Sunrise Izumo is an overnight train which runs between Tokyo and Yonago, Matsue and Izumo-shi in Sanin area. This train is combined with Sunrise Seto between Tokyo and Okayama.
This train has many kinds of accommodations. One of these is called “Nobi Nobi Seat” which is not a seat but like a carpet section. This Nobi Nobi Seat is fully covered by the JR pass. This is not a regular berth and the floor is a bit hard. But you can lie on the space and it is much more comfortable than sleeping on a seat. And you have minimum privacy with a small partition between the sections.
But some of Japan Rail Pass users want to take a bedroom or another choice even though additional will be charged.
In this post, I will explain you about Sunrise Izumo with lots of photos.
Timetable and route
First of all, I show you the route and timetable.
| Station | to Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Izumoshi | 18:51 |
| Shinji | 19:06 |
| Matsue | 19:27 |
| Yasugi | 19:45 |
| Yonago | 19:56 |
| Niimi | 21:20 |
| Bitchu-Takahashi | 21:48 |
| Kurashiki | 22:14 |
| Okayama | 22:34 |
| Himeji | 23:55 |
| Sannomiya | 0:13 |
| Osaka | 0:34 |
| Hamamatsu | – |
| Shizuoka | 4:38 |
| Fuji | 5:09 |
| Numazu | 5:26 |
| Atami | 5:43 |
| Yokohama | 6:44 |
| Tokyo | 7:08 |
As you see the timetable, you can use this train from Osaka to Tokyo as the overnight train. On the other hand, the train from Tokyo does not stop at Osaka. If you want to use this train from Tokyo, you may get off this train at Himeji and then take a rapid train to Osaka.
As of August 5th, 2020, the timetable is the following:
Tokyo 22:00 (Sunrise Izumo or Sunrise Seto) 5:25 Himeji
Himeji 5:45 (Special Rapid train) 6:48 Osaka
The Sanyo Shinkansen runs between Himeji and Shin-Osaka and the Shinkansen train is usually faster. But it is too early to catch the Shinkansen train. The Special Rapid is the fastest way to get to Osaka. The Special Rapid is a sort of a commuter train but it is not crowded because it is very early morning.
If you take this train between Tokyo and Okayama, you can take Sunrise Seto too.
How to reserve this train
You can book a seat online if you buy the JR Pass on the official site.
If you understand Japanese, you can book a seat at JR East online reservation Eki-net (えきねっと) and JR West e5489. But these website are available only in Japanese. You must register before using these online reservation in Japanese. JR Pass users can also book a seat on Eki net, but this is not an official method. It may not cover the JR Pass, so please use at your own risk. The e5489 does not cover the JR pass. These online methods are basically for non JR pass users.
Otherwise you have to book it at the ticket office in Japan.
Book a space on Nobi Nobi seat on JR Pass online reservation site
The Japan Rail Pass new reservation site was launched on June 1st, 2020. If you buy the JR Pass on this site, you can book a space on Nobi Nobi seat in this site. You cannot book a space on other compartmens unformately. But you can secure a space on Nobi Nobi seat at the time of booking. And if you want to change to other compartment, you can try to book a space on other compartment when you exchange a pass after arrival in Japan. In the worst case, you have a space on Nobi Nobi seat so you can’t miss a train.
You must accept the higher price of the Pass on this JR Pass official site. But this is only way to book a space online before you go to Japan.
Please see the link below to find more information:
If you buy the JR pass at the travel agent or other official vendor’s online site, you cannot book a space online. You must book a space after arrival and that means it may be booked out when you will get to Japan.
How to book a space on Surinse Izumo at a ticket window
If you do not use the JR Pass or you do not want to buy the JR Pass online, you have to book at the reservation window that is called Midori no Madoguchi. Please find more information about booking at the link below:
If you plan to use this train, you have to consider the risk of booked out. If you do not want to have any risks, do not plan riding on this train. It is very hard to find how busy this train is. This train is sometimes booked out in even weekdays of the shoulder season. You must prepare a back up plan in case of booked out.
Can I ask someone in Japan to book a space on this train for me?
If you have a friend or someone who you can ask, you can ask him/her to book a seat for you. The booking is open at 10:00 am one month before a travel day.
e.g.
If you travel on August 10th, the booking is open at 10:00 am July 10th.
