Night Train Time Table

Hi all,

I am looking for and trying to find the time table/schedule of nightrain. Please suggest also whether I'd better use night bus or night train. I plan to buy 7 D JR Pass. I will be in Japan by end of March for 9 days.

Thanks a lot

I am looking for and trying to find the time table/schedule of nightrain.

Many can be looked up here:
http://www.hyperdia.com/

Note that the Nihonkai and Kitaguni will be discontinued on March 17, whcih is not yet reflected by Hyperdia.

Jorudan's database, is updated, but the website provides less search functions:
http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/

Also, if you need the timetable of a specific train but cannot find it, please ask here.

Please suggest also whether I'd better use night bus or night train.

It depends on the person! Trains are generally much more expensive than buses, unless you have a Japan Rail Pass anyway and get one of these compartments of seats that are fully covered by the pass (on selected trains). On the other hand, and overnight train experience can be something magical, especially on the nicer trains, such as the Cassiopeia, Twilight Express or Hokutosei, which have dining cars, lounge cars, etc.

More importantly, night trains are not really an option on most routes anymore, because they have decreased in numbers dramatically over the recent years:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2356.html

Overnight buses, on the other hand, are available on much more routes.

Thanks Uji, you are always helpful to everyone,..! :-)

Using nightbus which seems cheap and bus looks comfortable is my considerations, however I am wondering whether it makes my JR Pass not so worth it anymore. The city I plan to visit are only Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, Hakone and maybe Okayama.

I am also bit confused with the information that in Kyoto and Hakone, JR network is also less coverage, meanwhile there is suggestion to buy Metro Pass / Suica pass while travelling in Tokyo. Those would reduce the worth of JR Pass which the price is Yen 28,300. How can I manage this ?

Thank you

Indeed, if you use overnight buses for some of your major trips, it will get difficult for the rail pass to pay off. Details depend on your specific itinerary. You can calculate train ticket costs here:
http://www.hyperdia.com/