Tokaido Shinkansen Runs First Overnight Service

Aug 11, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - The Tokaido Shinkansen operated its first overnight service ahead of the Obon holiday period, offering travelers a 15,000 yen trip from the Tokyo area to Kyoto and Shin-Osaka while allowing them to save on hotel costs and arrive earlier than the first regular morning trains.

The special service, named the Tokaido Lumiere Express, departed from the Tokyo area late at night, with passengers boarding at Tokyo, Shinagawa and Shin-Yokohama stations during the 10 p.m. hour on August 9.

The train then stopped at Gifu-Hashima Station for about six hours before continuing west, arriving at Kyoto and Shin-Osaka shortly before 7 a.m. on August 10.

Tickets were priced at 15,000 yen per adult. The service included a women-only car and attracted strong interest from passengers seeking to reduce accommodation expenses while gaining more time at their destinations by arriving before the first regular Shinkansen services of the day.

Tickets sold out just two days after going on sale.

Passengers described the overnight journey as comfortable. One said the trip had been very relaxing and was a good experience, while another said sleeping aboard the train had felt comfortable.

The overnight train was operated as a single special service designed to test demand for nighttime travel.

JR Central said it will consider how to operate similar services in the future based on usage of the trial service.

東海道新幹線で初の夜行運行

東海道新幹線で初となる夜行列車が、お盆休みを前に運行された。東京方面から京都、新大阪まで大人1人1万5000円で利用でき、ホテル代を節約できるほか、通常の始発列車より早く到着できることから注目を集めた。

东海道新干线首次开行夜间列车

东海道新干线在盂兰盆节假期前首次开行夜间列车，乘客可从东京地区前往京都和新大阪，成人票价为1.5万日元，不仅可以节省住宿费用，还能比通常的首班新干线更早抵达目的地。

Source: FNN

Tokaido Shinkansen Runs First Overnight Service

The Tokaido Shinkansen operated its first overnight service ahead of the Obon holiday period, offering travelers a 15,000 yen trip from the Tokyo area to Kyoto and Shin-Osaka while allowing them to save on hotel costs and arrive earlier than the first regular morning trains.

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