The Shinkansen bullet train is already a premier form of rail travel, but with the option to reserve a private car for you and your travel party, the next time you take a ride can be one to remembe
Easily reached in about 40 minutes from Hiroshima with a Japan Rail Pass, Miyajima is a treasure of an island only 2 km (1 ¼ miles) off the mainland in the Seto Inland Sea.
Known for their efficiency and punctuality, Japan's train system is as much an attraction for visitors as it is a staple of everyday life for residents.
When looking to buy the JR Pass online, you may be faced with several options, and may ask yourself where is the best place to purchase your Japan Rail Pass.
A majority of travelers to Japan will find themselves in Tokyo, and as the most populous city in the world, a whole trip can be made out of a stay here!
Using the eclectic city of Osaka as a base point, the Kansai Wide Area Pass offers access to some of the Kansai Region's best daytrip destinations, such as Wakayama, Himeji, and Uji!
Japan Rail Pass Exchange Offices: the major offices throughout Japan where an Exchange Order can be exchanged for a Japan Rail Pass. Below are a few of the 51 offices throughout Japan where th
Japan’s rail system is largely developed and is a very practical means of transportation. The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass for short) is a useful and convenient means of getting around the country!
The Shinkansen bullet train is hailed as one of the most premium and efficient means of rail travel in the entire world, making it a popular choice for visitors to Japan who are engaging in
Japan’s world-famous public transportation system is largely organized and operated by the Japan Railways Group (JR Group), and this same organization issues a special transit tick
Offering a medley of benefits, such as convenience, flexibility, and wide-ranging access, the Japan Rail Pass is a popular choice for visitors to Japan.
Umeda Station, in Kita-ku, north central Osaka, is western Japan's busiest station, with around 2.3 million passengers using the station on a daily basis.
Going between Shin-Osaka Station in Kansai and Hakata Station, the major station in Fukuoka City in Kyushu, the Sanyo Shinkansen Line is one of the most prominent Shinkansen bullet trains, not just
In Japan, it can sometimes be difficult to find the best way to reach your destination. Get to know Japanese trains schedule and how much train tickets cost here !
Travel in Japan is largely associated with the Shinkansen, but as of 2020 there are new luggage regulations when traveling with oversized baggage that require a train reservation.
The city of Utsunomiya has finally got itself a fast and pleasant means of urban transport with this new tramway with a futuristic look that is changing the city.
The Chiba Monorail is a very special urban transport system, with monorails suspended above the city. It's an impressive sight, but also a handy way to escape the daily traffic jams.
The small private company Tsugaru is the most northerly of all, with the attraction of trains that adapt to the seasons to offer a spectacular journey every time.
Nagano Prefecture is one of the geographically largest prefectures in Japan. It is located in the center of Honshu Island and is one of very few prefectures in the archipelago with no seacoast.
Yamanashi is one of the prefectures that is home to Mount Fuji, sharing the venerable mountain with the neighboring Shizuoka Prefecture at their border.
Matsumoto is one of the most well-known destinations within Nagano Prefecture, one of the largest prefectures in all of Japan and one of the few that is fully landlocked.
Make your way out to Kinosaki Onsen to relax amongst one of the most stunning hot spring towns in Japan! Kinosaki Onsen Station will be the primary gateway!
The Akita Shinkansen is a high-speed train that links Tokyo to the town of Akita, in the prefecture of the same name in northern Japan, where nature and beautiful landscapes dominate.
Hiroshima Station is the main point of access for train travelers to Hiroshima city with shinkansen connections west to Hakata and east to Osaka and Tokyo.
The privately-owned Kintetsu company offers to take you from Osaka to the Yoshino Mountains in Nara, with their spellbinding beauty in spring and autumn, on a train that lets you experience the ple
The private company Nankai runs three trains representing a family of fish on a small line to Wakayama, the Kada Sakana, for a good time and a taste of sea bream, the local specialty.
