If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that I am a massive fan of train travel. There’s nothing quite like seeing a new landscape pass by all whilst you sit back and relax. Plus, compared to road and planes, train travel is usually cheaper and it is more efficient. Travelling by train in Japan is a bucket-list moment for anyone who enjoys this kind of travel. The Shinkansen – or bullet train – is one of the most famous trains in the world, and for good reason. It is ruthlessly efficient, incredibly fast, and gives you some of the best views of the Japanese countryside.
If you are going to Japan for however long, you’ll likely be travelling by train at some point on your journey. Here are all of the things which I wished I had known before my journey, helping you navigate the (often confusing) trains.
Travelling by Train in Japan | Your Quick Guide
Why Train Travel is the Best Way to Explore Japan
If you’re from Europe or the States, you might be quite skeptical of train travel. If I am honest, I don’t think I’ve ever been on an Interrail without some sort of delay or cancellation… And don’t even get me started on my experience of American trains.
However, when you look past the delays, I still believe that train travel is the best way to explore the majority of countries. There is very little stress and thinking involved, it is economical, and often you get to meet people you otherwise wouldn’t have.
Japan takes this to a new level and offers travellers the ultimate train travel experience. Let’s start first with the most famous aspect of Japanese travel; punctuality. We must have caught well over 30 trains in Japan and none of them were even a minute late. This meant that there was no waiting and we could hop on board without stressing (most of the time; there were moments where they don’t give you more than 30 seconds to board).
Another massive pro of train travel in Japan is just how well-connected the country is. Shinkansen lines go throughout the country and there are very few major cities which aren’t connected. You can also purchase tickets easily (see below) and don’t need to book anything in advance, unlike Interrail. The public transport within cities and nearby districts is also fantastic; getting around the Tokyo area in particular couldn’t be easier.
Lastly, I will go as far as to say that train travel in Japan is a cultural experience. You can’t visit the country without doing it and it should be on the bucket-list of every serious traveller.
The Japanese Train System
Now that I’ve convinced you about travelling by train, let’s talk about the different systems in Japan. These all run with the same efficiency and comfort as you’d expect, but they’re all on different systems.
Getting Started
To get started with train travel in Japan you’ll need two things; a Suica Card and (maybe) a JR Pass. Let me explain the two.
- Suica Card – This is the Japanese answer to an Oyster card and can be used for all train lines except the Shinkansen. Like all Japanese inventions, it is incredibly efficient and easy to use. Simply download the app, load it up with money (it will charge in Yen, so you may need to pay a transaction fee) and you’re good to go. All of the train systems have a barrier to scan these with. What’s great is that you won’t even need to get it out of your digital wallet; simply hold your phone to the barrier and away you go! Tip: This is also known as an ‘IC Card’.
- JR Pass – The JR Pass is used for travellers who are exploring much of Japan. If you are just doing the Golden Route (Tokyo to Kyoto / Osaka) you really don’t need it and it will cost you more. However, should you be taking multiple Shinkansen across the country it is definitely worth investing and it will save you money. You can buy this pass ahead of time on the JR Pass website.
The Different Trains
1. Shinkansen (Bullet Trains)
The first train you’ll probably want to look into are the Shinkansen. These are the high-speed connective trains that link the major hubs of Japan. If you plan to go across the country, you’ll need to board one of these.
I’ve covered the JR Pass above and you really do not need to book these tickets in advance. In Tokyo in particular, the ticket office is usually empty and you can just walk in and buy them. Alternatively, you can book them online either on the JR Website or through trusted third party apps like Klook. For the Shinkansen, you’ll need to pay the basic fare and a reserved (recommended)/ non-reserved car ticket. Often, this will just be included so don’t worry about this too much.
