Japanese Night Trains
Izumo
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Overnight Trains with your Japan Rail Pass
Both a retro throwback and a complete novelty, night trains are rapidly becoming rare as they lose business to airlines and bullet trains. Many travelers are curious to find out how to ride once during their visit to Japan. Here is some information you need to know.
Many travelers are curious to find out how to ride one during their visit to Japan. Here is some information you need to know.
Ticket sales
It’s important to note that reserving a seat on a night train can prove to be very difficult for foreign travelers and JR Pass holders. Generally, ticket sales start one month before departure and sell out very fast, as these trains operate on a more rare basis than standard train tickets for Shinkansen bullet trains. Reservations must be made in Japan, in person or on the phone (although the phone lines get busy quickly), and there is no way to reserve night train seats online.
The best scenario if you wish to reserve a seat with your rail pass is if you are in Japan for more than 30 days. You can set the start date of your rail pass up to 30 days in advance (for example, if you physically exchange your pass on January 1st, you can set it to start as late as January 30th). Once your voucher is exchanged, you can take it to a ticket office to make reservations for seats during the period that your pass will be active.
Types of seats available
The type of seating available on overnight trains depends on which night train you are taking. Some of these trains do not have normal seats at all, and their simplest, cheapest option is a carpeted area for you to stretch out in. There are also shared compartments and private compartments, the most luxurious of the remaining night trains offering special suites!
Riding night trains with your Japan Rail Pass
The Japan Rail Pass will cover your base fare on the night trains, but it will not cover the “limited express” fee or the lodging fee. In other words, your rail pass will give you a discount of around 10,000 to 20,000 yen. If you choose a normal seat or a bare minimum carpeted area, however, you may not need to pay a supplemental fee.
When purchasing your ticket, please ask the ticket agent for details, as these fees are subject to change.
