Twilight Express

Are you a great fan of railways? If so, of course you know Twilight Express, don’t you? The berth super express train runs between Osaka and Sapporo along the Japan Sea for approx. 22 hours. It boasts the longest distance in Japan. Unfortunately, it stops operating in the middle of this March due to the opening of Hokkaido Shinkansen or Bullet train. So it becomes hard to get the tickets. The retro green body attracts bountiful of railway fans. There are many repeated passengers. My husband is also a great railway fan, but he had not boarded the express yet. He craved to get on the train.
You cannot apply for the tickets on internet. The tickets are only sold at the JR Ticket Reservation Office (Midori no Madoguchi) from 10:00 AM before one month when you are scheduled to get on the train. Now once the tickets are released, they are sold in one second. The station employee applies for the tickets just on time while listening to the time signal on the phone. As the employees of many JR stations manipulate the company online simultaneously and the number of the berths is limited, it is getting very hard to buy the tickets. My husband and I went to JR stations several times before 10 AM, but we failed. We are members of J-​West card, which enables us to apply for the tickets on phone. We expected the cancellation, so I called J-​West telephone service several times to ask the staff to check the cancellation of the tickets. But I could not succeed in. I asked the guardian deity close to my house which I frequent and is popular and loved by local citizens to get the ticket. I ardently prayed that his wish would come true. The deity granted my wish. My husband happened to get the cancelled ticket at a JR wicket and finally got on the long-​cherished Twilight Express. Thank you, the guardian deity.
The express consists of luxurious Suite Rooms, single Royal Rooms, Private Room B, and B Compartments. B Compartments are open-​style for four passengers. A pair of double-​deck bed is installed in a carriage. My husband utilized B Compartment room. The other passengers of the same room were strangers but very good persons. So he spent a very pleasant time with them, going to the annexed bar corner and having breakfast together. If you want to try the French or Japanese full course dinner, you have to book them in advance. My parents-​in-​law had French dinner, which was so gorgeous, sophisticated and tasty. As for taking shower, also reservation is necessary. In the train various ingenious games and attractions were held. So the passengers don’t feel tedious at all.
He bought me souvenirs such as railway-​original canned stews or packed curries or local sweets when the express stopped at every station.
We got only one ticket, so I stayed home praying for his safety and fun journey. As he got on the train at Sapporo station, I went out to meet him at Osaka station. He got excited to get off the train. I took the pictures of the express and him.
Thank you and Good bye, Twilight Express.
Tips: If you do want to get on the express, you have no choice but to expect cancellation. You cannot book a canceled ticket in advance. That is, you have to go to JR Reservation Office (usually large or major stations have one) to ask the staff for cancellation every time. The express has many berths, so one or two cancelation may be in a day. If you feel troublesome, you cannot get the ticket.
Or apply for J-​West Card member. Only in the first year you are not charged for admission until March 31, 2015. From the second year you have to pay 1080 yen annually. With this card you can call the JR west service center to check cancellation of Twilight Express and apply for it if there is a canceled ticket. You need not bother to go to JR wicket everytime.
If you really want to try the express, never give up! I wish for your good luck: D)