OSAKA - Japan's overnight trains are attracting renewed attention as railway companies introduce special services that combine affordable travel with exclusive experiences, highlighted by the country's first overnight Shinkansen service, which carried passengers from Osaka to Tokyo during the Silver Week holidays on September 22.
The special service, named the Tokaido Lumiere Express, departed Shin-Osaka Station at 10:03 p.m., stopping at Kyoto and Nagoya before reaching Shin-Fuji Station in Shizuoka Prefecture, where it remained overnight. Passengers spent the night aboard the train, enjoying an unusual travel experience and views of Mount Fuji at dawn before continuing eastward.
The train resumed its journey the following morning, stopping at Shin-Yokohama and Shinagawa before arriving at Tokyo Station at 6:54 a.m. on September 23.
Passengers expressed excitement at the opportunity to experience a Shinkansen journey unlike conventional daytime services. One traveler said it was an honor to board such a special train, while another welcomed the rare opportunity to travel aboard the high-speed railway at night.
The experience came at a relatively modest premium. A regular Shinkansen ticket between Shin-Osaka and Tokyo costs approximately 14,700 yen, while the overnight service was priced at around 17,000 yen. For railway enthusiasts, the additional cost of roughly 2,000 yen offered an opportunity to enjoy an unusual journey and spend the night aboard one of Japan's most recognizable trains.
The special service reflects growing interest in overnight rail travel, which has become increasingly rare as Japan's Shinkansen network and domestic air services have expanded.
Railway companies are responding by developing new overnight services that combine transportation with premium accommodation and activities at destinations.
East Japan Railway plans to introduce a new limited express service called Luna Azul in the next fiscal year. The train will feature private compartments and lounge facilities, offering passengers a more comfortable and exclusive overnight travel experience.
Seibu Railway is also entering the market with its Overnight Laview service this autumn. The special tour combines a nighttime train journey to Seibu-Chichibu Station with stargazing and opportunities to view a sea of clouds.
The package attracted considerable attention, with tickets selling out on the day they became available.
The renewed popularity of overnight travel has also brought attention to the experiences that passengers associate with traveling after dark.
A Hokkaido resident said the night views of Hakodate were particularly beautiful and that traveling at night offered an opportunity to enjoy the illuminated city while driving.
Two concertgoers who frequently use overnight buses to attend live performances described making the journey part of the entertainment. Photographs taken aboard their bus showed large quantities of snacks alongside merchandise featuring their favorite performers.
One traveler said bringing an oversized KitKat bar had become something of a good-luck ritual, believed to improve the chances of securing desirable seats at concerts. The pair said the practice had apparently worked, as they had managed to obtain good seats.
For older travelers, the renewed interest in overnight trains recalls an era when sleeper services were an essential part of Japan's transportation network.
A former company employee remembered regularly traveling across the country by overnight train during his working years. Before the opening of the Seikan Tunnel linking Honshu and Hokkaido, he frequently traveled from Ueno Station in Tokyo to Aomori.
With fewer transportation alternatives and no Shinkansen services on many routes at the time, overnight trains were often the only practical option for long-distance journeys.
He recalled spending hours talking with fellow passengers he had never met before, sharing drinks and casual conversations as the train made its way toward its destination. Such encounters, he said, were among the pleasures of traveling by overnight train.
The growing interest in overnight transportation is also stimulating demand for products designed to make long journeys more comfortable.
Leg-care products intended to relieve tired or swollen legs have become popular among overnight travelers, with several people recommending them for long-distance journeys.
Workman, the Japanese workwear and outdoor clothing retailer, has introduced a jacket equipped with an inflatable neck pillow. A concealed tube allows the wearer to inflate the pillow by blowing air into it, creating adjustable support around the neck.
The pillow is lightweight, can be adjusted to a comfortable angle and can be quickly deflated when not needed. The design also eliminates the need to carry a separate travel pillow.
The product has attracted considerable interest, with some Workman stores already reporting that it is out of stock.
The revival of overnight travel is being driven by two major factors: cost savings and the appeal of experiences that have become increasingly difficult to find.
Traveling overnight allows passengers to save on accommodation expenses while using the journey itself as part of their holiday. At the same time, the declining number of conventional overnight trains has made such services more attractive as special experiences.
Railway companies are increasingly emphasizing premium features, including private compartments, lounges and opportunities to enjoy activities that would not ordinarily be available during daytime journeys.
With competition expected to focus increasingly on comfort and the quality of the onboard experience, overnight rail travel could develop into a more distinctive segment of Japan's tourism market.
The trend comes as travelers look ahead to the year-end and New Year holidays, when Japan's holiday calendar will allow for a break of up to nine consecutive days, providing another opportunity to consider an overnight journey.
Source: FNN