When traveling in Japan, if your itinerary takes you beyond Tokyo, for example into the Kansai (Kyoto & Osaka) region, a primordial question awaits: how to get around Japan and naviga
The "High Rail 1375" is a Joyful train offered by JR East to take its passengers to the highest point of a small line in the Japanese Alps, by day with beautiful scenery and by night to admire and
In operation since 2011, the "Ibusuki no Tamatebako" or simply"Ibutama" tourist train runs daily on Japan's southernmost line, in Kyushu, along the Satsuma Peninsula.
Use the Azusa Limited Express Train to get from the metropolitan capital of Japan, Tokyo, to the historically rich but modest town of Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture!
No two cities are said to represent the Kansai Region more than Kyoto and Osaka, and getting from one to the other is made easy with the popular limited express trains that service the area!
The terminal station of the Hida Limited Express, Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, goes out to the other side of Honshu Island to the Japan Sea Coast, and halfway through, it stops at Takayama, a nature
The Shonan Shinjuku Line connects the major metropolitan areas of Tokyo and Yokohama with the beach resorts of the Shonan region in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Located in Toyama Prefecture, the Kurobe Gorge is a spectacular natural sight, especially in autumn when the forest is dressed in its most flamboyant colors.
From the iconic Shinjuku Station, the JR Chuo Main Line has limited express train options for getting from the world's busiest train station out to the much more subdued and tranquil Otsuki in Yama
Travel from the biggest city in Kansai to the golden boutique city of Kanazawa using a combination of the Thunderbird Limited Express Train and the newly expanded Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train!
Himeji in Hyogo Prefecture and Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, are considered two of the most culture-and-history-rich locations in the Kansai Region.
The JR Yokosuka Line is a major railway line connecting central Tokyo to popular destinations in Kanagawa prefecture, making it an ideal choice for tourists looking to explore the Tokyo metropolita
The Japan Rail Pass is an economical and convenient way for foreign tourists to travel around Japan by train, especially on the famous shinkansen bullet trains.
The Sanyo Shinkansen is a high-speed bullet train line connecting major cities in western Japan. It runs from Shin-Osaka to Hakata (Fukuoka), passing through Kobe, Himeji, Okayama, and Hiroshima.
JR Kyushu wanted to revive a train concept in the image of the luxury night trains that have been touring Japan for some years: a gourmet restaurant in a sumptuous setting, just long enough to enjo
the "West Express Ginga" is a train that offers you a journey between day and night, a play area, comfortable seats and sleeping berths to enjoy a day of discovery in a beautiful region of western
The JR Sagano Line is a popular railway for tourists visiting Kyoto, as it connects Kyoto Station to important stops like Nijo, Uzumasa and Saga-Arashiyama.
For many, Odawara is the gateway to Hakone, one of the most captivating getaways in the Kanto area, blessed with tremendous views of Mount Fuji, warm onsen hot springs, and the venerable Lake Ashi.
The Ginza Line is Tokyo's oldest subway line, opened in 1927. It runs through central Tokyo, connecting major districts like Shibuya, Ginza and Asakusa.
The Marunouchi Line is the second oldest subway line in Tokyo, operated by Tokyo Metro. It runs in a U-shape from Ogikubo to Ikebukuro, with a branch line to Hōnanchō.
In this article, we’ll detail where and how to exchange the QR code associated with your booking into physical train tickets in Japan - as the country didn’t yet take the leap to digital
Moving up the Japanese archipelago from the Kanto region brings travelers to East Japan, comprising the six prefectures of Fukushima, Miyagi, Iwate, Aomori, Akita, and Yamagata, and prefectures lik
Osaka, a bustling metropolis in the heart of Japan's Kansai region, boasts an extensive and efficient subway system that makes exploring the city's main areas and attractions a bre
Though both Tokyo and Takayama exist in central Honshu, they represent very different parts of Japan, the former a major metropolitan city home to more than 12 million people and the latter a charm
Hakone, a common trip for those coming from Kansai, is a great location to enjoy some of the best natural scenery in all of Japan. The two locations are connected via the Tokaido Shinkansen.
