How to Book the Sunrise Express
Table of Contents
About The Sunrise Express
The Sunrise Express is an overnight train in Japan, encompassing two separate services, the Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo. This is the last regularly operating sleeper train in Japan.
It’s a magical experience to board the Sunrise Express in one city, trek across the silent countryside at night, then wake up in an entirely new location, ready to start the day!
Sunrise Seto & Sunrise Izumo Stations List
Stations Where Both Sunrize Seto & Sunrize Izumo Stop
| Station Name (City) | Arrival – Departure Time Westbound (Tokyo –>) | Arrival – Departure Time Eastbound (Takamatsu / Izumoshi–>) |
| Tokyo | 21:50 Departure | 07:08 Arrival |
| Yokohama | 22:14 Arrival – 22:15 Departure | 06:44 Arrival – 06:45 Departure |
| Atami | 23:21 Arrival – 23:23 Departure | 05:43 Arrival – 05:45 Departure |
| Numazu | 23:38 Arrival – 23:39 Departure | 05:26 Arrival – 05:27 Departure |
| Fuji | 23:52 Arrival – 23:53 Departure | 05:09 Arrival – 05:10 Departure |
| Shizuoka | 00:18 Arrival – 00:20 Departure | 04:38 Arrival – 04:40 Departure |
| Hamamatsu | 01:11 Arrival – 01:12 Departure | NO PASSENGER STOP |
| Toyohashi | NO PASSENGER STOP | NO PASSENGER STOP |
| Nagoya | NO STOP | NO PASSENGER STOP |
| Gifu | NO PASSENGER STOP | NO STOP |
| Maibara | NO PASSENGER STOP | NO PASSENGER STOP |
| Ōsaka | NO PASSENGER STOP | 00:31 Arrival – 00:33 Departure |
| Sannomiya (Kobe) | NO STOP | 00:10 Arrival – 00:11 Departure |
| Himeji | 05:25 Arrival – 05:26 Departure | 23:32 Arrival – 23:33 Departure |
| Okayama | 06:27 Arrival – 06:31 Departure | 22:23 Arrival – 22:34 Departure |
| Decouple and Separate at Okayama | Couple at Okayama |
Sunrize Seto Only
| Station Name (City) | Arrival – Departure Time Westbound | Arrival – Departure Time Eastbound |
| Decouple and Separate at Okayama | Couple at Okayama | |
| Kojima | 06:52 Arrival – 06:53 Departure | 22:00 Arrival – 22:01 Departure |
| Sakaide | 07:09 Arrival – 07:10 Departure | 21:43 Arrival – 21:44 Departure |
| Takamatsu | 07:27 Arrival | 21:26 Departure |
| *Special* Seasonal Extended Services (Westbound Only) to Kotohira | ||
| Takamatsu | 07:54 Departure | N/A |
| Tadotsu | 08:33 Arrival – 08:35 Departure | N/A |
| Zentsūji | 08:43 Arrival – 08:45 Departure | N/A |
| Kotohira | 08:52 Arrival | N/A |
Sunrize Izumo Only
| Station Name (City) | Arrival – Departure Time Westbound | Arrival – Departure Time Eastbound |
| Decouple and Separate at Okayama | Couple at Okayama | |
| Kurashiki | 06:46 Arrival – 06:47 Departure | 22:13 Arrival – 22:14 Departure |
| Bitchū-Takahashi (Takahashi) | 07:14 Arrival – 07:14 Departure | 21:47 Arrival – 21:48 Departure |
| Niimi | 07:43 Arrival – 07:44 Departure | 21:19 Arrival – 21:20 Departure |
| Nunohara | NO STOP | NO PASSENGER STOP |
| Niizato | NO STOP | NO PASSENGER STOP |
| Kami-Iwami (Hino) | NO PASSENGER STOP | NO STOP |
| Ebi (Kofu) | NO PASSENGER STOP | NO STOP |
| Hōki-Mizoguchi (Saihaku) | NO STOP | NO PASSENGER STOP |
| Yonago | 09:03 Arrival – 09:05 Departure | 19:54 Arrival – 19:56 Departure |
| Yasugi | 09:13 Arrival – 09:14 Departure | 19:45 Arrival – 19:46 Departure |
| Iya (Matsue) | NO STOP | NO PASSENGER STOP |
| Matsue | 09:29 Arrival – 09:31 Departure | 19:23 Arrival – 19:24 Departure |
| Tamatsukuri-Onsen | NO STOP | NO PASSENGER STOP |
| Shinji | 09:45 Arrival – 09:46 Departure | 19:05 Arrival – 19:06 Departure |
| Izumoshi (Izumo) | 09:58 Arrival | 18:55 Departure |
When Are Sunrise Express Tickets Available?
