Sunrise Seto is an overnight train that runs between Tokyo and Takamatsu in Shikoku. This train is coupled with Sunrise Izumo between Tokyo and Okayama. This train depart late night and arrive early morning. It helps you to save your travel time and an accommodation cost.
This train has many kinds of accommodations. One of these is called “Nobi Nobi Seat” which is not a seat but like carpet section. This Nobi Nobi Seat is fully covered by 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 because there is 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 Seto with lots of photos.
Timetable and route
First of all, I show you the route and timetable.
| Station | to Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Takamatsu | 21:26 |
| Sakaide | 21:44 |
| Kojima | 22:01 |
| 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 an overnight train. On the other hand, the train from Tokyo does not stop at Osaka. If you want to get on this train from Tokyo as a overnight train for Osaka, you have to 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 Izumo 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 JR Pass on 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 Seto at a ticket window
If you do not use 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 whom 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 a reserved seat that is called Nobi Nobi seat without any extra. But you have to pay accommodation fee and surcharge if 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 calculate 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 the JR Pass | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Compartment by the JR pass | Covered | Required | Required |
| Nobi Nobi seat by a regular ticket | Required | Required | Not required |
| Compartment by a regular ticket | Required | Required | Required |
Nobi Nobi seat is a sort of a regular reserved seat. It does not require any accommodation fees.
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 | 10,670 yen | 10,340 yen |
| Kojima | 11,000 yen | 10,670 yen |
| Sakaide | 11,150 yen | 10,820 yen |
| Takamatsu | 11,540 yen | 11,210 yen |
A limited express surcharge
If you want to use a compartment by the JR Pass, you must add this surcharge on top of the accommodation fee on top of the JR pass. If you use the 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, Kojima, Sakaide, Takamatsu | 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 calculate 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 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 tip for your trip on 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 to travel 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 a mother and a 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 may cry.
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, a mother and a small child, and some female travelers.
There is no privacy but if you are okay with it, you can get 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 compartments equip a power outlet. But Nobi Nobi Seat does not have any power outlets. You should bring a mobile battery.
Assessment
We have lots of restrictions to take this train. Especially a booking may be an issue fr you. 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, I have a question about the popularity of the sunrise train.
I am arriving Japan on May 9, looking to book the sunrise train from Tokyo to Takamatsu on May 10(Thursday night).
How popular is the over night train in May? How high do you think is my chances?
Thanks.
Hi Cat,
Usually mid May is slow. Because they have lots of holidays from the end of Apr to the first week of May. May 10 is easier than usual. But it is always popular. If it is sold out, no surprise.
If I were you, I’ll try to take it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
[…] Take Sunrise Seto at Okayama station. Overnight in the train.(Nobi-Nobi […]
my daughter and i will be traveling from Kyoto to Tokyo and after 2 full days, will head back to Kyoto. we prefer taking overnight bus trip. is there a way that we can pre-book online? what do you suggest? thanks in advance
Hi Margarita,
Unfortunately there is no English online booking site. We only have only Japanese one.
http://www.kousokubus.net/PC/index.aspx
Takeshi / JP Rail
I think its better to come back from Hiroshima on the night train when I come back to Tokyo because I can use the whole day of pass. If I go straight to Hiroshima first, I can only use the last hour of the pass and it consider a day. If I go to Nagoya first and then end up at Kyoto for the night. Whats the train route and changes. I am a bit confused with the train system, can you tell me where to transfer and change into what train? If I carry small luggage and stop at Nagoya and sightsee, if there any locker at train station so I can put luggage for a few hours?
From Kyoto, how to change and transfer train to Hiroshima?
On the way back from Hiroshima, how to catch the all nighter Sunrise to Tokyo, do I need to get off any place to tranfer?
Hi Julia,
Just use Shinaksen to Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka. It is quite easy. See the map below.
http://www.japanrailpass.net/images/map_en.pdf
There are lots of coin operated locker at the most stations. Especially you don’t need to worry about it at the major terminal stations, like Tokyo, Nagoya and Kyoto.
The rate is from 300 yen to 600 yen per day. It depends on how big it is.
From Kyoto to Hiroshima, take Shinkansen but you need to change the train at Shin-Osaka.
When you take Overnight train, you need to go to Okayama first. You can take Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Okayama.
All of the places where you want to stay are located on the route of Shinkansen.
I recommend you to read several posts in the following category:
https://jprail.com/category/travel-informations/basic-informations
Don’t worry. It is way easier than what you think. 🙂
Takeshi / JP Rail
You are so helpful. I can travel from Tokyo to Hiroshima on Friday 8/17 or Sat night 8/18 , which date is better, both are weekend. Also what time is the Sunrise Seto, is it consider 1 day already when I board at night? So basically around Hiroshima I can just use the rail pass and no subway? I guess I can book the Sunrise when I exchange rail pass at airport?
Hi Julia,
I think Saturday is easier to get it. Sunrise departs at 22:00 from Tokyo. But it may be changed. Check the latest timetable at Hyperdia before departure.
You must try to book right after you activate your pass at the airport. Because it is busy period and popular train. You need to do it ASAP.
There is no subway in Hiroshima but there is Street car. Hiroshima is not a big city, like Tokyo. But if you have a plan to go to Miyajima, you can use your JR pass.
