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 san,
To my knowledge the JR PASS does not have to be activated when it is exchanged. I will be arriving in Japan on 6/15 and I will exchange my JR PASS in the airport booth but activate my 7 day JR PASS from 6/18-6/24. That being said, is it possible for me to make reservation for trains on 6/15 after I exchange my JR PASS even though it has not been activated? Or will I only be able to make reservation when it is activated on 6/18? Because I am trying to make reservation of Sunrise Seto/Sunrise Izumo in advance for 6/20.
Thanks
Hi Johnny,
Yes, you can. I always to exchange JR pass in advance and book at Narita airport.
Good luck to book Sunrise!
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi,
I am planning to visit Japan in August and I want to take the overnight train from Himeji to Tokyo by using the JR pass. I read that it is possible to reserve in advance if you speak Japanese and from a Japanese address.
I might have a Japanese friend who can do this for me from Japan. Will it be possible for him to reserve a spot for me before I arrive even though I have not yet exchanged my JR voucher for a JR pass?
Thank you in advance for your help!
Best wishes,
Bo
Hi Bo,
It’s possible. But there are some issues.
1. You have to give your credit card info to your friend. Because you have to show your credit card when you pick up a ticket.
2. Your friend have to pretend to be you. Because reservation accept the person who use a ticket only.
3. Your friend have to tell reservation that you (your friend) will use JR pass and need only limited express reserved ticket only.
So it’s possible but not easy. Your friend is Japanese, isn’t he? He needs to pretend to be non Japanese who lives outside Japan but has an address in Japan.
I’ve heard there are some staffs who can speak English. I think you may try to call to reservation by yourself first. If you cannot make it, you may consider to ask your friend.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi san,
2 of my friends plan to take this Train sometime late April 2015. Can they make a Reservation via the Internet, as they will arrive in Tokyo from Austria in the afternoon, and take this Train the same night. Maybe just nobi nobi seat, does it Need a Reservation?
Thanks for your help!
どうぞ宜しくお願い致します。
Hi Michael san,
Unfortunately there is no online reservation. You must book to take this seat, Nobi Nobi before depature. So your only choice is booking right after you arrive in Japan.
It’s very hard to guess how busy this train will be. But Nobi Nobi seat is sold out often. So it is risly.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi
Me and two of my friend plan from osaka to Tokyo using the over night train sunrise seto, I know I can not reserve it before, can I reserve once I at airport for single room? The time frame is early of December, it that possible for sold out? Or can I check it online?
Hi Nami,
It’s very hard to say. It’s Japanese site. But you can find the space at the link below:
http://www.web-sanin.co.jp/sight/time/vacant/jr.htm
Check the table at “東京” “サンライズ出雲” “シングル”. And I think you can find the date at the top of the table. If you see the number, it means the number of available compartment(s). If you see “O”, it means wide open. If you see “X”, it’s sold out.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Can I reseve sunrise seto seat online or any I can do oversea? like one month ahead?
thank you.
Hi Nami,
Unfortunately not for overseas travellers.
There is only one way to book it. It’s Odekake.net.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html
But Japanese speaking and address in Japan are required.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
I plan to take sunrise seto from Okayama to Tokyo on Nov 18, 2014 night. I think that I will reserve sunrise twin room. The problem is that I will arrive Fukuoka airport in the morning of 18 Nov and will activate my JR Pass. I’m afraid that the train will be sold out at that time.
Is it possible to book the sunrise twin room before I arrive Japan? My brother will go to Japan one and a half month before I go. Is there any way I can ask him to book for me?
Thank you so much.
Hi Prim,
Unfortunately your chance is very very slim.
At first, JR’s reserved ticket is on sale one month prior to departure date. So your brother can’t purchase and book it for you.
Sunrise is very popular. Especially there are only 4 compartments of Sunrise Twin. Usually these four rooms are sold out right after on sale. You may be able to book other compartments. But if all compartments are sold out, I’m not surprised. It happens very often.
If you are okay to rearrange your itinerary on arrival day in case of sold out completely, you can go for this plan. If you are not comfortable, I don’t recommend to do this itinerary.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi takeshi-san,
I plan to visit japan on feb next year 2015.
