HOME How to Navigate Japan's Trains: Passes, Etiquette, and More for the Perfect Visit
How to Navigate Japan's Trains: Passes, Etiquette, and More for the Perfect Visit

How to Navigate Japan's Trains: Passes, Etiquette, and More for the Perfect Visit

Last updated: 26 July 2024

Japan's train system is renowned for its efficiency and punctuality, making it a preferred mode of transportation for both locals and tourists. If you're planning a trip to Japan, mastering the train system is crucial for a hassle-free travel experience. This comprehensive guide will provide you with essential tips and instructions on how to navigate Japan's trains, covering everything from train stations and tickets to IC cards and the famous Shinkansen (Bullet Train).

Table of Contents
  1. Understanding Japan's train system
  2. Navigating train stations in Japan
  3. Using train tickets and travel IC cards in Japan
  4. Types of trains in Japan: Regular Trains, Express Trains, Overnight Express, Shinkansen
  5. Types of seats (Reserved/Unreserved; Regular, Green Car, Gran Class)
  6. Reading train maps in Japan
  7. FAQs and Frequently Voiced Concerns
  8. Tips for a smooth train travel experience

Understanding Japan's train system

The Japanese train system is celebrated for its efficiency, punctuality, and expansive coverage. Although navigating Japan's trains might seem intimidating at first, a basic understanding of the railway network, various train types, and ticketing options will enable you to travel smoothly across the country.

Japan boasts an extensive and interconnected railway network, making it one of the most convenient ways to traverse the country. This network is operated by multiple railway companies, including JR (Japan Railways), private railways, and subway systems.

Different types of trains serve different purposes in Japan. The Shinkansen, or bullet train, is known for its high speed and efficiency, making it ideal for long-distance travel between major cities. Conversely, local trains are slower, make frequent stops, and are perfect for exploring smaller towns and rural areas.

Understanding train tickets and passes is key to a stress-free journey. In Japan, you can buy individual tickets for each trip or opt for a convenient rail pass. The Japan Rail Pass, available to foreign tourists, offers unlimited travel on JR trains for a specified period, making it a cost-effective option if you plan to travel extensively within that timeframe.

Navigating train stations in Japan

(Photo: Byjeng - Shutterstock.com)
(Photo: Byjeng - Shutterstock.com)

Navigating stations in Japan gets easier with time, of that there is no doubt. In saying that, some of the bigger stations—JR Shinjuku immediately springs to mind—really are vast underground networks of tunnels, walkways, multicolored and multilingual signs, and throngs of tourists and commuters dashing about in a chaotic frenzy. For these larger stations, proceed with a little extra caution.

Understanding station layouts and signage

The signs in most stations are color-coded for specific train lines, which is super helpful in locating the train or platform that you are looking for. Train stations are also kitted out with maps showing the relevant train lines and arrows indicating how many meters you are from your target. If you need to orient yourself, many exits are denoted by the compass direction upon which they are located: West Exit, North Exit, South Exit, East Exit.

Once you have found the appropriate platform there will be a map of sorts (often located on structural support pillars) showing the direction in which the train is going and all the respective stations at which it will stop.

Using ticket vending machines and fare calculation

Ticket vending machines are available at most train stations and usually have an English-language option. Select your destination, and the machine will calculate the fare. Remember to keep your ticket until you reach your destination, as you'll need it to exit the station.

If it is difficult to locate the fare for your destination station, you may choose to purchase the cheapest ticket and use the fare adjustment machine at the station exit. Fare adjustment machines will also typically allow you to add money to IC cards as well. (More on IC cards later on.)

Tips on meeting people at busy stations

First up, make sure you pick a specific exit. The bigger stations have multiple exits, and with the crowds of commuters swarming them every day, locating people is a none too easy task—even when you know your way around. Following that, find a specific landmark near the exit; often these are indicated on maps around the station. Meeting inside the busiest stations can be a recipe for disaster, so picking somewhere close by instead, can save you a lot of bother.

Using train tickets and travel IC cards in Japan

(Photo: oatautta / Shutterstock.com)
(Photo: oatautta / Shutterstock.com)

Familiarizing yourself with the different types of train tickets is crucial for navigating Japan's extensive train network. Here are the main types.

  • Regular Tickets: These are paper tickets that can be purchased at ticket counters or vending machines in train stations. They are valid for a single journey.
  • Regional Passes: If you plan to travel extensively within a specific region, consider a regional pass. These passes offer unlimited travel within a designated area for a fixed period.
  • Japan Rail Pass: The Japan Rail Pass is a popular choice for tourists, allowing unlimited travel on JR trains, including the Shinkansen, for a specific duration.
Major railways in Japan
Japan Railways Group
Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido), East Japan Railway Company (JR East), Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), West Japan Railway Company (JR West), Shikoku Railway Company (JR Shikoku), Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu)
Kanto region (Private railways)
Keikyu Corporation, Keio Corporation, Keisei Electric Railway, Odakyu Electric Railway, Sagami Railway (Sotetsu),
Seibu Railway, Tobu Railway, Tokyo Metro, Tokyu Railways
Chubu region (Private railways)
Nagoya Railroad (Meitetsu)
Kansai region (Private railways)
Hankyu Corporation, Hanshin Electric Railway, Keihan Electric Railway, Kintetsu Railway, Nankai Electric Railway
Kyushu (Private railways)
Nishi-Nippon Railroad (Nishitetsu)

Regular Tickets

Paper tickets are one-use train fare tickets or day passes that can be purchased at machines in all train stations. These machines usually have language translation options.

Once you have your ticket, you must validate it before boarding the train. Most tickets need to be inserted into the ticket gates at the station entrance. Follow the instructions on the gate and retrieve your ticket on the other side.

IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, etc.)

(Photo: BT Image - Shutterstock.com)
(Photo: BT Image - Shutterstock.com)

Alternatively, you can use an IC card like Suica or Pasmo. These are rechargeable smart cards used for various transportation modes, including trains, buses, and some taxis. They eliminate the need to purchase individual tickets for each journey.

Benefits of using IC cards include:
Time-saving: IC cards can be quickly tapped on ticket gates, allowing for smooth entry and exit without the hassle of purchasing and validating tickets.
Convenience: IC cards can be easily recharged at ticket machines in train stations, making them convenient for regular travelers.
Cost-effective: IC cards offer discounted fares compared to regular tickets, especially for frequent travelers.

Though there are many variations—Suica, Pasmo, Icoca, PiTaPa, Toica, Manaca, Sugoca, Nimoca, Hayakaken, Kitaka—which depend on the region in which you purchase them, the Tokyo-centric Suica and Pasmo cards tend to be the most popular. You probably don't want to have your Suica or Pasmo card run out of money during rush hour, so be sure your card is topped up with at least 2,000 yen worth of credit.

These cards can even be used on many train lines from Sapporo in the north to Kyushu in the south. They can also be used on buses around Kanto (greater Tokyo) and Kansai (greater Osaka/Kyoto), at vending machines, and a variety of convenience stores and other shops.

IC cards can be purchased at machines inside train stations that will have English (and other languages) translation options. Most cards cost 500 yen and the rest of the money you add will be deposited as a balance on the card.

To use an IC card, simply tap your card on the indicated spot on one of the barriers for entry to the platforms, and repeat the process while exiting at your destination. The machines will calculate the fare and withdraw money from the card's balance.

Tip: Getting Your IC Card Money Back
  • Except for the Welcome Suica, IC cards can also be refunded at the end of the trip (though the money on them stays valid for 10 years without being used...in case you plan on coming back). To claim a refund on your remaining balance, bring your card to one of the ticket offices (also called "midori-no-madoguchi"), which are in most of the major stations across Japan.

    It's worth noting that you should be sure to bring your IC card to a station in the region from which you purchased it—Pasmo and Suica for greater Tokyo area, Icoca cards for Kansai area, and so on.

    The refund will consist of the remaining balance on your card plus the 500 yen "deposit" that you originally paid for the card (if your balance is less than 220 yen, you will only receive the 500 yen deposit).

Japan Rail Pass

The Japan Rail Pass is an excellent option for tourists; it's a cumulative effort by the six companies of the Japan Rail Group to create a ticket that can be used on all JR trains, in all prefectures, across the country.

However, there are still a couple of restrictions. For example, when using “NOZOMI” or “MIZUHO” Shinkansen bullet trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo, or Kyushu Shinkansen lines, you need to have a special ticket available only to Japan Rail Pass holders. Also, JR Passes can't be used on subways and on other private railways.

The Japan Rail Pass is for tourists only, and in order to be eligible, you must meet one of the following criteria:
1. You are a foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sight-seeing under the entry status of "temporary visitor", or
2. You are a Japanese national but living permanently abroad.

To get a Japan Rail Pass, you must purchase it through one of the official websites (link below) and then activate it after your arrival in Japan. (There are ways to purchase a Japan Rail Pass in Japan as well. However, the rates are higher.)

After purchasing a voucher abroad, you can activate it at any JR office; these can be found at most airports and major train stations. The options are as follows.

Type: Ordinary
  • Adult: 7-day for 50,000 yen, 14-day for 80,000 yen, 21-day for 100,000 yen
  • Child (prices per JR Pass website): 7-day for 25,000 yen, 14-day for 40,000 yen, 21-day for 50,000 yen
Type: Green
  • Adult (per JR Pass website): 7-day for 70,000 yen, 14-day for 110,000 yen, 21-day for 140,000 yen
  • Child (per JR Pass website): 7-day for 35,000 yen, 14-day for 55,000 yen, 21-day for 70,000 yen

Note that it's worth calculating potential travel expenditures beforehand to make sure you are getting your money's worth. The easiest way to do this is to have a rough itinerary in mind and then use a website such as LIVE JAPAN's Route Search or app like Google Maps to map out your trip and clarify fares along the way.

Day passes and other special tickets

There are several day pass options available in many of Japan's major cities.

Tokyo City Passes
Osaka City Passes
Kyoto City Passes

Types of trains in Japan: Regular Trains, Express Trains, Overnight Express, Shinkansen

Types of trains in Japan: Regular Trains, Express Trains, Overnight Express, Shinkansen

Japan Railways (JR) vs. Private Railroads

The Japan Railways (JR) group runs around 70 percent of Japan's rail lines. In addition, numerous smaller private rail companies manage shorter local lines, subways, mountain railways, scenic trains, funiculars, and trams.

Examples of these operators around Tokyo include: Keikyu, Odakyu, Seibu, and Tobu.

The upshot is that you can only use your Japan Rail Pass for JR trains, otherwise you will have to buy a paper ticket or use an IC card. Private companies operate regular and express trains.

Regular trains: Cheap but (relatively) slow

Intercity travel by train in Japan is incredibly efficient, with various options depending on how quickly you want to get to your destination and how much cash you're willing to fork out.

Regular trains that stop at most/all stations en route to your destination are considerably slower than taking an express or Shinkansen bullet train. The advantage is that they are very reasonably priced and often provide stunning views of the surrounding Japanese wilderness.

Express trains: Faster but pricier

Express trains can come in at a slightly higher price range than their regular counterparts, however, given that they miss many of the smaller stops en route to their destinations, they will get you there an awful lot faster, and the seats are usually somewhat comfier. Depending on the train, a separate ticket and/or seat reservation may be required to ride express trains.

(Photo: Satoshi Mizushima Shutterstock.com)
(Photo: Satoshi Mizushima Shutterstock.com)

As you may have guessed, regular trains too come in a few different forms. Within the cities, most of the JR and Metro lines operate a standard route that stops at all stations.

But (and here's where it can get confusing), there are certain train lines which function local, rapid, semi-rapid and express services, which stop at different stations along the same route.

In Tokyo and other major metropolitan areas, these will—most likely—be indicated on the platform screens in English. If not, then you can keep an eye out for the following kanji to help you along the way.

  • 各駅停車 - "kakueki teisha" - Train that stops at every station
  • 普通 - "futsuu" - Ordinary / Train that stops at every station
  • 準急 - "junkyuu" - Local Express
  • 急行 - "kyuukou" - Express Train that stops at major stations
  • 特急- "tokkyuu" - Limited Express (Faster than Express)

Overnight trains: Long-distance hauls

Though most overnight trains in Japan have been retired as a result of increased use in the Shinkansen, there are still a couple that run for long distance hauls. The Sunrise express trains—The Sunrise Izumo and Sunrise Seto—leave from Tokyo travelling to Osaka, Himeji and Okayama stations. From Okayama the Izumo heads towards Matsue and Izumo-shi on the western coast; the Seto sets course for the inland sea and Takamatsu, Shikoku. Both Sunrise Expresses run the reverse route back to Tokyo.

(*Note: Japan Rail Passes will cover the train fare and seats, however you will have to pay extra for one of the compartments which contains a bed. The compartments start from 10,800 yen and can only be booked from Japan within 30 days of departure date.)

Shinkansen Bullet Train: Fastest but priciest

The Shinkansen bullet train is the fastest way to travel around Japan by train, though it will come at a price. A relatively short distance Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Shin Osaka Station would cost over 13,000 yen. This is where your Japan Rail pass can come in super handy. Shinkansen run very regularly, while providing various seating options to facilitate a pretty comfortable travel experience.

Types of seats (Reserved/Unreserved; Regular, Green Car, Gran Class)

(Photo: Blanscape - Shutterstock.com)
(Photo: Blanscape - Shutterstock.com)

For Shinkansen and express trains the majority of travellers either use a Japan Rail Pass or purchase paper tickets. For said tickets, there are (again) several options: Ordinary Car, Green Car, Gran Class, reserved, unreserved, or some mixture of the above. Let's start with the basics.

Reserved seats vs. Unreserved seats

The seating options range from basic unreserved seats to the most luxurious Gran Class. With unreserved tickets you can end up not getting a seat (and therefore having to stand for a 3-hour journey). For the longer journeys, forking out a little extra cash (typically around 500 - 700 yen) for a reserved seating ticket might be worth consideration. When purchasing your ticket at a machine, you will be offered both of these options; the same applies for purchasing your ticket with a member of staff in the relevant station.

Seat classes: Regular, Green, Gran Class

Gran Class on the Shinkansen. (Photo: Piti Sirisriro - Shutterstock.com)
Gran Class on the Shinkansen. (Photo: Piti Sirisriro - Shutterstock.com)

Upping the ante to the Green Car or top-tier Gran Class in the bullet train will provide a significantly more comfortable ride, but will obviously see an equally significant increase in cost. Gran Class cars are replete with plush leather recliners and all you can eat and drink services (these are however only available on selected Shinkansen train lines).

Note on Shinkansen tickets: Fare Tickets

When purchasing Shinkansen tickets from the machines, usually you will have to purchase a fare ticket, and a ticket for the train itself—written as Fare+Base. While it may seem a little confusing or arbitrary, basically the fare ticket is the price of the journey itself, whereas the special ticket covers your seating option. If you buy a ticket from the ticket office, they will usually supply you with one ticket covering the fare and the base. The price in the office and at the machines is the same. (Note that when entering the Shinkansen ticket gates, insert both tickets into the wicket at the same time.)

Reading train maps in Japan

Reading train maps in Japan

As you can see in the map, train lines are color-coded (the same for all stations). Major stations will be indicated along the lines which run through them, though the map isn’t necessarily to scale so best not to use it as a parameter for guessing the duration of the trip. Map apps are superb at this, and the most trains will have the time left until each station indicated clearly on the screen.

For maps that show a specific route, there will also be a key at the side which states whether a train is local, an express or an airport express. The station names that a colored line runs through, are the ones at which it stops.

Transit maps for major cities in Japan

FAQs and Frequently Voiced Concerns

(Photo: EQRoy - Shutterstock.com)
(Photo: EQRoy - Shutterstock.com)
Q: Do trains really not run 24 hours a day? How to find first train & last train time?
A: Unfortunately, trains nationwide usually end around midnight and start up again around 5 AM, Monday through Sunday. You can find the first and last train times on most smartphone map applications. If you've already missed the last train, here are some hints for what you can do.
Q: What are the main benefits of having a Japan Rail Pass?
A: It grants you access to the majority of trains in Japan, for one blanket payment and covers 7, 14 or 21 days, which is typically enough for most travellers.
Q: What's the difference between Suica and Pasmo? Which should I get?
A: The only difference is the company who sells them; Suica sold by JR East, Pasmo sold by non-JR operators in Tokyo.
Q: Can I just buy paper tickets for each train that I want to use?
Yes you can. However, paper tickets need to be purchased before each journey, whereas you only need one IC card for the entire trip. They are often more expensive than paying for the journey via IC card.
Q: Do all train stations have English translations on the signage?
A: The vast majority right across the nation do. If you are in any of the big cities, lines, platforms and stations are all clearly shown in English. Sometimes there are Korean and Chinese translations too.
Q: Should I use a Japan Rail Pass in Tokyo or activate it after?
If you are staying in Tokyo for a few days before travelling around Japan, using an IC card in the capital and then activating your Japan Rail Pass for the rest of your stay, may work out cheaper.
Q: If traveling by train, approximately how much time should I give myself to get from Shinjuku, Shibuya, Roppongi, Ginza or Asakusa stations to Tokyo's main airports?
A: Shinjuku to Haneda – 50 minutes, Shinjuku to Narita: 75 minutes
A: Shibuya to Haneda – 35 minutes, Shibuya to Narita – 75 minutes
A: Roppongi to Haneda – 40 minutes, Roppongi to Narita – 90 minutes
A: Ginza to Haneda – 35 minutes, Ginza to Narita – 65 minutes
A: Asakusa to Haneda – 50 minutes, Asakusa to Narita – 60 minutes
Q: Are the trains in Tokyo really outrageously busy?
A: Unfortunately, yes, indeed they are. However, if you avoid traveling on major train lines in the city during the 7-9:30 AM rush hour or late in the evening, you may be able to circumvent this.
Q: Are trains in Tokyo outrageously expensive?
A: Not particularly, but if you want to save money, here are a few tips: use an IC card to save paying for paper tickets; day passes are also excellent savers; walking between closer stations when the weather is on your side may also save you a couple hundred yen here and there.

Tips for a smooth train travel experience

Traveling around Japan by train is one of the most efficient and convenient ways to get around. Here are some helpful tips to ensure a smooth train travel experience.

  • Peak and Off-Peak Travel Times: Be aware of peak and off-peak travel times. During peak hours, trains can be crowded, making it challenging to find a seat or even get on the train. Peak hours are typically early morning and late afternoon when commuters travel to and from work. If possible, try to avoid traveling during these times for a more comfortable journey.
  • Etiquette and Rules for Train Travel in Japan: Japan has a strong culture of etiquette, and this extends to train travel. Important rules include giving up your seat to elderly, pregnant, or disabled passengers; refraining from talking on the phone or playing loud music; and avoiding eating or drinking on the train, especially in crowded cars. Respecting these rules ensures a pleasant experience for everyone.
  • Useful Apps and Resources for Train Travel: Several useful apps and resources are available to help navigate Japan's trains. One popular app is Japan Travel by NAVITIME, which provides real-time train schedules, platform information, and fare calculations. Another helpful app is Google Maps, which works very well in Japan. Additionally, many train stations have English signage and announcements, making it easier for foreign travelers to navigate the train system.

By following these tips, you'll be well-prepared to navigate Japan's trains and have a seamless travel experience. Enjoy exploring this beautiful country!

Written by:
David McElhinney
David McElhinney

David is a Northern Irish freelance writer living in Tokyo. He loves living in Japan, reading about Japan, writing about Japan and eating Japanese food. He also spends a lot of time exercising, playing rugby and risking a litany of muscle-related injuries in yoga class.

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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