When you visit Japan, you want to soak up as much as possible, never wasting a second, as you might miss real-life “Mario Kart” races, a dark-lit izakaya serving the best yakitori imaginable, or even robot dinosaurs checking you into your hotel.
Yep — Japan has quite literally everything, though the truth is most travelers are solely glued to Tokyo.
Whether it be islands, hot springs, or Mount Fuji as Tokyo’s natural backsplash, there’s nothing missing in Japan except time spent wasted by staying in your hotel with such wondrous experiences waiting.
But guess what the ultimate loophole is? You’ll never miss a moment by day, and it’ll serve as your resting place by night.
Overnight bullet trains, something the U.S. has yet to adopt, no matter how much California keeps taking my tax dollars.
Asia, of course, especially Japan, is a sheer master of high-speed rail — and though we’ve reported on some exciting new routes in the past, this one takes the cake — or mochi, in this case…
Tokyo To Osaka: Overnight High-Speed Train Launching This Summer
There’s no need to tell you Tokyo is a global powerhouse, but what you may have missed is Osaka’s rise to prominence, the country’s undisputed red-ribbon holder.
Somehow, Tokyo has kept its manners despite being one of the world’s largest concrete jungles, where you can ride the metro end to end and not hear a sniffle.
Osaka, on the other hand, is louder by design — the kind of place where slurping noodles feels encouraged and dimly lit alleys glow with neon, smoke, and no apologies, with art at the forefront, no matter how in-your-face it may be.
So, as enticing as it is to spend your entire trip in Tokyo, whether reliving Bill Murray or Anthony Bourdain’s best life at the legendary Park Hyatt, and savoring the unmatched energy unlike anywhere else, Osaka has become too good to pass up, especially with this new train making it so easy to reach.
Officially named the Tokaido Lumière Express, those wanting to tick off both Tokyo and Osaka from their wishlist can do so with ease beginning August 8th, 2026 on this special, first-of-its-kind route that may not continue depending on demand.
Make sure you double check travel alerts and tourist fees before your trip.
Japan’s Newest Hotel Loophole
Tokyo is located on the eastern side of Honshu, Japan’s main island, while Osaka sits farther west in the Kansai region.
That means if you were to plan a trip without opting for the Tokaido Lumière Express, you’d be wasting precious hours of your trip viewing a whizzing blur of nothingness from your window seat.
Hey, Japan really puts the “bullet” in bullet train. Don’t underestimate the speed.
Instead of paying for an unnecessary hotel the night before traversing to either of these cities, you can simply hop on board the overnight train and arrive first thing the next morning, well rested.
According to our local sources, assuming you’re leaving from Tokyo as most will, the train will leave Tokyo Station at 10 p.m. and arrive at Shin-Osaka Station at 6:59 a.m, the perfect time to grab a totally normal noodle-overload breakfast and start exploring one of Asia’s trendiest cities.
There are a few optional stops in between and a rest period in the middle of the night due to noise ordinances, and lights may come on occasionally.
It’s best to bring a sleeping mask if you’re a light sleeper.
Prices are expected to be $92.85 for standard class, which is a steal compared to some of Tokyo’s most notable hotels that can be off the charts during summer.
Additionally, there’s a women-only carriage for added safety and comfort.
How Safe Are Tokyo And Osaka?
While there’s an array of odd quirks you’ll come across in Japan, ranging from off-the-wall anime subjects to professional cuddlers for hire, the truth is no matter how bizarre you may find the country to be, it’s remarkably safe and welcoming to all.
Take a look at our real-time Safety Index below, showing Japan overall along with Tokyo and Osaka individually — all earning strong scores of 85+ out of 100:
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
