Our guidebook on train travel in Japan

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

Get from Nagoya to Kyoto, two of the most famous cities in Japan, using the famous Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen Line. 

See the best way to get from Kyoto to Kanazawa using the Thunderbird Limited Express Train and Shinkansen bullet train!

The Shonan Shinjuku Line connects the major metropolitan areas of Tokyo and Yokohama with the beach resorts of the Shonan region in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Japan will celebrate Golden Week from April 29 to May 6, 2024, which comprises four national holidays: Showa Day on April 29, Constitutional Memorial Day on May 3

Many visitors to Japan dream of seeing the iconic Mount Fuji up close and exploring the scenic Kawaguchiko area at the base of the mountain.

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.

Traveling around Japan is an incredible experience, but hauling heavy luggage can quickly put a damper on your adventures.

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 Asakusa Line is a vital subway line in Tokyo, forming part of the Toei Subway network operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation.

The Midosuji Line is the oldest and one of the most important subway lines in Osaka, Japan.

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.

Japan's extensive and efficient train network can be overwhelming for visitors at first glance.

The Kansai region of Japan is a popular destination for travelers, offering a blend of modern cities and historic attractions.

Takayama City is located in northern Gifu, one of the few fully inland prefectures in Japan with no seacoast.

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.

The Chuo Line is a major JR train line running through central Tokyo.

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 train tick

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

The Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line is a key subway line that runs across central Tokyo, connecting the city's southwest and northeast.

The first Shinkansen was issued for public use in 1964, right before the Summer Olympics held in Tokyo that same year.

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

Of Japan’s four primary islands, Honshu is the largest and most populous and is often considered the nation’s mainland.

The Yurikamome is Tokyo's first driverless, automated transit line linking Shinbashi Station to Toyosu via the artificial island of Odaiba.

Kyoto as a destination needs very little in terms of introduction.

The Keihin-Tohoku Line is a busy 59.1km railway line crossing through Tokyo, connecting Saitama, central Tokyo and Yokohama.

The Keihan railway lines are a convenient way to travel between Kyoto, Osaka and Shiga.

The bullet train going from Tokyo to Osaka has three different lines. What's the difference? Read more to find out.

Go from the largest city in Kansai to the largest city in Kyushu with the Shinkansen bullet train! 

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

The Twilight Express Mizukaze is a super luxury sleeper train in Japan.

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.

Going from Tokyo to Kanazawa entails crossing the center of Honshu Island out to the Japan Sea Coast.

A key leg of the Japan Golden Route, going from Kyoto to Hiroshima entails traveling from one history-rich cultural hub to another.

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.

Going from the former capital of Kyoto to the current capital of Tokyo can be like traveling through time.

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 best way to travel around Japan is on a high speed Bullet Train. Order your Japan Rail Pass today online!

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.

Japan’s rail system is largely developed and is a very practical means of transportation both locally and cross-country, so both residents and tourists alike find themselves riding trains almost on

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

A first trip to Japan is always exciting, and travelers always want to see as much as possible.

Many visitors enjoy traveling by rail in Japan: The network is broad, the trains are roomy and comfortable, and they are always on time!

The Shinkansen line that would eventually become the Hokuriku Shinkansen was built before the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics to service the host city.

For years, the pass has been hailed as one of the most advantage-filled package deals in the world, not just in regards to Japan.

Traveling Japan often entails railway travel, and with that, the Japan Rail Pass is a very popular options.

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

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.

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

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 Akechi Tetsudo (Akechi Railway) train makes the journey between Ena and Akechi in Gifu Prefecture, not far from Nagoya.

Kuramaguchi Station (鞍馬口 ) is a subway station on the Karasuma Line of the Kyoto subway one stop north of Imadegawa 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.

The JR Yamanote line runs in a loop around Tokyo; a full circuit takes about an hour.

Hanzomon Station (半蔵門駅) is in the Kojimachi district of Tokyo’s Chiyoda ward and serves one of Tokyo’s most elegant neighborhoods.

JR Nakatsu Station in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu is served by the Sonic and Nichirin Limited Express trains which run between Hakata Station and Miyazaki.

The JR Banetsu West Line and JR Banetsu East Line connect Koriyama in Fukushima Prefecture with Niitsu and Iwaki respectively.

