Japan Night Trains

Night Trains

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Below is a network map of Japan's night trains, i.e. trains that run through the night. All night trains are operated by the Japan Railways Group (JR). Due to competition by cheaper highway buses and low domestic airfares, the number of night trains in Japan has been decreasing steadily in recent years.Train cars Most Japanese night trains are equipped with couchettes and private rooms with beds, and some have cars with seats. Couchettes and private rooms come in two classes, A and B, with B being the more basic and less costly. In addition, some trains offer a "Special A Class" with rather luxurious suites. All night trains are equipped with toilets and sinks, and the better ones have also public phones, showers, a restaurant and a lounge or lobby car. Couchettes Couchettes are bunk beds, two or three stories high, in compartments shared by four to six people. "B class" couchettes cost around 6,000 yen, and "A class" couchettes around 10,000 yen. Most night trains carry at least one couchette car of either or both classes. Private Rooms Private rooms come in single and twin. "B class" rooms cost around 6,000-9,000 yen per person, and "A class" rooms around 14,000 yen/person. More luxurious suites can cost up to 38,000 yen/person. Most night trains have some private rooms, but only a few have luxury suites. Seats A few night trains carry cars with seats. Depending on the train, the seats may be non reserved, partially reserved or all reserved. Seat reservations cost about 300 to 500 yen. Seat reservations are free for Japan Rail Pass holders.   Japan Rail Pass and night trains The Japan Rail Pass does not cover the cost for a couchette or private room! Japan Rail Pass holders will have to pay for it separately. In addition, pass holders also have to pay the (limited) express fee, which is typically around 3,000 yen, when using a couchette or private room. While the Japan Rail Pass does not cover the cost for couchettes and beds, it fully cover the cost for a seat on night trains. Note however, that quite a few night trains do not carry cars with seats.   List of trains Below is a list of Japan's night trains. The following information is given for each train (note that the ticket costs refer to a trip along the complete route): Train Category   Train Name: Route More detailed route, showing other major stations Approx. duration of the trip Frequency of departures Comments Seat Couchette Private Room Approx. ticket cost without Japan Rail Pass Approx. ticket cost with Japan Rail Pass Approx. ticket cost without Japan Rail Pass Approx. ticket cost with Japan Rail Pass Approx. ticket cost without Japan Rail Pass Approx. ticket cost with Japan Rail Pass From Tokyo: Limited Express   Cassiopeia: Ueno (Tokyo) - Sapporo Ueno - Omiya - Utsunomiya - Fukushima - Sendai - Hakodate - Sapporo Approx. 17 hours 3-4 trains per week The Cassiopeia is Japan's most luxurious night train. It is equipped with a lounge and restaurant car and private "A class" twin rooms exclusively. It also carries some luxury suites. Seat Couchette Private Room w/o JR Pass with JR Pass w/o JR Pass with JR Pass w/o JR Pass with JR Pass - - - - 34,000 yen 21,500 yen Limited Express   Hokutosei: Ueno (Tokyo) - Sapporo Ueno - Omiya - Utsunomiya - Fukushima - Sendai - Hakodate - Sapporo Approx. 17 hours 1 train per day Equipped with couchettes, private rooms, luxury suites and a restaurant car. Seat Couchette Private Room w/o JR Pass with JR Pass w/o JR Pass with JR Pass w/o JR Pass with JR Pass - - 27,000 yen 14,500 yen 27,000 yen 14,500 yen Limited Express   Akebono: Ueno (Tokyo) - Aomori Ueno - Omiya - Takasaki - Sakata - Akita - Aomori Approx. 