This train is extremely popular, and tickets are released one month in advance. If you want a private room, it’s essential to book as soon as the tickets become available.
Keep in mind…
- One month in advance doesn’t always mean 30 days. JR defines this window as one month corresponding to the same day of the preceding month. If that day doesn’t exist, tickets are released at 10:00 AM Japan Standard Time (JST) on the first day of the departure month. Let’s explain with some simple examples:
- Example 1 – Traveling January 31? Book at 10:00 AM JST on December 31.
- Example 2 – Traveling March 31? Since February has no 31st, you’ll book at 10:00 AM JST on March 1.
*If your train departs after midnight, such as from Osaka Station, you will end up booking your trip via JR one day after travelers who boarded at an earlier stop.
Off-Peak Travel:
Booking during off-peak travel times is much easier. Tickets during peak times, like Golden Week, will sell out in minutes.
The Nobi Nobi open seat may still be available closer to the departure date as a last minute booking, but it’s always best to book early to secure your preferred option.
Sunrise Express Booking Guide
Once your dates and stations are decided, it’s time to book!
- Log on to the JR West website (www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/) at exactly 10:00 AM JST, one month before your departure.
- Navigate to the home page and click “Reserve” → “Reserve Ticket by Selection Stations.”
- Enter your date, departure station, arrival station, and departure time. Then select your preferred Sunrise Seto or Izumo cabin type.
- You don’t need to search for the exact departure time. For Tokyo departures, entering something like 20:00 works as long as it’s before the actual train departure time.
- Keep an eye out for the smoking and non-smoking designation of rooms when going through this step.
IMPORTANT
Use a physical, foreign transaction approved credit card you’ll bring to Japan for booking. Virtual card numbers or digital wallets won’t work because you need to insert the physical card into the machine or present it at the ticket office to pick up your tickets.
During checkout, you’ll create a 4-digit PIN for ticket pickup. Make sure to write it down or choose something memorable – This will be used if you are picking up your tickets at a JR machine.
Picking Up Tickets
Almost done! Once you’ve successfully booked, print the confirmation page and save the PDF confirmation email from JR.
To pick up your tickets – Visit a JR station in Japan.
Bring:
- The physical credit card you used for booking.
- The passports for all passengers.
- Your 4-digit PIN for ticket pickup
- Your ticket confirmation details as sent in the confirmation email from JR, which includes your 5-digit reservation number.
You can choose to go to a counter with an attendant or use the ticket machine.
If you choose to go to the counter, look for signs pointing you to the Midori no Madoguchi.
If you use the ticket machine, follow the instructions at the JR West website here: www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/howto/train-reservation/receive/
Three Tips for Securing Sunrise Express Tickets
- We recommend practicing booking a few times before your actual attempt!
- You can pre-enter your information in advance on the first screen of the booking website so you can hit “Search” immediately at 10:00 AM JST.
- REMEMBER – Use a physical, foreign transaction approved credit card you’ll bring to Japan for booking. Virtual card numbers or digital wallets won’t work because you need to insert the physical card into the machine or present it at the ticket office to pick up your tickets.
Happy booking and safe travels on the Sunrise Express!