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This overnight train is operated between Ueno and Aomori. Japan Railway operate 3 overnight trains between Tokyo and Tohoku or Hokkaido. But only “Akebono” has the reserved seat. The other two trains, “Hokutosei” and “Cassiopeia”, have only the sleeper. If you take sleeper class by Japan Rail Pass, Japan Rail Pass is valid for the basic fare only. You have to pay not only sleeper class surcharge but also limited express surcharge. That means you do not need to pay the extra to get “Akebono” because this train has the reserved seat.

Akebono’s reserved seat gives you a great deal. This reserved seat is called “Goron-to-seat”. It is completely same as the bank bed type sleeper. The only difference is that this class does not give you any bedding sheet and pillow. But some Japan Rail Pass users are interested in the other choices. I show you all types of accommodations and the extra charges for Japan Rail Pass.

Accommodations and extra charge for Japan Rail Pass user

Single Deluxe

Additional fare 15,660yen to 16,500yen (Express surcharge 2,310yen to 3,150yen + Accommodation charge 13,350yen)
*If you take the train from Ueno to Akita, Express surcharge is 2,830yen. to Aomori from Ueno, it costs 3,150yen.
This is the best room in this train. The bed size is 196 cm X 80 cm. (Length/Width). This compartment has a small desk, a sink, TV (usually 2 video programs) and a power outlet. The desk is so small. It is even hard to use a mini notebook. There is no room that has a washroom or shower in the room in this train.

This room has a upper berth. If you want to use for 2 persons, extra charge for the second person is 9,540yen. And the lower berth can be converted to the sofa.

Isle

Single use

Amenities

Converted to sofa

Twin use

Solo

Additional fare 8,610yen to 9,450yen (Express surcharge 2,310yen to 3,150yen + Accommodation charge 6,300yen)
*If you take the train from Ueno to Akita, Express surcharge is 2,830yen. to Aomori from Ueno, it costs 3,150yen.
This is the basic type of single room. These rooms are located lower and upper level. The room height is so tight. You cannot stand up at the lower compartment. You may be able to stand up at the stair in the upper compartment. The upper compartment has a huge glass window above the bed. You may enjoy to see the stars when weather is clear. This room has a small table and mirror. it does not have any sink and power outlet. You cannot charge any batteries.

Exterior

Isle

Lower compartment

Upper compartment

Desk

Type B compartment

Additional fare 8,610yen to 9,450yen (Express surcharge 2,310yen to 3,150yen + Accommodation charge 6,300yen)
*If you take the train from Ueno to Akita, Express surcharge is 2,830yen. to Aomori from Ueno, it costs 3,150yen.
This is very basic sleeper in Japan. 4 beds are in one compartment. Lower berth is 195 cm X 70 cm X 111 cm. (Length/Width/Height) Upper berth is 195 cm X 70 cm X 95 cm. Lower berth has a little more head room.

Goron-to-seat

No extra charge
The size of bed is the exactly same as type B compartment. But you don’t need to pay any extra charge. So this one has the biggest deal in this train.

Other facilities

This train does not have any public space. When you eat and drink, you have to stay your compartment or seat. And there is no shared shower space in the train either.
I show some images of the washrooms. This train has both Japanese style and western style.

Train formation

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
LG	B	B	B	B1	B1	A1	G	B	B	B	B

*LG=Goron-to-seat (reserved seat) for women B=Sleeper class B1=Basic compartment sleeper class A1=Deluxe compartment sleeper class G=Goron-to-seat (reserved seat)
Smoking is not allowed on this train.

Timetable

Station	Ueno to Aomori	Aomori to Ueno
Ueno (上野)	21:15	6:58
Omiya (大宮)	21:40	6:29
Takasaki (高崎)	22:48	5:12
Niitsu (新津駅)	-	1:34
Shibata (新発田)	-	1:07
Murakami (村上)	3:19	0:38
Atsumi-Onsen (あつみ温泉)	4:07	23:53
Tsuruoka (鶴岡)	4:34	23:28
Amarume (余目)	4:51	23:12
Sakata (酒田)	5:04	23:01
Yuza (遊佐)	5:17	22:48
Kisakata (象潟)	5:40	22:25
Nikaho (仁賀保)	5:51	22:14
Ugo-Honjo (羽後本荘)	6:06	22:01
Akita (秋田)	6:45	21:23
Hachirogata (八郎潟)	7:14	20:55
Moritake (森岳)	7:36	20:39
Higashi-Noshiro (東能代)	7:48	20:29
Futatsui (二ツ井)	8:06	20:13
Takanosu (鷹ノ巣)	8:18	20:02
Odate (大館)	8:35	19:45
Ikarigaseki (碇ヶ関)	8:57	19:23
Owani-Onsen (大鰐温泉)	9:05	19:14
Hirosaki (弘前)	9:17	19:05
Shin-Aomori (新青森)	9:48	18:35
Aomori (青森)	9:56	18:25

View Akebono in a larger map

You may also like these posts:

• Overnight train to/from Sapporo and Aomori. Express Hamanasu
• Overnight transfer Niigata – Kyoto and Osaka, Overnight Express Train Kitaguni
• Alternatives of Overnight train Cassiopeia and Hokutosei, in case that you cannot make a reservation.
• Overnight limited express train Nihonkai
• Alternatives of Overnight train Twilight Express, in case that you cannot make a reservation.

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13 Comments to “Overnight transfer to Aomori/Akita from Tokyo, No extra charge on Japan Rail Pass! Overnight limited express Akebomo”

1. Lydia says:

   January 29, 2013 at 12:34 pm

   Hi, I would like to know if I take an overnight train, does it count as one or two days on my JR pass? Thanks.

