Japan Rail

Japan Railways Japan trains are a superb way of getting around the land of the rising sun. You can travel to most parts of Japan via train and you can even travel between the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu via a tunnel. The Japanese rail network runs like clockwork and the modern trains are kept immaculately clean.

Train travel in Japan is not just a means of "getting from A to B"; it is part of the Japanese culture that must be experienced. Many of the stations are the hub and lifeline for towns and cities, large and small. Many of the larger stations are abuzz with activity and are surrounded by indoor shopping malls, markets and food halls.

Your first train trip in Japan may be a bit of an eye opener, but travelling by train in Japan is easy because the major stations have signs and departure boards in English as well as Japanese.

Types of Japan Trains
Bullet Train Japan
Shinkansen bullet trains whizz along at super fast speeds of 200 to 300 kilometres per hour, so getting around Japan takes no time at all. The ride is smooth and noise free, the windows are large, and the views during the daytime are spectacular.

Shinkansen have reserved seats and most also have non-reserved seats, so don’t make the mistake of sitting in the reserved section if you haven’t paid your dues. Seat reservations cost about 500 to 700 yen, but if you have a JR Rail Pass these are free. The bullet trains have standard class seats which are more than adequate, but if you really want to travel in style there are green cars (1st class).

The train stations will have signs on the platform indicating where each carriage will stop, and you’ll see other travellers queuing up in front of these signs.

Part of the fun of travelling on a Shinkansen is buying the curious snacks from the hostess with the food and drink trolley. Watching the hostesses, conductors and cleaning staff bowing is also rather fascinating!

Announcements regarding the next stop are commonly in English as well as Japanese. Many of the Shinkansen will also have electronic signs in English at the end of each carriage to indicate the next stop.

Limited Express Trains
These trains only stop at the major train stations. Many of these trains have reserved and non-reserved seating.

Local Trains
Local trains stop at every station and generally all seats are non-reserved.

Rapid Trains
Rapid trains are the same as the local trains except that they skip some stations.

Sleeper Trains
Japan also has some sleeper trains such as the one that runs between Tokyo and Sapporo.

Japan Rail Pass Japan Rail passes can be used on an array of trains across Japan.

Buy Japan Rail Pass
You need to purchase your Japan Rail Pass before you travel to Japan. You can get your Japan Rail Pass voucher here. This voucher has to be presented at major train stations (click here for a list of the offices and opening times ) along with your passport, which will be exchanged for the rail pass.

You’ll then need to make a seat reservation for express trains and Shinkansen at a ticket office and get the tickets for these. If you don’t speak Japanese it may be helpful if you write down the number of the train, the departure time, and arrival time (get the timetable information from Hyperdia). The non-English speaking staff will generally get the gist if you show them the numbers and state your destination.

When you pass through the auto gates to the train platforms, be aware that this reserved seat ticket won’t work in the automatic gates. You’ll need to go to the manned lane and show the staff your rail pass. The ticket will show you which carriage to get on and the allocated seat numbers.

If you don’t need a reserved seat (e.g. on local trains) you don’t need a ticket to get on the train. Just show them your JR Pass when you get off.

You must be an overseas tourist under the entry status of “Temporary Visitor” to purchase a Japan rail pass.

JR East Pass
The JR East Pass is an economical and flexible rail pass to travel around Tokyo and Eastern Japan (ie northern Honshu) where there is a large concentration of Japanese ski resorts. The pass is valid for travel on all of the 72 railway lines of JR East including the Narita Express (between Narita airport and Tokyo), the Nagano Shinkansen (to the Nagano ski resorts), Yamagata Shinkansen (to Zao Onsen), and the Tohoku Shinkansen (to Appi Kogen).

Passes come in the following configurations: 5 consecutive days, 10 consecutive days, and a flexible 4 day pass for use within a one month period. There are two types of passes; either the Green pass for 1st class cars or Ordinary which allows for standard reserved seating on the bullet trains.

Japan National Rail Pass
The Japan Rail Passes cover all of Japan. Exceptions are the super fast Nozomi expresses on the Tokyo-Osaka- Hakata Shinkansen, but this isn’t a problem as there are Hikari express trains on the same route. Passes are available for 7, 14 or 21 days consecutively and are available for Ordinary (2nd class) or Green/First Class. Sleeper trains are also covered on the Japan Rail Pass, although a supplement for large sleepers is required.

Hokkaido Rail Pass
The Hokkaido Rail Pass is good for most train lines of the Hokkaido Railway Company as well as the JR Hokkaido Bus lines. The Hokkaido rail pass has the following configurations: 3 day consecutive, 5 day consecutive, and a 4 day flexi pass over a 10 day period.

Buying a Ticket If you don’t have a Japan rail pass you can purchase a ticket via ticket machines or ticket offices (which is much easier).

Buying a ticket from a vending machine can be rather daunting if you can’t read Japanese, but if this is your only option you’ll survive! Push the button with the lowest price on it. This will get you on the train, and when you get off you can pay a fare adjustment.

Other Japan Train Travel Tips Exchanging your Japan rail pass voucher for the actual rail pass may take a while, particularly if a plane load of tourists has just arrived at Narita airport. Be patient and observe the interesting Japanese culture and their systems and slow methodical processes (even if they’re superfluous!!).

Be aware that some Shinkansen and express trains will split apart during the trip and the two halves will head to different destinations. Reserve seats and absolutely get on the right carriage. You don’t want to end up in a place that you had no intention of visiting!! Except for the NEX (between Narita and Tokyo), luggage space for large items is limited. There may be a little bit of space behind the end row of seats in each carriage, but otherwise finding a spot for a ski or snowboard bag can be a challenge. It’s probably wise to pack some octopus straps to affix your bag somewhere.

The large train stations have signage in English. However some of the small train stations that rarely receive tourists have no or limited signage in English, so it can be worthwhile to check the train schedules on Hyperdia. Trains are amazingly punctual so if you know the time to get on a train and when to get off, it makes life a little easier!

Train reservations can be made within Japan at any ticket office but not before you arrive in Japan. Except at really peak times (e.g. New Year’s), you can probably make a reservation just before you get on the train.

Talking on your mobile phone inside the train car is completely taboo, but you can head to the entrance areas of the carriages to chat, and of course you can text to your heart’s content wherever you like.

National Rail - JR Japan Rail International Rail - JR East Rail Pass
International rail is a specialist rail travel company. Buy JR East Rail Passes online. 5 or 10 consecutive days or 4 days in a 30 day period. Non-Japanese residents only. Must be purchased outside of Japan.