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

The Tsurumai Line (鶴舞線) is one of the six main subway lines of the Nagoya subway system. It runs east to west from Kami Otai (T01) to Akaike (T20).

Kochi Station is the main point of access for Kochi city and is also a highway bus terminal and on the Kochi tram network.

The Umisachi Yamasachi Limited Express sightseeing train runs along the scenic Nichinan Coast from Miyazaki Station to Nango.

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.

Fujigaoka Station is at the eastern end of the Higashiyama (Yellow) Line of the Nagoya subway.

Kamiiida Line & Meitetsu Komaki Line: the Kamiiida Line & Meitetsu Komaki Line connects Heian-dori Station in Nagoya with Inuyama to the north.

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.

Horyuji Station is on the JR Yamatoji Line and is a 20 minute walk from Horyuji Temple in Nara. The station has coin lockers and is staffed.

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).

Nagoya Kintetsu Station: read a guide to Nagoya Kintetsu Station and Kintetsu train information from Nagoya to Osaka.

The Sakaisuji Subway Line in Osaka runs from Tenjimbashisuji Rokuchome Station north-south to Tengachaya Station via Kitahama, Ebisucho and Dobutsuen-mae stations.

Osaka Monorail at 21km was once the longest monorail in the world and runs from Osaka Itami Airport to Kadoma via Banpaku-Kinen-Koen.

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.

JR Gifu Station services one of the country's most central Prefectures, allowing access to a number of locations throughout Honshu. 

Kanayama Station Nagoya: read a guide to Kanayama Station in Nagoya including train and subway lines and surrounding attractions.

Nerima Station in western Tokyo is a busy commuter station on the Toei Oedo Line, the Seibu Ikebukuro Line and the Seibu Toshima Line.

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.

Tsurumai Station Nagoya is a railway station on the Tsurumai subway line and JR Chuo Line from Nagoya Station to Nakatsugawa.

Asakusabashi Station: read a guide to Asakusabashi Station on the Toei Asakusa Subway Line and the JR Chuo-Sobu Line.

Optimize your time in Japan with these travel tips to help you get around!

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.

Getting Around Hagi: find information on trains to Hagi in Yamaguchi Prefecture, its railway stations, long distance buses and the Hagi Loop Bus.

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.

The Meijo Line is a circular, loop line of the Nagoya subway network running from Kanayama through Sakae, Motoyama, yagoto and Aratama-bashi stations.

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.

Shin-Kobe Station in Kobe is a shinkansen station on the Sanyo Line and also connects with the Kobe subway and the Shin-Kobe ropeway.

The Kawasemi-Yamasemi, Kingfisher Sightseeing Train entered service in 2017 and runs between Kumamoto and Hitoyoshi in Kyushu.

The busy 12.7km Keio Inokashira Line runs from Shibuya Station to Kichijoji Station in Tokyo.

Utsunomiya Station is the main point of access for rail services to Utsunomiya city in Tochigi Prefecture in the northern Kanto.

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.

Sonic Train From Hakata to Oita ソニック: JR Kyushu's Sonic is an express train running from Hakata Station in Fukuoka to Oita via Beppu.

A guide to Gifu Meitetsu Station in Gifu city, Gifu Prefecture.

Nijo Station Kyoto: find information on Kyoto's JR Nijo Station including train and subway services and nearby attractions including Nijo Castle.

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.

Fukui Station: read a guide to Fukui Station with connections to Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka and Nagoya,

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.

Musashi-Kosugi Station is a major railway station in Kawasaki on the Yokosuka Line, Nambu Line, Toyoko Line, Shonan-Shinjuku Line and the Meguro Line.

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 Resort 21 Kurofune or Black Ship Train is a special train that takes you to the Izu region.

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.

Tsukuba Station is the terminus of the Tsukuba Express (TX) that runs between Akihabara and Tsukuba (Science City) in Ibaraki Prefecture.

The Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line of the Osaka subway runs from Taisho Station is the south west to Kadoma-minami Station in the north east of Osaka.

Tokorozawa Station in Tokorozawa, Saitama has Seibu Line trains to Ikebukuro and Nishi-Shinjuku stations in Tokyo.

JR Akita Station in Akita Prefecture 秋田駅 the main station in the center of the city.

The JR Haruka Express connects Kyoto Station with Kansai International Airport (KIX) with trains at busy times running through Shiga Prefecture to Maibara Station.