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     January 29, 2013 at 12:52 pm

     Hi Lydia,

     The validity of a rail pass starts from 12 O’clock at night. So if you start to take a train before 0:00 am, it counts.

     Cheers,

     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
     • Lydia says:

       January 29, 2013 at 11:47 pm

       Thanks. I’d like to ride the Akebono to Aomori with my husband and child. Based upon when our flight gets in, we will not be able to ride the one to Sapporo, but we can definitely take the late night Akebono.

       We will have JR pass. Is it easy to reserve seats in late June? In your article, you mentioned that this would be an alternative to Cassiopeia or Hokutosei. I guess if we can’t take this, we will stay overnight in Tokyo and ride the regular trains up.

       Thanks.

       Reply
       • lydia says:

         January 29, 2013 at 11:53 pm

         Sorry! I think you just answered similar post. I guess it’s not likely we will get the Goronto seat.

         We arrive at Narita around 3:30pm. So there is airport access to content with.

         I tried to use hyperdia to figure out schedule but can’t seem to get the choice route that you state. What parameters do I need to put in to narrow down to a specific train and route? Thanks!

         Reply
         • JPRail says:

           January 30, 2013 at 12:29 am

           Hi Lydia,

           Actually I’m going to Japan tomorrow. I will be Narita around 16:00. So it will be very similar to your itinerary.

           After I arrive at Narita, I exchange my pass, get tickets that I’ve already reserved and make a booking for Akebono. I don’t think I can get Goronto but I will try it. My second choice is B solo. It is very small compartment. But it is the cheapest compartment and has privacy. It costs 9130 yen to Akita from Ueno. If I still cannot make it, I will take B berth. It is very basic berth and same price as B solo. There is only drapes and minimum privacy.

           If you will be okay with B berth, you will get it. Everybody wants to get B solo. So B berth is the most unpopular berth/compartment on Akebono.

           Anyway, I will feed back from my trip and share my experience soon. I will post it on this site. But I share the experience on Facebook page first. You will see how it would goes. I hope you will get some ideas from it.

           Please wait for another couple of days.

           Cheers,

           Takeshi / JP Rail
2. Goe says:

   May 22, 2012 at 7:26 am

   I want to take this train from Ueno to Aomori May 24th, we want 2 seats, don’t have to be together, and we want the goron to shito because we have the JR rail pass. However we will only be able to reserve our seats when we arrive may 24th at 10:00am. Do you think this is an option? If not what do you recommend we take, we would prefer a night transport but we will take absolutely anything (as long as it is not too expensive like a plane) to get there!

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     May 22, 2012 at 12:42 pm

     Hi Goe, (or Jo?)

     I have received same question from you and Jo. I think it’s same person. Anyway, I reply to this question from Goe.
     It will be very tiny chance to get a seat. Goron to seat is very popular because of affordable price. Sometimes it is sold our right after booking started. So don’t be optimistic. You need to have an option in case of sold out.

     If you are going to Hokkaido, I recommend you to take Tohoku Shinkansen and Hamanasu.

     Ueno 19:02 (Shinkansen Hayate 39) 22:24 Shin-Aomori 22:33 (Local train) 22:39 Aomori 22:42 (Hamanasu) 06:07 Sapporo

     See the details about Hamanasu.

     Hamanasu is very popular train but it has some non reserved seats too. In the worst case, you can go for this train without booking. However I recommend you to take one more earlier Shinkansen (18:02 dep from Ueno) because of too short transfer time at Aomori. Otherwise you may not be able to get any seat on Hamanasu.

     If you just want to go to Aomori, there is no overnight trains option. You need to take Shinkansen and book your hotel in Aomori. You may find other accommodation on Akebono, like type B berth. However, hotel rate is cheaper than type B berth.

     Cheers,

     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
3. Jo says:

   May 22, 2012 at 1:57 am

   I want to take this train from Ueno to Aomori May 24th, we want 2 seats, don’t have to be together, and we want the goron to shito because we have the JR rail pass. However we will only be able to reserve our seats when we arrive may 24th at 10:00am. Do you think this is an option? If not what do you recommend we take, we would prefer a night transport but we will take absolutely anything (as long as it is not too expensive like a plane) to get there!

   Reply
4. Song says:

   November 28, 2011 at 11:42 am

   Hello

   I plan on going to Sapporo from Kyoto by using JR Rail Pass on 29 of December 2011.
   When I search web Hyperdia, all I have is that I have to linger in Tokyo station from 23 pm to 6am and I don’t want that but I don’t want to pay extra fee too. Can this Akebomo solve my problem? Do you have any suggested routes from Kyoto to Sapporo using Akebomo?

   Thank you for your reply

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     November 28, 2011 at 12:49 pm

     Hi Song,
     Have you read one of my post, How to get Sapporo?
     I showed several ways to get there from Tokyo. If you want to get there from Kyoto, get Tokyo by Shinkansen first. And then you can take one of those ways in the post that you want.
     We have two night trains to Sapporo from Osaka/Kyoto, Nihonkai (Osaka-Aomori) and Twilight Express. (Osaka-Sapporo). But you probably know, you need to pay extra by Japan Rail Pass to take these trains.
     So Akebono and Hamanasu are the best way.
     But December 29 will be one of the busiest days in the year. Once you arrive Japan, try to reserve your seat ASAP.
     Takeshi / JP Railf

     Reply
5. fabi says:

   August 16, 2011 at 12:07 am

   Hi Japan Railways,can i reserved the ticket by email?.Thaks for Reply

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     August 16, 2011 at 7:10 am

     Hello Fabi,
     Unfortunately you cannot. Please refer the following post.
     http://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-reserve-seat.html
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
     • fabi says:

       August 16, 2011 at 9:02 pm

       Thaks iwant to travelling with this train with my family.Im from Indonesia

       Reply

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