smoking permitted on Twilight Express?

Hi, am wondering if smoking cigarettes is or isn't permitted on Twighlight Express train? How about Cassiopeia train? Are both totally smoke-free?

Renata,

The Twilight Express caters for middle-aged Osakans, which probably explains why it is almost entirely smoking accommodation (only one car plus the lounge car is no-smoking). Having said that, I believe that train consists mostly of private compartments, so it is perhaps not such an issue for non-smokers.
The Cassiopeia is something like 50-60% no smoking.

Hello and thank you for the answer! So, the dining car would also permit smoking during meals? thank you!

Renata,

The dining cars on both trains are not marked as no-smoking in the JR timetable, so I presume that is the case.

It seems that a restaurant in Twilight Express is setting non-smoking times and Cassiopeia dining isn't.
I've not found explanation in English on this issue.

Sorry if these are not up to date....

Twilight Express:

- Non-smoking: Car Nos. 4 (salon car), 9 and mini-salon in Car No.7.
... according to
http://www.jr-odekake.net/train/twilightexpress/compo.h...

- A service company of JR-West group says that smoking is not permitted at a restaurant in Car No.3 during the dinner times (for which reservation is needed) and the morning time.
http://www.jwfsn.com/twilight/qanda.html

Cassiopeia:

- Non-smoking: Car Nos. 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 (with observation lounge).
- Smoking: Car Nos. 2, 3 (dining car), 5, 6, 11.
- Composition may differ for some trains.
... according to
http://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/train/tr016_03.html
http://www.jreast.co.jp/cassiopeia/accom/index.html

- JR-East says in the same page nothing about smoking in a dining car while saying that a lounge car became non-smoking.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/cassiopeia/accom/lounge.html

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Dear Dave and Omotenashi,
A million thanks for this information! Renata