13 hours 1 train per day Equipped with couchettes, private rooms and so called "Goron to Shito" seats, which are basically couchettes without blankets, but are categorized as seats and can be used for free with the Japan Rail Pass. There is one "Goron to Shito" car for excluive use by women. Goron to Shito Couchette Private Room w/o JR Pass with JR Pass w/o JR Pass with JR Pass w/o JR Pass with JR Pass 14,000 yen free 20,000 yen 9,500 yen 20,000 yen 9,500 yen Limited Express   Sunrise Seto: Tokyo - Takamatsu Tokyo - Himeji - Okayama - Takamatsu Approx. 10 hours 1 train per day Equipped with private rooms and so called "Nobinobi" seats, which are basically carpeted compartments to lie down, but are categorized as seats and can be used for free with the Japan Rail Pass. The Sunrise Seto is coupled to the Sunrise Izumo between Tokyo and Okayama. Nobinobi Seat Couchette Private Room w/o JR Pass with JR Pass w/o JR Pass with JR Pass w/o JR Pass with JR Pass 14,500 yen free - - 20,500 yen 9,500 yen Limited Express   Sunrise Izumo: Tokyo - Izumo Tokyo - Himeji - Okayama - Matsue - Izumoshi Approx. 12 hours 1 train per day Equipped with private rooms and so called "Nobinobi" seats, which are basically carpeted compartments to lie down, but are categorized as seats and can be used for free with the Japan Rail Pass. The Sunrise Izumo is coupled to the Sunrise Seto between Tokyo and Okayama. Nobinobi Seat Couchette Private Room w/o JR Pass with JR Pass w/o JR Pass with JR Pass w/o JR Pass with JR Pass 15,500 yen free - - 21,000 yen 9,500 yen From Osaka: Limited Express   Twilight Express: Osaka - Sapporo Osaka - Kyoto - Kanazawa - Nagaoka - Sapporo Approx. 21 hours 4-7 trains per week Equipped with couchettes, private rooms, luxury suites, a restaurant and a salon car. Seat Couchette Private Room w/o JR Pass with JR Pass w/o JR Pass with JR Pass w/o JR Pass with JR Pass - - 27,000 yen 11,000 yen 29,000 yen 13,000 yen Limited Express   Nihonkai: Osaka - Aomori Osaka - Kyoto - Kanazawa - Akita - Aomori Approx. 15 hours 1 train per day Equipped with couchettes only. Seat Couchette Private Room w/o JR Pass with JR Pass w/o JR Pass with JR Pass w/o JR Pass with JR Pass - - 23,000 yen 9,500 yen - - Express   Kitaguni: Osaka - Niigata Osaka - Kyoto - Kanazawa - Toyama - Nagaoka - Niigata Approx. 8 hours 1 train per day Equipped with couchettes and non reserved seats. Seat Couchette Private Room w/o JR Pass with JR Pass w/o JR Pass with JR Pass w/o JR Pass with JR Pass 10,500 yen free 15,500 yen 6,500 yen - - From Sapporo: Express   Hamanasu: Sapporo - Aomori Sapporo - Hakodate - Aomori Approx. 8 hours 1 train per day Equipped with couchettes, reserved seats (reclining "dreamcar" seats), non reserved seats and a so called "nobinobi carpet car", which features carpeted compartments to lie down. Seats and the nobinobi carpet compartments can be used for free with the Japan Rail Pass. Some couchettes, nobinobi carpet compartments and reserved seats are for exclusive use by women. Note that on some days, the Hamanasu may not feature all of the above mentioned car types. Seats, nobinobi carpet car Couchette Private Room w/o JR Pass with JR Pass w/o JR Pass with JR Pass w/o JR Pass with JR Pass 9,000 yen free 15,500 yen 7,500 yen - - In addition to the above listed trains, there are a few night trains, which run only during certain seasons or selected days of the year, such as the Express Noto between Tokyo and Kanazawa and a few so called "Moonlight" trains, e.g. the Moonlight Nagara and Moonlight Echigo, which are classified as rapid trains (kaisoku) and can be used with the Seishun 18 Kippu.

