Only 2 overnight trains remain in Japan: Sunrise Seto (Tokyo↔Takamatsu) and Sunrise Izumo (Tokyo↔Izumoshi). Sleep on board and arrive in the morning—an unforgettable experience, but extremely difficult to book.
Departs Tokyo at 22:00 and arrives in Takamatsu at 07:27 (9h30). Ideal for exploring Shikoku (Ritsurin Garden, Naoshima art islands, Udon). Return: Takamatsu 21:26 → Tokyo 07:08. The train shares carriages with Sunrise Izumo to Okayama, where they separate.
Departs Tokyo at 22:00 (together with Sunrise Seto) and arrives in Izumoshi at 09:58 (nearly 12h). Izumo-taisha is one of Japan’s 2 largest shrines. Return: Izumoshi 18:51 → Tokyo 07:08. The longer journey offers beautiful views of the Japanese coast in the morning.
**Nobi-nobi** (のびのび座席): tatami-mat-style carpeted floor—only the regular JR Pass supplement is required. You cannot lie fully straight, but it is the cheapest option (~¥10,000 total). **Solo** (ソロ): a B-class single room, 2m², with a full-length bed. **Single** (シングル): a larger A-class single room than Solo, with storage space. **Single Twin**: a twin room for 1 person (with an extra sofa seat). **Twin**: a twin room with 2 beds. **Deluxe Single** (Izumo only): the largest A-class single room + shower card.
Tickets go on sale **1 MONTH IN ADVANCE** at exactly 10:00 AM JST. Nobi-nobi + Solo sell out within 5 MINUTES on weekends / holidays. You must: 1) Have your JR Pass Exchange Order ready if using a Pass. 2) Arrive at a major station’s Midori-no-madoguchi at 9:55. 3) Fill out the form in advance. 4) Hand it to the staff at exactly 10:00. Pro tip: weekdays (Mon–Wed) are easier to book than Thu–Sun.
With JR Pass: Nobi-nobi is free; Solo +¥6,800; limited express berth +¥10,500. Without JR Pass: Tokyo→Takamatsu: Nobi-nobi ¥17,670, Solo ¥24,170, Single ¥25,350, Twin ¥31,200 (per person). Shower facilities are available at some intermediate stations (Himeji, Okayama).
