Sunrise Izumo train guide and timetable: Overnight sleeper train runs between Tokyo and Osaka, Izumoshi, fully covered by the JR Pass

Kobe, Himeji

2020.09.01 2020.07.31

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.

Sunrise Izumo and Sunrise Seto operation route map (click to view large)

Station	to Izumoshi
Tokyo	22:00
Yokohama	22:24
Atami	23:23
Numazu	23:40
Fuji	23:54
Shizuoka	0:20
Hamamatsu	1:12
Osaka	–
Sannomiya	–
Himeji	5:25
Okayama	6:27
Kurashiki	6:46
Bitchu-Takahashi	7:14
Niimi	7:43
Yonago	9:03
Yasugi	9:13
Matsue	9:30
Shinji	9:45
Izumoshi	9:58

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.

There are upper section and lower section. In my opinion, upper section is bette choice.

There is a small partation (about 50cm) between the spaces. But there is no curtains between the spaces. You cannot get 100% privacy. Beside the window, a small plactic cup is on the cup holder. No power outlet is equipped.

It is just a carpet. You may feel that is hard to sleep. If you bring a small mattress (such as a camping thin air mattress), you can sleep much more easily.

A small blanket and a small pillow cover are included. It does not include a pillow. You have to prepare something to use as a pillow.

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.

The window is a big and you can cover this by the blind.

A small desk, small sink and a chair are in the compartment.

Night wear is included. The window is closed by the blind.

A power outlet is equpped beside the sink.

The large desk is equpped in this compartment.

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.

The isle of Single rooms car. At the left side of the phoso is stairs to the lower area.

Upper compartment. Blanket and nightwear are included.

Upper compartment. The power outlet is equipped in the compartment.

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.

Upper compartment. Blanket and nightwear are included. You have to put your luggage on these stairs and there is a small space above the stairs. You cannot bring a full size suitcase in this comparment.

The stairs to the bed in the upper compartment. You can stand up on these stairs area only. When you leave the compartment, you can input four digit number to lock the door. You can input same four digit number to unlock. Of course you can lock the door from the inside. All compartments have same lock system.

The bed in the upper compartment. The power outlet is located beside the bed.

The bed in the lower compartment. You have to put your luggage between the bed and the door. It is very limited. And you cannot stand up in the lower compartment.

The stairs to upper compartment is streached out in the lower compartmnet. The power outlet is available beside the door.

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.

There are windows at upper and lower berths.

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.

The vending machine is available in the lounge space. Only cold soft drink is available.

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.

Changing space of the shower room. You can insert the shower card in the light blue color slot. You get 6 minutes when you intert the card. There are instructions beside the slot. It explains you how to use the shower room.

It is inside of the shower room. You may find red color digital numbers in the photo. You will see 6:00 when you go in this room. Once you start using the shower, the timer starts to count down. But if you stop using the shower, the time stops. So when you wash your hair and body, you can stop the shower to save your time. But you cannot split the time. Once you exit the shower space (means going out from the changing space), you will lose your time even if you still have time.

Bathroom

It is available in all cars. But in the morning, this space is busy.

There are western style and Japanese style washrooms.