He/She must go to a reservation window in most major JR stations to book it. He/She cannot do it online.
If you use the JR pass, you cannot use this method because when he/she book a seat at the ticket window, he/she has to pay and buy a ticket. The copy of the JR Pass exchange order and a copy of your passport are not accepted. The JR Pass will not be valid until you arrive in Japan and exchange it for yourself.
If you plan to use the JR Pass and really want to secure a space before you go, buy the JR Pass at the higher price online.
This method only works if you are traveling at a regular fare.
How to make a back up plan
If you will not use the JR Pass and you have no one ask to book a seat for you in Japan, you must try to book a space after you arrive in Japan.
First of all, you must have a few days between an arrival date and a travel date on Sunrise Izumo. It is too risky to take this train on the arrival day.
Please search the hotel in your departure place of the travel on Sunrise. And try to find the hotel which allows you to cancel before two days without any cancellation fees.
Right after you arrive in Japan, try to book a space on Sunrise Izumo. If you can make it, just cancel the hotel. If you cannot make it, stay overnight in the hotel and travel on next day.
e.g.
If you plan to take this train from Osaka to Tokyo on November 10th, book a hotel in either Tokyo or Osaka for November 9th, one night. Please remember that Sunrise Izumo leaves Osaka after midnight. The date when you get on the train is one day after the hotel check-in date.
If you book a hotel in Tokyo and you cannot book a space on Sunrise Izumo, take the last Shinkansen to Tokyo from Shin-Osaka and overnight in Tokyo. If you book a hotel and you cannot make it, stay overnight in Osaka and take the earliest Shinkansen on next day.
In my experience, I could make it 4 times and could not make it only once. But I have never traveled in the peak season.
Accommodations
You find the interior of this train in my trip report in the movie below:
As I mentioned above, a JR Pass user can take reserved seat that is called Nobi Nobi seat without any extra. But you have to pay accommodation fee and surcharge when you take other accommodation. Please see the below to see the details of all types of accommodation and extra charge.
Nobi Nobi seat
No extra charge on top of JR Pass
This is only choice which is covered by JR pass fully. It is not a compartment but it is like a berth. The space is 190 cm length and 80 cm width. You can lie on the space and it is much more comfortable than the seat. But it is very hard to reserve this seat since this is most affordable choice in this train. Of course you must try to book right after you arrive in Japan.
Single Deluxe
Express surcharge and compartment fee are required on top of JR Pass.
This is the best room in this train. The bed size is 196 cm length and 85 cm width. These rooms are located in the upper deck in the double decker car. So you will have a better view than the other class. The desk, chair and sink are equipped in the room. There is no rooms that has a washroom or shower in the compartment of this train. But the shower room is in the same car. The shower card is included in Single Deluxe compartment fee. I will explain you about the shower room later in this post.
There are only six rooms available in Sunrise Izumo. This is most expensive room but this is very popular and it is very hard to book.
Single
Express surcharge and compartment fee are required on top of JR Pass.
This is most common comparment of Sunrise Izumo. All compartments are located in the bi-level car. The bed size is 196 cm length and 70 cm width. Since the compartment is in the bi-level car, the height is about 180 cm. It is a bit tight for a tall passenger.
Solo
Express surcharge and compartment fee are required on top of JR Pass.
This is another type of the single compartment. The bed size is 196 cm length x 70 cm width. But the width is 56cm in some part of the bed. This compartment is located in the single level car. But there are compartments in upper and lower area. The height is very limited. The space where you can stand up is very limited in the upper level. In the compartment at the lower level, you cannot stand up. The space is much smaller than Single. In my opinion, Single is more recommended.
Single Twin
Express surcharge and compartment fee are required on top of JR Pass.
This room can be used as a single room or a twin room. The bed size is 196 cm length and 70 cm width. The floor space of this room is almost same as Single. The upper berth is for the second pessenger. The bed is a bit smaller than the lower berth. The lower berth can be converted to a seat.
This is most affordable compartment for two travelers.
Sunrise Twin
Express surcharge and compartment fee are required on top of JR Pass.
This room is the standard twin room. The bed size is 196 cm length and 75 cm width. This size bed are side by side in the compartment. The space is much bigger than Single Twin. This rooms are located at the lower level in the bi-level car.
Only four compartments are available. It is very hard to book. Usually is is booked out right after a reservation is open.
