Japan’s First Overnight Shinkansen Runs From Osaka to Tokyo

The Tokaido Lumiere Express marked the first overnight Shinkansen service operating in the Tokyo-bound direction, offering passengers a rare opportunity to experience Japan’s high-speed rail network after dark.

Passengers gathering at Shin-Osaka Station expressed excitement about the unusual journey. “I’m happy to have such a rare experience,” one child said, while another passenger described the overnight service as something special, adding, “It’s an honor to be able to ride it.”

A young passenger was particularly excited about the opportunity to see Mount Fuji early the next morning. “We can see Mount Fuji from 6 a.m., and I’m really looking forward to that too,” the child said.

The train departed Shin-Osaka at approximately 10 p.m. and arrived at Shin-Fuji Station around midnight, where it remained stationary for about six hours.

Passengers spent the night aboard the train before waking to enjoy views of Mount Fuji in the early morning. The service then resumed its journey, arriving at its final destination, Tokyo Station, at around 7 a.m. on September 23.

The special operation has raised expectations that overnight Shinkansen services could be introduced again in the future.

Meanwhile, another development in Japan’s high-speed rail network is attracting attention, with a new luxury seating class scheduled to debut on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen on October 1.

A preview event showcasing the new Supreme Class began at Hiroshima Station on September 22, giving visitors an opportunity to experience the premium accommodations ahead of their introduction.

The new service will mark the return of private compartments to the Shinkansen for the first time in 23 years, offering a level of comfort and privacy above that of the existing Green Car.

Supreme Class compartments feature fully enclosed private spaces with lockable doors, larger tables than those found in Green Cars, and generously cushioned reclining chairs designed to provide a more luxurious travel experience.

Visitors to the preview event were able to inspect the compartments and try the seats for themselves, with many expressing surprise at the level of comfort.

“Wow, it’s completely different,” one visitor said after trying the reclining mechanism. Another described the seat as exceptionally soft and comfortable, adding, “I’d like to actually travel in one next time.”

The premium accommodations also attracted attention from visitors considering their potential use for business travel.

“It almost feels like a waste to use it for business,” one visitor said. “It’s the perfect environment for working, but you wouldn’t want to work. You’d want to enjoy yourself.”

Ken Hatada, a manager in JR West’s railway marketing department, said the company hoped the preview would introduce the new service to a wide audience in Hiroshima.

“We want as many people in Hiroshima as possible to experience our highest-class seats, services and private spaces, and hope to provide journeys they will remember for the rest of their lives,” Hatada said.

A one-way Supreme Class ticket between Tokyo and Hiroshima costs approximately 60,000 yen. Tickets went on sale on September 15, ahead of the service’s October 1 launch.

Source: Hiroshima News TSS