JR Central launches Tokaido Lumiere Express overnight Shinkansen

JR Central has launched the "Tokaido Lumiere Express," the first overnight Shinkansen service on the Tokaido line. The special one-night service departed Tokyo Station at 10:00 PM and is scheduled to arrive at Shin-Osaka Station around 6:59 AM.

To account for noise considerations, the train remains stationary at Gifu-Hashima Station for approximately six hours, from midnight until around 6:00 AM. The service was designed to target leisure travelers wishing to begin their activities early in the morning, especially amidst rising hotel costs.

The service offered approximately 500 window seats in standard class for 15,000 yen per adult, all of which sold out within two days of release. While this specific run was a one-night event, JR Central is positively considering future operations of the service.