One thing I wish had known before starting our rail journey in Japan is how the luggage system works on the Shinkansen. You have 160cm to play with and this is determined by adding up the length, width and height of your suitcase. If your suitcase is larger than this, then you’ll need to ask for an ‘oversize luggage’ seat. It is at no extra cost to you at all and means that you get either seat D or E, two which come together. Our large cabin Level8 suitcase fitted perfectly up in the luggage rack and we didn’t need an oversize seat. If your luggage is less than 160cm, you’ll be fine.
Top Tip: The Green Car is the ‘business class’ experience on the bullet train and it costs only a fraction more than usual tickets. We treated ourselves to this from Hakone back to Tokyo and it was only £5 or so more. You get a really comfortable chair, masses of leg room (which even in standard class is good by the way), and more space for luggage. Definitely worth looking into.
2. Limited Express Trains
Limited Express trains are your intermediate trains between Shinkansen and locals. As the name suggests, they make limited stops and are relatively speedy. You’ll take these trains to smaller cities and regions, often where Shinkansen lines don’t/ can’t run. A classic example is the JR Thunderbird which connects Osaka to Kanazawa, as the alternative means taking the Shinkansen all the way back to Tokyo and then up to Kanazawa.
Where this gets complicated though is that, similarly to the Shinkansen, you need to buy the basic fare and a reserved/ non-reserved ticket. I’ve seen online that this stresses people out, but it is really simple. You can buy the latter part at machines at the station and the basic fare will be covered either through this part of the transaction or (easier) on your Suica Card.
3. Local and Regional Trains
Local and regional trains run from all of the main stations and run in a similar way to the Metro. All of the ones we took in Kyoto and Tokyo just required our Suica Cards and it couldn’t have been easier.
4. Private Railways
Lastly, you might encounter some private rail companies which operate in Japan. We never used any of these specifically and – from what we saw – they don’t actually differ too much from regular trains. The fares aren’t usually too much more and you can still use your Suica to get around.
Navigating the Trains
Japanese stations are notoriously difficult and busy. In fact, Shinjuku in Tokyo holds the record for being the busiest in the world. That’s not the only change from European stations though. There are very little signs in English and not many staff can communicate in English. We heavily relied on our eSIMs to get around at the start, but eventually got the hang of it as we progressed (click on the link above to receive a 15% off from SimLocal).
Here are the top-tips I wish I had known before my trip in Japan.
1. Station Signage
In Tokyo, you’ll find that there might sometimes be signs in English. However, the majority of them are in Japanese. What is concordant between the cultures though are the colours of the lines and the numbers. My advice would be to know which number on which colour you are going for and head that way.
Top Tip: Download Google Translate to scan Japanese signage. Also ensure that you have Google Maps on your phone to help you know in which direction you are travelling. It will tell you the platform number you need to get on.
2. Ticket Gates
As I’ve said, our Suica Card was invaluable in Japan. We used it for every journey we made on the Metro and local trains, plus it was super simple to top-up.
The ticket gates are dotted across all stations and connect the lines together. As you move through, you’ll need to hold your phone to the barrier, the light will go green, and you can move through.
This is similar to almost all major cities, however the big difference I found was that there are no set directions. You can find that you’re heading to one gate but that somebody else is heading to it on the other side. This means that it is just a case of whomever gets there first determines the direction, which caught us out a few times.
Tip: If you don’t have an eSIM, you can buy a physical Suica Card at most convenience stores.
3. Platform Etiquette
Platforms in Japan have many rules and regulations to abide by. First thing to know is that the Japanese take queuing very seriously; even for us British it seemed extreme.
There are often set lanes shown on the platform for different lines. When you arrive, get in the queue and wait. You need to then let passengers leave the train before boarding.
Another social etiquette is that there is no talking loudly (or, at all in some places) on the Metro and phone calls are a big no-no.
4. Using a JR Pass
If you are using a JR Pass, you can’t go through automatic gates and need to show this to manned stations. This is the only type of ticket / pass you need to do this with; even Shinkansen use QR codes to board. To board using a JR Pass, you’ll also need to book seat reservations at the JR Ticket Offices or online.
