2 sleeper trains in Japan. A really special experience

and it's going to be traveling 950 kilometers

from here Tokyo station all the way to Izumo

this is called the Sunrise IZUMO I've been on SHINKANSEN

bullet trains have been on local trains that are really slow I've been on

subways I've been on

monorails I've never been on one of these

This is gonna be fun

The IZUMO sunrise express departs daily at 10 p.m.

from Tokyo Station it's a long ride

no food service on board

there is a shower

Tourists visiting with the JR Rail Pass only need a reservation

and it's free

Me? Here's my ticket. Car 12, Row 4, seat B

Is it a seat or is it a bed

let's take a look

I've been on sleeper trains in Europe, India and even the trans Mongolian

railroad to Moscow

but I've never seen a layout like this really Japanese style

Take your shoes off

It seems a little cramped

It sorta reminds me of camping, staying in a tent

or maybe even a capsule hotel

These curtains to separate everything

have a reading light

I can shut this off, and here is a fan

it's pretty cool

time to say farewell to the city

Big skies, fresh air and new experiences await on the Sea of Japan side

only 12 hours to go

Goodbye Tokyo

let's have a closer look at this Japanese style sleeper train

14 cars have go to IZUMO

have go to SHIKOKU splitting in Okayama

the single sleepers also haven't upper and lower birth

these have doors

pajamas ,pillow , slippers

and a big window

here's the bed

an electrical outlet

alarm clock

radio and light control

comfortable

here's a twin compartment

I'm staying in the NOBI-NOBI- Zaseki

it's an open area for laying down but it's considered a seat

a little hard very little privacy but it saves on a night at a hotel

take off your shoes as I said japanese-style

everything is super clean

this sink for brushing your teeth

the toilet

spotless

this train is equipped with the shower available to all passengers

So here I am in the shower room, the shower part

It's 320 yen. There's a limited number available so buy one as soon as you get on the train

it's 6 minutes. I better hurry up.

Everything you need is in here. There's the soap

There's the shampoo. They even have the adjustable lever so you can

adjust the hight of the shower so really convenient for tall people.

There is even an auto clean feature for when you are done

The trains run in back and forth

which is really interesting

the changing room is pretty small. Better hit the shower

Make sure you adjust the temperature first.

6 minutes goes by pretty quickly

It's freaky. It's counting down as if it's going to

Y'know

I can't help but stare at that clock counting down

the pressure's on

Can I rinse off that shampoo in time?

live to ride another day

I really like this

it's enough room for me to sleep it's kind of a carpet

I get my own window which is really great

There is a curtain in the front for checking clothes. A little bit of privacy

And this wall separates

you from the person next to you

So you have a little bit of privacy here.

The NOBI NOBI ZASEKI has sheets but no pillow

but I've got that covered

ready for bed

while I slumber on the rails let's take a look at why anyone would go to IZUMO?

Here is Tokyo

on the Sea of Japan side is the Sannin area

it's considered the birthplace of Japan

There is IZUMO Taisha.

one of Japan's most important shrines.

Lake Shinji and Matsue, a beautiful castle town

then there's the crossroads City, YONAGO

with beaches and onsen

and overlooking it all

DAISEN, a stunning FUJI like volcano

with loads of outdoor activities

The SANIN area is loaded

need more reason to visit?

this dream just keeps getting better and better

check this out

we're almost there

Ohayo-Gozaimasu

In Japan, the sun rises around 4:30 in the morning during the

summer

there's no food service but a vending machine can handle thirsty travelers

Grab a canned coffee and head to the lounge car with your breakfast

don't forget to buy something in Tokyo Station before you board

I bought a tonkatsu bento

breaded pork cutlets sauce and rice at Tokyo Station

it's an EKi- Ben. Eki meaning station

Ben for Bento

Inside, there is everything you need.

Chopsticks, sauce.

and wet napkin

rice with the sour umeboshi plum on top

and the breaded pork cutlet put the sauce on

and chow down.

Don't forget to say, itadakimasu

before eating

The view just got a lot better.

an empty stomach is no way to enjoy a train ride

so don't forget your eki ben, and never ride alone again

The cool summer morning

Fog off the rice paddies trapped by the surrounding hills

mysterious ,mesmerizing

a reason to ride the rails at a normal speed

at Okayama the train splits

The break is fast

is there enough time to get a drink from that vending machine

maybe maybe

maybe not

The fast vending machine run

couldn't be done

it's easy to make friends in the lounge and share the beautiful Japanese

landscape as and rolls by the big windows

the sky reflex off the clear water in the rice paddies

stunning

the train follows a river most of the way.

The trip and view from Okayama to Izumo is the best part

when you see Dyson

that means IZUMO is not far away

back at the NOBI NOBI ZASEKI, the landscape continues to roll by

most of the passengers get off at YONAGO and Matsue

a moment to reflect as we near our final destination

finally IZUMO

trains are a big deal in Japan

this train really is special linking one side of Japan with the other

so if you come to Japan with the rail pass

and want to see an area that's a real hidden treasure of attractions

ride the rails overnight to the SANIN area

do it for the experience and what's waiting on the other side

see you again SUNRISE IZUMO