If the "bed train" is noted in the charge column on www.hyperdia.com, does this mean the train has ALL bed carriages, or does the Akatsuki have some ordinary carriages. I ask this question because I've read on the web that the "non-sleeper" carriages have very comfy reclining seats, thus saving Y9450 in "bed train" fees. It may suit us to use this train and any other train we can find with comfy reclining seats for overnight travel. The answer may save a heap of cash and enable us to soak longer and eat more sushi & drink more sake thus fitting in with the average salaryman! Thanks guys & gals!

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2356.html says it has seats. Not sure how reliable this site is though, as I've found errors in the past.

Thanks Kim, much appreciated.

http://www.geocities.co.jp/SilkRoad-...-akatsuki.html

Info on Kim's post seems correct. You can see on above URL, the photos of sleeping cars and seats (called Legatoi - 3 seats per row) on Akatsuki train Shin-Osaka/Nagasaki. They even have ladies only car (after the plants).

Correction: Legatoi > "Legato" seat.

Thanks kappa! I'd read about the Legato seat but when I saw the "bed train" on hyperdia I assumed it would only be sleeping carriages. Great news, I hope!