The Japanese Shinkansen, known for its punctuality and convenience, is the world’s first high-speed rail system to be put into operation. One of the companies operating the Shinkansen bullet trains, East Japan Railway Company (JR East), has recently started accepting reservations for passengers to stay overnight on the trains, similar to staying in a simple hotel, as the Tohoku region of Honshu Island prepares for a grand summer festival.
This unique overnight experience will take place from August 3rd to 5th in Akita City, Akita Prefecture. The E6 series “Komachi” Shinkansen train will make a stop at Akita Station, where passengers can board around 9:30 PM and stay on the train until the next morning at 7:00 AM.
This activity coincides with the two largest festivals in the region happening in the same week. Considering the difficulty of finding affordable accommodation, especially during the summer festivals, JR East has come up with the innovative solution of using the Shinkansen trains as temporary hotels.
These two festivals include the “Akita Kanto Festival” in Akita City, held from August 3rd to 6th annually, and the “Aomori Nebuta Festival” in Aomori City, held from August 2nd to 7th.
The Akita Kanto Festival is one of the three major festivals in the Tohoku region, believed to date back to the 17th century. It is held to pray for a good harvest of local crops including wheat, rice, beans, millet, and corn.
During this festival, young people in traditional festival costumes take turns lifting bamboo poles decorated with 46 paper lanterns and paper streamers, as tall as 12 meters, with their hips, shoulders, or foreheads.
The procession moves through town with the sound of flutes and drums, chanting loudly while ensuring that the lanterns remain lit.
It is said that lifting these heavy bamboo poles can ward off evil spirits. The heaviest pole weighs 50 kilograms and is shaped like ears of rice, symbolizing a prayer for a bountiful harvest.
The Aomori Nebuta Festival is one of the region’s most spectacular festivals, attracting over 3 million participants annually. The highlight of the festival is the gigantic illuminated lantern figures known as “Nebuta.”
These “Nebuta” lantern figures, measuring 9 meters wide and 5 meters tall, are mounted on floats, depicting mythical characters, gods, ghosts, local celebrities, kabuki actors, TV personalities, and historical drama characters.
Typically, there are 22 “Nebuta” participating in the festival. The closing performance includes a captivating fireworks display lasting about 2 hours, best viewed from the seaside or atop the Aomori Bay Bridge.
The overnight experience not only provides a place to sleep but aims to create a unique railway journey. Passengers can immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere of the train cabins during the non-operational night hours after a full day of regular Shinkansen operations on the E6 series “Komachi” train.
During their stay, passengers can observe other trains passing by through the windows, as there are passenger and cargo trains passing through Akita Station in the night, while the Shinkansen trains ending their evening operations move towards the train depot.
Passengers have various ticket options, including standard cabin double seats (for solo travelers) – meaning one person can enjoy two seats – priced at 5,000 yen (approximately $30.6).
Travelers journeying together can book a standard cabin suite for four at a cost of 10,000 yen (around $61.3). The suite can accommodate a maximum of two adults, each being able to bring along one elementary school student or younger child for free.
There is another standard cabin suite option tailored for use by one or two women only, also priced at 10,000 yen. Additionally, there is a family-use exclusive seating option available at the same price.
For those seeking a more comfortable sleep, there is the option of green car double seats at a price of 14,000 yen per person (about $85.8), or 8,000 yen per person (around $49) for double occupancy.
JR East does not provide bedding for the overnight experience but offers complimentary mineral water and a 500 yen (approximately $3.1) voucher that can be used at NewDays convenience stores located within the station for purchasing food.
It is important to note that passengers are allowed to eat and drink onboard but must remain in their seats throughout the night. Additionally, passengers are not permitted to leave the train between 12:30 AM and 5:30 AM.
Tickets for this overnight experience went on sale starting from July 23rd. For more details and reservations, please visit the JRE Mall website.