I recently took the Sunrise Express for the first time in my life and visited Shimane Prefecture. Today, I’d like to share some photos of this train with you.
Let me start by briefly reviewing Shimane Prefecture and the Sunrise Express. Shimane is located in the western part of Japan, facing the Sea of Japan. Its population is about 0.7 million, making it the second least populous prefecture in the country. To travel from Tokyo to Shimane, one of the most convenient means of transportation is the Sunrise Express. It is an overnight sleeper train with comfortable berths. Connecting Tokyo and Izumo-shi, the train travels across three JR companies: JR East, JR Central, and JR West.
The 14-car EMU 285 series operates as both Sunrise Izumo and Sunrise Seto from Tokyo to Okayama. After arriving at Okayama station, the train is split in two. The Sunrise Izumo (a 7-car set) continues to Izumoshi in Shimane Prefecture, while the other 7-car set heads to Takamatsu as the Sunrise Seto.
The EMU 285 series is owned by JR West and JR Central. A total of five sets—35 cars—were built in 1998 by Kinki Sharyo, Nippon Sharyo, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. I think that sleeper EMUs like this are quite unique. I used a B-class (standard-class) single room. Its window was very large, allowing me to fully enjoy the night view of downtown Tokyo before I eventually drifted off to sleep.
To be continued…