These two major cities in the more southern portion of Honshu Island are some of the most eccentric destinations in all of Japan. Both have a rich history and a fair share of attractions to visit.
Both ends of Japan’s “Golden Route”, the capital city of Tokyo and the historic city of Hiroshima, are connected via the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen that goes all the way down to Kyushu and will pass
Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture is an essential destination in the Kanto Region, an area rich in natural beauty and a renowned destination for art culture.
Getting from Osaka, the largest city in Kansai, out to Tokyo, the largest city in Japan (and the world as a whole via population), is a common journey for those either starting their Japan journeys
Two of Japan’s most bustling metropolitan areas, the two cities of Tokyo in Kanto and Osaka in Kansai, are often compared, and thus, a bit of a rivalry between each of the city’s residents exists.
The trip from the current capital of Tokyo to the ancient capital of Kyoto is a common journey for those traveling on Japan’s Golden Route, an itinerary popular with first-time visitors to Japan th
The Shinkansen bullet train is one of the most popular ways of traveling across Japan and hosts a number of types of cars with varying features that cater to travelers of all needs.
Reserving seats serves as a great option for travelers in order to insure the optimal means of commute on Japan's famous railways, especially during the busy travel times during Spring, Fall, and F
If you want to optimize your time when taking the train in Japan, you should plan your routes well in advance (and ensure that you order your Japan Rail Pass prior to departing for Japan).
If you're planning your trip for cherry blossom season, which goes from mid-March to mid-April depending on the region, you can make the most of your travel time right from your seat with these stu
Check out a few of our favorite apps to use when traveling Japan by rail, including applications for navigation, time schedules, and general quality of life!
Hara Station is a subway station in the east of Nagoya on the Tsurumai Line. Hara is one stop after Hirabari going west; the next stop is Ueda Station.
The Tsurumai Line of the Nagoya subway runs east-west from Kami Otai Station to Akaike Station with connections to Inuyama from Kami Otai and Toyota from Akaike.
JR Nakatsu Station in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu is served by the Sonic and Nichirin Limited Express trains which run between Hakata Station and Miyazaki.
Matsuyama-shi Station (as known as Matsuyama City Station or shieki) is the other major railway station in Matsuyama in Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku along with JR Matsuyama Station.
Meguro Station in Tokyo is on the circular Yamanote Line, the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, the Tokyu Meguro Line between Meguro and Hiyoshi and the Toei Mita Line from Meguro to Nishi-Takashimadaira
Starting at JR Shinji (San-in Line), on the shore of Lake Shinji the JR Kisuki Line travels 82 kilometers to terminate at Bingo-Ochiai Station Hiroshima.
JR Izumo Station JR出雲市駅 in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture is built in the style of the nearby Izumo Taisha shrine. Izumo Taisha is the main attraction in town.
The Anpanman train is a special train operating in Shikoku, with lively interior decoration based on the popular Anpanman manga and anime series for children.
Marutamachi Station is a station on the Karasuma Line of the Kyoto subway one stop north of Karasuma Oike (the interchange station with the Tozai Line).
The Sakaisuji Subway Line in Osaka runs from Tenjimbashisuji Rokuchome Station north-south to Tengachaya Station via Kitahama, Ebisucho and Dobutsuen-mae stations.
Imadegawa Station is a subway stop on the Karasuma Line of the Kyoto subway one stop north of Marutamachi Station and one stop south of Kuramaguchi Station.
The Okuizumo Orochi train offers a relaxed and scenic train ride through remote mountains and valleys in an open car through Shimane and Hiroshima prefectures.
The Linimo is an unmanned Maglev (magnetic-levitated) train that runs from Fujigaoka Station on the Higashiyama Line in Nagoya to Yakusa near the site of the 205 Aichi Expo.
Yamashina Station in north east Kyoto is made up of three stations: JR Yamashina Station, the Yamashina subway station and Keihan Yamashina Station on the Keishin Line.
Aso Boy trains: Since 2011, the Aso Boy limited express train has been running, as its name implies, to and from Mount Aso, the huge volcano in the middle of the island.
Kiso Fukushima Station is a JR station serving the pleasant town of Kiso Fukushima in Nagano Prefecture. Kiso Fukushima Station is on the Chuo Main Line.
Kyoto Station: find information on Kyoto Station including rail services from Kyoto Station, the Kyoto subway and trains to Kansai international Airport (KIX).
Nagasaki Station: read a guide to Nagasaki Station which has connections to Hakata Station in Fukuoka, Sasebo, Huis Ten Bosch and other destinations in Nagasaki Prefecture.
Takamatsu, the prefectural capital of Kagawa Prefecture, is one of the four main cities (Kochi, Matsuyama and Tokushima are the others) on the island of Shikoku.
Kitano Hakubaicho Station is a terminus of the Keifuku Electric Railway out further west to Arashiyama. The station is close to Ritsumeikan University.
Hitoyoshi Station in Kumamoto is on the Hisatsu Line and is the terminus for several scenic trains: the Kawasemi Yamasemi, Isaburo Shinpei and Hitoyoshi SL.
Bantan Line (播但線): the Bantan Line connects Himeji and Wadayama in Hyogo Prefecture. One train on the line called the Sky Castle train depicts Takeda Castle Ruins.
The Airport Narita (not to be confused with the Narita Express, NE'X) is a rapid train providing access between Narita Airport and south-western greater Tokyo.
The JR Haruka Express connects Kyoto Station with Kansai International Airport (KIX) with trains at busy times running through Shiga Prefecture to Maibara Station.
Mojiko Retro Kanko Line Shiokaze Train: The Mojiko Retro Tourist Train Line runs just over two kilometers from near Mojiko Station in Mojiko to Mekari Park.
Kokura Station: Kokura Station in Kokura, the second largest station in all of Kyushu, is the main transportation hub for the city of Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture, northern Kyushu.
Nagoya subway guide: read a guide to Nagoya's subway system including information on Nagoya subway lines, fares, pre-paid cards and connecting stations.
The Limited Express Super Hakuto is the fastest train to Tottori from Kyoto and Osaka, and travelers from Tokyo can easily change to it from the shinkansen at Shin-Osaka.
Nakatsugawa Station, Gifu is on the JR Chuo Line from Nagoya via Tajimi to Nakatsugawa. The Chuo Line then continues to Shiojiri, Takao, Mitaka and Tokyo.
Hamamatsucho Station Tokyo 浜松町駅 is a busy station on the Yamanote Line and the Keihin-Tohoku Line as well as connecting to the Tokyo Monorail for Haneda.
Takaracho Station Tokyo 宝町駅: Takaracho Station is located in the Kyobashi district of Tokyo close to Tokyo International Forum and the National Film Center.
Kita Senju Station is a major railway station in Tokyo on the Hibiya and Chiyoda metro lines, the Tsukuba Express, Joban Line and the Tobu Skytree Line.
The Higashiyama Line is the busiest of the six subway lines in Nagoya and runs west to east from Takabata to Fujigaoka, where it connects with the Linimo.
Oita Station: read a guide to JR Oita Station which is on three lines: Nippo Line, Kyudai Line and the Hohi Line. The station is also a large shopping and entertainment center.
Tennoji Station: read a guide to Tennoji Station in south Osaka with details on train and bus connections and nearby sights and attractions around Tennoji.
Akabane Station in Kita Ward in the very north of urban Tokyo is a busy commuter train station entirely operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East).
The Tozai Line of Kyoto Subway runs east-west from Rokujizo Station to Uzumasa Tenjingawa Station. The Tozai Line intersects with the Karasuma Line at Karasuma Oike Station.
Fukuchiyama Station connects the city by train with both Osaka and Kyoto, Kansai's two biggest cities. Fukuchiyama is on the Sanin Main Line to Shimonoseki.
