From Limited Express to Local Train

• Shinkansen - the bullet train

The Shinkansen is well-known worldwide. It's the fastest way to travel by train! Not only does this train, with its distinctive nose, exceed 270 km/h, but you don't feel any jolts. Each Shinkansen model has a name and travels at different speeds: the Nozomi, meaning “wish”, is the fastest of them all. There's also the Hikari, which means “light”, and the Hayabusa, the “falcon” that heads for Hokkaido from Tokyo. Discover all the different Shinkansen trains here.  

• Tokkyu - Limited Express

The next fastest train is called the tokkyū, or limited express. Its speeds don't approach that of the Shinkansen by a long shot, but it stops at only the biggest, most often-used stations, so it's the fastest of the normal speed trains. These trains often run between two major cities, stopping only in the most populous suburban towns. 

These are the two types of train on which you'll find reserved-seat carriages, meaning that you can reserve a seat in advance by paying a little more, except with the JR Pass where reservations are free. There are, of course, cars with free seats, but beware: during busy periods, you can't be sure of getting a seat! 

• Kyuko - Express

The "kyuko" express train stops at a few more stations than the limited express. Be sure to check maps in the station or online to check which trains go to your destination !

• Kaisoku - Rapid

Kaisoku means rapid train, but consider it as a semi-express. This train will not stop at every station, but it will definitely stop at more than an express.

• Futsu - Local

A "futsu" train will stop at every station. If your destination is only reachable by local train, and you're comfortable changing trains, you can do as the Japanese do and cut down your train time: ride an express as far as possible without passing your destination, then hop on a futsū from there!

These designations apply mainly to trains operated by JR, Japan's largest railway company and the only one to operate the Shinkansen. But sometimes you may need to take a non-JR train, as when visiting Mount Fuji or Mount Koya. Here are some other names explained. Find out more about private lines in Japan here.

• Juntokkyu - Semi-limited express

Some private train lines may have a Semi-limited Express, which falls between Limited (tokkyū) and Express (kyūkō) speeds.

• Junkyu - Semi-express

Other train lines have a semi-express train: barely faster than a local train (futsū).

• Tsukin - suburban

As their name suggests, these trains run only in the morning and evening during rush hour. They are similar to an express train - quite fast - with a few exceptions. Don't hesitate to use this train even if you're not from the suburbs!

Check the map on the train platform

These different kinds of express trains may sound a little confusing, but every Japanese train line will have an express train map on every train platform.

These maps will have an array of different colored horizontal lines, with the line at the top the fastest express train and the line at the bottom the local train. The vertical white boxes intersecting these lines are station names, with major stations intersecting every line, and smaller stations staying at the bottom with the local train.

If you're not sure what the fastest train you can take is, this map will be really helpful!

There are also screens on most trains showing the route and stops served in English.