Sunrise Express: Japan’s Sleeper Train Experience

2025年3月9日

Sunrise Express

Tokyo - Izumo / Takamatsu: Sunrise Express Seto Izumo Experience! 12.5 hour Japan's Sleeper Train Ride

How to Make a Reservation

The ways to make a reservation for the Sunrise Izumo and Seto trains are through the “Midori no Kenbaiki,” “Midori no Madoguchi,” “Online Reservation,” and “Travel Agencies.”

The most recommended method is “Online Reservation.”

Since the Sunrise Izumo and Seto trains are very popular, it is difficult to reserve a private room.
With online reservations, it’s easy to book as long as you have a smartphone.

▼ JR Odekake Net Sunrise Izumo Reservation Page

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

▼ e5489 Official Website

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

If you booked with a credit card, you will need the credit card used for payment when picking up your ticket. Online reservations made through e5489 allow you to check the payment and pickup status of your ticket.

The most affordable shared room, the “Nobinobi Seat,” is relatively easier to book, so you might be able to reserve it at “Midori no Kenbaiki” or “Midori no Madoguchi” with some luck.

List of JR Stations with Midori no Madoguchi

JR West Japan	https://www.jr-odekake.net/eki/receive
JR East Japan	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

Reservation Tips

When Can I Make a Reservation?

Reservations open one month in advance, starting at 10:00 AM, but in months like March, if the same date doesn’t exist in the previous month, reservations can be made from the beginning of the month (1st).

What Are the Easiest Seats to Reserve?

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

Though it’s operational every day, making reservations for rooms may seem easy, but private rooms like the A-Class Single Deluxe, B-Class Single Twin, Single, and Solo seats are highly sought after, especially in winter, where reservations fill up one month in advance.

Shared rooms like the Nobinobi Seat are relatively easier to book.

What Does '10:00 Hit' Mean?

The “10:00 Hit” is a reservation method available both online and at Midori no Madoguchi.

At 10:00 AM on the 1st of each month, tickets for the Sunrise Izumo go on sale nationwide.

When the clock hits 10:00, you press the reservation button to secure your spot.

Online reservations require entering the departure station, train details, and other info beforehand. At 10:00, you hit the search button to finalize your booking.

Room Types & Sleeping Car Fees, Prices, and Fare

Sunrise Izumo Boarding Ticket and Sleeping Car Ticket

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Type	Room Type	Bed Charge	Notes
A Bed Private Room (1 person)	Single Deluxe	13,980 yen	A single room in A Bed
B Bed Private Room (1 person)	Single Twin	9,600 yen	B Bed 1-2 person private room
B Bed Private Room (1 person)	Single	7,700 yen	B Bed single private room
B Bed Private Room (1 person)	Solo	6,600 yen	B Bed single private room
B Bed Private Room (2 people)	Sunrise Twin	15,400 yen (for 2 people) ※1	B Bed 2-person private room
B Bed Private Room (2 people)	Single Twin	15,100 yen (for 2 people) ※1	B Bed 1-2 person private room
B Seat (Shared Room)	Nobinobi Seat	530 yen (off-peak) 730 yen (peak season) 300 yen (low season)	Ordinary car reserved seat

※1. If traveling with a child under elementary school age, the child can sleep with the adult for no extra charge.

The Sunrise Izumo/Seto requires payment for three types of fees: Fare, Express Train Fee, and Bed Charge.
These fees vary depending on the boarding station and room type.

■ Nobinobi Seat (Cheapest Shared Room)
・Fare (12,210 yen) + Express Train Fee (3,300 yen) + Bed Charge (530 yen)
・Total: 16,040 yen

■ Solo (Cheapest Private Room)
・Fare (12,210 yen) + Express Train Fee (¥3,300) + Bed Charge (6,600 yen)
・Total: 22,110 yen

The difference in price between a private room and a shared seat is 6,070 yen.
While the valid period for the ticket is 5 days from the scheduled travel date, be aware that the express train ticket is only valid on the travel day.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, the Nobinobi Seat is recommended!

How to Save

For Sunrise trains, if you travel a distance of over 601 kilometers one way, you can get a 10% discount on the fare when purchasing a round-trip ticket.
The discount applies only to the ticket fare; bed charges and express train fees are not discounted.

For your return ticket, a separate reservation is required after completing the outbound reservation.