In my itinerary,i will travel from matsuyama to tokyo by train.
I would like to know whether february fall under low season or peak seasons?
Worried if i cannot make reservation for nobi nobi..
Thanks.
Hi Nuruz,
February is a low season. But I’m not surprised that nobi nobi is sold out. Sometimes it’s sold out in even low season. If you plan to take nobi nobi, you have to make a back up plan in case of sold out.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi takeshi-san, thanks for the quick respond.
I guess the back up plan is to get the single twin.
Sorry i have another question out of topic, regarding cat island in matsuyama, do you think i have a chance to visit cat island during winter time in matsuyama? Need your advise. Since i only plan to stay 1 night in matsuyama, i really hope i have a chance to visit cat island.
Hi Nuruz,
You should have a back plan in case that you can’t get any space on Sunrise. In this case, you must book a hotel on the spot. Sometimes all spaces are sold out. That might happen sometimes.
Regarding cat island, I have never been there and not familiar to it. So my info is not very detailed.
You can access there anytime as long as weather is okay. But there is only 2 round trips to the island. The boat departs at 7:30 or 14:30. Return trip depart from island at 8:15 or 16:15. So you have to stay there 1 hour or 8 hours. I don’t know you can spend 8 hours there or not.
The boat is very small and can accommodate only 45 passengers. Sometimes it’s sold out.
Sorry but that’s all I know.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Good morning Takeshi-san,
The only back up plan i can think right now is, maybe have to spend 2 nights in Matsuyama if the sunrise sold out and if the ferry ticket sold out.
i do a bit of research, i will take 14:30 ferry, i will only spend 1hour plus to visit the cats. the main prob now are the weather & the ferry tickets.
another alternative i think, take flight to Tokyo and maybe will sleep at the airport. to be honest i really hope i have enough time since my itinerary from osaka – matsuyama- tokyo (stay in yokohama, easy for me to get access to fujikyu highland & go back to osaka) – osaka. i only have 8 days.
Hi Nuruz san,
I hope both weather and sunrise ticket are okay. As long as you show up at the port 1 hour prior to departure, you will be able to get a ticket to island. There is no booth and vending machine to sell a ticket. Find the boat and get in to purchase a ticket. You need to purchase it from the captain directly.
It’s Japanese site. But there are lots of photos and make you find the boat easier.
http://gigazine.net/news/20131208-cat-island-aoshima/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thank you so much takeshi-san for your help and all the information.
wish me luck 🙂
Hi Takesi-san,
I’m planning to ride on the Sunrise Seto sometime during late July, with my son and am thinking of buying a ticket for the Single Twin, when I arrive in Japan.
Is it hard to get the Single Twin when buying the ticket two to three days in advance?
Hi Min Soo,
The chance will be very very slim. It’s not the highest season, but it’s in school summer break. If you are okay if it’s full, You can go for it. Otherwise you should avoid to take this train.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takesi-san,
I am travelling with 9 others of my family member.
our plan is to Sapporo. We will arrive Tokyo on 28 september and have 10 days.
We are trying to go budget as much for this trip so we plan to get a 7day JR pass? We intend to stop at each city because of the long journey by train.
Your advise on the itineraries is much appreciated. Also if it is cheaper to go by air.
Thank you
Doris
Hi Doris,
I have a sample itinerary that includes many places in Tohoku region. It may give you some idea.
https://jprail.com/destinations/tohoku-7-days-by-japan-rail-pass-7-days.html
It’s very hard to compare JR Pass and flight. In these days, LCC flight is getting popular in Japan. Of course it’s faster than train and sometimes cheaper. But flight ticket price is not solid.
You can find it by google search, “Tokyo Sapporo flight ticket”.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Is there a way to make a reservation for the sunrise seto online?
Thanks,
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen,
Unfortunately no. You have to book after you arrive in Japan.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello,
Is there a sleeper train available from Tokyo to Nagasaki?
Trying to search by Hyperdia but nothing comes up..
Please advise. Thank you.
Hi She,
No. Only this train Sunrise Izumo/Seto can be used to Okayama and transfer to Shikansen. And then take limited express train, Kammoe.
This is the fastest way to get there.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail