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.

Osaka Loop Line: Getting around Osaka with the JR Pass

Osaka City is a bustling metropolitan area popular among international tourists. Osaka itself is home to many unique attractions, including vast parks and gardens, historic Osaka Castle, the Tenmangu Shrine, Osaka Aquarium, and the National Bunraku Theater.

Visitors to Osaka also enjoy the Dotonbori district, where travelers can experience the local nightlife with restaurants and shopping centers open twenty-four hours a day; the covered Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street; and the Kitashinchi entertainment district.

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The future of Japanese bullet trains

The Japanese Shinkansen train network keeps extending its reach every decade. This one makes no exception. Currently, Japan is expanding the Shinkansen lines and installing a number of newly built and technologically advanced trains. Some of these are even going to set new world records for the fastest train speed developed on a commercial train. What will such innovations imply for the Japanese commuters and society? Find out more in the following article.

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The Japanese Maglev: World’s fastest bullet train

Imagine rushing across the Japanese countryside at astonishing speeds. The wheels of your vehicle do not even touch the ground. In fact, you’re floating! This dreamlike experience will soon be a reality thanks to Japan’s famous Maglev bullet trains, the fastest train in the world.

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Riding the Sagano Scenic Railway, Kyoto’s romantic train

Western Kyoto has long been known for its natural beauty. In fact, the Arashiyama district has been a tourist favorite for well over 1,000 years. The beauty of this region peaks twice a year, first during the cherry blossom season, and later during the autumn.

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Best ekiben on Japanese train stations

Most travelers enjoy – even covet – the experience of trying new and exotic foods unique to the places they visit. Japanese cuisine offers tantalizing tastes and textures, and ekiben provide a convenient and affordable means of discovering the best culinary temptations that Japan has to offer.

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Seven Stars Kyushu: Riding the luxury train

Wise travelers know that traveling is not just about the destination; getting there is half the fun. The significance of the journey itself is embodied in Japan’s Seven Stars luxury sleeper train, based in the island of Kyushu, Japan. This cruise train is meant to bring new life to train travel, to make the travel itself the integral part of a Kyushu vacation.

The Seven Stars cruise train, also known as Nanatsuboshi in Kyushu, gets its name both from the seven prefectures of Kyushu, and also from the seven lauded aspects of the region. These include the train system itself, nature, the hot springs, power spots, the region’s history, its cuisine, and the friendliness of Kyushu’s people.

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