Transportation - Trains

• The railway system in Japan has a high reputation for punctuality and safety.
  
  The train fare varies naturally depending on the distance you travel as well as the type of train you wish to catch: Limited Express, Express etc. and the type of reserved seat: Green Car (first class), Sleeper etc., for each of which an extra charge is required.
  
  Tickets for short distances are available from ticket machines that are installed at each train station whereas tickets for long distances and reservations are dealt with at ticket offices at major stations.
  
  To use the train, first purchase a ticket at a vending machine or ticket window. Your ticket is punched by hand at the wicket or inserted in a punching machine. Please keep the ticket since it must be returned at your destination.
  
  If there is no fare chart in English, buy the cheapest ticket indicated on the vending machine and pay the difference due at the fare adjustment office at your destination station before you go through the exit wicket.
  
  Most stations display station names in both Japanese and alphabet lettering on platform signboards. The name of the station is in large letters in the center of the sign; names of adjacent stations appear below or to either side.
  
  Most if not all trains stop operating around midnight.
  

• JAPAN RAILWAYS (JR)

  
  Japan's leading railway company, Japan Railways (JR), has an elaborate and well-established system of trains throughout the country.
  
  The Shinkansen (bullet train) is the world famous super express train, which fascinates Japanese and foreign visitors alike with its high speed and comfort. It is operated from Tokyo to major cities at intervals of approximately 15 minutes.
  
  Long-distance trains provide convenient access to all parts of Japan.
  
  To book tickets for long-distance trains follow either one of two different procedures:
  
  1.    If you did not validate your Japan Rail Pass at the airport, or did not make seat reservations at the airport JR Travel Service Centre, you can go to the JR Travel Centre downtown. The one in Tokyo is located at the Yaesu north-exit concourse of Tokyo Station, and is open 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. If you have already validated your pass and need only to make seat reservations, go to any Reservation Ticket Office (Midori-no-Madoguchi) counter at major JR stations.
  
  2.    If you don't have a JR Pass, visit the JR Travel Service Centre or one of the major travel agents.
  

• SHINKANSEN (BULLET TRAIN)

  
  The shinkansen has several lines. The Tokaido-Sanyo shinkansen, which links Tokyo and Hakata, is the one that many travellers use. The Tohoku shinkansen links Tokyo and Hachinohe (Aomori Pref.), the Johetsu shinkansen links Tokyo and Niigata, the Nagano shinkansen links Tokyo and Nagano, and the Kyushu Shinkansen in Kyushu presently links Shinyatsushiro (Kumamoto Pref.) and Kagoshima Chuo (Kagoshima Pref).
  
  Types of Shinkansen
  
  There are three types of Tokaido-Sanyo shinkansen: Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama. Each type of shinkansen stops at different stations. For instance, Nozomi stops at Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Shin-Osaka respectively between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka. Hikari stops at different stations in addition to the ones that Nozomi stops at (stations for stops differ for each train). Kodama stops at all stations (16 stations between Tokyo and Osaka).
  
  Types of seats
  
  3 types of seats: Non-reserved seats, Reserved seats, and Green Car seats
  Travel time and fares (per one adult) on main lines:
  
  •    Between Tokyo and Sendai: Approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes
  Fare: ¥10,590
  •    Between Tokyo and Niigata: Approximately 2 hours and 3 minutes
  Fare: ¥10,270
  •    Between Tokyo and Nagoya: Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes
  Fare: ¥6,090 + express fare of ¥4,690 (Reserved seat) or ¥3,980 (Non-reserved seat)
  •    Between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes
  Fare: ¥8,510 + express fare of ¥5,540 (Reserved seat) or ¥4,730 (Non-reserved seat)
  •    Between Tokyo and Hakata: Approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes
  Fare: ¥13,440 + express fare of ¥8,880 (Reserved seat) or ¥7,770 (Non-reserved seat)
  •    Between Shin-Osaka and Nagoya: Approximately 50 minutes
  Fare: ¥3,260 + express fare of ¥3,120 (Reserved seat) or ¥2,410 (Non-reserved seat)
  •    Between Shin-Osaka and Hakata: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes
  Fare: ¥9,350 + express fare of ¥5,540 (Reserved seat) or ¥4,730 (Non-reserved seat)
  
  ※ Express fares are ¥200 cheaper during non-busy days and an additional ¥200 during busy days.
  

• NIGHT TRAINS

  Due to the high-speed that people can travel around Japan by bullet trains and increasing competition from low-cost airlines and cheaper overnight buses, the number of night trains in Japan has decreased dramatically. However, there are still a number of them operating on the main island of Honshu and even services linking to Shikoku and Hokkaido.

  Seats on night trains are covered by the JR pass (please note that note all night trains have seats), but it does not cover shared or private compartments. You have to pay for these separately and also pay for the (limited) express fee of around 3,000 yen and in some instances, other fees.

