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.

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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Fuji Excursion: direct train from Shinjuku to Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is a breathtaking destination which is right at the top of many visitors’ bucket lists. It offers sensational views which have inspired Japanese art for centuries but, at over 3,500 meters above sea level, it has not been the easiest place to get to!

The implementation of the Fuji Excursion train has made it much easier. It connects Shinjuku Station (Tokyo) directly to Mt Fuji which saves travelers a great deal of time as well as the hassle of making multiple changes.

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Useful vocabulary for train travel in Japan

Many people who visit Japan are unfamiliar with transportation by train. Most foreign travelers are not fluent in the Japanese language. These two factors can make navigating a busy train station seem an intimidating task.

Most signs in areas frequented by tourists are written in both English and Japanese. However, knowing a few simple words and phrases can help your trip run smoothly. It is also helpful to recognize the kanji, or characters used to write these words in the Japanese language. When you take along your Japan Rail Pass and the following vocabulary, you’ll be ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

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