Sleeper Trains in Japan: Sunrise Seto and Izumo
Quick answer
Yes, but only two regular ones. The Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo leave Tokyo together around 22:00 and split at Okayama, reaching Takamatsu and Izumoshi next morning. A JR Pass covers the flat nobinobi carpet space, but private cabins need an extra berth charge.
Are there really overnight trains in Japan?
Yes, but far fewer than most visitors expect. As of June 2026, Japan has just two regularly scheduled overnight passenger trains: the Sunrise Seto and the Sunrise Izumo. They run as a single coupled train out of Tokyo each night, then split apart partway and head to different destinations in western Japan.
This is the last regular sleeper service in the country. The famous old night trains, such as the Hokutosei to Hokkaido and the Cassiopeia, have been retired, replaced by the speed of the Shinkansen and by overnight buses. The Sunrise trains survive because they fill a useful gap: you board late, sleep through the journey, and arrive the next morning without paying for a hotel night.
Because there are only two of them and the cabins are limited, they are popular with both travelers and railway fans. Below is everything you need to compare the routes, pick a cabin, and book a seat from overseas.
Which Sunrise train goes where?
Both trains leave Tokyo Station at the same time, around 22:00 (about 21:50) each evening, joined together as one long train. They travel west through the night and split at Okayama the next morning. From there, the Seto heads to Shikoku and the Izumo heads to the Sea of Japan coast.
| Train | Leaves | Arrives | Approx. duration | Splits at | Region reached |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunrise Seto | Tokyo ~22:00 | Takamatsu (Shikoku) | ~9.5 hours | Okayama | Kagawa / Shikoku |
| Sunrise Izumo | Tokyo ~22:00 | Izumoshi (Shimane) | ~12 hours | Okayama | Izumo / San’in coast |
The reverse direction runs too: the Sunrise Seto leaves Takamatsu and the Sunrise Izumo leaves Izumoshi in the evening, joining at Okayama and arriving in Tokyo the next morning. Both directions run nightly, as of June 2026.
A useful detail for planning: because the trains stop at Yokohama, Atami, Shizuoka, Himeji and Okayama among other stations, you can also use them between intermediate cities. Some travelers board at Okayama and ride only the splitting/joining leg. But the classic trip is the full Tokyo-to-west run.
What cabin types can I choose, and what’s included?
The Sunrise trains offer a range of accommodation, from a budget flat space to a private deluxe room. Choosing the right one is the most important decision, because it sets both your comfort and your price. As of June 2026, the main options are:
| Cabin type | Private? | Sleeps | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nobinobi (carpet space) | No (open car) | 1 | Flat carpeted berth, no door, budget choice; near-free with JR Pass |
| Single | Yes | 1 | Small private cabin, most common private room |
| Solo | Yes | 1 | Compact private cabin, slightly simpler than Single |
| Single Twin | Yes | 1 (or 2 tight) | Private room with an upper foldable bunk |
| Twin | Yes | 2 | Private two-person room, good for couples |
| Single Deluxe | Yes | 1 | Largest room, with a desk and washbasin; shower card included |
Nobinobi (“nobi-nobi” means “stretch out”) is the budget favorite. You get a flat, carpeted space about the size of a single bed in a shared car, with a small partition but no locking door. You provide your own comfort: there is a thin pad, but no full bedding, so bring a layer and an eye mask. Single and the other private cabins give you a door you can lock and a proper berth.
Each private cabin has a reading light, a small space for luggage, and a power outlet. The Single Deluxe is the premium choice, with a washbasin and a complimentary shower card, and it sells out fastest.
Is the Sunrise covered by the Japan Rail Pass?
This is the most misunderstood part, so read it carefully. As of June 2026, the Japan Rail Pass behaves differently depending on the cabin:
| You hold | Nobinobi space | Private cabin (Single, Twin, etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| Japan Rail Pass | Covered; pay only the reservation fee (~530 yen) | Fare and express fee covered, but pay the berth charge separately |
| No JR Pass | Pay full fare + limited express fee + reservation | Pay full fare + limited express fee + berth charge |
In short: with a JR Pass, the nobinobi space is nearly free — you pay only a small seat reservation fee, around 530 yen (a little more in peak season, a little less off-peak). For any private cabin, the pass covers the basic fare and the limited express fee, but the berth charge (the price of the bed itself) is not covered and must be paid in addition.
So a JR Pass holder who wants privacy still pays out of pocket for the berth, while a pass holder happy with the open carpet space rides almost for free. This makes nobinobi the standout value for pass holders.
How do I book the Sunrise from overseas?
Cabins are few and demand is high, so booking strategy matters. As of June 2026:
- Know the opening time. Reservations open at 10:00 a.m. Japan time, exactly one month before your departure date. Count back one month from the night you want to travel.
- Be ready at exactly 10:00. Single Deluxe, Twin, and weekend or holiday departures can sell out within minutes. Treat it like a concert ticket.
- Book online through JR West’s e5489 system, or in person at a Midori-no-Madoguchi (green window) JR ticket office once you are in Japan. The e5489 site can be used to reserve and then collect tickets from a machine at a JR West area station.
