Can You Take the Sunrise Express the Night You Fly Into Japan?

Short answer: Yes, you can!

If you're flying into Japan in the evening and wondering if you can hop straight on the famous Sunrise Express sleeper train that night -- good news: it's absolutely possible! Many of our customers do exactly that to maximize their time and skip the cost of a hotel room on night one.

Tokyo Station at night.

Here's what you need to know:

The Sunrise Seto and the Sunrise Izumo leave Tokyo Station daily at 21:50 (9:50 PM) sharp nightly. The Sunrise Seto goes to Takamatsu on the island of Shikoku, whereas the Sunrise Izumo goes to Matsue on the Sea of Japan.

The late-night departure of the train gives you several hours to grab your ticket and board the train, even if you land in the evening.

Can You Make It from the Airport in Time?

Let's break it down by major airports.

Narita Airport (NRT):

The last Narita Express train that you can take to make the Sunrise Express leaves at 19:49. Therefore, we suggest that you land by 18:00 (6 PM) at the latest, which will give you ample time to get ready once you get to Tokyo. You will arrive at Tokyo Station at 20:51, which gives you an hour to grab dinner, take photos, an hop on the train.

Narita Express

Haneda Airport (HND):

Haneda Airport is unique in that you have two options, to take the train either from Tokyo Station or from Yokohama Station, which is a little further south from Tokyo. If you choose the former, you'll want to fly in by 7 PM at the latest, as it takes around 30-45 minutes to get to Tokyo Station by monorail. You'll want to leave Haneda Airport by around 21:00 (9 PM) to make the Sunrise Express.

Things change a little if you choose to catch the Sunrise Express from Yokohama Station instead of Tokyo Station. The Sunrise Express leaves Yokohama at 22:14 (10:14 PM). You'll want to leave Haneda Airport by around 21:30 (9:30 PM) at the latest, so you want to land by 19:30 (7:30 PM) at the latest.

Haneda Airport and Mt. Fuji at dawn

Kansai International Airport (KIX):

You can also catch the Sunrise Express from Osaka to Tokyo, which is the most popular route for our customers. You should have no problem catching the train from Osaka on any flight during the day, as the Sunrise Express leaves Osaka Station at 0:33 (12:33 AM).

Try to arrive at Kansai International Airport by 22:00 (10 PM) at the latest in order to catch the Sunrise Express to Tokyo.

Kansai International Airport (KIX)

How to Pick Up Tickets for the Sunrise Express?

We offer two methods of receiving tickets for those taking the train on the day they fly into Japan. The first is that we can mail the tickets to your residence via FedEX, which means you have the tickets on you as soon as you arrive.

The second option is to pick up the tickets at a post office close to the station you wish to board from. This option is a little riskier, as you have to be cognizant of the departure times of the trains as well as when the post office closes. In general, post offices in Japan close at 5 pm, however, there are exceptions, such as the one at Tokyo Station, which closes at 9 pm (except for weekends and holidays, when it closes at 6 pm), or the one at Osaka Station, which closes at 7 pm.

All you need to pick up your tickets is a piece of identification that has your name and your address!

Sunrise Express in the fall.

Final Pro Tips:

• Buffer time is key. Even if your flight is on time, make sure to allow for customs, baggage claim, and train transfers.

• Don't wait to book! Tickets for the Sunrise Express sell out fast! Make a booking today by filling out our reservation form here!