Lounge space
The lounge space is located at car #3 and #10.
Shower room
Shower room is located at car #3 and #10. You have to buy a shower card at the vending machine in car #3 and #10. It is slod at 320 yen for 6 minutes. But the number of the card is limited because of the water supply.
If you stay in Single Deluxe, you may use the shower room at car #4 and #11. These shower rooms are located at same cars as Single Deluxe compartments. And these shower room at car #4 and #11 are available exclusively for Single Deluxe passengers only. Other passengers must use the shower room at car #3 and #10.
The way of using the shower room is same at all shower spaces. Single Deluxe includes small towel. But other compartments and Nobi Nobi seat passengers cannot get any towels in the train. If you intend using shower room, you must prepare some towels. The shampoo and soap are available in the shower room.
Bathroom
It is available in all cars. But in the morning, this space is busy.
Train formation
Sunrise Izumo and Sunrise Seto are coupled between Tokyo and Okayama.
The train from Tokyo, car #1 to #7 is Sunrise Seto and #8 to #14 is Sunrise Izumo. The train to Tokyo, car #1 to #7 is Sunrise Izumo and #8 to #14 is Sunrise Seto.
Fare and accommodation fee
As I mentioned, JR Pass covers Nobi Nobi Seat fully. But you have to add some more extra on top of the pass if you want to book a compartment.
How to culculate the fare
Three kind of fares are required to take this train.
| Ticket, Pass / Fare | Base fare | Limited express surcharge | Accommodation fee |
| Nobi Nobi seat by JR Pass | Covered | Covered | Not required |
| Compartment by JR pass | Covered | Required | Required |
| Nobi Nobi seat by regular ticket | Required | Required | Not required |
| Compartment by regular ticket | Required | Required | Required |
Nobi Nobi seat is a sort of the regular reserved seat. It does not require any accommodation fee.
Base fare
| Departure / Arrival station | Tokyo | Yokohama |
| Osaka | 8,910 yen | 8,580 yen |
| Sannomiya | 9,640 yen | 9,130 yen |
| Himeji | 10,010 yen | 9,790 yen |
| Okayama, Kurashiki | 10,670 yen | 10,340 yen |
| Bitchu-Takahashi | 11,000 yen | 10,670 yen |
| Niimi | 11,330 yen | 11,000 yen |
| Yonago, Yasugi | 11,880 yen | 11,550 yen |
| Matsue, Shinji | 12,210 yen | 11,880 yen |
| Izumoshi | 12,210 yen | 12,210 yen |
Limited express surcharge
If you want to use a compartment by JR Pass, you must add this surcharge on top of the accommodation fee on top of JR pass. If you use JR pass to take Nobi Nobi Seat, this fee is not required.
If you use a regular ticket and book a compartment, you have to pay this surcharge on top of the base fare and the accommodation fee. If you use a regular ticket and use Nobi Nobi seat, you have to pay base fare, this limited express surcharge and add 530 yen.
| Departure / Arrival station | Tokyo, Yokohama |
| Osaka, Sannomiya | 2,960 yen |
| Himeji, Okayama, Kurashiki, Bitchu-Takahashi, Niimi, Yonago, Yasugi, Shinji, Izumoshi | 3,300 yen |
Accommodation fee
This fee is required if you want to use a compartment. All accommodation fee is per room.
| Single Deluxe | 13,980 yen |
| Single Twin (single use) | 9,600 yen |
| Single Twin (twin use) | 15,100 yen |
| Single | 7,700 yen |
| Solo | 6,600 yen |
| Sunrise Twin | 15,400 yen |
Only one adult passenger is allowed in each compartment other than Single Twin and Sunrise Twin.
How to culculate child passenger cost
If you travel with a child who is 5 years old under and share your space with a child, it is free of charge.
If you travel with a child who is 6 to 11 years old and share your space with a child, it is not free of charge for a child. A child passenger requires half amount of the limited express surcharge and half amount of the base fare. If you use the JR Pass, this age range of child required the JR Pass child. The JR Pass child covers all. If you use Nobi Nobi seat, a child passenger can take own space by the JR Pass child or half amount of the limited express surcharge and half amount of the base fare.
Preparation before boarding
I would like to share a few tips if you take this train. Especially if you take Nobi Nobi Seat, please read the following tips.