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-get-miyajima.html
Takeshi / JP Rail
I have 13 days in Japan. I wonder should I buy the Suica +NEx to start from airport to Tokyo. Should I start the next day and buy the rail pass 7 days. I want to stay in Kyoto for 5 days and from there to go to Nara, Osaka and back each day. Then also Hiroshima for 1 night stay. Should I go straight to Hiroshima from Tokyo first. (the overnight train Tokyo and Takamatsu in Shikoku island sound interesting).Can you give me the most efficient route and using the rail the maximum way. Also should I also buy the daily subway pass in Osaka and Kyoto?
Hi Julia,
You can use Suica+NEX for your transfer to downtown Tokyo and exploring Tokyo next day.
If you can get a space on Sunrise Seto or Izumo, that will be perfect to transfer to Hiroshima. I recommend you to go to Hiroshima first. And then go back to Kyoto and stay there. If you travel from Tokyo to Hiroshima by Shinkansen, you need to change the train at Shin-Osaka and it will be 5 hours trip.
But it might be very hard to get a space on Sunrise. You arrive on Aug 14, don’t you? It will be “Obon” period. This is one of the busiest period in Japan. Obon is summer vacation period in Japan. Many people go back to hometown and stay there. Usually Obon period is Aug 10 to 15. So most of people go back to Tokyo on Aug 15. You will travel to other direction. Maybe it is okay to book it. But it is still busy anyway. So please keep it in your mind.
If you cannot get the space on Sunrise, take Shinkansen to Hiroshima. I still recommend you to go to Hiroshima first.
Regarding subway pass, it depends on how much you take a subway. You still can use JR pass. JR pass is not very useful in Kyoto. But in Osaka, you can use lots. You can buy subway pass on the spot anyway. So you don’t need to think about it now.
By the way, did you book your hotel in Kyoto? As I mentioned, it is busy period. Most of hotels are very busy and expensive. Please be careful.
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello.
Does this train leave from Izumo and arrive to Tokyo? If not what is the closest station to Izumo where this train leaves?
Thanks a lot!
Hi Me1234,
Sunrise Izumo is operated between Tokyo and Izumo.
https://jprail.com/trains/sunrise-izumo.html
If you are looking for daytime transfer, Limited Express Yakumo and Shinkansen work.
https://jprail.com/trains/limited-express-yakumo.html
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello there…I’ ll arrive at Narita at Mar 29,2012 , with JR pass, I plan to take night train nobi nobi seat …sunrise seto or sunrise Izumo..whatever..to Okayama. Do you think it’s possible to reserve that Nobi Nobi seat ( 2 persons) on Mar 29 at 15.00 pm and travel on the same day. otherwise I will find another choice. Thank you so much for your help.
Hi kul,
It is very tiny chance. No surprise if you cannot make it.
If you want to go to Okayama as soon as possible, I think you still can take Shinkansen Hikari to Shin Osaka and then transfer to Kodama to Okayama.
I haven’t got the timetable yet because of timetable revision in March 17. But I think the last Hikari depart from Tokyo around 19:30. It will be in time easily from Narita.
Takeshi / JP Rai;
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your nicely reply and happy Chinese new year…hope you full of happiness along this year ( of the dragon)
I need help! I will be arriving in Tokyo on 30th March, and when I get there I want to reserve seats on the “Sunrise Seto” Train from Osaka to Tokyo which will be at 00:19 on 13th April… can I make the reservation at a train station in Tokyo? Or do I have to be at the station I’m departing from (Osaka)??
Hi 22,
You can make a reservation at any station. Ticket will be sold one month prior to departure date. After this date, ticket can be reserved at any stations that have reservation window, “Midori no Madoguchi”. You can find Midori no Madoguchi at most of stations in Tokyo and Osaka.
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi-san,
Very helpful! Please can you review my situation and tell me when and where I can buy the ticket I need? I’ll arrive in Tokyo on 30th March 2012, and will collect a 7 day pass, which I will have start on 7th April. I’ll be travelling to various places ending up in Osaka on the 12th April. I want to then get the Sunrise Seto over night to Tokyo.
When can I reserve/buy the ticket? I will have my Japan Rail Pass on 30th March in Tokyo, but it won’t be usable until 7th April…
– can I book the ticket in a Tokyo station with the rail pass before the rail pass is validated?
– or if not… can I book the ticket on April 7th from a Tokyo station?
– if not, is the only way I can do it that I have to book it at the station I’m departing from (Osaka) and only during the period which my rail pass is valid? (that would be annoying!)
Many thanks!
Ben
Hi Ben san,
Don’t worry.
Once you exchange to the actual pass from the exchange order, you can reserve anytime. That means you can go ahead on Mar 30!
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Ben. You can exchange your JR Pass voucher for the pass itself as soon as you get to Japan, either at Narita airport or in Tokyo itself. Make sure you tell the counter staff you want the pass to start on 7th April — writing it down on a piece of paper is a good idea. Once you have the pass you can book tickets for the period covered by the pass so you can get the pass on the 30th of March and immediately book a Sunrise Seto trip from Osaka for the 12th of April. You can book this trip at any Midori no Guchi office.
Hint: if you’re arriving at Narita and want to get into Tokyo then use the Keisei local express (1000 yen) instead of the NEX (about 3000 yen) if you want to save some money. The Keisei train gets you into Ueno rather than Tokyo station but it’s on the Yamanote circle and other lines so you can get around Tokyo easily from there.
Hi Robert,
Thanks for adding useful information.
Takeshi / JP Rail