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Night Trains Getting Back on Track: Japanese Rail Companies Boosting Overnight Services

  • The luxurious Twilight Express Mizukaze operates mainly on the San’yō Main Line and San’in Main Line. (Courtesy JR West.)

    The luxurious Twilight Express Mizukaze operates mainly on the San’yō Main Line and San’in Main Line. (Courtesy JR West.)

  • The Luna Azul (“blue moon” in Spanish) is scheduled to debut in 2027. The blue body is reminiscent of the classic Blue Trains of previous decades. (Courtesy JR East)

    The Luna Azul (“blue moon” in Spanish) is scheduled to debut in 2027. The blue body is reminiscent of the classic Blue Trains of previous decades. (Courtesy JR East)

  • The Tōkaidō Lumière Express will make an extended stop during late-night hours. The name uses the French word for “light” to evoke the morning sun and the beginning of a new day. It also brings to mind the Hikari Shinkansen service, another bearer of a “light” name, which has been in operation since the launch of the Shinkansen in 1964. (Courtesy JR Central)

    The Tōkaidō Lumière Express will make an extended stop during late-night hours. The name uses the French word for “light” to evoke the morning sun and the beginning of a new day. It also brings to mind the Hikari Shinkansen service, another bearer of a “light” name, which has been in operation since the launch of the Shinkansen in 1964. (Courtesy JR Central)

  • The West Express Ginga, which operates mainly in the Kansai and Chūgoku regions, uses refurbished passenger coaches. (Courtesy JR West)

    The West Express Ginga, which operates mainly in the Kansai and Chūgoku regions, uses refurbished passenger coaches. (Courtesy JR West)

  • Using an electric locomotive and former JNR coaches painted in the style of the classic Blue Trains, Ōigawa Railway has been operating overnight express services several times a year since 2025. Passengers can use flat boards, sheets, and pillows to turn the box seats into simple beds. (Courtesy Ōigawa Railway.)

    Using an electric locomotive and former JNR coaches painted in the style of the classic Blue Trains, Ōigawa Railway has been operating overnight express services several times a year since 2025. Passengers can use flat boards, sheets, and pillows to turn the box seats into simple beds. (Courtesy Ōigawa Railway.)

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