You should bring something to eat and drink.
This train does not have any dining services and on board sales. There is a soft drink vending machine only. Please buy something to eat and drink before boarding. You may drink and eat anywhere. You may drink beer, wine, whatever. There is no restrictions. But do not have a party.
Is this train okay for travelers with a small child?
If you share your space with child who is 5 years old or younger, it is free of charge. You can share a young child in even Nobi Nobi seat. I have seen mother and young child to share one spot of Nobi Nobi seat a few times. However if you ride this train with baby, I recommend you to stay in the compartment. If you stay in Nobi Nobi seat with a baby, both you and other passengers may be stressful because a baby cries.
Is Nobi Nobi Seat safe for woman traveling alone?
In my experience, a female solo traveler can ride on Nobi Nobi Seat. I have seen many female solo travelers in Nobi Nobi seat. Of course most of travelers are male. But I have seen many types of travelers in Nobi Nobi Seat, like senior couples, mother and small child, and some female travelers.
There is no privacy but if you are okay with it, you can travel on Nobi Nobi Seat.
Does this train offer Wi-Fi and power outlet?
This train does not offer any Wi-Fi service. If you want connection, please bring a mobile router or slot a SIM card into your phone. Please find more informaion in the post below:
All compartment equip the power outlet. But Nobi Nobi Seat does not have any power outlet. You may require an extra battery.
Assesment
We have lots of restrictions to take this train. Especially the booking is an issue. But this train is only scheduled overnight train in Japan now. You can save your time and save your cost of the accommodation. You may take this train from Osaka to Tokyo. I believe that Sunrise Izumo and Sunrise Seto offer very memorable ride.
I hope this post encourages you to take this train and enjoy your the ride.
Comments
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you very much for the quick reply. I do have one more question if that’s all right.
If I book a reservation using my rail pass, is it possible to cancel? What happens if I don’t show up to my reservation without cancelling? Will my rail pass be penalized?
Thank you again,
Richard
Hi Richard,
You don’t get any penalty. Technically you can book multiple seats, like 12:10 and 12:30 departure. I don’t recommend it though.
If you will miss the train, please return your ticket to reservation window and book new one.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
First, thank you for putting all of this information together, it’s really putting my mind at ease with transit in Japan.
I have a couple questions about reserving a seat for this train.
I will be arriving in Japan on a Wednesday in early November with a Japan rail pass. I’m hoping to reserve a nobi nobi seat for the Thursday heading towards Izumoshi.
What do you think my chances are of successfully making a reservation? Do you think I should look into other options to get to Izumoshi?
Thank you,
Richard
Hi Richard,
It’s very hard to guess. But it’s Friday night. The chance is smaller than other date.
If you are okay with even small risk of booked out, you can go for it. If you don’t like to have any risks, it’s not recommended.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Fantastic information in the comments and main article! I had a question about buying tickets on the day – I am arriving by airplane at 18:30pm on 14th October, and wanted to get straight on the Izumo Sunrise to go west (all the way to the mine. Then we’d weave our way back through Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo and be back at Tokyo airport by the 7th Nov. Is it even worth trying to do that, or will all the tickets be sold out for sure? Is there any way at all we can book one in advance? Thanks in advance for your advice.
Ben
Hi Ben,
Actually I don’t recommend to take this train on arrival day. Because there is no online booking available. The only way to book is at the window after arrival. This train is sometimes booked out. In the case of that, you have to change your plan after arrival in Japan and must find your accommodation.
It’s very hard to guess how busy train will be on 14th October.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san
Just a follow up question, where can I buy/reserve tickets for a NOBI0NOBI seats going towards TOKYO if I am departing from OSAKA? Can I buy this at Kansai airport?
Hi Jonathan san,
You can book it at any JR stations that have reservation window throughout Japan. Of course you can book it at Kansai airport station.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Thank you for your tip! 🙂
Cheers!
Dear Takeshi,
Thank you for your help on this!
We could get the Sunrise Izumo the other way but it wouldn’t really be anywhere near as convenient.
Would it be possible for someone else (in Japan now) to book us the Sunrise Izumo in advance, the ticket is presumably physical so it could be handed over?
Many thanks again,
Ben
Hi Ben,
You can ask someone to book it. It’s different from air ticket. It does not show the name on it.