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WORLD HERITAGE PASS

WORLD HERITAGE PASS

This pass is your ticket to a leisurely tour of the exquisite architecture and unique beauty of traditional Japanese temples and shrines. The pass includes admission to the Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine (although passage beyond the "sleeping cat" requires a separate admission fee), Futarasan Shrine and Nikko san Rinno-ji Temple. Also included are discounts on admission to various rides and other attractions in the Nikko-Kinugawa areas.

・Fare

・Effective period
2 days
•Admission ticket valid for two shrines and one temple (Toshogu shrine ・ Rinnoji Temple ・ Futarasan Shrine・Taiyu mausoleum)
•Pass is good only for the rapid / section rapid service trains. To board the limited express train, please purchase a limited express ticket separately.

Valid for only 1 round trip between Asakusa and Shimo-imaichi. Unlimited rides in all other sections.

PASS RESERVATION

Now on making reservation

Please read the notes below before you start to make a reservation.

Internet reservations must be completed from at least 4 days in advance of your departure.
To receive the reserved tickets or to purchase the discount passes, customers may come to Tobu Sightseeing Service Center located in Tobu Asakusa station.
(Reserved tickets can not be mailed by post.)

Tobu Sightseeing Service Center>>
Tel:03-3841-2871
Office hours:7:45～17:00
Closed from 12/30～1/3

Customers who would like to reserve the discount pass for 12/30-1/3 should recieve the reserved tickets before 12/29.(Tobu Sightseeing Service Center is closed from 12/30-1/3)
*Customers who would like to reserve the KINUGAWA theme park pass, please check the opening hours and holidays of the theme parks beforehand.
Edo Wonderland(closed on Wednesdays)  http://www.edowonderland.net/ >>
Tobu World Square  http://www.tobuws.co.jp/default_en.html >>

Customers who would like to reserve the Limited Express Spacia Kegon No.1(Dep.time 7:30) should recieve the reserved ticket at least one day before the departure date because of the office hours(7:45〜17:00).

KANSAI THRU PASS

This ticket enables you to ride on subways, private railways and buses throughout the Kansai district. As well as enabling you to tour Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto, it lets you visit Nara, Wakayama and Koyasan. Purchasing the economical KANSAI THRU PASS that comes in two types; 2-day and 3-day, will let you enjoy a more value-for-money holiday.

KANSAI THRU PASS – Such a deal!!
•	From Kyoto to Osaka, Kobe, Mt. Hiei and Himeji. Get on and off the train or bus bound for Wakayama, Nara and Koyasan as you like during the period of validity (Excluding JR lines. Check the map for the available trains and busses).
•	You can use the train or bus without going through the troublesome task of checking the complicated rate table to buy tickets and you won’t need to buy another ticket every time you make connections.
•	You can benefit from complimentary discount promotions at 350 major tourist facilities along the railway lines.
•	It can be used from Kansai Airport Station on the Nankai Train after arriving at Kansai International Airport (The Express rapi:t requires additional tariff).
•	Receive a free guidebook in English, Chinese, Korean language.

Type of ticket Adult Child (Ages 7 to 12) 3day ticket 5,000 yen 2,500 yen 2day ticket 3,800 yen 1,900 yen

KANSAI THRU PASS is a special ticket available only for tourists visiting Japan for the purpose of sightseeing. You will need to meet one of the following requirements in purchasing a ticket.

[1] A foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad on a [short stay] entry status. [2] A Japanese national living abroad. [3] A person accompanying those who meet the requirements 1 and 2 above as their guide.

•	The KANSAI THRU PASS can be purchased directly from a travel agency in your country. * It is available in the following countries. Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, etc.
•	Buy the ticket from the following ticket offices in Japan. * You will be required to present your passport and fill out an application form when purchasing the ticket.

