A Comprehensive Guide to Trains in Japan: Including Shinkansen and Japan Rail Pass
How to get around Japan by train: from how to buy a ticket to types of trains and more
When it comes to getting around Japan, its extensive and efficient train system is the best option. But it can also be difficult and chaotic, especially for first-time travelers to Japan. So it is highly recommended to have internet connection during your trip to Japan to be able to use applications such as Google Maps, which can help you in real time to know which lines and routes to take to get to the destination you want.
The first thing to know is that the train and subway network in Japan can be a bit confusing, as there are several private companies involved. In general, Japan Railways Group is in control of the vast majority of the territory, although it’ s divided by zones: JR Kansai, JR Kanto, JR Hokkaido, JR Central Japan, JR Shikoku and JR Kyushu.
In some cities, especially the big ones, there are other public and private companies. Tokyo is undoubtedly the one with the most options, including the subway service, which is public. With so many options, it’s also the most difficult to move around. Even locals, after years of living in Tokyo, can easily get lost in some of the larger stations if they don’t usually go there.
In this complete guide about trains in Japan I will introduce you to the types of trains in Japan, including the bullet train a.k.a shinkasen and limited express train, prices, how to buy train tickets in Japan, how to ride a train and all the necessary information so that you can master the Japanese train system.
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Types of Trains in Japan
Shinkansen: The Japanese Bullet Train
The shinkansen or bullet train is Japan’s star train. There are different models, and some reach more speed than others, but in general it allows to connect the main cities in a short space of time. It’s operated by Japan Railways Group.
For example, the Tokyo-Osaka or Tokyo-Nagoya route, one of the most used for business, takes about 2 hours to Osaka, and 1 hour to Nagoya. Tokyo-Osaka by car or local train would be more than 8 hours. So the time savings is very considerable.
Ordinary Car: They have so-called regular seats. However, on Japan’s bullet trains even the regular seats are spacious and comfortable.
Green Class: Special cars with larger and more luxurious seats.
Gran Class: Only a few trains have this option, but is even more luxurious and comfortable than Green Class
Japan Rail Pass
The Japan Rail Pass, also known as JR Pass, is a Japan Railways pass for foreign tourists in Japan that allows unlimited travel on all Japan Railways trains, including bullet trains, for 7, 14 or 21 days.
It’s one of the best seller products by tourist in Japan as it allows you to save a lot of money on bullet trains. In October 2023 the prices have gone up, but it’s still a good value for money if you want to go to several cities.
▶︎Buy your Japan Rail Pass now!!
With the new prices, the JR Pass allow access to Nozomi and Mizuho trains, the fastest trains that were previously excluded from the pass. Japan Railways has also announced that the new Japan Rail Pass will include discounts at various attractions in Japan.
For more information: A Guide to Japan Rail Pass
From local to limited express: all the train options besides Shinkasen
Local: The most frequent type, local trains that stop at all stations.
Rapid (快速): Trains that skip some minor stops, arriving at destination a bit faster than local trains.
Express (急行): Stops only at major and some important minor stations.
Limited Express(特急): Is the fastest type of train (after the Shinkansen). Stops only at the major stations, and usually has an extra supplement fee.
Some of the Express and Limited Express trains from Japan Railways have also available Green Class car, for which an extra fee is required.
Train Prices in Japan
In most cities where I have traveled, the price of the train or subway is counted by zones. All the stops that are in zone A, have a price, those in zone B, another one, and so on. This is done because there is usually a central zone from which the counting starts, and the farther away from that zone, the higher the price.
In Japan, however, it works a little differently, since there is no such thing as a center. The price of the tickets depends on the distance. For example, if your destination is 2-3 stops away, it will have a price, if it’s 8-10 stops away, another one, and so on.
An example to make it easier to understand. The Yamanote Line is the most used line for sightseeing, as it stops at almost all major stations. Fares range from 140 to 270 yen.
From Shibuya to Ikebukuro on Yamanote Line you have to go through Shinjuku. The fare from Shibuya to Shinjuku is 170 yen, and from Shibuya to Ikebukuro is 180 yen. From Shinjuku to Ikebukuro is also 170 yen. But from Tokyo Station to Shibuya, it’s 210 yen.
In short, the price always changes depending on your departure station and destination station. This would not be particularly problematic, except that to buy a train ticket you have to know in advance how much money you have to pay. You cannot buy a single “zone 1” ticket, for example.