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

Haraesh says:
June 8, 2021 at 7:27 am
Hi Takeshi,
I’ve been planning a trip to Japan and I’m interested to take the Sunrize Izumo from Tokyo. I’m not from Japan and I don’t know anyone in Japan, so my expectation is that I’ll have to get a JR pass online and then book a seat on the Sunrise Izumo, either online if I’m booking if I want to book other compartments.
Here’s my dilemma. I’d really love to prefer/travel on the Single Deluxe/Single seat on the Sunrise Express instead of the Nobi Nobi seat, so I’ll have to pay the accommodation and limited express fees. I really would also prefer to have my reservations confirmed before I actually arrive in Japan, because I don’t know whether a Single/Single Deluxe seat would be available for me to reserve on the Sunrise Express (Single Deluxe more than Single) after I come to Japan and have my JR pass activated.
So I’d love to know if I can pay the accommodation and limited express fees on the JR website itself when I book a seat on the Sunrise Express; or if I have to take the risk of reserving a Single or Single Deluxe on the Sunrise Express after coming to Japan.
Thanks,
Haraesh
- Takeshi (JPRail.com administrator) says:
  June 8, 2021 at 9:17 pm
  Hi Haraesh,
  You probably can reserve a private room on the JR Pass online site. This is because I couldn’t reserve a private room on the Japanese online site before, but now I can do it.
  So purchase the JR Pass online and check whether you can reserve a private room or not.
  If you can only book Nobi Nobi Seat, book Nobi Nobi Seat and try to change upon arrival.
  Cheers,
  Takeshi / JPRail.com
innosu says:
September 1, 2020 at 12:39 pm
> You can book a seat online if you buy the JR Pass on the official site.
> Otherwise you have to book it at the ticket office in Japan.
> Can I ask someone in Japan to book a space on this train for me?
> He/She must go to a reservation window in most major JR stations to book it. He/She cannot do it online.
Since this article is recently updated, I wanted to point out this wrong information. The Sunrise can be booked online since last year.
Nobi-Nobi seat for Sunrise can be booked on JR East えきねっと. I believe you can also book it on the English version without having to buy JR Pass. The downside is that you can only receive the ticket at JR East stations.
All seat types can be booked on JR West e5489 (not sure about the English version, but you can definitely book the Nobi-Nobi seat in the English version). Tickets booked via e5489 can be received at JR Kyuushu stations, JR Shikoku stations, JR East Kanto Area stations, and because Sunrise trains are also partially operated by JR Central, JR Central stations.
Since you also include the “asking someone in Japan”, the Japanese website shouldn’t be the problem for that case.
- Takeshi (JPRail.com administrator) says:
  September 1, 2020 at 5:46 pm
  Hi Innosu,
  Thanks for your comment.
  I understand that Eki-net covers Nobi Nobi seat. But I didn’t know about Eki-net English version. Do you mean that it’s JR East Train Reservation? If so, Sunrise is not covered. But if not, would you please tell me the address? Actually I don’t know that.
  Since most readers do not understand Japanese and it is almost impossible to register Japanese site, I did not mention a booking through Japanese website. But you are right. It is possible to book a space on Sunrise on Eki-net and e5489. I will update an article later.
  Thanks again.
  Cheers,
  Takeshi / JPRail.com
  - innosu says:
    September 1, 2020 at 10:03 pm
    Oh, sorry. I was under impression that JR East Train Reservation allow you to book the same route as on Eki-net.
    However, I just try JR West Online Train Reservation (basically the English version of e5489), and you can even book Single Deluxe here (however, the term A Sleeper and B Sleeper is used). You might want to update that.
    - Takeshi (JPRail.com administrator) says:
      September 1, 2020 at 10:14 pm
      Thanks for your info, Innosu.
      Cheers,
      Takeshi / JPRail.com
Bonnie Drucker says:
April 26, 2020 at 2:14 pm
Thank you for your wonderful and helpful description of the train. The train stops in Shizouka for about 40 minutes, just after Midnight. Were there any food concessions open there? Could you have gotten off train …
How was your sleep? was it noisy?
- Takeshi (JPRail.com administrator) says:
  April 26, 2020 at 2:50 pm
  Hi Bonnie,
  This train stops at Shizuoka but it stops for one minute. You don’t have any times to get off there. You have to get some foods and drinks before boarding. You cannot buy any foods on board and there is no time to buy on the way.
  I have taken this train many times and I got good sleeps whenever I was there.
  Cheers,
  Takeshi / JPRail.com
ピージ says:
February 16, 2020 at 4:43 pm
Hello! Thank you for your careful informations.
I have a question about JR Pass and Sunrise Izumo. If I buy my JR Pass on day 10th (Sanyo San’in) and I book my night ride on day 17th, I’m still allowed to leave Okayama at 22:34?
Or I must have a valid Pass for the entire trip?
- Takeshi (JPRail.com administrator) says:
  February 16, 2020 at 7:20 pm
  Hi ピージ,
  If you start using JR pass on day 10, it will be expired at 23:59 on day 16. You cannot take the train on day 17 anyway.
  If you meant to take a train on day 16 and want to continue to travel to Tokyo from Okayama by Sunrize Izumo, you may have to add the fare for the part of the trip on day 17. JR Pass official site mentioned that the pass will cover until getting the final destination. That menas the pass will cover until you get Tokyo. But now the official JR pass website does not mention about this rule. So I’m not sure that this rule still apply to JR Pass or not.
  Cheers,
  Takeshi / JPRail.com
  - ピージ says:
    February 19, 2020 at 11:07 am
    Hello Takeshi, sorry about my error. Of course I wanted to mean day 16th, thanks for your precise correction. In such evenience in Italy you could ride until destination, I think the better choice is to ask JRWest online support. I’ll keep you informed as soon as possible. Thank you very much.

« Previous 1…7 89