ミケRail Rolling Stock: Sunrise Express

So you'd think with my plan to only have 1 new outfit this year that with 2 already in the works I'd not even consider a third but of course things change and working on this project gives me so much joy that I went ahead and ordered a dress for this next train~

285 Series - Sunrise Express

The 285 Series, more commonly known as the Sunrise Express is one of the only sleeper trains in Japan connecting Tokyo with the Chugoku and Shikoku regions, overnight.

The train leaves Tokyo at 22:00 and travels through the night, stopping at various cities in Shizuoka prefecture until 01:00 where it continues non-stop (it has brief stops for cargo but no stations that passengers can disembark on) to Himeji its first stop at 05:25. It's next stop is Okayama where the train uncouples and becomes the Sunrise Izumo, that continues on into Chugoku terminating at Izumo, and the Sunrise Seto, which travels across to the island of Shikoku terminating at Takamatsu.

It's an incredible train that I have yet to ride though it is on my bucket list. The idea of a sleeper train, being able to combine travel and sleep may not appeal to everyone but I love the idea and want to experience it at least once! There are many sleeper trains across the world but I find the Sunrise is quite unique in that it has multiple options and price points for how and where you can sleep on the train.

All photos are from Wikipedia

There are quite a few options when choosing a 'seat' on the Sunrise Express. You may have a cabin to yourself, a standard bed with a large window and privacy while you sleep. Theres a deluxe cabin with a little more space and standing room than the standard cabin.

The twin, this may be with a friend or a stranger, two standard beds in bunk bed form with a large window for each bed. More standing room than the standard single cabin but of course less privacy.

Finally the Nobinobi open-plan sleeping area. You don't get a bed or even a pillow (though you can bring your own) just a sheet and a curtained off area to call your own for the night. While this may not appeal to many, its a much more cost effective way to travel on the Sunrise Express, especially for foreigners using the JR Rail Pass, as the Nobinobi is included with the Pass!

Despite the cost I would love to travel in one of the single cabins, I want to wake up at sunrise as we get to our destination and look out at the beautiful scenery through that huge window!

The Outfit

Now I was torn with this outfit, I wanted it to have a dreamy feel to it, but was struggling with coming up with a solid idea. My rough sketches below were incorporating the roundness of the train and of course the colours however, I still wasn't happy with the overall feel. It felt more classy than anything, something you'd wear on a night out rather than on a sleeper train.

It was while I was lost browsing the internet (as we all do...) that I came across a dress. It was a Lolita style dress that had actually been a possible candidate for my E7 dress before I decided to have it custom made. It was on sale which is why I looked at it again and noticed it wasn't only available in Navy but also in a lovely deep red and cream.

It made me think of the Sunrise Express straight away with the colours but also the shape and fall of the fabric, it looked so dreamy and like it was a nighty.

As it was available in custom sizing I decided to just go for it! Unlike the image I probably wouldn't wear it with a petticoat so that it looked more like what an idol would wear to sleep. I also probably won't have my usual hat but we'll see once it arrives.

I'm really excited for it to arrive and as it is following the dreamy nighttime theme I may try and film a video in my bedroom or at least take some photos of it as I won't be able to perform in it properly for a while.

Website that I'm getting it from

The Setlist

So as I bought this kind of on a whim only a few weeks ago I haven't had much thought of what songs to sing for the Sunrise. As I said before I wanted it to have a very dreamy feel, so nothing too energetic but equally nothing too somber either. However, I also like the idea of waking up in an entirely new place to where you went to sleep on the Sunrise Express, so may also incorporate the idea of a fresh start, new adventure into the set list too.

眠れる森に行きたいな | I Want To Go To A Forest Where I Can Sleep - Konoe Kanata (Love Live!)

This song was suggested to me by my friend Amy as soon as I mentioned I was working on a setlist for the Sunrise Express. It's a very slow, dreamy song that matches Kanata very well, talking about sleeping, trying your best at sleeping and even saying goodnight at the end.

While it doesn't exactly match with the train theme I do like the overall feel of the song, the fact she mentions the forest goddess could also be a link to Izumo and the great forests that surround the famous sprawling Izumo Shrine.

ユメノトビラ | The Door Of Dreams - μ’s (Love Live!)

Another Love Live song, this song as the title suggests talks of searching for the door of dreams, following your dreams, setting off on a journey. Again it doesn't mention trains at all, but it has that dreamy feeling and I like the idea of walking through the door of the train and waking up to a new place, a new dream. It's one of my favourite songs by μ’s and have an idea brewing in my head already for how to perform it.

The door to our dreams, I'll always continue to search for it

It's the season for you and I to set off on a journey

ユメ射す明日へ / Dream shine upon tomorrow - Denpagumi.inc

Following the dream concept, this song sings about things not going well and dreaming that tomorrow will be better. Again I liked the idea of linking this with waking up in a new place, a fresh start.

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I feel like a sunrise setlist would be very different to my usual style, but maybe it could be a set list that evolves from feeling sleepy and dream like to more upbeat as you 'awaken' in a new place. its an interesting concept and I look forward to fleshing it out a bit more. I found the Denpagumi.inc song while writing this post so I'm sure theres more songs to find!