Sunrise Express Izumo & Seto Review | Japan’s Overnight Sleeper Train Experience from Tokyo

The Sleeper Express Sunrise Seto (Sunrise Seto) is a sleeper train that connects Tokyo with Izumo City and Izumo City with Tokyo. The Sleeper Express Sunrise Izumo (Sunrise Izumo) connects Tokyo with Takamatsu and Takamatsu with Tokyo. They are the only sleeper trains in Japan.

Starting operations on July 10, 1998, this is the only sleeper train in Japan that runs daily and regularly, traveling between Tokyo Station in Tokyo and Izumo City Station in Shimane Prefecture. It passes through the Tōkaidō Main Line, Sanyō Main Line, Hakubi Line, and Sanin Main Line.

This time, I took a ride on the “Sleeper Express Sunrise Izumo and Sunrise Seto”, experiencing a 12-hour and 48-minute train journey from Tokyo Station to Izumo City.

In this article, we will cover topics such as basic travel knowledge, how to plan your trip, and how to start your journey.

By reading this article, you will gain detailed knowledge about the “Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo.”
Additionally, I will share tips to help you make the most of your trip.

If you are interested in train travel or want to know how to enjoy traveling on a sleeper train, be sure to check this out.

Difference between Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo

Only passengers on the Sunrise Izumo can view the train detachment when traveling from Tokyo to Izumo-shi or Takamatsu (downbound), and only passengers on the Sunrise Seto can view it when traveling from Izumo-shi or Takamatsu to Tokyo (upbound).

Cost of traveling by train on the Sunrise Seto or Sunrise Izumo

When enjoying a train trip on the Sunrise trains, the cost from Tokyo to Takamatsu on the “Sunrise Seto” is at least 19,280 yen, and from Tokyo to Izumo City on the “Sunrise Izumo” is at least 25,910 yen. Be sure to have extra money for optional expenses such as purchasing drinks from vending machines and shower cards.

One Day Itinerary for Train Travel on the Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo

Tokyo to Izumo City (Travel time: 12 hours 48 minutes)

Tokyo to Takamatsu (Travel time: 10 hours 17 minutes)

Osaka to Tokyo (Travel time: 6 hours 35 minutes)

Sunrise Seto and Izumo: Departure Stations, Stops, and Timetable

Sunrise Seto sometimes extends its service to Kotohira Station after arriving at Takamatsu Station.

Timetable after the schedule revision on March 16, 2024

What are the room types, sleeper fares, prices, and fares for the Sunrise Seto and Izumo trains?

For the Nobinobi seat, during off-peak periods, the sleeping berth fee is reduced by 200 yen from the regular rate. During peak periods, it is increased by 200 yen from the regular rate.

If you book a twin room, you need to pay for two adults. However, if you are staying with children under elementary school age who will share the bed with you, no additional charge will apply for them.

On the Sunrise Izumo, you will need to pay a combined fee of “fare,” “express train charges,” and “sleeping berth charges.”
The total amount will vary depending on the station of boarding and alighting, as well as the room type.

The difference in cost between a private room and a shared room seat was ¥6,070.
The validity period for the passenger ticket is up to 5 days from the intended travel date, but the express train ticket is only valid on the day of travel, so please be aware of this.

For those who want to travel at a low cost, the Nobinobi seat is recommended!

How to Travel Economically on the Sunrise Seto and Izumo

For Sunrise trains, if the one-way distance is 601 kilometers or more, you can receive a 10% discount on the fare when using it for a round trip.

Only the passenger fare is discounted. The sleeping berth charge and express train charge are not eligible for the discount.

Seating Chart for the Sunrise Seto and Izumo

Although it is simple, I have created an interior map of all the cars on the Sunrise Izumo and Seto trains.

It is available for download, so I hope it will be helpful when choosing your seats.

▼ Sunrise Izumo and Seto Seating Chart PDF

Downlord

How to Reserve a Sunrise Izumo Ticket

Midori no Kippu Sales Machine

At the “Midori no Kippu” sales machines installed at JR stations, you can purchase passenger tickets only.

However, to board the Sunrise Izumo, a separate sleeping berth charge is required.

Midori no Madoguchi (Ticket Office)

You can purchase and reserve train tickets, including sleeper car charges, at the “Midori no Madoguchi” (Green Window).

If you have a Midori no Madoguchi near your residence, you can smoothly make a reservation by informing the staff that you want to “reserve the Sunrise Izumo”!