If you use JR pass and book for Nobi Nobi seat, it’s supposed to be covered it by JR Pass fully. But if you ask someone to book it, he/she has to pay full fare at the time of booking. And you cannot get refund even if you show your JR pass after you arrive.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your help on this, I was wondering if you’d be able to give a little more help!
We are actually in Japan now and are about to leave Osaka for Nara. Then we’ll be going on to Kyoto, Hiroshima and then the Iwami Ginzan mine (staying in Nima). We actually ended up not getting the Rail Pass because it didn’t seem to work out cheaper (probably would have if we had been spending less time at each place). We’ll be travelling back to Tokyo on the Sunrise Izumo on the 30th of October.
We plan to be at Osaka station tomorrow at midday and were thinking about reserving either a single twin or a sunrise twin. Is there any advantage to one or the other in your opinion?
Lastly is there anywhere I could find the ticket details (and two room reservation types) written in Japanese just to be sure I can communicate it to the person at the ticket office at Osaka (my Japanese is from a phrasebook unfortunately and of course I can’t be sure the person serving me will speak English either!)
Many thanks,
Ben
Hi Ben,
You can show the following site.
https://www.jr-odekake.net/train/sunriseseto_izumo/accommo.html
I think both Sunrise Twin and Single Twin are very hard to book because there are very limited number of rooms. You might have to choose 2 X Solo or 2X Single. In this case, Single is better than Solo. There is only 1100 yen difference between these rooms. But Single is much spacious than Solo.
I hope you will make it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
We are planning to go to Japan on April 2016.
And we are planning to take a round trip of Sunrise Izumo from Osaka to Tokyo then Tokyo back to Osaka.
May i know is there any way where i can buy the train ticket in advance as I’m a tourist from overseas ?
Is the tickets sold out quickly during April?
Please advise any other alternative that you have.
Thank you so much.
Cindy
Hi Cindy,
Unfortunately there is no way to book from outside Japan. If you travel on weekday in mid April, it’s easier. But the beginning of April is spring break and late April (after 29th) is “Golden Week”. There are lots of holiday in this period and it’s one of the busiest period.
If you want to have overnight transfer, bus service is better choice.
https://willerexpress.com/en/
But I have never taken this bus service. I have no idea how good this is.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks for your prompt reply.
I will consider your recommendation and let you know
about this bus service if we’re taking it for our overnight trip.
Cindy
No problem, Cindy.
Enjoy your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
First, thank you very much for your hard work on this site! Indispensable I must say.
I’ve been reading comments/links on reserving tickets for Sunrise Izumo, but still some things to ask, would be great if you could shed some light on them:
1) Odekake.net allows phone reservation, 1 month before departure. Do you know whether I would still need to collect within 8 days of reservation? This is a big problem as I won’t be around there yet.
2) On Odekake.net, I will need to pay first. But can I later go to the train station at KIX with my JR Pass and get a refund?
3) What do you reckon are my chances of reserving the ticket at KIX slightly more than 2 weeks before departure on Sunrise Izumo on 11th Oct? I’m quite concerned about the nobinobi seats running out, particularly because of the Oct 12th Sports Day holiday. It’s a long weekend, but is it as bad as Golden Week/ Obon? The plan is to take Sunrise Izumo from Yonago to Tokyo on 11th Oct. If very slim…any ideas? My last attempt will be the local JTB which will cost a bomb!
ありがとうございます！
Hi Zac,
1) You don’t need to pick in 8 days. You can pick up anytime before departure time.
2) No, you can’t. This phone service is not for JR pass user. Once you paid, you cannot refund without handling charge. But if you cancel and get a refund, you will lose your seat during this procedure.
3) Actually the following site shows you the availability of Sunrise Izumo to Tokyo.
http://www.web-sanin.co.jp/sight/time/vacant/jr.htm
It’s Japanese site but you seem to understand some Japanese, right? Anyway it shows you the availability for next 7 days. It’s summer break now in Japan and trains are busy. It will be slower in October. But Oct 11 is Sunday. It may be busy and no surprise if Nobi Nobi is sold out.
If you are okay to pay extra to book other compartment, I think you will get a space.
Even if you ask JTB and they can do, you have to pay full fare anyway. I think pay full fare in Japan and book compartment. It’s better choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for the links and advice earlier, very useful sites.
