EAST Japan Railway (JR East) is converting a E657 express EMU to provide sleeping compartments to make long journeys at night more comfortable. The new overnight express will enter service from Tokyo to northern Tohoku in spring 2027.
“Through the experience of travelling on an overnight train, we hope to remind many customers of the excitement of travelling by rail,” JR East says. “Through the operation of the train, we will promote the rich nature and culture of the JR East area both domestically and internationally, aiming to revitalise tourism.”
The train will only offer Green class accommodation in seven coaches or Premium Green class accommodation in the end cars, while car number five will be a lounge car.
All the seats in the 10-car train will be removed and private rooms will be fitted accommodating between one and four passengers. The Premium Green private rooms will provide greater comfort. Multiple room types of different sizes will be available.
The Premium Green room for one or two passengers will feature sumptuous interiors from floor to ceiling and a large L-shaped sofa which can be converted into a flat bed. There will be space to store luggage.
There will also be two wheelchair-accessible Green private rooms for one or two people in Car 6.
