By AYATERU HOSOZAWA/ Staff Writer
July 2, 2025 at 07:00 JST
An artist’s rendition of the first car of East Japan Railway Co.’s new overnight train, painted blue in tribute to classic sleeper “Blue Trains” of the past (Provided by East Japan Railway Co.)
East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) announced plans for a new overnight express train connecting Tokyo with the northeastern Tohoku region in spring 2027.
The 10-car E657 series train currently operated on the JR Joban Line as the Hitachi express will be remodeled for the overnight service.
The train will depart from Tokyo Station around 9 p.m. and arrive at Aomori Station about 12 hours later.
With a capacity for 120 passengers, the service will feature reservation-only Green Car seats.
Spaciously designed, cars No. 1 and 10 will feature one-person and two-person Premium Green Car compartments.
Standard Green Car compartments will carry up to four passengers with fold-out flat beds.
Passengers in other compartments will be able to recline their seats when they want to sleep.
Car No. 5 will function as a lounge with vending machines for drinks and snacks.
Pricing details have yet to be announced. However, fares for the Premium Green Car and Green Car compartments will be equivalent to those of upper-class Grand Class and standard Green Car seats on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line, respectively, JR East said.
The exterior of the sleeper train will be painted bright blue in a nod to the classic long-distance sleeper express trains of the past that were nicknamed “Blue Trains.”
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