The is the longest overnight train service operating in Japan. Operated by West Japan Railway Company

West Japan Railway Company

, also referred to as , is one of the Japan Railways Group companies and operates in western Honshū. It has its headquarters in Kita-ku, Osaka.-History:...

 (JR West), it runs between the city of Sapporo on the northern island of Hokkaido

Hokkaido

, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...

 and Osaka

Osaka

is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...

 on south-western Honshu

Honshu

is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...

. The journey takes between 22 and 23 hours.

Trains for Sapporo depart Osaka at 11:50, and call at Shin-Ōsaka

Shin-Osaka Station

is a train station in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Japan. It is the western terminus of the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, and the eastern terminus of the Sanyō Shinkansen. The lines are physically joined, and many trains offer through service....

, Kyoto

Kyoto

is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...

, Tsuruga

Tsuruga, Fukui

is a city located in southern Fukui Prefecture, Japan.-Outline:One of city of Wakasa Area, present southern Fukui Prececture. Municipalized on April 1, 1937....

, Fukui

Fukui, Fukui

is the capital of Fukui Prefecture, Japan. The city is located in the north-central part of the prefecture on the coast of the Sea of Japan.-Demographics:...

, Kanazawa

Kanazawa, Ishikawa

is the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan.-Geography, climate, and population:Kanazawa sits on the Sea of Japan, bordered by the Japan Alps, Hakusan National Park and Noto Peninsula National Park. The city sits between the Sai and Asano rivers. Its total area is 467.77 km².Kanazawa's...

, Takaoka

Takaoka, Toyama

is a city situated in the northwest of Toyama Prefecture, Japan, and is the central city of its Western District. Takaoka covers the 8th largest surface area in Toyama prefecture and has the second largest population after Toyama City...

, Toyama

Toyama, Toyama

is the capital city of Toyama Prefecture, Japan, located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in the Chūbu region on central Honshū, about 200 km north of the city of Nagoya and 300 km northwest of Tokyo....

, Naoetsu

Naoetsu Station

is a JR East and JR West railway station in Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. It is located on the Hokuriku and Shinetsu main lines, as well as the Hokuhoku Line.-Lines:*JR East**Shinetsu Main Line*JR West**Hokuriku Main Line*Hokuetsu Express**Hokuhoku Line...

, and Nagaoka

Nagaoka, Niigata

is a city located in the central part of Niigata Prefecture, Japan. It is the second largest city in the prefecture, behind the capital city of Niigata...

, with the final passenger pick-up made at Niitsu

Niitsu, Niigata

was a city located in Niigata, Japan.As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 66,058 and the density of 843.87 persons per km². The total area is 78.28 km².The city was founded on January 1, 1951...

 at 19:39. The first stop in Hokkaidō is at Tōya

Tōya Station (Tōyako)

is a train station in Tōyako, Abuta District, Hokkaidō, Japan.-Adjacent stations:...

 at 07:18. The train then makes four more stops before arriving at Sapporo at 09:52.

The same stops are made in the reverse, with the Twilight Express departing Sapporo at 14:05 and making its final pickup at Tōya at 16:33. The first stop at Niitsu is made at 04:33 with the train eventually making its way to Kyoto at 12:15 and finally arriving at Osaka at 12:52.

The Twilight Express consists of type "A" and "B" accommodations, all specific to this particular train. A flat fee is charged for all rooms, regardless of starting or ending location. Currently, accommodation rates range from about ¥9,000 for a "B" single twin room to about ¥17,000 for a "B" twin room or an "A" royal room, up to ¥51,000 for the suite room.

The other fares, the basic fare and limited express fare, are based on distance. For tourists using the Japan Rail Pass

Japan Rail Pass

The is a railpass for overseas visitors sold by the Japan Railways Group, and is good for travel on all major forms of transportation provided by the JR Group, with a few exceptions. The Rail Pass is designed to stimulate travel and tourism throughout the country....

, the basic fare does not have to be paid, although the limited express fare and room fare must be paid.

Trains depart several times per week, with more departures during holiday periods. The Nihonkai train makes daily round-trip runs between Osaka and Aomori

Aomori, Aomori

is the capital city of Aomori Prefecture, in the northern Tōhoku region of Japan. As of 2009, the city had an estimated population of 302,068 and a density of 366 persons per km². Its total area was 824.52 km².- History :...

