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.

Japan train etiquette: Tips for understanding Japanese manners

Train etiquette in Japan is something that Japanese people usually take very seriously. Trains in Japan are extremely punctual and are one of the most efficient and convenient means of transport, so it is one of the most used, especially in large cities. Most of the time we board a train, we will be sharing it with other passengers.

Millions of people use Japan’s train system each day. While navigating the train network can seem daunting, these etiquette tips will help make your trip a pleasant one.
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The West Express Ginga: The Futuristic “Galaxy” Train

JR West has announced the launch of a new train which will link the Keihanshin area with a number of stations in the Sanin and Sanyo regions in western Japan. The Ginga train will launch in spring 2020.

The concept of the long-distance train is based around interstellar travel. Ginga means ‘Milky Way’ in Japanese, and the trains route along the western regions will represent the stars spread throughout the galaxy.

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Ueno Station Travel Guide

Located in the Taito ward of Tokyo, Ueno Station has long been a traditional transportation hub. It was constructed in 1883 and inspired a pre-1912 poem by the young Ishikawa Takuboku. A memorial plate concerning the poem can be viewed inside the station. Today, Ueno Station is utilized both by local commuters and the long distance trains coming to Tokyo from northern regions of Japan.

Smaller than many of the other stations in Tokyo, Ueno Station is well suited to the international traveler. Consider the following information to help make your trip fun and worry-free!

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Nippori Station travel guide

Nippori Station, called Nippori-eki in Japanese, is located in Arakawa, a Tokyo’s special ward. The station, like Tokyo itself, enjoys a long and abundant history. “Nippori” means “place where the sun sets”, and this quiet area hearkens back to the charms of yesteryear.

Nippori Station was inaugurated in 1905. Today, it serves over one hundred thousand passengers each day. Will your travels take you through Nippori Station? Employ this handy travel guide to learn about the station’s train lines and nearby attractions.

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The new Mickey Mouse Shinkansen bullet train in Kyushu

Mickey Mouse is popular the world over and JR have taken note with the revealing of a new themed series 800 bullet train service inspired by the Disney mascot. The new Go! Waku Waku Trip with Mickey is a Mickey Mouse Shinkansen bullet train experience which is coming to JR this spring from May 17th and is sure to be a big hit with mouse fans.

As part of Mickey’s 90th-anniversary celebrations, Disney and JR have teamed up to create a specially decorated 6 carriage Shinkansen train which will run on the Island of Kyushu between May and November (although the end date may change). This new service will carry on the tradition of previous JR campaigns featuring beloved animation characters like the Hello Kitty Shinkansen and Pikachu train.

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