Aomori Station is on the Ou Main Line for Shin-Aomori Station, Hirosaki Station, Akita Station, Yamagata, and Niigata and the Aoimori Railway Line for Hachinohe and Morioka.
The Shintetsu Arima Line (Kobe Dentetsu Arima-sen) is a 22.5km-long commuter railway line in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture operated by Kobe Electric Railway. It connects Arima Onsen with central Kobe.
The Meiko Line is a continuation of the Meijo Line of the Nagoya subway system and runs 6km from Kanayama Station to Nagoyako Station in the Nagoya Port district of the city.
The Kuko Line (Airport Line) is one of the three subway lines in Fukuoka. The line operates from Meinohama to Fukuokakuko (Fukuoka Airport) in Hakata Ward.
Located just an hour and a half away from Tokyo by Shinkansen, Sendai is known for its tree-lined streets and Tanabata festival. A variety of sightseeing spots are abound on the way, too!
The Tohoku Emotion is a Japanese train, which crosses the northernmost part of the main island of Honshu and makes you taste the specialties of the region.
Character Trains In Japan: see a listing of Japan's many cute character trains with special liveries and interiors such as the Anpanman train, Tama train and Yokai train.
Five of the best ski resorts in Japan, plus their great rail pass package deals. Order your Japan Rail Pass online today - 7, 14, & 21-day Passes available.
This train line between Matsumoto and Nagoya is covered by the Japan Rail Pass and runs through the Kiso Valley, along the route of the Nakasendo Highway, the old postal route between Edo (Tokyo) a
If on the first part of the journey the JR trains from Aomori to Akita via Odate run through residential areas, the landscape gradually opens up to reveal beautiful scenery of the Japanese countrys
Running down the east coast of Kyushu the journey between Oita and Miyazaki on the Limited express Nichirin or Nichirin Seagaia is a contrast of mountain and sea.
Discover with your Japan Rail Pass the route between Kanazawa and Kyoto, it follows the northern coast of japan, before heading south along Lake Biwa. If you have time, make a stop at Fukui.
Japan is the country of trains, with probably the densest network in the world, the highest traffic... It has therefore developed a culture of train travel unique in the world.
Yokohama Station is about half an hour from Tokyo with a Japan Rail Pass. It provides access to Chinatown, Landmark Tower and Minato Mirai district close to the sea.
The Chuo Line in Osaka is a municipal subway running west-east from Cosmosquare at Osaka Port to Nagata Station through Hommachi and north central Osaka.
The Nozomi is the super-express bullet train service on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line, faster than the Kodama and Hikari services, and is the only shinkansen service not fully covered by the Japan Ra
The route between Fukuoka and Nagasaki is served by the Limited Express Kamome trains. For great views of the Ariake Sea, be sure to reserve a seat on the left-hand side of the train!
Yotsuya Station on the border between Shinjuku and Chiyoda wards is a large, conveniently located train station containing a lot of facilities, about 20 minutes walk west of the Imperial Palace, To
The Tarumizu to Kamoike Ferry crosses Kogoshima Bay from Tarumizu on the east to Kamoike on the west. There are frequent sailings that take 50 minutes.
One of the newest additions to Tokyo's public transportation, Takanawa Gateway is representative of a progressive Tokyo that looks to be sustainable and community centered.
JR Kyushu has been running the special “Yufuin no Mori” train for years, linking Fukuoka to Yufuin, a renowned mountain spa area, in a calm and soothing atmosphere, providing you a taste of the fin
On June, 30, JR West introduced a Shinkansen 500 refurbished with the famous character Hello Kitty. Let’s study the story of this Shinkansen model introduced in 1997.
The Kurofune or Black Ship Train is a Commodore Perry-themed train that operates between Atami and Shimoda on the Izu Peninsula. The trains offer spectacular ocean views.
The Sunrise Izumo from Tokyo to Izumo or Takamatsu is one of Japan's last remaining sleeper trains. Every night at 10 pm the Sunrise Izumo leaves Tokyo with the train dividing at Okayama.