Top Train Routes in Japan
If you are looking for a completed itinerary, check out my ultimate guide for two week in Japan. However, below I’ve included the top journeys that anyone in Japan should take. See it as your (and mine for that matter!) Japanese bucket list for train travel. Each of them are experiences in themselves and give you some of the best views of landscapes in the country. I’ve tried narrowing these down to the ones you are most likely to take.
1. The Tokaido Shinkansen (Tokyo ↔ Kyoto/Osaka)
This is probably the most likely train journey which you’ll take in Japan. We took this train from Tokyo to Kyoto and it took just over two hours. One massive tip is to sit on the right-hand side of the train (oversize). On clear days you’ll get some of the best views of Mt. Fuji going. We were really lucky on our day; it was the first time it had snowed on Mt Fuji since the previous winter.
Another great tip for this journey is to actually go to Kyoto rather than Osaka. The station in Kyoto is more central and there is more to see here than in Osaka. We actually learnt that the Shinkansen station in Osaka is out of the main city, so you’ll need to catch a local train to go in.
2. The Hokkaido Railway (Sapporo ↔ Hakodate/ Asahikawa)
If you wanted a more wintery railway journey, take the Hokkaido Railway. This runs from Sapporo to Hakodate or Asahikawa and is perfect for snowy landscapes in the winter and lavender fields in the summer.
3. The Sagano Scenic Railway (Kyoto ↔ Kameoka)
If you are after a real Japanese feel in the autumn, might I recommend the train journey from Kyoto to Kameoka. This JR line takes just 25 minutes from Kyoto and shows off the beautiful Hozugawa River and the local dense forests (which you’ll see from Kyoto surrounding the city). I think that this is best enjoyed in November. When we were in Kyoto during October the leaves were just on the turn.
4. The Izu Peninsula Railway (Odawara ↔ Izukyu-Shimoda)
As an alternative to Hakone, try going to the Izu Peninsula. This is between Tokyo and Kyoto and is easily one of the most beautiful parts of Japan.
The Izu Peninsula Railway is the best in the country for ocean views and for showing off the rugged coastline of Japan. It is a part of the country which few travellers get to see. If you want the best views, sit on the right side when going south.
Final Top Tips for Train Travel in Japan
- Plan Your Route in Advance – We couldn’t have done this without Google Maps. It was genuinely invaluable in getting around. If you are going to Japan and don’t have an eSIM, make sure you get one. You’ll thank me later.
- Avoid Peak Hours – We tried navigating Shinjuku during rush hour on the way to the airport. It was incredibly difficult, but we made it in the end! In hindsight, we probably wouldn’t have attempted this. Travel after 09:30am and before 16:30pm in major cities.
- Pack Light – Stick to the 160cm rule for the Shinkansen. I’d also say that you’ll need to pack light just for ease. There were a few times (especially in more rural areas like Hakone) where moving large suitcases were difficult.
- Reserve Seats on Popular Trains – Stick to reserved cars on the Shinkansen. It will be quieter and more stress-free.
- Vending Machines – There are vending machines selling drinks at every station, so carry coins with you to grab a drink on the move. Remember though, it is very rude to walk and to drink / eat.
- Follow Etiquette – Keep your voice low, avoid phone calls, and respect personal space.
- Use Suica Cards – Our Suica cards were our best friends in Japan. Make sure that you have downloaded it before arriving in the country.
Final Thoughts | Travelling by Train in Japan
Travelling by train in Japan should be on the bucket list for all seasoned world-travellers. If you like Interrail, then you’ll love Japanese trains. They are easily the most comfortable, efficient, clean and enjoyable trains I’ve ever taken. I personally think that all train travel is good, but our time in Japan took it to a whole new level.
I hope that you found my quick guide useful. If you have any questions about travelling in Japan by train, let me know. I always love hearing from you.
