History

The forerunner of Japan’s sleeper trains, the Twilight Express ran between Osaka and Sapporo.
Although the popular service was discontinued in 2015, its pride and tradition live on, in MIZUKAZE.

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• The train was in operation between 1989 and 2015.

  During those 26 years, it carried around 1,160,000 passengers.

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• History

  1989

  July

  First train format completed.
  Began operating as a group charter service between Osaka and Sapporo.

  December

  Second train format completed. Began operating four times a week as a special train service. General ticket sales began.

  1990

  July

  Extra car of A-Class private rooms added. (Train lengthened to nine cars)

  1991

  April

  Third train format completed. Began operating 250 days a year in its new format.

  2001 - 2002

  Renovated, with a focus on the interior.

  2015

  March

  Service between Osaka and Sapporo discontinued.

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• Format

  11 cars

  • - 9 passenger cars

    A-Class private rooms: 2 cars

    B-Class private rooms: 3 cars

    B-Class berths: 2 cars

    Salon car: 1

    Dining car: 1

  • - Generator car: 1
  • - Locomotive: 1

  Capacity: 130 people