Japan is known for its safe and fast rail system. In addition to getting from place to place, many travelers wish to enjoy the ride – especially when it takes them past beautiful, picturesque scenery of the Japanese countryside.
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.
Ueno Station Travel Guide
Located in the Taito ward of Tokyo, Ueno Station is a key transport hub for travelers visiting the capital. It’s used by local commuters and also for long distance trips from northern parts of Japan.
It was constructed in 1883 and its design inspired a pre-1912 poem by the young Ishikawa Takuboku. A memorial plate concerning the poem can be viewed inside the station.
Nippori Station Travel Guide
Nippori Station, Nippori-eki in Japanese, is located in Arakawa City, one of Tokyo’s central special wards. “Nippori” is commonly said to mean “place where the sun sets”, and the area surrounding the station is full of local charm and history.
The N700S Shinkansen: A ‘supreme’ earthquake-proof upgrade
On 1 July 2020, the Central Japan Railway Co. officially launched the N700S trains into revenue service on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line between Tokyo and Osaka. It was the first fully remodeled bullet train in 13 years, boasting cutting-edge new features which reduce air resistance and noise in comparison to current models.