The most popular night train in Japan is the Cassiopeia, which is also the most luxurious – all accommodation being in private rooms.
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The country's elite, as well as tourists, traveled in style using these “blue sleeper trains.” Today, however, luxury night trains are becoming a novelty, harkening back to an earlier time, and cheaper trains. Currently, the Sunrise Seto and Izumo are the only regular night trains still in operation.
The Amtrak Sleeping Car fleet consists of two types of cars: Superliner and Viewliner. The primary difference: a Superliner features two levels of private accommodations per car and Viewliner features a single level. For your trip, the type of car will depend on the route you select.
The total travel time is six hours and 45 minutes, with train fares at 31,060 yen for an ordinary seat. International visitors can purchase an unlimited ride pass for the bullet train called the JR PASS at a fixed price.
Choose Your Seat WiselyIf possible, try to get a window seat, as this will give you a wall to lean against—the curvature from the wall to the window might be the perfect match for your sleepy head. Also, avoid seats near the bathroom, as these can be noisy and busy.
Perhaps the most luxurious, and most famous, of the overnight sleeper trains, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is nothing short of a legend. There are several different routes guests can take on this historic train, but the most iconic is the one from London to Venice.
Sleep on the plane when it's nighttime at your destinationNow is a great time to make the switch. Do your best to sleep on the plane… but only when it's nighttime in Japan.
The shinkansen train tickets cost more than local train tickets, but you're basically trading money for time and comfort. The bullet trains will get you to your next destination quicker than other options, leaving you with more time to settle in to your new city or more time to get out and explore!
Will a Japan Rail Pass Save You Money? Note that the cost of a normal one-way shinkansen (bullet train) ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto is ¥13,320 and the roundtrip fare is ¥26,640. An ordinary one-week pass is ¥29,650. A one-way trip on the JR N'EX (Narita Express from Narita International Airport into Tokyo) costs ¥3,070.
In many cases, flying is cheaper than riding there by bullet train. The easiest way to save on shinkansen costs is with an EX-IC card. You pay a deposit to get issued the card. Then, you download the EX App to your phone.