(Access / Opening hours) * You will be required to present your passport and fill out an application form when purchasing the ticket.  Kansai International Airport KAA Travel Desk (1st Floor / 07:00 – 22:00)  Osaka Airport Information Center (1st floor, North and South Terminals / North Terminal: 8:00 – 21:00 South Terminal: 6:30 – 21:00)  Kyoto Station Bus Information Center (Kyoto Station Karasuma Exit / 07:30 – 20:00)  Osaka Visitors' Information Center - Namba (Inside the General Information Center Namba on the 1F of Nankai Building / 09:00 – 20:00)  Osaka Visitors' Information Center - Umeda (JR Osaka Station, Central Ticket Gate / 08:00 – 20:00)  Osaka Visitors' Information Center - Tennoji (JR Tennoji Station, Central ticket gate / 09:00 – 18:00)  Osaka Visitors' Information Center - Shin-osaka (JR Shin-osaka Station East Exit / 09:00 – 18:00)  Nara City Information Center (Alight at Kintetsu Nara Station / 09:00 – 21:00)  Osaka International Youth Hostel (Alight at Nankai Hagoromo Station / 06:00 – 23:00)  Shin-Osaka Youth Hostel (Alight at Osaka Municipal Subway Shin-osaka Station / 06:00 – 23:00)  PanStar Ferry Osaka Terminal (Alight at Osaka Municipal Sbwy Cosmo Square Station / 10:00 – 16:00 Mon, Wed, Fri)
• It is also available from the following hotels. (Guests only)
[ Osaka ] • Miyako Hotel Osaka 06-6773-1111 • Shin-hankyu Hotel 06-6372-5101 • Imperial Hotel Osaka 06-6881-1111 • Hotel Hankyu International 06-6377-2100 • Osaka Castle Hotel 06-6942-2401 • Rihga Royal Hotel Sakai 072-224-1121 • Ramada Hotel 06-6372-8181	[ Kobe ] • Kobe Portopia Hotel 078-302-1111 • Sannomiya Terminal Hotel 078-291-0001 • Westin Awaji Island Resort & Conference Center 0799-74-1111

	• The ticket is for one person only. • The ticket holder can use the trains and busses free of charge in the designated area during the period of validity.   * It cannot be used on JR lines, airport limousine bus or reserved seat busses. It may not be valid on some routes. • When using the ticket, insert it into the automatic ticket checker in the direction of the arrow printed on the ticket. • When using the reserved seat express train of the Nankai Electric Railway or Kinki Nippon Railway, please purchase a separate express ticket, special coach ticket and/or reserved seat ticket. • The ticket can be reissued at major stations if the magnetic strip fails to function during your journey. • Tickets will not be reissued when lost. • Refund for tickets can be issued at the point of purchase only if they have not been used (handling fee may apply). * Only applicable when the ticket is still valid and all the coupons in the guidebook are unused. • Tickets will not be refunded for suspended services by a transportation company once the ticket has been used. • If the ticket is used illegally, it will be invalidated and collected, and additional fare will be charged, according to the regulations of each transportation company. • Separate fare will be required for journeys outside the valid zone. Please inquire the station staff.   * Please be advised that you may be required to present the back of your ticket on routes operated by some transportation companies.

Japan Rail

Japan Rail Pass

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The Japan Rail Pass is a highly cost effective rail pass for foreign visitors to Japan, providing unlimited travel on the nationwide network of Japan Railways (JR). It is recommended to anybody, who is planning to visit more than one region of Japan.  Purchase the Japan Rail Pass Japan Rail Pass Type Ordinary Cars Green Cars 7 consecutive days 28,300 Yen 37,800 Yen 14 consecutive days 45,100 Yen 61,200 Yen 21 consecutive days 57,700 Yen 79,600 Yen Reduced rates (50% off) apply to children aged 6-11. Validity The Japan Rail Pass is valid on almost all trains on the nationwide network of JR (Japan Railways), including urban train lines and the shinkansen (bullet trains), as well as on many JR bus lines, the JRMiyajima ferry and the Tokyo Monorail. Pass holders are also eligible for free seat reservations. Not covered by the Japan Rail Pass is the nozomi, the fastest of several train categories on the Tokaido Shinkansen and the mizuho, the fastest of several train categories on the Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen. Furthermore, the Japan Rail Pass is not valid for couchettes and private rooms on night trains and other special compartments. There are also a few JR trains, which partially run on the tracks of different railway companies. When riding on such a non-JR owned section, pass holders will have to pay the fare for it on board of the train or at the station. View a list of affected JR lines. Naturally, the Japan Rail Pass is not valid on any train operated by companies other than the Japan Railways (JR). Below is a map showing major train lines (many minor and metropolitan lines are not shown) which can be used by the Japan Rail Pass: Japan Rail Passes are currently available for periods of one, two or three weeks and for either ordinary cars or first-class "Green Cars". Eligibility Only foreigners, who stay in Japan on a temporary visitor visa (and Japanese nationals with permanent residence outside of Japan), are eligible to use a Japan Rail Pass. The Japan Rail Pass has to be purchased outside of Japan. When purchasing the pass, you will receive an exchange order which has to be exchanged into an actual rail pass after your arrival in Japan and within three months of the purchase. The exchange can be done at various major railway stations, including Narita Airport and Kansai Airport. It is not until the time of exchange, when you determine the starting date of validity of your Japan Rail Pass.

Japan School holiday seasons Spring Summer Winter

Seishun 18 Kippu

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The Seishun Juhachi Kippu, meaning something like "Youthful 18 Ticket", is a seasonally available railway ticket, which gives you five days of unlimited, nationwide travel on local and rapid JR (Japan Railways) trains for only 11,500 Yen, or 2,300 Yen per day!Availability The Seishun 18 Kippu is only available three times a year during school holiday seasons, as shown in the table below (subject to change): Period Valid On Sale Spring March 1 to April 10 February 20 to March 31 Summer July 20 to September 10 July 1 to August 31 Winter December 10 to January 10 December 1 to December 31   Eligibility Despite its name, the Seishun 18 Kippu can be used by people of any age. It is available to foreign tourists as well as Japanese nationals and foreign residents of Japan. However, there is no child fare.   Usage Where is it sold? The Seishun 18 Kippu can be bought at most JR stations across Japan. Consult the table above for the dates during which the ticket is on sale. How does the ticket look like? The ticket is one small card with five fields to be stamped on each day it is being used. Can it be shared? The Seishun 18 Kippu is a non-personal, transferable ticket, meaning that it can be used either by one person on five days or be shared by up to five different people. When sharing one ticket as a group, you always need to travel together, and each person uses up one of the ticket's five days of validity. Some examples on how the ticket can be used are listed below: 1 person uses it on 5 days (it can be a different person each day) 2 people share it on 2 days, and 1 person uses it on 1 day 2 people share it on 1 day, and 1 person uses it on 3 days 3 people share it on 1 day, and 2 people share it on 1 day 5 people share it on 1 day etc. How to use it? You cannot use automatic gates with the Seishun 18 Kippu. Instead, you have to pass through the manned gates and show the ticket to the station staff. At the beginning of each day's usage, the station staff will stamp one of the five fields with a stamp showing the current date. If you travel in a group, one field will be stamped for each member in your group. When is it valid? The ticket is valid on five days during the period of validity (see table above). The five days do not need to be consecutive days. One day is defined as from midnight to midnight, except in the Tokyo andOsaka areas where the ticket is valid until the last train. In all other areas, when you are on board of a train at midnight, the ticket is valid up to the first station reached after midnight. Which trains can be used? The ticket is valid only on local trains (futsudensha/kakuekiteisha) and rapid trains (kaisoku), operated by the Japan Railways (JR), as well as on the JR ferry to Miyajima. It cannot be used on express (kyuko), limited express (tokkyu) and bullet trains (shinkansen). Is it valid on night trains? Most night trains are classified as either express or limited express and cannot be used with the Seishun 18 Kippu. There are, however, a few night trains which are classified as rapid trains (kaisoku) and can be used with the Seishun 18 Kippu. These trains are very popular, because they allow pass holders to maximize the distance traveled during a 24 hour period. Some of the kaisoku night trains are: Moonlight Nagara: Tokyo - Nagoya - Ogaki Moonlight Echigo: Shinjuku - Niigata Moonlight Kyushu: Shin-Osaka - Hakata Is it valid on non-JR trains? The ticket can be used only on trains operated by the Japan Railways (JR). (Note that there are a small number of JR trains which partially use the tracks of a different railway company. An additional fee has to be paid on such trains.)   Travel Tips and Timetable Examples Traveling by local trains is naturally much slower than by shinkansen or limited express. From Tokyo, for example, it takes roughly nine hours and typically one to four transfers of trains to reach Kyoto. (With the shinkansen it takes less than three hours, but the ticket costs more than five times as much.) On major lines, such as the Tokaido Line and the Sanyo Line, local train service is so frequent that you could actually "survive" without preparing a prior itinerary, but on many other lines, local service is infrequent and connections inconvenient. Therefore, it is highly recommended to create an itinerary in advance by studying the timetables.