so finally arrived in Tokyo Station and this is one of
2 sleeper trains in Japan. A really special experience
and it's going to be traveling 950 kilometers
from here to your 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
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 I'm in the shower room, the shower part
Its 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 here. There's thesoap
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 pressures on
Can I rinse off that shampoo in time?
live to ride another day
I really like this
its 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 clothers.A little bit of privacy
And the 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,
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
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
its 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 meansIZUMO 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
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