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The Tokaido Shinkansen, which runs between Tokyo and Osaka, is one of Japan’s most popular bullet train routes. The frequent service makes travelling between the two major cities easy, speedy and enjoyable. And it’s about to get even better, especially for those looking to save on a night of accommodation.
The Tokaido Shinkansen only runs during the day: the first train departs Tokyo at 6am, with the last service leaving for Osaka at 9.30pm. But on Saturday August 8, JR Central will trial a special overnight service.
For this one-off Tokaido Lumiere Express service, the shinkansen will depart Tokyo on August 8 at 10pm, 30 minutes after the usual last train. Passengers can board at Tokyo, Shinagawa or Shin-Yokohama stations, and alight at either Kyoto or Shin-Osaka stations. The scheduled arrival time at Shin-Osaka is 6.59am on Sunday the 9th, about an hour earlier than the first regular morning train.
One thing to note is that boarding and alighting at Nagoya will not be permitted. Plus, the train will park at Gifu-Hashima Station between midnight and 6am due to nightly track maintenance and to comply with noise regulations. The cabin lights will remain on throughout this period, so bring an eye mask for a more comfortable rest.
An adult ticket in the Ordinary Car is expected to cost ¥15,000 between Tokyo and Osaka. The Green Car, child fare and a dedicated women-only coach will also be available. Depending on the trial’s reception, JR Central may consider adding more overnight trains in the future.
Tickets go on sale July 3 via a dedicated website. We’ll update this post with the link when it’s live.
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