Akihabara Station: read a guide to Akihabara Station which connects to the Tsukuba Express, Yamanote Line and Chuo-Sobu Line.

Meitetsu Railways 名古屋鉄道: Nagoya Railroad company aka Meitetsu Railways is a major railway network in the Chubu region of central Japan.

Takamatsu Station in Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku is a major railway station with rail connections to Okayama, Matsuyama, Kochi and Tokushima.

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.

Yufuin Station serves the very popular rural hot spring resort of Yufuin in the mountains of Oita Prefecture in Kyushu.

The Keio Line is a private railway line in Tokyo connecting Shinjuku Station in Shinjuku with the western suburbs of Chofu, Fuchu and Keio-Hachioji.

Kobe subway: read a guide to the Kobe subway including subway lines, stations and travel passes.

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.

Chikusa Station in Nagoya is on the Higashiyama Line of the subway and also the JR Chuo Line with Shinano trains to Matsumoto and Nagano.

Sapporo Subway the Sapporo Subway system has three lines and is a quick and easy way to get around the city.

Nagoya Meitetsu Station: read a guide to Nagoya Meitetsu Station as well as Meitetsu train services and Meitetsu buses.

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.

The Fukuchiyama Line is a JR railway line between Osaka Station and Fukuchiyama in Kyoto Prefecture.

Yurakucho Station is one stop south of Tokyo Station on the Yamanote Line and also on the Keihin-Tohoku Line and Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line.

Hibiya Station in central Tokyo serves three subway lines: the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line and Chiyoda Line, and the Toei Mita Line.

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.

The Chiyoda Line is a Tokyo subway line that connects seamlessly at both ends to the Odakyu Line to the west and the Joban Line to the east.

Joetsu Shinkansen: read a guide to the Joetsu Shinkansen which connects Tokyo Station with Niigata Station in Niigata via Echigo Yuzawa.

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.

Hakodate Station is a major station and point of access in Hakodate in Hokkaido with trains to Sapporo, Otaru and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto.

Sendagi Station Tokyo is a Tokyo metro line station on the Chiyoda Line close to the historic Yanaka district of Tokyo and Yanaka Ginza.

Yonago Station: Yonago Station in Tottori Prefecture is a major rail hub with trains on the San-in Line, Hakubi Line and Sakai Line.

Kawagoe train stations: Kawagoe, in Saitama is served by three train stations: Hon Kawagoe Station, Kawagoe Station and Kawagoe-shi Station.

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.

Takadanobaba Station in Tokyo is located in the north of Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward, about halfway between Shinjuku and Ikebukuro stations.

Karasuma Oike Station in Kyoto is the intersect station of the Karasuma and Tozai Line of the Kyoto Municipal Subway network.

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.

Jingu-Mae Station: read a guide to Jingu-Mae Station in Nagoya, a major Meitetsu Line connecting station.

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).

JR Matsue Station in Matsue in Shimane Prefecture is a main point of access for visitors to the city. JR Matsue Station is on the Sanin Line.

The Tobu Skytree Line runs from Asakusa Station in Tokyo to Tobu-Dobutsu-Koen Station in Saitama Prefecture.

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.

Kuramae Station on the Oedo Line and Kuramae Station on the Asakusa Line are both Toei-operated subway line stations in the Kuramae district.

The Nippori-Toneri Liner is a short, automated, elevated railway in the north-east of Tokyo, serving the suburban wards of Arakawa and Adachi wards.

Osaka Station City is the new development of the JR Umeda Station that includes department stores, roof gardens and a cinema.

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.

Tsurumai Station: read a guide to Tsurumai Station in Nagoya with information on train connections and local attractions.

Mito Station in Mito city, Ibaraki Prefecture has trains on the Joban, Suigun and Oarai Kashima lines. Ueno Station is just over an hour by express.

JR Kaihin-Makuhari Station 海浜幕張駅 - Kaihin-Makuhari Station (Kaihimmakuhari Station) in Chiba Prefecture is on the JR Keiyo Line to Tokyo Station.

Mojiko Station 門司港駅:, Kitakyushu, on the Kagoshima Main Line, is one of few remaining large scale stations made of wood in Japan.

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 Tosa Kuroshio Railway Gomen Nahari Line (ごめん・なはり線) in Shikoku runs just over 42 kilometers between Gomen and Nahari stations.

