Shinkansen, Japan — Travelrags

Lonely PlanetJul 15

Taking the train in Japan - all you need to know

Find your way around Japan by train with this guide to the rail network, with info on tickets and JR Passes, routes and services, and on-board facilities.

bullet train, fastest way to travel across Japan

24 things in this story

ShinkansenPlacebullet train, fastest way to travel across Japan
Limited ExpressPlacetrains with limited stops, run between cities and rural areas
Joyful TrainsPlacespecial tourist trains operated on weekends/holidays
Koshino Shu’KuraPlacesake-themed Joyful Train with tastings
JR Kyushu A TrainPlacejazz-themed Joyful Train
JR SL GunmaPlaceJoyful Train pulled by a vintage steam engine
Japan Rail PassPlacevalid across the JR network, good for first trip
Hokuriku Arch PassPlaceuseful for traveling between Tokyo and Osaka
IC cardPlaceprepaid contactless cards for public transit
Suica cardPlaceJR East's prepaid card
YamatoPlaceluggage shipping service
JR HokkaidoPlaceoffers Okhotsk/Taisetsu train
Okhotsk/TaisetsuPlacetrain from Sapporo/Asahikawa to Abashiri
JR ShikokuPlaceoffers Shiokaze train
ShiokazeRestauranttrain from Okayama to Matsuyama
Great Seto BridgeSightcrossed by the Shiokaze train
KyūshūNeighborhoodarea with local lines, particularly around Nagasaki
NagasakiSightarea with local train lines
Senmo LinePlaceruns through Kushiro marshlands
Hida trainPlace
Inaho trainPlace
Elsewhere
Tokyo StationSightTokyo, Japantransfer point for Shinkansen to Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka
ICOCA cardPlaceOsaka, Japanprepaid card from the Osaka region
Pasmo cardPlaceTokyo, Japanprepaid card from Tokyo

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Taking the train in Japan - all you need to know