- Travel agents abroad can sometimes reserve Sunrise cabins for you in advance; if the official channels are hard to use from your country, this is a backup, though it may cost more.
- Have a fallback. If private cabins are gone, the nobinobi space often has more availability, and it is the cheapest option anyway.
Confirm the exact current procedure and timetable on the official JR pages before you commit, because reservation rules and departure times change with timetable revisions.
What should I bring on board?
The Sunrise trains have no dining car and only limited vending machines, so a little preparation makes the night far more pleasant. As of June 2026, pack:
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Dinner and breakfast (bento, snacks) | No meal service on board; buy at the station before boarding |
| Water and drinks | Vending machines exist but can run out |
| Shower card coins / small change | Shower room costs about 320 yen via card (included in Single Deluxe) |
| Eye mask and earplugs | Especially for the open nobinobi car |
| A light layer or travel blanket | Bedding is minimal, the car can feel cool |
| Phone charger | Cabins and many seats have a power outlet, but bring your cable |
| Slippers | Comfortable for moving around the carpeted areas |
Boarding before departure gives you time to settle in, buy your meal at Tokyo Station, and claim your space before lights-out.
Sunrise trains at a glance
| Topic | Detail (as of June 2026) |
|---|---|
| Trains | Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo (joined Tokyo to Okayama) |
| Leaves Tokyo | Around 22:00 (about 21:50) nightly |
| Destinations | Takamatsu (Seto) and Izumoshi (Izumo) |
| Duration | About 9.5 to 12 hours |
| Cheapest option | Nobinobi flat carpet space |
| Private cabins | Single, Solo, Single Twin, Twin, Single Deluxe |
| JR Pass | Covers nobinobi (small reservation fee); berth charge extra for cabins |
| Booking opens | 10:00 a.m. Japan time, one month before departure |
| Where to book | JR West e5489 online or Midori-no-Madoguchi offices |
| Food | No dining car; buy before boarding |
Should I take the sleeper instead of the Shinkansen?
The Shinkansen is faster, more frequent, and fully covered by the JR Pass with no berth charge. If your only goal is to get west quickly, the bullet train wins. The Sunrise trains make sense when you value the experience and the saved hotel night: you leave Tokyo after dinner, sleep, and wake up near your destination, which can be efficient as well as memorable.
For budget travelers with a JR Pass, the nobinobi space is one of the best-value experiences in Japan, since it is nearly free and replaces a night’s accommodation. For comfort, a private Single or the Single Deluxe is a treat, though you pay the berth charge on top of the pass.
Timetables, fees, and reservation rules can change with each JR timetable revision. Confirm the current departure times, cabin prices, and booking procedure on the official JR and JNTO travel pages below before you plan your trip.
FAQ
Does Japan still have overnight sleeper trains?
As of June 2026, Japan has only two regularly scheduled overnight trains: the Sunrise Seto and the Sunrise Izumo. They are joined as one train between Tokyo and Okayama, then split, with the Seto continuing to Takamatsu on Shikoku and the Izumo running to Izumoshi on the Sea of Japan coast. Older overnight services like the Hokutosei and Cassiopeia have been retired. Both directions (Tokyo to the west, and back) run nightly.
Is the Sunrise Seto or Izumo covered by the Japan Rail Pass?
Partly, as of June 2026. The base fare and limited express fee are covered, so the open-plan nobinobi carpet space costs only a small reservation fee (about 530 yen) with a Japan Rail Pass. Private cabins (single, twin, deluxe) are not fully covered: the pass covers the fare and express fee, but you must pay the berth charge separately, in cash or by card at a JR ticket office.
What cabin types are on the Sunrise trains?
As of June 2026 there are several. Nobinobi is a budget open carpeted space where you lie flat in a shared car (no door). Single is a small private one-person cabin. Solo and Single Twin are compact private rooms. Twin sleeps two, and Single Deluxe is the largest private room with a sink and more space. Only nobinobi is close to free with a JR Pass; the rest add a berth charge.
How far in advance can I book the Sunrise trains?
Reservations open at 10:00 a.m. Japan time exactly one month before the departure date, as of June 2026. Popular dates, especially the private Single Deluxe and Twin cabins and weekend departures, can sell out within minutes. Book as early as you can. Tickets are sold at JR Midori-no-Madoguchi (green window) ticket offices and through JR West's e5489 online reservation system.
What time do the Sunrise trains leave and arrive?
As of June 2026 the combined train leaves Tokyo Station at around 22:00 (about 21:50) each night. It reaches Okayama early the next morning, splits, and the Sunrise Seto arrives in Takamatsu and the Sunrise Izumo in Izumoshi around mid-morning. The total trip is roughly 9 to 12 hours depending on destination. Times can change with timetable revisions, so confirm before you travel.
Can I shower or eat on board?
There is a small shower room on board that you use with a paid shower card (about 320 yen as of June 2026), and Single Deluxe cabins include a shower card. There is no dining car and no full meal service, so buy food and drinks before boarding. There are vending machines on board, but stock can be limited, so bring water and a bento.