[1][2] The Sunrise Seto runs daily between Tokyo and Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, taking about 9 hours 30 minutes for the 804.7 km (500.0 mi) journey.

There are seasonal extended services which Sunrise Seto trains from Tokyo run beyond Takamatsu, to Kotohira on the Dosan Line.

On top of these, those wishing to travel in a private room must also pay for a berth ticket (寝台券, Shindai ken), while those traveling in the Nobi-nobi sleeping area must pay a small seat reservation charge (座席指定料金, zaseki shitei ryoukin) in order to reserve an individual sleeping space.

Mini lounge areas are located in cars 3 and 10 which have a bench table with 4 seats on each side of the train.

Holders of the Japan Rail Pass can reserve a Nobi-nobi space (open-plan carpeted sleeping area with a small blanket provided) for free.

[9] Previously, the Seto operated as a separate "Blue train" service connecting Tokyo with Takamatsu.

The change cleared the 10:00 PM departure slot for one of the new Shōnan limited express services to Odawara.