, with ongoing connections to Sapporo.

Route

The Twilight Express runs on the following rail lines:

West Japan Railway Company

West Japan Railway Company

, also referred to as , is one of the Japan Railways Group companies and operates in western Honshū. It has its headquarters in Kita-ku, Osaka.-History:...

 (JR West)

• JR Kyoto Line (Tōkaidō Main Line
  Tokaido Main Line
  The is the busiest trunk line of the Japan Railways Group , connecting Tōkyō and Kōbe stations. It is long, not counting its many freight feeder lines around the major cities...
  
  ), Osaka - Yamashina
• Kosei Line
  Kosei Line
  The is one of commuter rail lines and services in Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto Metropolitan Area, operated by West Japan Railway Company. The line was completed in 1974 by the former Japanese National Railways to provide faster access from the Kansai region to the Hokuriku region...
  
  , Yamashina - Omi-Shiotsu
• Hokuriku Main Line
  Hokuriku Main Line
  The is a 358.3 kilometer line of the West Japan Railway Company from Maibara Station in Maibara, Shiga to Naoetsu Station in Jōetsu, Niigata. It serves the Hokuriku region on the northern central coast of Honshū, the largest island of Japan, as well as offering connections to the regions of...
  
  , Omi-Shiotsu - Naoetsu

East Japan Railway Company

East Japan Railway Company

is the largest passenger railway company in the world and one of the seven Japan Railways Group companies. The company name is officially abbreviated as JR East in English, and as in Japanese. The company's headquarters are in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo....

 (JR East)

• Shinetsu Main Line, Naoetsu - Niitsu
• Uetsu Main Line
  Uetsu Main Line
  The is a railway in the Tōhoku and Chūbu regions of Japan. Part of the East Japan Railway Company system, it connects Niitsu Station in the city of Niigata and Akita Station in Akita...
  
  , Niitsu - Akita
• Ou Main Line
  Ou Main Line
  The is a railway line in Japan, operated by the East Japan Railway Company . It runs from Fukushima Station in Fukushima, Fukushima through Akita Station in Akita, Akita to Aomori Station in Aomori, Aomori Prefecture...
  
  , Akita - Aomori Signal Station¹

Hokkaido Railway Company

Hokkaido Railway Company

The is one of the constituent companies of Japan Railways Group , and thus often known as . It operates intercity rail services in Hokkaido, Japan. The company introduced Kitaca, a smart card ticketing system, from autumn 2008....

 (JR Hokkaido)

• Tsugaru Kaikyō Line, Aomori Signal Station - Kanita² - Goryōkaku¹
• Hakodate Main Line
  Hakodate Main Line
  is a railway line between the cities of Hakodate and Asahikawa in Hokkaido, Japan. It is one of the trunk lines operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company ....
  
  , Goryōkaku - Oshamambe
• Muroran Main Line
  Muroran Main Line
  The is a railway line in Hokkaidō operated by Hokkaido Railway Company , between Oshamambe Station in Oshamambe and Iwamizawa Station in Iwamizawa, running through the coast of Iburi Subprefecture...
  
  , Oshamambe - Numanohata
• Chitose Line
  Chitose Line
  is a railway line in Hokkaidō operated by JR Hokkaidō, between Numanohata, Tomakomai and Shiroishi Station, Shiroishi Ward, Sapporo, linking Muroran Main Line and Hakodate Main Line. There also is a branch line to New Chitose Airport.-Basic Data:...
  
  , Numanohata - Shiroishi
• Hakodate Main Line
  Hakodate Main Line
  is a railway line between the cities of Hakodate and Asahikawa in Hokkaido, Japan. It is one of the trunk lines operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company ....
  
  , Shiroishi - Sapporo

¹Train reversal point

²Crew change location for conductors (JR West and JR Hokkaido)

The Tsugaru Kaikyō Line runs over the tracks of the Tsugaru Line, Kaikyō Line

Kaikyo Line

is an 87.8-kilometre railway line operated mainly by the Hokkaido Railway Company. The line runs from Naka-Oguni Station in Sotogahama, Aomori, through the Seikan Tunnel between Honshū and Hokkaidō, and on to Kikonai Station in Kikonai, Hokkaidō...

