Tokyo Station, Tokyo

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.

transfer point for Shinkansen to Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka

24 things in this story

Tokyo StationSighttransfer point for Shinkansen to Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka
Pasmo cardPlaceprepaid card from Tokyo
Elsewhere
ShinkansenPlaceJapanbullet train, fastest way to travel across Japan
Limited ExpressPlaceJapantrains with limited stops, run between cities and rural areas
Joyful TrainsPlaceJapanspecial tourist trains operated on weekends/holidays
Koshino Shu’KuraPlaceJapansake-themed Joyful Train with tastings
JR Kyushu A TrainPlaceJapanjazz-themed Joyful Train
JR SL GunmaPlaceJapanJoyful Train pulled by a vintage steam engine
Japan Rail PassPlaceJapanvalid across the JR network, good for first trip
Hokuriku Arch PassPlaceJapanuseful for traveling between Tokyo and Osaka
IC cardPlaceJapanprepaid contactless cards for public transit
ICOCA cardPlaceOsaka, Japanprepaid card from the Osaka region
Suica cardPlaceJapanJR East's prepaid card
YamatoPlaceJapanluggage shipping service
JR HokkaidoPlaceJapanoffers Okhotsk/Taisetsu train
Okhotsk/TaisetsuPlaceJapantrain from Sapporo/Asahikawa to Abashiri
JR ShikokuPlaceJapanoffers Shiokaze train
ShiokazeRestaurantJapantrain from Okayama to Matsuyama
Great Seto BridgeSightJapancrossed by the Shiokaze train
KyūshūNeighborhoodJapanarea with local lines, particularly around Nagasaki
NagasakiSightJapanarea with local train lines
Senmo LinePlaceJapanruns through Kushiro marshlands
Hida trainPlaceJapan
Inaho trainPlaceJapan

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Tokyo Station

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Taking the train in Japan - all you need to know