  The most popular night travel for travellers tends to be the Hokutosei and Cassiopeia trains that run from Ueno station in Tokyo to Sapporo in Hokkaido. You can find out more about these trains here

  Other night trains are:

  • Hanamasu (Aomori-Sapporo) – Covered by JR Pass
  • Akebono (Ueno-Aomori) – Covered by JR Pass
  • Moonlight Echigo (Shinjuku-Niigata)
  • Moonlight Shinshu (Shinjuku-Matsumoto)
  • Twilight Express (Osaka-Sapporo)
  • Nihonkai (Osaka-Aomori)
  • Kitaguni (Osaka-Niigata) – Covered by JR Pass
  • Moonlight Nagawa (Tokyo-Ohgaki)
  • Sunrise Izumo (Tokyo-Okayama-Izumo) – Covered by JR Pass
  • Sunrise Seto (Tokyo-Okayama- Takamatsu) – Covered by JR Pass

  You can make reservations for night trains at JR tickets offices. For more information visit, www.japan-guide.com.

Transportation - Trains - Q & A

• Q & A

  
  Q: IT IS INCONVENIENT IF I HAVE TO PURCHASE A TICKET EVERY TIME I RIDE A TRAIN. IS THERE ANY BETTER WAY?
  
  A: There are some convenient card ticketing systems such as a prepaid card or an IC card. Because of its convenience, the number of card ticket users is increasing. All you need to do is insert your card into a ticket gate machine, so there is no need to purchase a ticket at the ticket machine. There are two types of cards available, the prepaid card and the IC card. They are issued at ticket machines and ticket offices in all stations. For the prepaid card, you buy a card for a fixed amount and insert it through the ticket gate machine before entering the platform. For the IC card with charge, you buy one with a deposit added and use it repeatedly as you reload. When you enter the platform, you just tap the card on the ticket machine. This type of card is normally usable for multiple transportations. Presently there are no common cards which can be used nationwide, but there are various types of cards which can be used in different local areas: the Tokyo area “SUICA” or “PASMO” and the Osaka area “ICOCA” or “KANSAI THRU PASS.” Purchase the one which can be used in the area where you stay, and make sure of which transportations you can use it for.
• Q: WHAT ARE “WOMEN-ONLY PASSENGER CARS”?
  
  A: “Women-only passenger cars,”
  Operating mainly during rush hours between 7:30 am to 9:30 am, are railway or subway cars on which men are not allowed. It might be embarrassing for men passengers if they mistakenly get on one of these, so please pay attention to the sign, “Women-only passenger cars” during rush hours.
• Q: WHAT DO I DO IF I LEFT MY BELONGINGS ON THE TRAIN?
  
  A: You can ask station staff to find them.
  
  If the train company is the same, you can ask for assistance to the staff from the line you took, a departure station, or an arrival station. They will search your belongings through computers based on your information such as the train, your seat location, and the characteristics of your belongings. You may also call a lost and found office of the railway company, but in that case it is usually necessary to speak in Japanese.
• Q: WHAT IF I GET HUNGARY ON THE TRAIN?
  
  A: Food and drink is sold on the train.
  
  For long distance trains such as the shinkansen, there are venders and vending machines which sell food, snacks, drinks, and alcoholic beverages on the train. You may purchase a lunch, such as a sandwich, "onigiri" (rice-ball), or a special local lunch, an "Ekiben" (train station lunch) made with a local product of the district where the train passes. You are allowed to bring food on the train, but be careful if it has strong odour. If you are taking a short distance train, you are not allowed to eat food on the train.
• Q: HOW DO I CHECK THE TIMETABLES AND FARES NATIONWIDE?
  
  A: There is “Plan, Check and Go!” on this website.
  
  All you need to do is to indicate your departure location and destination. The “Plan, Check and Go!” will show you the types of transportations, fares, times, and so on. Give it a try.
  
  Furthermore, timetable books available at ticket offices show all kinds of information regarding nationwide public transportation systems, such as railways, airplanes, express buses, ferries, and tour buses. These books will be a great help to you if you move around in Japan. Compact size books are sold at places like bookstores and station kiosks.
• Q: ARE THERE ANY STATIONS AT WHICH TRAINS WON'T STOP?
  
  A: Yes, make sure of the line, your destination, and the kind of train (stations at which the train stops).
  
  There are several types of trains. In addition to the “Local (stops at all stations),” there are the “Limited Express,” the “Rapid,” the “Express,” and the “Special Express,” which won’t stop at the stations on the way to a destination. If you take the wrong train, the train might not stop at your destination station. Or it might take longer than you expected. Before you get on the train, please make sure of the type of train, and the stations that it stops at. If you take the wrong kind of train, check the station list which is shown on the train, or listen to the train announcement carefully.
  
• Q: HOW DO I PURCHASE AND USE A JAPAN RAILWAY PASS?
  
  A: You can purchase a voucher for a railway pass at travel agencies
  
  Outside of Japan and exchange that for an actual pass at a ticket office in Japan. See the link of The Japan Railway Pass for further details. Please confirm the usage and purchase method before you buy one.
  
  Other Railways
  
  In addition to the JR Group, many other smaller railway companies operate train services on heavily travelled, mainly urban and suburban routes. These lines very often link the centre of a city and the residential areas at its outskirts. These rail lines are usually only convenient for commuters, but on occasions may offer speedier, more economical and more convenient routes than JR from nearby urban centres to popular spots such as Nikko, Hakone, Nara, and so forth. Please note that the JR Pass is not honoured on these lines.