The Aonami Line in Nagoya runs from Nagoya Station to Kinjo-Futo Station for Port Messe Nagoya convention center and the SCMaglev & Railway Park.

Seibu Shinjuku Station in Shinjuku, Tokyo serves only one private railway company, Seibu Railways.

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.

JR Hohi Main Line: The 148 km-long JR Hohi Mainline runs in the Aso caldera region of Kyushu and connects Kumamoto Station with Oita Station.

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.

Ride the slow train of the Hisatsu Line, a local railway line in Kyushu which wonderful views of the Kirishima Mountains.

Chuo-Sobu Line: the Chuo-Sobu Line is a main east-west rail link in central Tokyo between Mitaka and Chiba.

Miyazaki Station is the main station for Miyazaki city, the capital of Miyazaki Prefecture at the southern end of Kyushu.

The Nose Railway Myoken Line runs from Kawanishi in Hyogo Prefecture to Nose in Osaka Prefecture.

The Namboku Line of the Sapporo subway in Hokkaido runs north-south through Sapporo Station, Susukino, Odori and Nakajima Park.

From Sendai to Morioka, you will find outstanding views of rural Japan to the left and right of the train.

The Osaka Loop Line in one of the many convenient train lines that runs through the metropolitan Osaka area.

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!

Sendai subway has two lines: the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. Sendai Station is the major intersection of the two lines.

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.

Japan has always boasted a very rich historical background, and the itinerary from Okayama to Matsue is especially representative of that.

The journey from Beppu to Aso will take you through Japan's volcanic areas.

Wakayama Electric Railway (Dentetsu) is a private railway that runs from Wakayama city to Kishi in Kinokawa.

Discover how to go from Kyoto to Nara and its famous temples from Kyoto.

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.

The route from Akita to Niigata offers great views with a Japan Rail Pass : as the train enters Yamagata Prefecture, mountains give way to the coast.

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.

Explore the incredible beauty of Japan in winter from the window of your Japan train. Order your Japan Rail Pass today.

Check out some of Japan's highest and deepest train stations. 

Our thoughts on the best plum blossom spots in Japan, and how to get there by rail.

Discover the Tokaido Line and reach Nagoya with your Japan Rail Pass

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.

The Kuroshio is the most frequent train, connecting Kii peninsula, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka and Tennoji.

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.

Harajuku station (JY19) is a key station in Tokyo served by the Yamanote Line.

Let's discover the journey between Fukuoka and Kumanoto !

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.

Chuo Main Line Nagoya-Nakatsugawa: read a guide to the Chuo Main Line and the 20 stations between Nagoya Station and Nakatsugawa Station.

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!

The city of Kyoto is a center of traditional culture in Japan that is one of the country's most popular destinations.

Learn here how to read the seat reservation ticket.

The Oedo Line operated by Toei is a large subway loop line around Tokyo that also has a long branch line to its north-west.

Okachimachi Station is the main station for the ebullient market, dining and entertainment area of Okachimachi in Tokyo's Taito ward.

For each stadium of the RWC 2019, you will find our tips to access to the cities and to the stadium.

How to find your way in Tokyo ? which Pass is needed ? Here is our tips selection to prepare the Rubgy World Cup !

Starting from 1rst of september 2019, a new Pasmo Card is available and dedicated to Japan visitors.

Do I need a Japan Rail Pass during the Rugby World Cup 2019 ? here is our guide.

The Orange Hisatsu Railway is a private railway that runs 117 kilometers between Yatsushiro in Kumamoto and Sendai in Kagoshima.

Hamamatsucho Station is a gateway of Tokyo city if you take the Monorail from Haneda International Airport with a Japan Rail Pass.

Since May 2019 and until November 2019, you can ride a Mickey Mouse shinkansen to explore Kyushu with a Japan Rail Pass.

Kumamoto Station, in Kumamoto city, Kyushu, is on the Kyushu Shinkansen to Hakata, the Hohi Line and JR Kagoshima Main Line.

Limited Express and Shinkansen

You can reach Naoshima by boat from Takamatsu (Shikoku) or Uno Port (Honshu). Let's study the route from Okayama with a Japan Rail Pass.

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

Akasaka-Mitsuke Station is a subway station in Minato ward, Tokyo, serving a lively entertainment, shopping and hotel district.