List of JR Stations with Midori no Madoguchi

JR West	https://www.jr-odekake.net/eki/receive
JR East	https://www.jreast.co.jp/estation/midori/
JR Shikoku	https://www.jr-shikoku.co.jp/tel5489/uketori.htm
JR Kyushu	https://train.yoyaku.jrkyushu.co.jp/jr/pc/consumer/SearchStationInitAction.do

Online Reservation

You can make a reservation in advance using a smartphone or computer on the official JR Odekake Net website.

▼ JR Odekake Net Sunrise Izumo Reservation Page

https://www.jr-odekake.net/goyoyaku/campaign/sunriseseto_izumo/form.html

Tickets reserved online can be picked up at “Midori no Madoguchi” or “Midori no Kenbaiki” (Green Ticket Vending Machines).

If you made the reservation with a credit card but haven’t picked up the ticket yet, you can issue it at the Midori no Kenbaiki.

If you reserved with a credit card, you will need the credit card used for payment when picking up the ticket.

Those who made an online reservation can check the payment and pickup status of their ticket on the official JR reservation site, e5489.

▼ e5489 Official Site

https://e5489.jr-odekake.net/e5489/cspc/CBTopMenuPC

Tips for Reserving the Sunrise Izumo

When can you make a reservation?

Reservations can be made from 10 AM, one month before the date of travel. However, if the same day in the previous month does not exist, such as in March, reservations can be made from the beginning of the month (the 1st).

Difficult-to-Book Seats

The Sunrise Izumo is the only sleeper train in Japan and is extremely popular.

Since it operates daily, you might think rooms would be easy to book, but the A-Class Sleeper Deluxe, B-Class Sleeper Single Twin, Single, and Solo rooms are highly sought after. During the winter season, reservations are particularly difficult to secure up to one month in advance.

However, reservations for the Nobinobi seats (shared seats) are relatively easier to obtain.

How to Secure a Reservation

Whether using online reservations or at the Midori no Madoguchi, the method widely known as “10 AM Push” is commonly used.

At 10 AM, exactly one month before the date of travel, tickets for the Sunrise Izumo are simultaneously released nationwide.

Press the reservation button exactly at 10 AM to complete your reservation.

For online reservations, make sure to pre-enter the departure and arrival stations and other details. When it turns 10 AM, press the search button to complete your reservation.

Shower Card Required for Using the Shower

The shower card costs 330 yen per card.

Each card is valid for one use only and provides 6 minutes of use.

The card features an illustration of the Sunrise train.

Locations of Shower Card Vending Machines

Shower card vending machines are located next to the lounges in cars 3 and 10.
The machines are closer to the doors at the front (car 1) and rear (car 11) of the train due to the vehicle’s structure.

If you want to secure a shower card, try boarding from cars 4 and 11.

Shower Cards Sell Out Quickly, Purchase Immediately Upon Boarding

As mentioned earlier, there is one vending machine for shower cards next to the lounges in cars 3 and 10. Due to the water tank capacity, the number of cards available per car is limited to 20 cards.

Approximately 40 cards are available for the entire train.

Latest Information and Operation Status for the Sunrise Izumo

The Sunrise Izumo service may be canceled depending on the weather conditions in each prefecture.

For information on delays or operational status of the Sunrise Izumo, you can check the official JR West website.

▼ Latest operational status for the Sunrise Izumo

https://trafficinfo.westjr.co.jp/sp/express.html?id=23

Comparing the Cheapest Shared Room and Private Room on the Sunrise Izumo

A Neck Pillow Is Essential for Nobinobi Seats!

Before boarding the Nobinobi seat, I knew there would be no pillow provided, so I brought a neck pillow that inflates with air.

I placed a folded towel on top of the inflated neck pillow and used the white cloth provided with the Nobinobi seat as a pillowcase.

While you can use a backpack or other items as a makeshift pillow, depending on the amount of luggage, it might be too high and cause neck pain.

Pros and Cons of the Solo Rooms on the Sunrise Train

Solo Room Upper Berth

Solo Room Lower Berth

Inside the Sunrise Izumo Train

Merits and Demerits of the Sunrise Seto and Izumo

What was good about the ride:

Some inconveniences:

Summary of the Sunrise Seto and Izumo Experience

We’ve introduced the Sunrise Seto and Izumo in this article.
Here’s a brief summary: