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.
In Japan, taking the train can offer much more than simply reaching your destination. Joyful Trains turn train travel into an experience you’ll never forget!
These are special themed trains with designs that can make travel more fun and exciting. Joyful Train interiors might feature tatami mats, art installations, or colourful anime and manga characters that bring the journey to life.
現時点で日本在住の方はJRパスの購入はできません。しかし、日本国外にお住まいの方は 2017 年 6 月 1 日以降から一定の要件を満たすことでご購入が可能となります。詳細は以下をご覧ください。
日本国外で 10 年以上在住もしくは永住している方 Continue reading “%s”
The island of Kyushu is the southernmost, as well as the most westerly, of Japan’s large, main islands. Kyushu is home to mountainous terrain, including the most active volcano in Japan, known as Mount Aso.
The subtropical climate of Kyushu makes it an ideal location for vacationers. Few sights evoke as much awe as the view from a train winding through Kyushu’s countryside, steam floating lazily atop nearby hot springs. The island is also a valuable resource for understanding Japanese culture, as it is famous for its art and its silk.
Japan has been a legend in commuter travel for over half a century. Early Japanese train travel featured decadent luxury, such as on Japan’s famous night trains. The introduction of the Shinkansen bullet trains added new levels of speed to the mix, creating excitement and increasing comfort.
Japan continues to stay ahead of the game with new innovations – luxury trains such as the Seven Stars Kyushu, and the increased velocities of the soon-to-be released Maglev. Another such innovation is a new luxury class available on the Shinkansen bullet train lines – the Shinkansen Gran Class.
Some travelers shy away from exploring the country of Japan because they have been told it is among the most expensive places to travel. This, however, does not have to be the case. A little prior planning can go a long way towards lessening the expense of your next Japanese vacation.
Plane tickets often make up the bulk of travel expenses, followed by accommodations and food. Consider the following suggestions for saving money on the first leg of your journey: getting there. You may also find deals on Japan airlines domestic flights if traveling from one part of Japan to another.
Even before the advent of the shinkansen bullet train in 1964, luxury trains, often called “blue sleeper trains,” were a common sight across Japan. These trains were designed, not only as an efficient mode of transportation but as an experience in themselves. Getting there truly was half the fun.
In recent years, however, the use of luxury trains has largely given way to the rapid travel offered by the shinkansen. The last of the “blue trains” ceased operation in 2015. While some have called this “the end of an era,” luxury seekers are not to be disappointed by Japan’s all-new line up of first-class rail accommodations. Beginning in spring 2017, JR East and JR West launched two “cruise trains” for your traveling enjoyment.
