Overnight train from Osaka to Tokyo using last day of JR Pass

Hi Alex!

I've just answered a similar question that you can use for reference.

The basic gist is that you will be able to board as long as you are within the ticket barriers at Osaka before 12pm, but you will have to pay the express surcharge of around ¥8000 for a nobi-nobi seat to Tokyo. One way around this is to travel down to Himeji on the Shinkansen to board the Sunrise Seto overnight train at around 11:30pm. This will mean your rail pass will cover all charges to Tokyo.

If you take this option you'll have to set off from Osaka around 10pm. A full itinerary and other tips are included in the post I mentioned.

Hope this helps!

Hi Mari,

Thanks for your reply. Actually I am travelling with William thats why we are asking the same question. By the way, can we reserve seat once we purchase a JR Pass in Auatralia?

Is there any site that we can do it? Perhaps in English?

Thanks

Alex

Hi Alex,

Ahh - that explains it!

About the reservations, there is currently no easy online way to reserve seats in English (and for free). I'm afraid you have to book your reservations once you are in Japan and you have exchanged your Japan Rail Pass. As your sleeper car trip is at the end of your journey, you should be ok to reserve your place as soon as you arrive in Japan at the JR office - and it will give you time to change your plans should they all be totally full.

If you want to be 100% sure it may be possible to ask a Japanese travel agency in Australia to book the seats for you (I know some agencies of JTB do this), but there will certainly be a charge associated with it.

Hope this helps!