Blue Train (Japan)

They consisted of 20-, 12-,583-, 14- or 24-series sleeper cars, and connected major destinations within Japan across long distances.

For a time, other routes were served by a fleet of newer limited-express overnight trains, which were not blue.

[1] However, as buses, airplanes, and the Shinkansen became faster, more popular, and sometimes cheaper, the Blue Trains saw a severe decline in ridership and therefore revenues.

[2] The Asakaze service connecting Hakata and Tokyo was eliminated in 2005, its average occupancy below 30 percent.

Services like the Cassiopeia (a Blue Train in all but color) retained some popularity among tourists until the completion of the Shinkansen line to Hokkaido.