, Esashi Line

Esashi Line

The is a Japanese rail line operated by Hokkaido Railway Company that runs between Hakodate City and Esashi Town in Hokkaidō.-Stations:All stations are in Hokkaidō.Track: ∥: Double track, ∨: Double track ends, ◇: Passing loop |: No passing loop...

 and Hakodate Main Line

Hakodate Main Line

is a railway line between the cities of Hakodate and Asahikawa in Hokkaido, Japan. It is one of the trunk lines operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company ....

.

Locomotives

Three types of locomotives are used to haul the Twilight Express service:

• Osaka to Aomori: JNR Class EF81
  JNR Class EF81
  The EF81 class of electric locomotives are Bo-Bo-Bo wheel arrangement multi-voltage AC/DC electric locomotives operated on passenger and freight services in Japan.-EF81-300:...
  
   electric locomotive assigned to Fukui Depot
• Aomori to Goryōkaku: JNR Class ED79 electric locomotive assigned to Hakodate Depot
• Goryōkaku to Sapporo: JNR Class DD51
  JNR Class DD51
  The DD51 is a class of Japanese B-2-B wheel arrangement diesel-hydraulic locomotives. 649 locomotives were built between 1962 and 1978 by Kawasaki Sharyō, Hitachi, and Mitsubishi. The class was designed for mainline passenger and freight use with more power than the D51 and a higher maximum speed...
  
   diesel locomotives assigned to Hakodate Depot (double-headed
  Double-heading
  In railroad terminology, double-heading or double heading indicates the use of two locomotives at the front of a train, each operated individually by its own crew. The practice of triple-heading involves the use of three locomotives....
  
  )

Timetable (as of March 2011)

• For the Osaka departure to Sapporo, read down. For the Sapporo departure to Osaka, read up.
• Stations that are not used for passenger pick-up or drop-off are in italics.

