Service type Rapid Locale Japan Current operator(s) JR East, JR Central | Status Seasonal operation First service 16 March 1996 | |
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The Moonlight Nagara (ムーンライトながら) is a seasonal rapid overnight train service operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), which runs from Tokyo to Ōgaki in Gifu Prefecture via the Tokaido Main Line. Since 2009, the service has been offered approximately three weeks per year, corresponding to the spring, summer and year-end holiday seasons.
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Rolling stock
Since December 2013, Moonlight Nagara services are formed of 185 series electric multiple unit (EMU) 10-car (4+6-car) formations based at Omiya Depot.
Past rolling stock
From the introduction of the Moonlight Nagara service, trains were normally formed of three 3-car 373 series EMUs owned by JR Central and based at Shizuoka Depot. Additional Moonlight Nagara 91 and 92 trains also operated during busy seasons, and these were formed of 10-car 183 series EMU sets owned by JR East and based at Tamachi Depot.
History
Overnight service on the Moonlight Nagara route has existed in various forms since 1899, when through service commenced between Shimbashi and Kobe, extending as far west as Kagoshima in the 1940s. Prior to World War II, as many as seven overnight round-trip services existed on this route. Rail services were cut dramatically in the wake of the war. The line briefly saw 3-4 daily overnight services in the late 1950s, but electrification of the line, coupled with the opening of the Tokaido Shinkansen high-speed line, reduced the need for overnight services.
A decision was made to abolish the remaining overnight services in 1968, but one round-trip Tokyo-Ogaki overnight service was maintained due to popular demand. This train was not formally named but was popularly known as the Ogaki Yako (大垣夜行) or "Ogaki Overnight." The train became especially popular following the introduction of the discounted Seishun 18 Ticket in 1982, as the new ticket made the train one of the cheapest ways to travel by rail between eastern and western Japan.
The Moonlight Nagara name was introduced on 16 March 1996, and was taken from the Nagara River in Gifu Prefecture, and was formerly used for the semi express service which ran between Tokyo and Ōgaki from 1 June 1960 until 1 October 1965. Initially, cars 4 to 9 were designated as non-reserved seating cars west of Yokohama Station, but from the start of the March 2007 timetable revision, all cars were designated as reserved seating between Tokyo and Toyohashi.
The service's popularity declined in the 2000s due to competition from discounted overnight bus services. From March 14, 2009, the Moonlight Nagara was discontinued running on a daily basis and became a seasonal train running only during busy periods.