Shinanomachi Station in Tokyo’s Shinjuku special ward first opened its doors in 1894. In 2015, the station was serving over 25,000 passengers daily. While currently closed, the station will help ferry visitors to the Tokyo Olympic Stadium during the 2021 Olympic games.
Trains & Transportation
This section of our blog is dedicated to the public transportation in Japan, available for free to all Japan Rail Pass holders.
If you want to learn more about how to locate and take your trains from Tokyo or Kyoto stations; how to arrive in central Tokyo from Narita Airport, by taking the Narita Express (N’EX); how to ride the JR buses in the major cities or take the Miyajima ferry from Hiroshima, this section is for you.
You will also enjoy a number of comprehensive routes on how to arrive from one city to another; where to look for accurate online timetables; where and how to transfer between stations and more.
36+3 Express 787 luxury train in Kyushu
The 36+3 luxury train is a new daytime service inaugurated in October 2020. The jet-black-and-gold-trim trains are refurbished Express 787 series models that JR Kyushu has remodeled to the highest standard of luxurious comfort. They operate on 5 routes around Japan’s southernmost main island, Kyushu.
The meaning of 36+3 is derived from the fact that Kyushu is the 36th largest island in the world, combined with the 3 elements of JR Kyushu, locals, and customers coming together on the new service. Additionally, the number 39 is written as “san-kyu” in Japanese, which is also similar to how “thanks” is pronounced in the language.
Shinkansen series guide: All Shinkansen train models
Japan’s high-speed Shinkansen services are the fastest and most convenient way to get around the country, and there have been a variety of types of bullet train series used on the lines since the first was inaugurated in 1964.
While some of the many types of bullet trains have been retired from use or upgraded to newer models as updated technology was developed, there are still a large number of different trains in operation on each Shinkansen line. This complete guide can help you identify the different types of Shinkansen models before you being your journey with your JR Pass.
Shinkansen Safety: Protocols and measures against Covid-19
As more than 400 high-speed trains run across Japan on a busy day, approximately 1 service every 3 minutes, it’s understandable that ensuring Shinkansen safety measures is a major priority for operators.
In addition to a number of safety protocols to guard against accidents and natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons, Japan Rail has also implemented a number of measures to protect Shinkansen passengers from the spread of COVID-19 during the global pandemic.
New train line from Haneda Airport to Tokyo Station
JR East has announced that it will open a new train line that will directly connect Haneda Airport to Tokyo Station in the city center, cutting the total travel time down by half to just 18 minutes and making it easier for holders of a JR Pass to access the Japanese capital upon arrival.
Harajuku Station Guide: Map, lines and attractions
Harajuku Station is located in the Shibuya area of Tokyo, Japan. It derives its name from Harajuku, a fashion and shopping district that lies to the east of the station. Harajuku district has been called “the center of Japan’s most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles.” It draws youths not only from across Japan but from around the world.
Harajuku Station first opened in 1906 and the original structure offers a unique alpine facade. However, it has recently undergone renovations to include a state-of-the art new building. Today, it is the sixth-busiest station operated by JR East.