Hello folks. I’ve got a 2 week Japan trip planned for whenever it’s possible to go and while I won’t go into insane details I will give a brief rundown of my trip before getting back to the topic at hand.
The way I may plan my two week trip is that we start off in Tokyo and spend 3-4 days there, using the train (likely need a rail pass) we’ll head to Gero (or the surrounding areas) and spend 3-4 days there before heading to Osaka and Kyoto in which we’ll spend 3-4 days there.
After this point we’ll travel to Fukayama area in which we’ll go on the Shimanami Kaido so finishing off on the island of Shinkoku we’ll then travel to Takamatsu which if I’m correct is one of the end points of the Sunrise express train.
From what I know the train starts in Tokyo and reaches a certain point mid way before splitting into two trains and going separate ways, one goes elsewhere and the other goes to Takamatsu.
What I wish to know is whether or not it’s possible to get a night trip from Takamatsu to Tokyo in which you’ll wake up in Tokyo in the morning or something.
And what I want to know from anybody who has experienced the sleeper train, well how was it? Is it ideal and worth the prices? How difficult is it to book and organise as a foreign tourist?
Any help is appreciated.
8 comments
It’s free with the JR pass. But you sleep in the common area. The floor is hard and you get nothing. No blankets or pillow. It is cold. Either dress well and use a towel as a pillow or pay the extra $100 or so and get a private room which has pillows and blankets. It’s definitely a unique experience.
1) are you going to be using the JP Pass?
2) what kind of seat would you be most comfortable with?
[More information here](https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/sunrise-seto.html)
>What I wish to know is whether or not it’s possible to get a night trip from Takamatsu to Tokyo in which you’ll wake up in Tokyo in the morning or something.
Yes. Sunrise Seto departs Takamatsu at 21:26 and arrive in Tokyo 7:08 the next day.
>And what I want to know from anybody who has experienced the sleeper train, well how was it? Is it ideal and worth the prices?
It’s usually cheaper than hotel+shikansen if that’s what you wanted to know. Well, it’s a night train. It also depend on what type of accommodation. Nobi-Nobi might not be your thing, but solo and single is pretty much like a capsule hotel with a little more space.
>How difficult is it to book and organise as a foreign tourist?
This depend on a lot of factor.
Are you using Japan Rail Pass? If you are not, the train can be reserved on [JR WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION](https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/route_search/).
If you are using Japan Rail Pass but has friend in Japan, and you are not planing on Nobi-Nobi seat, then your friend can buy it in advanced for you since Japan Rail Pass isn’t valid on overnight ticket, only for basic distance ticket. The overnight ticket can be bought separately.
If you are not travelling on busy date like Fri-Sat-Sun or Japanese long weekend, the Single class usually has free space even up to departure so you can buy it after you arrive in Japan no problem.
Using JR Pass and want Nobi-Nobi, Single Deluxe, or is travelling over busy date, then you risk not being able to secure tickets.
Biggest thing is to book it early, the website was jp only and the desirable rooms get booked quickly because there aren’t many of them.
Yes it has a return from Takamatsu to Tokyo, leaves around 9pm (shld be at Osaka around 12:30am, and 7am in Tokyo).
I’m also curious about the reservation system for this – you can use JR pass for the Nobi Nobi seats but have to pay for the 1-2 person cabin. I think there’s a new system that allows foreign tourists to buy JR pass directly and be able to reserve trains, but I haven’t really read up on that and other may know about it.
If you are tall it may be uncomfortable. I’m only 5’9” and I didn’t really fit well. Otherwise, a very fun experience. I had no difficulties booking it, and at the time I spoke somewhat limited Japanese (maybe N2/3-ish). I think it would still be possible with no Japanese language at all.
I have been on this train quite a few times. I do not recall ever bringing a pillow or cover, I recall there being a pillow and cover in the common area. There was one time I did not sleep because I was only using it as a connection train to go from Matsue to Hiroshima. (this method allowed me to leave Matsue as late as possible)
The times I slept I got a good rest with the shortest being the Tokyo to Himeji route that I used to access Shirahama via the first limited express out of Osaka that am.
In Gero I stayed at Suimeikan and would recommend it. Gero is a nice base to explorer the area such as Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Gujo Hachiman & Inuyama.
Given your going to Fukayama I assume this means your going to Tomonoura as well. Obviously your going to Onomichi when you do the Shimanami Kaido but while on the Shimanami Kaido you may enjoy a trip to Kousanji along your way. BTW if your a ramen fan Shuka-en (朱華園) is the place to check out in Onomichi.
On Shinkoku you may not have time to visit Matsuyama but on your way to Takamatsu you do pass another of the original castles of Japan in Marugame.
I’ve never been on it myself, but I just watched a YouTube video of a person taking the sleeper train. I think the person made three videos for the three different cabins/sleeper cars you can travel in (super cheap, cheaper private cabin, more expensive private cabin). The video might give you an idea of what to expect.
https://youtu.be/wcYQzzTT73Y