I just wanted to tell you and other people here that I was able to get the Nobi-nobi seat on Sunrise Izumo. There were some questions earlier on whether one can reserve a seat using the JR Pass even before the JR Pass is activated.
It seems that you can. On Sep 25th at the Kansai Airport JR Office, I was able to reserve a nobi-nobi seat for Oct 11th, completely covered by the 7 Days JR Pass (with no extra charge), which I only activated on Oct 7th. I suppose I was lucky to get the nobi-nobi seat on that day as that nobi-nobi car was fully booked! Sunrise Izumo was a good experience for me, planned wisely it definitely saved some costs.
Just wanted to share that it is possible to reserve your seat ahead of time, even before your JR Pass is activated, as long as the travelling time is within the JR Pass period.
Thanks Takeshi and keep up the good work here!
Hi Zac,
Thank you very much for sharing your experience.
I’m very happy to hear that you had a great trip. I hope you will go back to Japan and enjoy other trains in Japan.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
Could yo pleasetell me how can i get to closest train station to Fujinomiya from Idzumo by night train? What time does the train leave Idzumo-shi?
Thank you in advanced!
Aksa
Hi Aksa,
You can find the departure time of Izumoshi in the post above.
If you get off this train at Fuji, it’s the nearest to Fujinomiya. You can take a local train from Fuji to Fujinomiya. I takes about 20 minutes.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello
Im wondering how many of these trains operate a week? Do they run on a daily basis? And do I need to go to any ticket office to book my trip? Also since the sunrise train doesnt stop at osaka because its too early, Can I just stop at a station before osaka and take a transfer train?
Thanks
Hi Andrew,
This train runs daily basis. All berths and compartments are reserved. You cannot take this train without reservation. You need to purchase and book a ticket before.
The first stop is Himeji. You have to go back from Himeji to go back to Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks for the reply
But one more question
How long before do I need to reserve the “seating/rooms”? is one week enough? Im planning on staying in tokyo for a week and then visiting kyoto/osaka.
And I can get these tickets at all train stations?
Thanks
Hi Andrew,
Ticket is on sale one month prior to departure date.
ex) Get on Aug 14, ticket is on sale at 10:00 am on July 14
All tickets are sometime booked out aright after on sale for peak period, like New Years holidays, Obon period (mid August), Golden Week (late Apr to early May). Nobi Nobi seat is most affordable and sometimes booked out very quickly.
It’s hard to tell one week is enough or not. But if you are okay with any compartments or seats, you may get it in one week. And also unfortunately there is no way to check the availability. I recommend you to try to book it right after you arrive in Japan.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you for your reply Takeshi san.
Maybe it is possible to request a clerk speaking English if possible. I know some Japanese but the hard thing feel is getting dates and so connection, as well as Credit card number.
Anyway. They day that tickets sell out nearly instantly from the hour they open up ticket office on phone, should I be worried or dom I have a chance?
Hi Dennard,
If you don’t travel other than peak season. it’s not booked out right away. Solo is the easiest and Single is a bit harder than Solo.
Good luck.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi-san,
I heard you can reserve tickets by phone from outside of Japan and pay by credit card. Is this true?
I also heard you can get a refund for the ticket fare (except berth fee) if bringing a Japan Rail Pass to JR ticket office. Is this possible?
Is it hard to get a Single or Solo berth this way? Or are they sold out fast even by phone?
Hi Dennard san,
i think it’s Odekake net. Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html
English speaking staff is sometimes available, not always. And they sometimes want you to give address in Japan. And also you have to pick up your ticket in JR West, Shikoku and Kyushu area. You cannot pick up it at eastern part of Japan, such as Tokyo, Nagoya, Tohoku regrion, Hokkaido.
If you are okay with these conditions, you can go for Odekake net. You can purchase limited express supplement ticket and accommodation ticket. Those are not covered by JR pass anyway.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello,
I’ve heard that the numbers of tourists in Japan are much higher than in previous years. Do you know what the occupancy rate of Sunrise Izumo is during the past several months? May I ask if it’s often full on weekdays (Mon to Thursday?)
Thanks.
Bernard
Hi Bernard,
I don’t have any occupancy rates of Sunrise. But I don’t think it’s much different before. If you are okay with any seats/compartments, you will be okay on weekdays. However if you travel in peak season, like summer holidays, it’s getting busier than usual in even weekdays.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail