Now it’s time for a unique journey in Japan, as I journey on the Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper Prepare from Tokyo to Takamatsu, Shikoku, Japan.
I like taking in a single day sleeper trains; it’s an effective way to journey. Depart from one location within the night and arrive at one other the subsequent morning. Not solely that, however you’ve saved time by not having to e book a lodge room for the evening. It’s a win-win and a singular solution to journey.
You additionally get to journey on the gradual tracks and see the drastic change within the panorama throughout Japan as you go from Tokyo to Shikoku.
Japan used to have many in a single day sleeper practice choices in service however now it’s been diminished all the way down to just one remaining service, the Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper Prepare.
Depart Tokyo primary station at 21:50 from platform 9 and arrive in Okayama at 06:27 am, after which proceed onwards to Takamatsu, on Shikoku island round 07:00 am to start out your day.
Inside this weblog put up, I’ll stroll you thru how I made my reserving and clarify my total expertise of travelling on the final Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper Prepare in Japan in addition to share some journey suggestions for Shikoku Island.
How you can e book a reservation on the Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper Prepare
At this stage, I wish to point out that it wasn’t simple reserving a personal room on the Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper Prepare.
Particularly when reserving with a Japan Rail Pass. Right here is my recommendation on tips on how to make a reservation.
Merely put, you may’t e book your seat reservation on-line or by way of an app with a Japan Rail Cross.
It’s essential to communicate with a ticket agent at one of many ticket counters positioned at choose places round Japan, largely subsequent to common practice stations.
The worth of the practice journey on the Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper Prepare is included within the Japan Rail Cross.
Ticket reservations go on basic sale for the Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper Prepare a month upfront.
However solely the transportation facet of the ticket is roofed by the go, not the non-public room price which would require a further reservation price on prime of your journey.
All tickets are reservation solely on the Dawn Specific; there aren’t any Inexperienced Automobile or non-reservation sections, so you need to e book a reservation to your journey to journey on the Dawn Specific.
Please don’t get on to the practice and not using a reservation as all journeys on the Dawn Specific are at all times absolutely booked. It’s the one remaining sleeper practice in Japan so it will require some planning to your journey.
How did I e book my non-public room on the Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper Prepare?
I used to be forewarned concerning the recognition of the Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper Prepare as I tried to e book a reservation final 12 months after I had a one-week Japan Rail Cross and all reservations have been already full for the validity of my Japan Rail Ticket.
So, this time round I used to be not going to be left disillusioned.
As of November 2023, the Japan Rail Cross has not solely elevated in value, however you need to now buy your Japan Rail Cross on-line upfront.
You are able to do this both earlier than you arrive in Japan while you’re in your house nation or when in Japan (costs will differ relying on which possibility you’re taking).
You possibly can now not stroll as much as the ticket workplace and buy a Japan Rail Cross.
So, when you have got your on-line reserving and also you go to gather your Japan Rail Cross, they often can help you make one reservation reserving with their help.
That is after I extremely advocate it is best to e book your reservation on the Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper Prepare.
Why? As a result of with out your Japan Rail Cross, you’re unable to make the reservation. It’s good to bodily have the ticket go on you to make the reservation.
(JR East Journey Reservation Middle at Yokohama station, one of many many locations throughout Japan the place you may acquire your Japan Rail Cross.)
Reserving your reservation immediately can also be necessary as a result of, as stated earlier than, the Dawn Specific requires reserving one month upfront, so it would already be offered out.
It’s irritating for Japan Rail Cross holders that that is the one methodology of reserving the Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper Prepare.
Ask your ticket reserving agent when issuing you together with your new Japan Rail Cross to make the reservation immediately.
As talked about they’re very happy that will help you together with your first reserving so be certain it’s for the Dawn Specific.
Typically they may give you the chance that will help you with extra extra bookings however usually, it’s just one reserving, relying on how busy it’s.
Phrases to make use of when making the reserving with the ticket agent:
Tokyo Dawn Specific Seto and Izumo trains to Himeji, and Okayama (onwards to Takamatsu) or onwards to Matsue and Izumo. The practice splits into two at Okayama and goes in several instructions so first see if they’ve availability to Okayama, the primary leg of the in a single day sleeper practice.
I collected my Japan Rail Cross on September twenty fourth to start out utilizing it on the twenty fifth. I bought a three-week go. We checked out all of the choices nonetheless accessible for the three-week length.
The primary week was fully offered out of all reservations. Just one Nobi Nobi seat was accessible on the twenty fifth; no non-public rooms have been accessible.
Then bingo! We discovered one! On October 2nd, one kind A single non-public room was accessible.
This was just about every week later into my Japan Rail Cross validity. So, be warned, you might need to stay versatile and backtrack in your meant route round Japan or work your route across the Dawn Specific reserving.
The journey a part of the ticket was included within the complete price of my Inexperienced Automobile three-week Japan Rail Cross and the Nobi Nobi reservation would have additionally been included in my Japan Rail Cross for no extra price on the twenty fifth.
As I opted for the kind A single non-public room, the extra reservation price was 10,800 yen, about £60.
All kind B rooms have been offered out for the entire 3 week interval of my Japan Rail Cross. I’ve heard they’re essentially the most troublesome room kind to buy and at all times get booked up first, since kind B is just about a lodge room with two single beds on a practice.
(What the Nobi Nobi part seems to be like.)
To be sincere, I used to be greater than excited to have a reservation for a single room since they have been all absolutely booked final time, even the Nobi Nobi room kind.
I wished to share my reservation expertise with you because it’s not a simple course of to e book these reservations on the Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper Prepare.
It’s the final sleeper practice service nonetheless in operation in Japan and very common so please type out a reserving plan in place to keep away from disappointment.
And naturally a giant thanks to the unsung heroes of the entire operation, the ticket reserving agent who was extremely useful and managed to search out one remaining single non-public room.
She had by no means heard of the Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper Prepare earlier than and was amazed to see how common it was, being absolutely booked for nearly a complete week.
She was very form to undergo each practice every day looking for one remaining reservation.
On the finish of the day, it’s the luck of the draw, and the recognition of bookings will fluctuate relying on the time of 12 months, so better of luck and don’t surrender, you by no means know what may occur.
Completely different rooms on the Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper Prepare
(Nobi Nobi may not be essentially the most snug possibility for everybody, nevertheless it’s the simplest to e book.)
I’ll stroll you thru the completely different room and lodging sorts; on the Dawn Specific, you have got three completely different sleeping choices:
Nobi Nobi reservation: That is essentially the most fascinating sleeping possibility on the Dawn Specific and for In a single day Sleeper trains normally. The Nobi Nobi possibility may be very typical for Japan.
Bunched all collectively throughout two ranges, the Nobi Nobi is a flat arduous carpeted ground break up into particular person pods with curtains to divide the rooms for privateness.
The key phrase right here is tough flooring! You’ve gotten been warned and it’s not for everybody’s consolation, however it’s the most inexpensive methodology cost-wise and best solution to e book a reservation.
You’ll have a window, AC vent, private gentle, an especially small desk and a plastic cup with a cup holder. I additionally didn’t discover any particular person plugs, just one plug within the hallway.
I’d counsel bringing a chargeable energy financial institution should you want to cost your units in a single day.
Additionally, bear in mind that you’ll have to retailer your baggage in your Nobi Nobi space; you may’t block the hallway.
Every Nobi Nobi room will present a sheeted mat and pillow case and no towel. It’s extraordinarily fundamental however may work as an possibility for you. Consider it as a lay-flat seat in some respects.
I’d counsel shopping for a pillow from Daiso; they’ve a blow-up journey version for 100 yen, or you might use a down jacket in case you have one to fill the pillowcase.
Nobi Nobi is the simplest possibility by way of availability, so why not give it a go?
The Nobi Nobi possibility is included in your Japan Rail Cross reservation and won’t require any extra prices.
(Sure, that is the precise measurement of the room, it’s a tight squeeze for a lot of Westerners, nevertheless it’s snug)
Kind A cabin: If you want for full particular person privateness then the kind A solo cabin is the one for you.
It consists of a big commentary window with blinds for full darkness, a single mattress with sheets, pillow and blanket, however no towel.
There may be additionally one working desk (you utilize the mattress because the chair), plastic cup and cup holder, slippers, a mattress pyjama set, a radio and an alarm clock (radio was discontinued and didn’t work).
In the event you want to go away your room safely locked when you roam across the practice, there’s a non-public door that has an inside lock and an out of doors quantity mixture lock.
The room additionally has one private energy plug, a facet part for baggage storage (it was a good match), a coat hanger and a hook.
There are two lamps, one for private lighting and the opposite for basic room lighting.
I’m 182cm in top and I used to be capable of nearly match on the mattress comfortably for a very good evening’s sleep. My head did need to go underneath the desk to suit however I switched my finish of the mattress and was snug in the long run.
Kind B cabin: Non-public two single-bed rooms. I used to be unable to take a look into these rooms as they’ve non-public doorways. I consider they’ve all of the above services as kind A cabins however for 2 individuals with the addition of a chair for the working desk.
The completely different Dawn Specific routes you may take
The Dawn Specific often is the final In a single day Sleeper in Japan however you continue to do have a number of choices in the case of arrival locations.
The Dawn Specific travels between Tokyo, Himeji and Okayama.
The Seto and Izumo Dawn Specific trains are linked/coupled collectively.
(Ensure you don’t miss the Dawn Specific practice splitting up; it’s the most effective present on the town at 06:30 am.)
At Okayama, the Dawn Specific will cease so the carriages can disconnect from one another.
You’re welcome to hop off at Okayama briefly to look at the 2 practice carriages detach.
Then the Seto a part of the Dawn Specific runs southbound to Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture, which is positioned within the north of the Shikoku island.
That is the journey that I took and can be reviewing beneath; the sleeper practice half is similar because the Izumo a part of the practice so you will get an thought of all of the services and so on.
If you would like, you may switch to a JR practice throughout the platform that can even take you to Takamatsu should you want a seat somewhat than a sleeper mattress.
The Izumo a part of the Dawn Specific will journey north to Matsue and Izumo within the Shimane Prefecture.
(Dawn Specific parked up at Takamatsu station.)
Keep in mind to change to Okayama relying on the place you wish to go.
On the best way again to Tokyo, the practice can even make a cease in Osaka.
When making my reserving, I requested to go to Matsue and Izumo and acquired a ticket reservation for Okayama.
I’m unsure if this was carried out as a consequence of a misunderstanding or in the event that they meant that I switched trains in Okayama to achieve Matsue and Izumo.
I’m unsure what occurred (this occurs in Japan typically) however my plans modified anyway because the reservation was made every week into my Japan Rail Cross.
Ended up going to Takamatsu, so all is properly on the planet.
I feel it’s okay to change trains with a JR Japan Rail Cross in Okayama as they do have a seating space accessible.
Completely different costs of the Dawn Specific
(The Nobi Nobi room is fundamental however included within the Japan Rail Cross, and it’s the simplest reserve.)
Your Japan Rail Cross will cowl the practice journey prices of the ticket, the bottom fare, Nobi Nobi, the fundamental possibility won’t incur any extra fees and can be fully lined by the go.
(Solo cabin room kind A, very small however does the job!)
Room kind A: A non-public single room reservation onboard the Dawn Specific price me a further 10,800 yen, round £60.
(Unable to get a glance into the room kind B, sorry.)
Room kind B: A non-public room with two single beds. I consider the extra reservation price would set you again 17,000 yen (£95).
As we have been unable to search out one in every of these choices accessible, I used to be unable to confirm the precise price. I feel the price has gone up since November 2023. (If somebody may share this data with me by way of e-mail I’d be very happy to replace this part.)
I consider this reservation is for 2 individuals as properly which could clarify why it’s such a well-liked possibility.
In a single day sleeper trains in Japan
The Dawn Specific is without doubt one of the final remaining all-year-round in a single day sleeper trains nonetheless in operation which you can e book with the Japan Rail Cross.
The Moonlight Nagara that operated between Tokyo and Ogaki was seasonal however has been suspended as of 2020.
After all, you may elevate your Japanese sleeper practice expertise to the the subsequent stage by travelling on the Twilight Specific Mikukaze. When you see the worth tag of this luxury journey, you’ll shortly be taught that the JR Japan Rail Cross received’t cowl it.
Again in 2010 after I first visited Japan and was utilizing a Japan Rail Cross to journey across the nation, I keep in mind seeing many sleeper practice choices have been in operation.
I even travelled from Tokyo to Sapporo, which was an exquisite journey to cowl in a single day.
The seated sleeper service on the 485 North East Specific was included within the Japan Rail Cross.
They’d a service known as the In a single day Specific Prepare Hokutosei from Ueno station to Sapporo station. The service was discontinued in 2015.
Most of the former sleeper practice routes in Japan are actually generally lined by funds airways, so I can perceive why the service might need change into much less common over time and went out of service.
(You possibly can seek for different journey choices with the 12go Asia search field above.)
Even with the mass attraction of trains being a well-liked mode of transport throughout Japan, it’s unhappy to see just one remaining inexpensive service nonetheless in existence.
Nonetheless, sleeper trains in Europe in recent times have additionally confronted a decline however have just lately had a well-liked bounce again with the rise in demand for trains as a mode of transportation. Older providers, such because the Nightjet from Berlin to Vienna, have began to open up once more.
Perhaps Japan may also see a change in opinion because the Dawn Specific is in such excessive demand and is at all times absolutely booked most days. Solely time will inform, nevertheless it appears the evening trains of the previous are being transformed into off-track inns.
Nonetheless, Japan has seen an increase in inexpensive sleeper buses, in a single day sleeper ferry journeys with Sunflower Ferries and a rise in inexpensive home flights with funds airways.
With the Shinkansen increasing to Sapporo in 2030, perhaps a necessity for in a single day sleeper trains in Japan usually are not wanted and are purely for nostalgia somewhat than practicality.
Effectively, I for one adore the in a single day sleeper practice expertise idea, and having the chance to attempt at the least one in a single day sleeper practice in Japan with the Japan Rail Cross is a pure bonus to my journey to Japan.
I like the concept I can fall asleep in Tokyo, get up on the island of Shikoku and begin my journey in Takamatsu. It’s a part of the enjoyable of travelling. Journey just isn’t at all times concerning the vacation spot, the journey might be equally gratifying.
Bathrooms and bathe scenario on the Dawn Specific
(Very clear bathrooms contemplating they’re on a practice!)
Earlier than we get began, I wished to notice that I didn’t deliver a towel with me. Towels usually are not included within the kind A non-public solo room or the Nobi Nobi kind reservation.
What the scenario is within the kind B two single-bed rooms, once more, I’m unsure as I used to be unable to entry that room kind, however I’m going to say no as properly.
Fortunately I had an onsen towel on me that I may use. Only a heads as much as deliver your towel; Daiso promote one for 300 yen should you don’t have a spare one.
When it comes to the bathroom room onboard, I used to be pleasantly stunned – it was very clear and spotless. There was additionally a sink to clean palms in.
Exterior the bathroom there was a big sink and a mirror. Good for brushing your tooth and a light-weight face wash within the morning.
Now let’s discuss concerning the bathe room.
(The sold-out pink gentle of doom! All bathe tickets offered for my journey, no bathe for me!)
They’d a somewhat peaceable bathe room on the practice. One space was a dry room the place you might change garments, and there was a hairdryer, basket and desk to maintain your objects from not getting moist, in addition to a big mirror. Then this leads into the bathe room, which is somewhat spacious and geared up with rails and even bathe cleaning soap and shampoo.
The bathe works for a restricted 6 minutes every time, and also you management the time with the beginning/cease button. The bathe has a whole lot of stress, and the entire space is somewhat clear.
(Half one of many bathe room, the altering room.)
The bathe works by shopping for a ticket token from a merchandising machine on the practice.
The machine takes 100 and 500 yen cash, and a light-weight indicated that the machine didn’t take notes though it had a slot for notes. I consider you run the chance of not getting change if you buy with a word, so finest to make use of cash closest to the precise quantity.
Nonetheless, after I checked, the machine stated it had run out of tokens (“Offered out”). I’m unsure if this meant that the practice had a restricted quantity of tokens they may promote for the journey they usually had all offered out, or that the machine had run out of tokens.
(The bathe room itself, a great deal of area, handrails and shampoo on provide)
My suggestion can be to purchase a bathe ticket token the second you get on the practice, as I used to be unaware that the bathe tokens are restricted and I missed out on having a bathe.
Sadly, this additionally means I can’t inform you how a lot the bathe price. I feel it was 320 yen, however I’m unsure as a result of the worth might need gone up just lately. No indication of the worth was talked about anyplace in English. Sorry for the dearth of assist.
What was clear was {that a} refund was not attainable, so watch out when buying a bathe card relating to the change and with the ability to use the cardboard.
Lounge space on the Dawn Specific
On the Dawn Specific, you’ll find a lounge space with 4 chairs on both sides going through outwards in the direction of the panoramic window and a protracted tabletop desk in entrance of you.
Good for working in your laptop computer, watching a film in your telephone or having a drink or a meal earlier than you fall asleep. No plugs within the space, and it’s a quiet zone.
(Japanese merchandising machine on a practice! Find it irresistible!)
Subsequent to the lounge space is a merchandising machine should you want to buy a drink, in addition to the machine for the bathe tokens.
I’m unsure about smoking rooms as I don’t smoke, however I did spot a vacationer asking in confusion the place the smoking cart was, so I’m unsure whether or not they discovered it, however I by no means noticed them once more so they may have gotten fortunate. I did odor smoke on the practice, so perhaps one is offered. Better of luck!
My total expertise travelling on the Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper from Tokyo to Shikoku
Total, my expertise of travelling on the Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper from Tokyo to Shikoku was constructive.
Waking up round 06:00 am and with the ability to expertise a surprising dawn over the Japanese countryside from the consolation of my mattress in a personal solo sleeper cabin on a practice is a tremendous second.
It might have been good to have an additional hour in mattress; perhaps departing round 22:50 from Tokyo station and arriving in Takamatasu at 08:00 am would have been a lot most well-liked.
Arriving at 07:00 am is a bit too early for my part, and 08:00 am would have been a greater time. I assume that the occasions are chosen this manner as a result of the tracks usually are not used throughout these hours, permitting the sleeper practice to go at a slower pace.
It was irritating {that a} towel was not supplied; even a small onsen-style towel would have carried out the job. Even inexpensive capsule inns provide towels, so this caught me off guard.
And don’t get me began on the restricted bathe token drama. Arriving in Takamatsu at 07:00 a.m. after having a bathe might need been a greater expertise.
(Even a small onsen towel to make use of the sink would have been nice)
I observed that the bathe room remained empty more often than not. What number of passengers have been capable of have bathe tokens, I do surprise.
As lodge check-in time in Japan is somewhat strict with some inns not permitting check-in till 3:00 pm, you’re form of left caught feeling groggy for the remainder of the day, particularly when it’s sizzling and humid prefer it’s been in Japan this 12 months.
My suggestion can be to discover a native public onsen tub the place you may pay a one-off price to have a bathe and clean up. You is likely to be in luck with some native onsens if they provide a morning service at 07:00 am.
Bathe subject apart, I couldn’t think about a greater solution to journey to Shikoku from Tokyo than the sleeper practice to start out the journey across the island.
Attending to attempt the Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper was an unbelievable expertise that I loved so much and would attempt once more. Perhaps subsequent time I get a Japan Rail Cross I’ll attempt the Nobi Nobi reservation and head to Izumo as a substitute.
Let’s hope that the final inexpensive in a single day sleeper practice possibility in Japan stays in service for a few years to return, so extra travellers can expertise this distinctive manner of travelling throughout Japan.
Crossing the Seto Bridge by sleeper practice to Shikoku
Take within the great vistas as you cross the Seto Bridge onto the island of Shikoku.
It’s the nice view of the ocean and coastal environment that makes Shikoku’s panorama further particular, particularly within the morning because the solar begins to rise.
It’s an much more unbelievable expertise to admire the surroundings from the bridge onboard a sleeper practice. Benefit from the journey!
Takamatsu station will greet you with a giant smile
You possibly can’t miss Takamatsu practice station. It’s arduous to overlook because the station will greet you with an enormous smile! Takamatsu is the right metropolis to start out your journey round Shikoku island.
From right here you have got many choices. You possibly can seize a ship and head on over to Naoshima island by native ferry to discover the artwork island which has many artwork installations, initiatives, galleries and shows scattered throughout the island.
You possibly can discover one or all the 88 temples circling the entire island of Shikoku as a part of the Shikoku Pilgrimage trails (or Shikoku Henro).
Head to the Iya Valley for unbelievable mountaineering and discover a number of the many Vine Bridges that you’ll find within the space.
Discover town of Matsuyama and its unbelievable historic citadel, and make certain to not miss out on the native ramen which is understood for its distinctive candy style and use of udon noodles.
Or why not choose up a rental bike and uncover the unbelievable community of biking throughout the Shimanami Kaido seven bridges over the Setouchi Sea?
There’s a lot to do on the island of Shikoku, hope you have got a good time! Let me offer you some recommendations on what to do round Takamatsu for the day.
(Be happy to look at my video about exploring the island of Shikoku.)
My advice for what to do in Takamatsu for the day
So, you’ve arrived in Takamatsu station by the Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper Prepare at roughly 07:00 am. Here’s what I’d counsel you do.
Initially, you may lock your baggage up at one of many many station lockers after which find a public onsen to clean up.
Alternatively, you may e book an evening at JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu, which is positioned throughout from the practice station.
In the event you do select to remain an evening right here then you may ask the lodge to retailer your baggage till check-in. You might also ask if it’s attainable to make use of the onsen tub for friends earlier than your room is prepared.
It’s at all times price a attempt. The lodge has a tremendous sky bar with nice views of town and surrounding islands as properly of the Takamatsu citadel ruins.
Fortunately, the highest attraction in Takamatsu opens at 06:00 a.m., so I’d extremely advocate spending your morning strolling across the Ritsurin Garden.
(Entrance ticket will set you again 420 yen, and you may simply discover the gardens for just a few hours.)
The Ritsurin Backyard is well-known for its 1700s-style backyard that includes formal landscaping, ponds and bridges.
The morning is somewhat a pleasant time to stroll across the gardens as you should have most of them to your self. Hold a watch out for the hungry coy carp that prefer to swim across the bridges. You possibly can even go on a ship experience if you want.
For me, the spotlight of the Ritsurin Backyard is the teahouse expertise, which is each peaceable and charming. For 700 yen you may take pleasure in a matcha teahouse ceremony which comes with a candy chestnut deal with.
You possibly can then keep within the teahouse for so long as you want, even within the Kikugetsutei room, which has an exquisite viewing spot overlooking the mote and surrounding backyard.
They actually have a pillow which you can sit on marking the king’s seat, permitting you to see eight completely different viewing angles of the backyard from one spot within the room. It’s the right viewing location of the backyard for my part.
(Tasty Udon lunch price attempting in Takamatsu.)
Then for lunch, I’d advocate going to a Udon noodle restaurant known as: “(郷屋敷 サンポート店)” near the practice station. They’ve a well-liked lunch dish amongst the locals which you can attempt in Takamatsu. It goes particularly properly with tempura and was good to attempt chilly.
For the remainder of the day, I’d head to one of many ferry terminals and perhaps go to the artwork island of Naoshima.
Thanks for studying my weblog put up concerning the Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper Prepare to Takamatsu, Shikoku, Japan
Thanks for passing by my weblog and studying about my journey on the Dawn Specific In a single day Sleeper Prepare to Takamatsu, Shikoku, Japan.
I hope you discovered this text most helpful in the direction of planning your journey on a Japanese sleeper practice.
You probably have any additional questions on this journey, please do get involved with me.
Particularly should you want any journey suggestions for exploring the island of Shikoku, I’d be very happy to assist.
Have a tremendous time exploring Japan by sleeper practice!