Starting from march 2019, the Hankyu Railways added a new beautiful train to link Osaka and Kyoto : the Kyotrain Garaku.

The journey along the Senmo Line from Abashiri to Kushiro in Hokkaido offers some stunning scenery !

Tottori Station is the main station serving Tottori city, the capital of Tottori Prefecture - the least-populated prefecture in Japan.

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. 

Train in Japan : online reservation Overview with a Japan Rail Pass

JR East is the only company who offers advance on line seat reservation.

In Japan, many destinations can be reached by lovely and useful trains, Character trains. Most of them are covered with the Japan Rail Pass.

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

Ryogoku Station on the JR Sobu Line serves the Ryogoku (sumo) district on the east bank of the Sumida River, in Tokyo's Sumida ward.

Sapporo Station is the main station of Hokkaido Island. It is also home to many shops and to the JR Tower, the tallest building in Sapporo.

The area near Furano and Biei is famous for its beautiful flowers blooming in July and August. Here is our guide to reach the Lavender Farm Station.

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.

Traveling with children in Japan is quite easy.

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.

Free wifi on Shinkansen with a Japan Rail Pass

In March of 2018, JR West introduced the Hello Kitty Shinkansen, a special bullet train featuring motifs and imagery of the iconic Sanrio character!

Trains from Sapporo to Asahikawa are quite frequent. Let's go north !

Let's see how to access to New Chitose Airport.

If you are planning to travel seven days in japan, the seven itineraries below can be useful. Have a look !

The Himi line is a 16.5 km line between Takaoka Station and Himi Station in Toyama prefecture.

The Shiokaze Limited Express runs direct from Matsuyama to Okayama and is covered with the Japan Rail Pass.

The route between Kushiro and Sapporo is covered by the beautiful blue, green and red Super Ozora Limited Express Train.

The Odakyu Electric Railway, a private company in Japan, revealed at the end of 2017 its new limited express train : The Graceful Super Express Romance Car

From Ryogoku Station to Nakano Station, you will ride a section of the Chuo Sobu Line running from Chiba to Mitaka.

Shibuya is a vibrant shopping area with many department stores. Let's discover the gateway of this area, Shibuya Station.

Starting from Kumamoto, the SL Hitoyoshi Steam train ride along the Kuma River and reach Hitoyoshi in 2 hours and 24 minutes

Yoro Railway (Yoro Tetsudo), is a small subsidiary of Kintetsu Railways that operates a single line, just under 60km in length, that connects Kuwana in Mie Prefecture with Ibi in Gifu Prefecture.

Kawaramachi Station in Takamatsu city, Shikoku, is a major hub for Kotoden trains and buses. Kawaramachi Station in Takamatsu incorporates Flag department store.

JR Matsuyama Station is the main point of access by train to Matsuyama city in the western part of Shikoku. There are trains to Matsuyama from Okayama Station and Takamatsu Station.

Shin-Aomori Station is the northern terminus station for the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo and the starting point for the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station in Hakodate.

JR Sendai Station is Akita and Tohoku shinkansen lines, the Sendai subway, the Tohoku Main Line, the Senseki Line and the Joban Line.

If you are coming to Shikoku from Honshu, your first stop will probably be Takamatsu, the capital of Kagawa prefecture.Take the Marine Liner rapid train along the Seto-Ohashi Line in Okayama.

Kinosaki Onsen is a pleasant town, built along a willow-lined river and is one of the most popular onsen destinations of the Kansai Region.

Shimokitazawa Station serves two lines connecting the bohemian Shimokitazawa commercial area to Shinjuku and Shibuya stations a little to the east.

The route is covered by the Soya Service, a limited express train which runs between Sapporo and Wakkanai and the Sarobetsu Service, which runs between Asahikawa and Wakkanai.

In Japan, Autumn means with colorful garden and forest. To view the red leaf (Momiji-gari) many places can be reach by rail. Discover our selection.

First take a Limited Express (Wide View) Hida train from Takayama to Toyama and then jump on a Hokuriku Shinkansen from Toyama through to Kanazawa.

Kamakura is a lovely town by the sea, with an easy access from Tokyo. It counts 65 Buddhist temples and 19 Shinto shrines, located throughout the town and in the surrounding hills.