Departure Locations, Stations, and Timetable

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▼ Official JR Odekake Network “Sunrise Seto (to Takamatsu) and Izumo (to Izumo City) Timetable”

https://timetable.jr-odekake.net/train-timetable/39672?date=20241224

Shower Usage

Sunrise Izumo Train Shower Card Icon — Sunrise Izumo Train Shower Card

■ Shower Room Usage Requires a “Shower Card”!
・1 card: 330 yen
・Duration: 6 minutes per use
・Valid for 1 use per card

Shower card vending machine and mini lounge on Sunrise Izumo Icon — Shower card vending machine and mini lounge on Sunrise Izumo

■ How to Purchase a Shower Card
・Vending machines are located next to the lounges in Cars 3 and 10
・Each car has 20 cards available, totaling 40 cards (due to water tank capacity limitations)

Shower room in Sunrise Izumo Train Icon — Shower room in Sunrise Izumo Train

■ Shower Room Location and Usage
・Located in Cars 3 and 10
・The shower rooms are narrow, individual-style with space to remove shoes
・Insert the purchased shower card into the machine in the changing room

Shower card vending machines are located next to the lounges in Cars 3 and 10, but the closest entrances are from the 1st and 11th cars due to the train’s layout.

If you want to secure a card, try boarding from the 4th and 11th cars for better chances.

What I Learned When Purchasing the Shower Card

Even if you arrive an hour before departure, there were already over 10 people in line

The atmosphere when the shower card purchase started inside the train was quite tense

The purchase point for the shower card was in a narrow corridor, so it took a while to get back to your room after buying it

Instead of taking out your wallet, it's smoother to just grab a 300 yen coin and line up

Comparing the Cheapest Shared Room and Private Room

The Cheapest Shared Room: Nobinobi Seat

Sunrise Izumo Nobinobi Seat's reading light

Sunrise Izumo Nobinobi Seat's air conditioning

Sunrise Izumo Nobinobi Seat

photo by mitemil

The Cheapest Seat on the Sunrise Train

・Located in car 5 and car 12 (28 seats per car)
・Length: 2m8cm, Width: 85cm, spacious
・Budget-friendly, ideal for solo business trips or travel!

Comfortable Amenities

・Nobinobi seat amenities include a disposable cup, one comforter, and a thin blanket
・A divider covering the upper body (so your sleeping face is less visible)
・Floor carpet and floor heating to keep you warm during the winter
・Cold air from the ceiling’s air conditioning, so it’s comforting to have a blanket
・Curtains at the feet to block views from the aisle.

Using a neck pillow brought from home to create a pillow in the Nobinobi Seat on the Sunrise Izumo

The Nobinobi Seat doesn’t come with a pillow, so you might want to bring a neck pillow with you.

The Cheapest Private Room: B Seat Solo

Sunrise Izumo B Seat Solo Upper Row Room

Sunrise Izumo B Seat Solo Room's switches

Sunrise Izumo B Seat Solo Room's full-length mirror

Sunrise Izumo B Seat Solo Room's speaker

Sunrise Izumo B Seat Solo Room's storage

Sunrise Izumo B Seat Solo Room's disposable cup

Sunrise Izumo B Seat Solo Room's plastic bag

Sunrise Izumo B Seat Solo Room's slippers

Sunrise Izumo B Seat Solo Room's bedding

Sunrise Izumo B Seat Solo Upper Row Room

photo by mitemil

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The Cheapest Private Room on the Sunrise Train

・Located in cars 3 and 10 (20 rooms in total)
・Bed size: Length 1m96cm, Width 75cm
・Even-numbered rooms are upper, odd-numbered rooms are lower

Bedding in the Cheapest Private Room

・Comes with a 4-piece bedding set: futon, comforter, pillow, sleepwear
・Comforter has fire resistance (110cm×190cm)
・Pillow is a pipe pillow (filled with straw-like material)
・Sleepwear is marked as “J-LINEN”
・Air conditioning is unexpectedly strong, about the strength of a fan’s medium wind.

By the way, J-LINEN is the name of a company that handles cleaning services for trains and hotels in the western Japan area.

Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo Car Information

Details of the Sleeper Train 'Sunrise Izumo and Seto'

Name – JR West 285 Series Train
Service Start Date – July 10, 1998
Total Length – Approximately 21.67 meters (per car)
Total Weight – Approximately 43.57 tons (per car)
Speed – 130 km/h
Passenger Capacity – 158 passengers

Interior Map

Interior Features

Deck (Entrance/Exit)

Entrance/Exit of Sleeper Train Sunrise Izumo

photo by mitemil

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Mini Lounge

Quiet Reminder Sticker in the Sleeper Train Sunrise Izumo

Mini Lounge in the Sleeper Train Sunrise Izumo

photo by mitemil

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Shower Room

Changing Area of the Shower Room in the Sleeper Train Sunrise

photo by mitemil

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Vending Machines

Vending Machine in the Sleeper Train Sunrise Izumo

photo by mitemil

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Washbasins

Faucet with Cold and Hot Water Selector Button in the Washbasin

Washbasin in the Sleeper Train Sunrise Izumo

photo by mitemil

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Restrooms and Multipurpose Restrooms

Restroom in the Sleeper Train Sunrise Izumo

Multipurpose Restroom Entrance in the Sleeper Train Sunrise Izumo

Restroom in the Sleeper Train Sunrise Izumo

photo by mitemil

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Door Stickers

Stickers on the Windows of the Sleeper Train Sunrise Izumo Showing Various Awards

photo by mitemil

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Frequently Asked Questions & Answers for Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo

What is the difference between Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo?

The difference between Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo is based on the destination.

Sunrise Seto (Cars 1–7) | Tokyo ~ Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture
Sunrise Izumo (Cars 8–14) | Tokyo ~ Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture

The train separation and coupling work at Okayama Station is a signature event of the Sunrise trains.
Many people visit to watch the process, even in the early morning.

Viewing the train separation process is only available for passengers on the Sunrise Izumo train traveling from Tokyo to Izumo City/Takamatsu (downbound).

What makes Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo unique in Japan?

The Sunrise Izumo and Sunrise Seto are the only remaining sleeper trains operating regularly in Japan.

Even though the Sunrise trains are 25 years old, they continue to run without any plans for a successor. They continue to operate with repairs along the way.

How to make a reservation for Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo?

Reservations for the Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo can be made through JR West’s online reservation service “e5489”, at the “Midori no Madoguchi” ticket counters, “Midori no Kengeki Plus” ticket vending machines, or through major travel agencies.

How to collect tickets for Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo?

Tickets reserved via “e5489” must be collected before boarding at the “Midori no Madoguchi” ticket counters, “Midori no Kengeki” ticket vending machines, or “Midori no Uketsuke” machines.

When can I start making a reservation for Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo?

Ticket sales begin at 10:00 AM, one month before the departure date from the starting station.

What facilities can be reserved for Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo?

The following facilities can be reserved via “e5489”:

・Nobinobi Seats (Standard Car Reserved Seats)
・Single Deluxe A Sleeper Compartment (1-person)
・Single B Sleeper Compartments (Single Twin, Single, Solo)
・Double B Sleeper Compartments (Sunrise Twin)

Note: “Eki-net” only allows reservations for “Nobinobi Seats” and does not accept reservations for sleeper tickets.

How to manage meals on Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo?

There is no onboard sales of meals on the Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase food and drinks at the station or nearby stores before boarding.

What should I prepare before boarding Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo?

Since amenities are limited on the train, it is recommended to bring your own toiletries such as towels and toothbrushes, snacks, drinks, and, if you’re prone to motion sickness, medication to ensure a comfortable journey.

Actual Journey Flow (Tokyo → Izumo-shi)

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Day 1

20:40 Tokyo Station
20:50 Collecting the train ticket at the Midori no Madoguchi counter (pre-booked)
21:00 Purchasing a bento box (1,000 yen) inside the station
21:06 Lining up at the platform
21:20 The sleeper limited express “Sunrise Seto & Izumo” arrives at the platform
21:23 Purchasing a shower card (330 yen)
21:50 Departure from Tokyo Station
22:50 Shower time
23:00 Bedtime

Day 2

05:00 Wake up
05:19 Delay announcement (Train delay of about 50 minutes discovered)
07:15 Watching the train separation process at Okayama Station
08:10 Breakfast (around Bitchu-Takahashi Station ~ Niimi Station)
10:50 Arrival at Izumo-shi Station

Pros & Cons

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メリット

Passengers on the train have good manners, making shared rooms enjoyable

Various seat types make you want to ride again

The view from the mini lounge was great

The train stops at each station on time, making it easy to plan your schedule

デメリット

All tickets include accommodation costs, making it expensive

No dining car or onboard sales, so food must be prepared in advance

If you can't purchase a shower card, you can't take a shower

Running noise is somewhat loud

No onboard Wi-Fi

The narrow aisle made me bump into the walls several times while walking

* The information posted is based on the publication date: 2025年3月9日.
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