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Japan Sightseeing Guide

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Dear visitor, if you know the answer to this question, please post it. Thank you! Night train reservation with JR pass 2009/8/5 Sapporo I am planning on turning in the Exchange Order for a JR Pass in Narita on Sat 22 Aug, and would like to catch a night train to Sapporo on Sun 23 Aug. Will I manage to reserve a twin private room on Cassiopeia or Hokutosei at that point, or will it be sold out already? And are couchette compartments mixed sex, i.e. can I travel with my wife if we do not manage to secure a private room? Can people smoke in them? by christianruckh   Night trains 2009/8/5 Christianruckh, Will I manage to reserve a twin private room on Cassiopeia or Hokutosei at that point, or will it be sold out already? I can't confirm the Cassiopeia via the JR Cyberstation site, but the Hokutosei is already booked out for the rest of this month, so the Cassiopeia is likely to be fully booked even further ahead. And are couchette compartments mixed sex, i.e. can I travel with my wife if we do not manage to secure a private room? Yes. Can people smoke in them? Yes, except in the no-smoking cars, but most cars are smoking on night trains. by Dave in Saitama (guest) rate this post as useful Charges are not covered. 2009/8/5 It seems that these trains are fully booked as to Ueno - Sapporo. Cassiopeia leaving from Ueno on 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 August 2009; Hokutosei leaving from Ueno on 21 through 27 August 2009. - Cassiopeia: Situation of reservation (in Japanese) http://www.jreast.co.jp/cassiopeia/reserve/index.html The column second from the right is for trains heading to Ueno. A JR Pass does not cover any charge for a ride utilizing a berth on a sleeping Express / Ltd. Express car. As to Cassiopeia and Hokutosei, trains run via two sections of non-JR lines between Ueno and Sapporo; the fare for each section is required even when you are travelling with a JR Pass. http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en008.html // by omotenashi rate this post as useful Opposite direction? 2009/8/5 Thank you very much for your reply. Do you think it will be less crowded on the Sapporo to Ueno route on Friday 4 September then? by christianruckh rate this post as useful Sapporo to Ueno 2009/8/5 christianruckh, The Cassiopeia doesn't run from Sapporo to Ueno on 4th Sept, as indicated on the page mentioned by omotenashi above. A quick look at the CyberStation site for checking seat reservations shows that there are still a few B berths (4-person couchettes) available on the Hokutosei for that date in both smoking and no-smoking cars. I think there is a high chance that they too would be sold out by the time you arrive in Japan. by Dave in Saitama (guest) rate this post as useful This really doens't help you but... 2009/8/5 I took the Hokutosei 7 years ago when I was in Japan for the World Cup...I'm not sure how my dad did it, but he got us the solo rooms on it and they were great. Old, but it was such a nice ride. Wake up at 5am (I think) right after you go through the tunnel to see the lake to the left side and you should see some nice scenery! by bobaab rate this post as useful Thank you! 2009/8/5 Many thanks Dave in Saitama, Omotenashi and Bobaab! by christianruckh rate this post as useful