The resort view Furusato train runs between Nagano and Minami-Otari and is covered with a Japan Rail Pass. All along the journey the view on the Northern Alps is breathtaking.

As Japan is made up of so many islands, it is naturally home to an extensive network of ferry routes.

The N700S is the 6th generation model based on the N700 series. It will debut in 2020 on the main Shinkansen line in Japan, the Tokaido Line.

From Takamatsu, located in central Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, you can head south on the Dosan Line to Kochi.

The Karasuma Line of the Kyoto Subway runs north south from Kokusaikaikan Station to Takeda Station via Kyoto Station. The Karasuma Line intersects with the Tozai Line at Karasuma Oike Station.

The Yotsubashi Subway Line in Osaka runs north-south from Nishi-Umeda to Suminoekoen Station. Yotsubashi Subway Line runs through Namba and Yotsubashi stations in central Osaka.

The Sennichimae Line of the Osaka Municipal Subway connects Nodahanshin in the north west and Minami-Tatsumi in the south east of Osaka via Namba, DenDen Town and Tsuruhashi.

In the Genbi shinkasen between Echigo Yuzawa and Niigata, passengers can enjoy modern art created by some of today’s most prominent artists.

The Limited Express "Wide View" Hida trains ply the route from Nagoya to Takayama. Near Takayama if offers some amazing scenery.

The 'POKEMON with YOU' train is entirely dedicated to the endearing yellow character Pikachu, to inspire people to travel with him, and bring back to life a line and a region hard hit by the great

Nishitetsu-Fukuoka Tenjin Station in Fukuoka is a terminus for Nishitetsu trains and buses as well as being a busy entertainment and shopping center.

Hakone is a very popular destination among Tokyoites, as well as tourists, for its gorgeous scenery around the Mount Fuji, its many onsens and vacation resorts.

Okayama is the largest city in the Chugoku Region after Hiroshima and an important transportation hub. Korakuen, a spacious landscape garden, is the city’s star attraction.

The Kamikochi Valley is in the heart of the Japanese Alps. It is only open to visitors from April to November.

The Limited Express Shinano runs from Nagano to Matsumoto before continuing on to Nagoya. In Matsumoto you can explore one of the best preserved castles in Japan.

From Nagoya to Shingu, get on the Limited Express Wide View Nanki or on the Mie ‘rapid’ train. This last train is more convenient to reach Ise.

With its huge glass dome, Kanazawa Station is connected to Nagano and Tokyo with the Hokuriku Shinkansen since March 2005.

The train "Hanayome Noren" is a sightsseing train connecting Kanazawa station on the Hokuriku shinkansen line and Wakura Onsen station along the Nanao line.

Since 2011, ii is very easy to explore southern Japan with a Japan Rail Pass. The Kyushu Shinkansen has a new extension providing services from Hakata (Fukuoka Station) to Kagoshima.

Opened in March 2015, the new Hokuriku Shinkansen Line connects Tokyo with Kanazawa via Nagano. The fastest train with limited stops takes 2.5 hours.

The fastest way of returning to Tokyo from Niigata is by Joetsu Shinkansen and takes around 1h40.

The Izu Craile resort train was launched in July 2016 and operates between Odawara along the Tokaido Line and Izukyu Shimoda, Izu Peninsula.

The Sakura-dori Line is a subway line in Nagoya that runs from Nakamura Kuyakusho via Nagoya Station to Tokushige in the south western suburbs.

Shinjuku station is the busiest station in the world. Here is our guide to find your way.

On the second part of the journey from Tokyo to Kyoto, the JR Tokaido Shinkansen does not hang around and stops only a couple of times.

The Chichibu Railway is a scenic railway that runs from Mitsumineguchi Station to Hanyu taking in many famous sights of Saitama Prefecture.

In Japan, the railway network is the best way to travel but it can sometimes be difficult to find the right way to reach your destination.

The year 2017 will be s special year for luxury trains. Three new trains should go into service this year.

With a Japan Rail Pass, the quickest way to Sapporo from Hakodate is to take the Hokuto or the Super Hokuto Limited Express on the Hakodate Line.

The Japan Railways and a Japan Rail Pass will take you all over Japan but you may also come accross "private lines" or railways that are not owned by the Japan Railways Company.

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.

Akihabara Station is the gateway to the neighborhood of the same name known for its electronic, anime,manga, figurine stores and maid cafe.