Lonely PlanetJul 15Taking the train in Japan - all you need to knowFind 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.prepaid card from Tokyo24 things in this storyTokyo StationSighttransfer point for Shinkansen to Nagoya, Kyoto, OsakaPasmo cardPlaceprepaid card from TokyoElsewhereShinkansenPlaceJapanbullet train, fastest way to travel across JapanLimited ExpressPlaceJapantrains with limited stops, run between cities and rural areasJoyful TrainsPlaceJapanspecial tourist trains operated on weekends/holidaysKoshino Shu’KuraPlaceJapansake-themed Joyful Train with tastingsJR Kyushu A TrainPlaceJapanjazz-themed Joyful TrainJR SL GunmaPlaceJapanJoyful Train pulled by a vintage steam engineJapan Rail PassPlaceJapanvalid across the JR network, good for first tripHokuriku Arch PassPlaceJapanuseful for traveling between Tokyo and OsakaIC cardPlaceJapanprepaid contactless cards for public transitICOCA cardPlaceOsaka, Japanprepaid card from the Osaka regionSuica cardPlaceJapanJR East's prepaid cardYamatoPlaceJapanluggage shipping serviceJR HokkaidoPlaceJapanoffers Okhotsk/Taisetsu trainOkhotsk/TaisetsuPlaceJapantrain from Sapporo/Asahikawa to AbashiriJR ShikokuPlaceJapanoffers Shiokaze trainShiokazeRestaurantJapantrain from Okayama to MatsuyamaGreat Seto BridgeSightJapancrossed by the Shiokaze trainKyūshūNeighborhoodJapanarea with local lines, particularly around NagasakiNagasakiSightJapanarea with local train linesSenmo LinePlaceJapanruns through Kushiro marshlandsHida trainPlaceJapanInaho trainPlaceJapanRead the full piece at Lonely Planet →