
People had a lot to say about these trains
Looks lovely - only problem is if you get a loud snorer on one of the open carriages. Tried to sleep in a hospital ward with snorers and found it impossible!!
When I was in hospitaI for a month I used earplugs - and I WAS the snorer.
An open ward is the worst - 12 other people - but medical treatment in the UK is free - so cant complain. quite happy when I got diagnosed as contagious and was moved to a private en-suite room. Amercans must hate us Brits - had 5 weeks in hospitat 100+ tests, unlimited drips and medication, fed 3 times a day - unlimited drinks and snacks on demand - didnt cost a penny. Probably been half a million dollars in the US
Earplugs just do t do it if you're weird about snoring. Wear them on the regular and can still hear people snoring in other rooms. I've been like that since I was little, the lack of sleep sucks so bad lol.
I was in the hospital one night when another patient had a bad Rx reaction and kept getting out of bed to wander. They fastened an alarm to the bed, which played "She'll be Comin' Round the Mountain" every time he got up. All...night...long. Thankfully he was better in the morning.
So weird how sleep is utterly disturbed in a hospital from both noise and nurses waking you up for whatever reason when the ONE THING you need to get better is SLEEP!
I have sleep apnea and I snore like a lumber mill. Just let me plug my CPAP and all solved.
ear plugs, bruh!
Earplugs are not a magical device that suddenly makes you deaf. They still let in sound, and snoring is not excluded
A friend of mine is a real light sleeper - she told me that earplugs help a bit, but do not drown all sounds. She still needs a very quiet room to sleep, otherwise she would not get any rest. I live about 5 blocks away from an interstate highway and I do not even notice the noise. When she visited, she could not sleep well even with earplugs - it bothered her that much.
Used to get the overnight sleeper from Scotland every week. Used the "seated" carriage which was very comfy, as needed to get off at 4.30am. Most people were asleep anyway. I never dared doze off as after the service from Inverness was joined to the Aberdeen train at Edinburgh It became the longest passenger train in the UK and few stations could accomodate it. If I had missed my 4.30am stop at Preston, I would have been stuck on if for a further 200 miles to London.
It's so expensive, though. But looks so nice.
Looks lovely - only problem is if you get a loud snorer on one of the open carriages. Tried to sleep in a hospital ward with snorers and found it impossible!!
When I was in hospitaI for a month I used earplugs - and I WAS the snorer.
An open ward is the worst - 12 other people - but medical treatment in the UK is free - so cant complain. quite happy when I got diagnosed as contagious and was moved to a private en-suite room. Amercans must hate us Brits - had 5 weeks in hospitat 100+ tests, unlimited drips and medication, fed 3 times a day - unlimited drinks and snacks on demand - didnt cost a penny. Probably been half a million dollars in the US
Earplugs just do t do it if you're weird about snoring. Wear them on the regular and can still hear people snoring in other rooms. I've been like that since I was little, the lack of sleep sucks so bad lol.
I was in the hospital one night when another patient had a bad Rx reaction and kept getting out of bed to wander. They fastened an alarm to the bed, which played "She'll be Comin' Round the Mountain" every time he got up. All...night...long. Thankfully he was better in the morning.
So weird how sleep is utterly disturbed in a hospital from both noise and nurses waking you up for whatever reason when the ONE THING you need to get better is SLEEP!
I have sleep apnea and I snore like a lumber mill. Just let me plug my CPAP and all solved.
ear plugs, bruh!
Earplugs are not a magical device that suddenly makes you deaf. They still let in sound, and snoring is not excluded
A friend of mine is a real light sleeper - she told me that earplugs help a bit, but do not drown all sounds. She still needs a very quiet room to sleep, otherwise she would not get any rest. I live about 5 blocks away from an interstate highway and I do not even notice the noise. When she visited, she could not sleep well even with earplugs - it bothered her that much.
Used to get the overnight sleeper from Scotland every week. Used the "seated" carriage which was very comfy, as needed to get off at 4.30am. Most people were asleep anyway. I never dared doze off as after the service from Inverness was joined to the Aberdeen train at Edinburgh It became the longest passenger train in the UK and few stations could accomodate it. If I had missed my 4.30am stop at Preston, I would have been stuck on if for a further 200 miles to London.
It's so expensive, though. But looks so nice.