Down	Station name	Up
Dp 11:50 (Track 10) ↓	Osaka Osaka Station is a station on the West Japan Railway Company located in the Umeda district in Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan. It is the city's main rail terminal in the north....	Ar 12:52 (Track 3) ↑
Ar 11:55 (Track 12) Dp 11:56	Shin-Ōsaka Shin-Osaka Station is a train station in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Japan. It is the western terminus of the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, and the eastern terminus of the Sanyō Shinkansen. The lines are physically joined, and many trains offer through service....	Dp 12:48 (Track 17) Ar 12:47
Ar 12:24 (Track 0) Dp 12:25	Kyoto Kyoto Station is the most important transportation hub in Kyoto, Japan. It has Japan's second-largest train station building and is one of the country's largest buildings, incorporating a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, Isetan department store, and several local government facilities under one 15-story roof...	Dp 12:18 (Track 7) Ar 12:15
Ar 13:46 Dp 13:48	Tsuruga Tsuruga Station is a JR West railway station in Tsuruga, Fukui, Japan. It is located on the Hokuriku Main Line, Obama Line. The station is operating normally, but the platforms and station entrance are currently under construction...	Dp 10:52 Ar 10:36
Ar 14:40 (Track 1) Dp 14:40	Fukui Fukui Station (Fukui) is a JR West and Echizen Railway train station located in the city of Fukui, Fukui Prefecture, Japan.Fukui-Ekimae Station on the Fukui Railway Fukubu Line is located approximately 150 meters to the west.- JR Fukui Station :...	Dp 09:56 (Track 5) Ar 09:54
Ar 15:37 (Track 7) Dp 15:40	Kanazawa Kanazawa Station Kanazawa Station is a JR West railway station located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. It is the biggest station in Ishikawa Prefecture....	Dp 08:51 (Track 1) Ar 08:49
Ar 16:14 Dp 16:14	Takaoka	Dp 08:18 Ar 08:18
Ar 16:30 (Track 6) Dp 16:31	Toyama Toyama Station is a JR West railway station located in the city of Toyama, Toyama Prefecture, Japan.It is the biggest terminal station in Toyama.The , the terminal of the local Toyama Chihō Railway is next to the JR Toyama Station.-Lines:*JR West**Hokuriku Main Line...	Dp 08:03 (Track 3) Ar 08:01
17:28	Itoigawa Itoigawa Station is a JR West railway station located in the city of Itoigawa, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.-Lay out:1 side platform and 1 Island platform with Kirikaki platform.-History:...	06:58
Ar 17:57 Dp 17:59	Naoetsu Naoetsu Station is a JR East and JR West railway station in Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. It is located on the Hokuriku and Shinetsu main lines, as well as the Hokuhoku Line.-Lines:*JR East**Shinetsu Main Line*JR West**Hokuriku Main Line*Hokuetsu Express**Hokuhoku Line...	Dp 06:27 Ar 06:25
Ar 18:56 Dp 18:58		Dp 05:29 Ar 05:17
Ar 19:37 Dp 19:39		Dp 04:40 Ar 04:33
20:14		↑
20:41		3:29
21:50		↑
22:07		2:04
23:51	Akita Akita Station is a railway station in Akita, Akita, Japan, operated by the East Japan Railway Company .-Platforms:- Limited express trains :* Komachi * Tsugaru * Inaho * Akebono * Nihonkai -Surrounding area:...	0:34
1:24	Ōdate Odate Station is the western terminus of the Hanawa Line, and also a station on the Ōu Main Line located in Odate, Akita. Ōdate Station is home to a Hachikō statue .- Lines :* JR East** Ōu Main Line** Hanawa Line...	23:04
2:05	Hirosaki Hirosaki Station is a joint railway station on the JR East northern Ōu Main Line and Kōnan Railway located in the city of Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture Japan. It is 447.1 rail kilometers from the southern terminus of the Ōu Main Line at Fukushima Station...	22:27
↓		21:56
↓	Aomori Signal Station (near Aomori Station Aomori Station is a railway station located in Aomori, Aomori, Japan. The station opened on 1 September 1891.-Lines:Aomori Station is served by the following lines.*Ōu Main Line *Tsugaru-Kaikyō Line *Aoimori Railway Line... ) Train reversal point	↑
3:19	Kanita Kanita Station is a railway station on the JR East Tsugaru Line located in the town of Sotogahama, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. It is 27.0 rail kilometers from the southern terminus of the Tsugaru Line at Aomori Station.-History:... Crew change station for conductors JR West West Japan Railway Company , also referred to as , is one of the Japan Railways Group companies and operates in western Honshū. It has its headquarters in Kita-ku, Osaka.-History:...  <> JR Hokkaido Hokkaido Railway Company The is one of the constituent companies of Japan Railways Group , and thus often known as . It operates intercity rail services in Hokkaido, Japan. The company introduced Kitaca, a smart card ticketing system, from autumn 2008....	20:38
↓ Enter 3:41 Exit 4:20 ↓	Seikan Tunnel Seikan Tunnel The Seikan Tunnel is a railway tunnel in Japan, with a long portion under the seabed. Track level is about below seabed and below sea level. It travels beneath the Tsugaru Strait—connecting Aomori Prefecture on the Japanese island of Honshu and the island of Hokkaido—as part of the Kaikyo Line...	↑ Exit 20:17 Enter 19:41 ↑
5:05	Goryōkaku Goryokaku Station is a railway station on the Hakodate Main Line and the Esashi Line of Hokkaido Railway Company . It is located in Hakodate, Hokkaidō, Japan.The station is named after Goryōkaku fort, located about two kilometers from the station.... Train reversal point	18:43
↓	Oshamambe Oshamambe Station is a railway station in Oshamambe, Hokkaidō, Japan, operated by Hokkaido Railway Company .-Lines:Oshamambe Station is served by the Hakodate Main Line from to and the Muroran Main Line to ....	17:05
Ar 07:18 Dp 07:18	align="center" |	Dp 16:33 Ar 16:23
Ar 07:52 Dp 07:54		Dp 15:50 Ar 15:48
Ar 08:11 Dp 08:12		Dp 15:34 Ar 15:33
Ar 08:50 Dp 08:50		Dp 15:00 Ar 14:59
Ar 09:10 Dp 09:11		Dp 14:39 Ar 14:39
↓ Ar 09:52 (Track 3)	Sapporo Sapporo Station is a train station located in Kita-ku and Chūō-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan. It is served by Hakodate Main Line and other lines of Hokkaido Railway Company , and is also connected to the Sapporo Subway. The JR Hokkaido part is in Kita-ku while the Sapporo Subway part is in Chūō-ku.Sapporo Station...	↑ Dp 14:05 (Track 4)
Down	Station name	Up

External links

• Dream Rail Trip on Twilight Express 2004 promotional video for the Twilight Express. (Windows Media, in English)
• Twilight Express Train Gallery Twilight Express train route and composition information. (In Japanese)