Share the article
When you visit Japan you want to soak up as much as possible and not waste a second because you might miss real Mario Kart races, a darkly lit izakaya serving the best yakitori imaginable, or even robot dinosaurs checking you into your hotel.
Yes, Japan literally has it all, although the truth is that most travelers are glued solely to Tokyo.
Whether it’s islands, hot springs or Mount Fuji as Tokyo’s natural backdrop, there’s nothing missing in Japan except the time you waste staying in your hotel with such wondrous experiences ahead.
But guess what the ultimate loophole is? During the day you will not miss a moment and at night it will serve as your resting place.
Bullet trains for the nightsomething the US has yet to adopt, no matter how much California continues to take my tax dollars.
Asia, and especially Japan, is of course a pure master of high-speed rail – and while we’ve reported on some exciting new routes in the past, this one takes the cake – or mochi, in this case…
From Tokyo to Osaka: high-speed train launching this summer
No need to tell you that Tokyo is a global superpower, but what you may have missed is the rise of Osaka, the undisputed holder of the country’s red ribbon.
Somehow, Tokyo has kept its manners despite being one of the largest concrete jungles in the world, where you can ride the subway from end to end without hearing a sniff.
Osaka, on the other hand, is noisier by design – the kind of place where noodle slurping feels encouraged and dimly lit alleys glow with neon, smoke and no excuses, with art taking center stage, no matter how in-your-face it may be.
So as tempting as it is to spend your entire trip in Tokyo, whether you’re reliving Bill Murray or Anthony Bourdain’s best life in the legendary Park Hyattand enjoying the unparalleled energy that can’t be found anywhere else, Osaka has become too good to pass up, especially since this new train makes it so easy to get to.
Officially called the Tokaido Lumiere Expressthose who want to check both Tokyo and Osaka off their bucket list can do so with ease from August 8, 2026 on this special, unique route that may not take place depending on demand.
Japan’s newest hotel loophole
Tokyo is located on the eastern side of Honshu, Japan’s main island, while Osaka is further west in the Kansai region.
That means if you were to plan a trip without opting for the Tokaido Lumière Express, you would be wasting precious hours of your trip watching a whooshing blur of nothingness from your window seat.
Hey, Japan Real put the “bullet” in the bullet train. Don’t underestimate the speed.
Instead of paying for an unnecessary hotel the night before traveling to one of these cities, simply board the overnight train and arrive well rested the next morning.
According to our local sourcesAssuming you’re departing from Tokyo, as most people will, the train leaves Tokyo Station at 10:00 PM and arrives at Shin-Osaka Station at 6:59 AM, the perfect time to have a perfectly normal noodle breakfast and start exploring one of Asia’s trendiest cities.
There are a few optional stops and a rest period in the middle of the night due to noise ordinances, and occasionally the lights may come on.
If you are a light sleeper, it is best to bring a sleeping mask.
Prices are expected to be like this $92.85 for standard classwhich is a bargain compared to some of Tokyo’s most notable hotels that can be off the charts during the summer.
In addition, there is a carriage exclusively for women, for extra safety and comfort.
How safe are Tokyo and Osaka?
While you’ll find a whole host of strange quirks in Japan, ranging from off-the-shelf anime subjects to professional cuddlers for hire, the truth is that no matter how bizarre you think the country is, it’s remarkably safe and welcoming to everyone.
Check out our real-time safety index below, which shows Japan overall, along with Tokyo and Osaka individually – all of which achieve strong scores of 85+ out of 100:
