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
There are two types of JR pass, normal and the one with Greencar.
So if I using the normal JR pass, I can get a Nobi Nobi seat for free, right?
And what happens if I try to get a Solo room on SR Izumo with Greencar JR pass? Will I end up paying the same amount of surcharge with people using normal JR pass?
Hi Anthony,
Nobi Nobi seat is covered by JR pass fully. But if you use Green pass and take Solo, you still need to pay same extra fare as ordinary pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, Takeshi-San,
For a JR pass holder, where could we book a bedroom on Sunrise Express. I was on JR East site and was able to reserve seats on some Shinganxian. But I was asked to select a line when trying to make bedroom reservation on Sunrise Express. Which iine should it be? Or I actually have to make bedroom reservation on some other web site? Any advice?
Hi Devi san,
Actually there is no online site available to book Sunrise. Even residents in Japan book it at the window in JR stations. So you have to book it at the window after you arrive in Japan.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JRPail.com
Hello,
If me and my girlfriend want to share a room, can we pay accommodation surcharge only once and both be able to use the room/bed? If that’s a no can she not technically sneak into my room to sleep?
Hi David,
No, you can’t. If you want to share the room, you need to book single twin or Sunrise twin. Otherwise you need to purchase two base fare ticket and two compartment ticket. As long as you booked two compartment tickets, you can share the compartment but it’s too tight to share by two adult.
If you do not purchase two tickets and both of you are on board, you will be found by conductor. In this case, you have to pay huge penalty.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-san,
My wife and I with 2 children (6 & 3 years old) is interested in this night train. Is it possible to use a nobi-nobi seat for 2 persons (an adult and a child)? Or should I book a room for all of us?
Hi Bayu san,
One adult can share the space with kid who is 5 years old or less. 3 years is okay but you need to have one space for 6 years. So you need 3 nobi nobi seat. The space is too narrow to share with 6 years old child in my opinion.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Do they allow small dogs in carrying cases?
Hi Livy,
Yes, you can but there are many conditions.
1. All part of dog must be in the case all time even if you stay in compartment. You cannot take your dog out even just head.
2. The case of length must be less than 70cm and length + width + height must be less than 90cm.
3. You need to pay 280 yen per case.
4. If your dog bark very often, you and your dog may need to get off the train.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I plan to travel from Izumo or Matsue Tokyo on the Sunrise Izumo (28 Nov 2017, Tuesday). I understand that ticket purchase can only be made 1-month before the trip. I am hoping to find out more on the following:
1) Can someone in Japan (a friend) help to make reservations for the Izumo Sunrise on behalf of me?
2) Do I need to have the Japan Rail Pass or can just book without the Pass?
3) Which is a better town to start my journey back to Tokyo from? Izumo itself or Matsue?
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this.
Hi Henry,
1. If you want to use JR pass and try to book Nobi Nobi seat, you cannot. But if you intend to pay extra on top of JR pass to get compartment, such as Solo, Single, you can ask. Because these accommodation is not covered by JR pass anyway.
2. Actual JR pass is required to book anytime.
3. It doesn’t matter.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi –
I find this page very informative. Eight of my friends and I will be arriving Japan this October 14 and checking your Holiday calendar, I don’t think that is a holiday week. We intend to take the sleeper train from Osaka to Tokyo by October 19, what do you think is our chances for the Nobi Nobi seat? Appreciate your response.
Thanks,
Adie
Hi Adie,
It is very hard to say. This train sometimes is full on even weekday. And also you are group of eight. It’s harder to book. I cannot say even possibilities. Because even any Japanese site do not show the availabilities on this train. If you want to try, I recommend you to have a back-up plan. You may need to stay in Osaka if it’s full.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
Can my friends in Japan purchase the JR pass and reserve the bedroom on the sunrise train for me before I arrived in Japan?
Thank you
Hi Charmaine,
It’s possible if you want to book a bedroom, not “Nobi Nobi seat”.
JR pass cannot be purchased in Japan and your friend cannot exchange the pass for you because your passport and short term visitor entry stamp are required. However your friend can book and purchase only bedroom ticket for you. JR Pass does not cover bedroom surcharge. JR Pass covers only base fare. So your friend purchase and book a bedroom ticket. Your friend does not need to purchase base fare ticket. And he/she passes it to you after you arrive in Japan.
But if you want Nobi Nobi seat without any extra charge, you need to show your JR pass. It’s impossible.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi how to buy this ticket from Tokyo it’s book first or can buy direct in Tokyo station
Hi Bambang,
You have to go to JR stations which have reservation window, “Midori no Madoguchi”. This window is available at most of JR stations in downtown Tokyo.
Online is not available.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Is it true that there used to be a seasonal service called Sunrise Yume running overnight from Tokyo to Hiroshima?
Thank you!
Hi Russell san,
It used to run but it was discontinued in 2009.
All JR companies are not interested in operating overnight trains in these days except super expensive trains, like Nanatsuboshi.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Very true, JR East and West are also getting in on the act! I was just curious, even if it does not run any more, do you have the info for the old train?
Thanks!
Russell
Hi Russell,
Not really. All info which I have are shown in this site:
https://jprail.com/category/trains/sort-by-type/overnight-trains
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com