Hello, I am not traveling to many different places (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, flying in/out of NRT). I might do day trip to Hakone on the way to Kyoto. My dates don’t line up well with a 7day JR pass so I lean towards not getting one at all. But I am hoping to take a sleeper train from Osaka > Tokyo. The day after I would go to NRT to fly home.
My understanding is that you need to reserve the sleeper train at the ticketing office? I have a 2 week trip in the 2nd half of March, but even booking the day I land, I’m worried a seat won’t be available. In which case, I would need to just book a 1 night stay the day before my flight.
If someone can provide their experience or advice for using the sleeper trains and help set some expectations, that would be greatly appreciated!
ETA: itinerary in the comments
8 comments
If you aren’t getting the JR pass you can buy the ticket up to a month in advance on JR West’s global site. Worked for me no problem.
[https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/route_search/](https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/route_search/)
I found this [website](https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/sunrise-seto.html?amp#toc20) that seems to confirm that you can only book at a ticketing office. I have never done this so don’t take this as 100% certain.
Also I looked at the prices for the sunrise express and between Osaka and Tokyo the price is very similar to taking the Shinkansen. But I guess then you need to pay for a hotel.
Back in December, I asked an employee at a train station about booking sleeper train tickets. I didn’t follow through with it, but they told me to make a reservation on the website linked below. The website is in Japanese so you would have to translate it in your browser. Also not sure if it’s applicable to the sleeper train you are seeking.
https://www.jr-odekake.net/smt/
You should be able to book online on JR West booking page. I believe going to the counter is only required for JR Pass holders.
Edit:.
Here I guess. https://www.jr-odekake.net/goyoyaku/campaign/sunriseseto_izumo/form.html
Tickets open up for sale for each day a month in advance for the Sunrise Express. So you’d be booking halfway through the window if you booked immediately.
Depending on the day of the week you might get lucky with bed seats, but you’re more likely looking at the cheaper “nobinobi” seats that are just a sectioned off area of carpet.
I know people who’ve booked nobinobi tickets on a weekend with about that much time to spare, so if you’re okay with that you might be okay.
AFAIK they’re bookable online.
Trains are easily bookable online. I doubt it will be filled to the brim and even if on the remote chance it does you can ride one of the highway buses like Willer.
https://willerexpress.com/en/
Thank you for the input so far everyone! It seems one should be able to book a sleeper train 1 month in advance (WITHOUT a JR PASS) online [https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/route_search/](https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/route_search/) . I just checked the current tickets 1 month out (Mar 8) from today, Feb 7 US PST, there was only available seating in a smoking seat, and when I refreshed 10 mins later, it was gone. Granted, it’s almost 12:00pm there, I assume most of the tickets get taken in the morning their time.
I’ve included my itinerary below for more context and my dilemma with a 7-day JR pass.
* I wouldn’t be traveling on a weekend, but I’m keeping in mind it’s cherry blossom season and Spring break for lots of Japanese and US schools.
* For the 7-day pass, if I don’t activate it until 3/22, my trip leaving Osaka falls on the 8th day. Relevant, since JR pass would cover the base NobiNobi seat. But I don’t think a *possibility* of getting on the sleeper train warrants a 14 Day JR pass, even if I could include my NRT travel.
​
* Th 3/16 : NRT -> Tokyo
* Tues 3/21: Tokyo -> Hakone **maybe
* Wed 3/22: Tokyo / Hakone** -> Kyoto
* Sat 3/25: Kyoto -> Osaka
* Wed 3/29: Osaka -> Tokyo **sleeper train?Th 3/30: Tokyo -> NRT