The eagerly-anticipated new Hello Kitty Haruka train is finally in operation! Fans of the global phenomenal can now ride the new Haruka Express which is covered in Hello Kitty-themed illustrations and exciting features.
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.
Travel from Osaka to Tokyo: Shinkansen, Bus, and Flight Options
This guide compares the main ways to travel from Osaka to Tokyo, including Shinkansen services, buses and flights. Check journey times, ticket prices and Japan Rail Pass coverage to choose the best option for your trip.
The Akita Shinkansen line
When you think of Japan, what comes to mind? You may think of the busy streets and flashing lights of Tokyo. However, travel from Tokyo along the Akita Shinkansen Line can introduce you to many other faces of Japan.
Akita City serves as the capital of the Akita Prefecture, located in the northern portion of Japan’s Tohoku Region. Its most famous attraction is the Kanto Matsuri festival held each August. This festival produces stunning visuals as attendees take to the streets, balancing long bamboo poles laden with dozens of glowing paper lanterns. Other points of interest include the Akita Museum of Art, the panoramic views of the Port Tower Selion, and the Akita Omoriyama Zoo.
The Pokémon with You Train in Tohoku Region
“Pikachu, I choose you!”
If those words are still ringing in your ears from your favorite childhood anime cartoon, JR East’s POKÉMON with YOU train may be the perfect day trip during your next visit to Japan.
The Yamagata Shinkansen line
Imagine a day of skiing or snowboarding on fresh, white powder, followed by a relaxing soak in a natural hot spring. In Japan, Yamagata’s Zao Onsen Ski Resort is a prime location for a winter wonderland get away. But how do you get there?
The Yamagata Shinkansen is the answer. The Yamagata Line begins in the bustling metropolis of Tokyo and offers easy access to Yamagata Prefecture. Much international travel to Japan involves a trip to Tokyo, either by air or by land. Why not branch out into Yamagata during your next visit to the Neon City?
The Joetsu Shinkansen line between Tokyo and Niigata
The Joetsu Shinkansen connects Tokyo and Niigata, providing access to the ski resorts and hot springs (onsen) of the region.
The line opened in 1982 after a proposal from Prime Minister Tanaka Kakuei, who wanted to connect his hometown of Niigata to the capital, Tokyo. Part of the line also follows the Tohoku Shinkansen route to Omiya.