Service type Limited express Locale Japan First service 10 July 1998 | Status Operational Predecessor Izumo Current operator(s) JR Central, JR West | |
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The Sunrise Izumo (サンライズ出雲, Sanraizu Izumo) is an overnight sleeping car train service in Japan operated jointly by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) and West Japan Railway Company (JR West) since July 1998.
Contents
Operations
The Sunrise Izumo runs daily between Tokyo and Izumoshi in Shimane Prefecture, taking approximately 12 hours for the 953.6 km (592.5 mi) journey. The service operates in conjunction with the Sunrise Seto service to Takamatsu between Tokyo and Okayama. From Tokyo, the combined 14-car train departs at 22:00, and stops at Yokohama, Atami, Numazu, Fuji, Shizuoka, Hamamatsu (final evening stop), Himeji (first morning stop), and arrives at Okayama at 06:27, where the train splits. Between Okayama and Izumoshi, the 7-car Sunrise Izumo train stops at Kurashiki, Niimi, Yonago, Yasugi, Matsue, and Shinji, before arriving in Izumoshi at 09:58. The return working from Izumoshi departs at 18:55, and is coupled with the Sunrise Seto from Takamatsu at Okayama Station, departing together at 22:33, and arriving at Tokyo Station at 07:08.
Formation
Trains are formed of dedicated 7-car 285 series Sunrise Express electric multiple units (EMUs) owned by both JR Central and JR West. They are formed as shown below, with cars numbered 8 to 14 in the down (westbound) direction, with car 14 at the Tokyo end, and 1 to 7 in the up (Tokyo-bound) direction, with car 7 at the Tokyo end.
Accommodation and fees
The Sunrise Izumo consists of type "A" (Single Deluxe) and type "B" accommodation. A flat fee is charged for all compartments, regardless of starting or ending point. The other fares, the basic fare and limited express fare, are based on distance. For tourists using the Japan Rail Pass, the basic fare does not have to be paid. A shower is located in car 3/10. Passengers using the type "A" Single Deluxe compartments can use the dedicated showers in their carriage for free.
History
The Sunrise Izumo services were introduced together with the Sunrise Seto on 10 July 1998. Previously, the Izumo operated as a separate "Blue train" service connecting Tokyo with the Sanin region. However, these trains were becoming less popular as equipment became outdated, and air and bus services attracted more passengers. The Sunrise Izumo was intended to attract more passengers to train transportation by introducing newly designed trains and by reducing the journey time.
Following the introduction of the Sunrise Izumo, the original Izumo locomotive-hauled "Blue train" service was reduced from two return workings daily to one return working, serving the Sanin Main Line between Kyoto and Tottori Prefecture, most of which was not electrified and thus inaccessible by the electric Sunrise Express trains. The Izumo was ultimately discontinued on 13 March 2006 due to continuing decline in ridership, leaving the Sunrise Izumo as the only overnight train service between the Sanin region and Tokyo.
Ridership on overnight trains in Japan continues to decline, and from March 2009, the Sunrise Izumo and Sunrise Seto became the only overnight sleeping car trains to operate west of Tokyo via the Tokaido Line.