Interesting Facts about Japan's Trains / Railways
Railways in Japan include Japan Railways (JR), a group of six railway
companies covering the entire
country, plus a variety of companies which operate in many of the larger
cities. JR especially is renowned
for its extreme punctuality, with the heavily traveled trains on its Tokyo
commuter lines making stops at
stations at 1.5-minute intervals during peak periods. And of course its
Shinkansen, or "Bullet Trains,"
provide ultrafast and highly reliable rail links for almost all the length
and breadth of Japan. The network consists of the Tokaido Line, the Sanyo
Line, the Tohoku Line, the Nagano Line, the Akita Line, the Yamagata Line
and the Joetsu Line. JR's long-distance services include super express,
limited express, express, berth and reserved seat, with charges varying
according to distance and type of service.
Also it is important to be aware that during peak commuting hours trains (mostly in Tokyo) can be very crowded and if possible should be avoided especially if you have luggage.
It is very common for people to push their way into an already over packed train in the morning. On some train lines (in Tokyo) there is station staff whose job it is to push the commuters into the train not unlike sardines.
Japan Rail (JR) Pass
The Japan Rail (JR) Pass, which is issued by JR (Japan Railway) Group, offers travellers great value for money. The Rail Pass enables the almost unlimited use of JR trains and its affiliated bus and ferry services within various areas of Japan.
The Japan Rail Pass is available only to people from abroad who wish to come to Japan as "temporary visitors" for sightseeing. It is usually necessary to purchase an Exchange Order through a travel agency abroad so that the Exchange Order can be exchanged for a Japan Rail Pass after entering Japan.
It is very important to remember that only those who receive the entry status "temporary visitor" stamped in their passports are eligible to obtain the Japan Rail Pass. In order to receive your Japan Rail Pass, you need to take your Exchange Order to an applicable Japan Rail station, upon arrival in Japan, which has a Japan Rail Pass exchange office.
The Exchange Order of Japan Rail Pass can be purchased from overseas offices of JTB Corp., JALPAK, Nippon Travel Agency Co., Ltd., Kintetsu International, and Toptour Corporation plus their affiliated travel agencies in various countries. Overseas offices of Japan Airlines(JAL)* and All Nippon Airways(ANA) also handle the Exchange Order. *When using JAL group flight.
How to use the Japan Rail (JR) Pass
Once you have arrived in Japan, your Japan Rail Pass will need to be validated (within three months of purchase) before it can be used. You can do this at any Japan Rail Pass Exchange Office, located in major JR Stations throughout the country, including those at Narita Airport (Tokyo) and Kansai International Airport (Osaka). You will need to show your passport when validating your JR Pass.
After you have validated your pass you are ready to hit the road (or rails)! For non-reserved seating simply show your Japan Rail Pass when walking through the manned ticket barrier before you board the train. You can make an advance reservation by showing your pass at the green ticket window of any JR Station.
How to use trains in Japan
Tickets for short distances are available from ticket machines that are installed at each train station.
Most stations display station names in both Japanese and alphabet (Romanized) lettering on station signboards. The name of the station you are at is in large letters in the center of the sign that looks like a train track map. The names of other stations are listed on the same board with the cost of the fare beside them usually getting more expensive the further you get from the station you are currently at.
To use local trains in Japan:
1) First purchase a ticket at a vending machine or ticket window using
coins or bills.
2)Proceed through the ticket gate. Insert the ticket into the slot, walk
through the gate and pick up the ticket on the other side.
*If you insert an invalid ticket, the gate will close and an alarm will
sound.
3)Keep the ticket since it must be used to get out of the gate at your
destination.
To book tickets for long distance trains:
1. Refer to the section above to find out how to use JR Pass
2. If you don't have a JR Pass, visit the JR Travel Service Center located
at most medium or large size stations or one of the major travel agents.
Suica
Suica a rechargeable contactless smart card are used as a more convieant and cash free way to ride trains in Japan. The card is usable currently in the Kantō region, at JR East stations near Sendai and Niigata, and in the Kinki region on JR West. The card can also be used interchangeably with JR West's ICOCA card in the Kansai region and also will be used with JR Central's TOICA . The card is also increasingly being accepted as a form of electronic money for purchases at stores and kiosks in or near stations.
Suica is completely interchangeable with the Pasmo card in the greater
Tokyo area, it is supported on virtually any train, tramway, and bus system
(excluding various limited and shinkansen trains)
Useing the card is simple, pass it over a card reader. The card canbe
read at some distance from the reader, so contact is not required. Many
people leave the card in their wallet and just pass the wallet over the
reader as they enter the ticket gate.
The balance on the card is displayed when you enter the ticket gate. The
minimum fare is needed on the card when entering the train system, which
is not deducted at that time. The balance is also displayed whenever the
card is inserted into the ticket or fare adjustment machines as well.
A travel record is stored on the card, and can be displayed or printed
out at the same place where one can purchase and reload the Suica cards.
When you exit passthe card over the card reader. At this time the fare
is deducted from the remaining balance from the card and the new balance
is displayed.
How To Buy Suica
These cards are available at card vending machines at the train stations
that support Suica. A new card costs 2,000 yen, which includes a 500 yen
deposit that will be refunded if the card is returned. The remaining 1,500
yen is immediately available for train rides, and more money can be charged
on to the card (in 1,000 yen, 2,000 yen, 3,000 yen, 4,000 yen, 5,000 yen,
and 10,000 yen denominations.)
Shinkensen (Bullet Trains)
Japan's main island (Honshu) consists of a network of high speed train lines that connect Tokyo with most of the island's major cities and Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu. Japan's high bullet trains are (shinkansen) are run by Japan Railways (JR).
Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen
• Nozomi: Nozomi trains stop only at the most important
stations, and reach Osaka from Tokyo in about two and a half hours. The
nozomi is one of the very few trains on the JR network that cannot
be used with the Japan Rail Pass.
• Hikari: Hikari trains stop a little bit more frequently
than nozomi trains, and need roughly three hours to reach Osaka from Tokyo.
On the Sanyo Shinkansen, the Hikari trains are known as "Hikari Railstar".
• Kodama: The slowest category. Kodama trains stop at
all stations.
The new 500 series Shinkansen
Kyushu Shinkansen
Tsubame:The south half of the Kyushu Shinkansen, connects
Yatsushiro with Kagoshima,. The northern half from Yatsushiro to Hakata
is scheduled to be completed by 2010.
Northern Shinkansen
• Hayate (Tohoku Shinkansen): The fastest train category
on the Tohoku Shinkansen. Hayate trains run all the way from Tokyo to
Hachinohe and stop only at major stations. All seats are reserved. Between
Tokyo and Morioka, Hayate trains are coupled with a Komachi train.
• Yamabiko (Tohoku Shinkansen): The second fastest train
category on the Tohoku Shinkansen, running as far as Morioka. Yamabiko
trains stop more frequently than Hayate trains.
• Nasuno (Tohoku Shinkansen): The slowest train category
on the Tohoku Shinkansen. Nasuno trains run only as far as Koriyama (one
stop before Fukushima) and stop at all stations.
• Komachi (Akita Shinkansen): This is the only train
category on the Akita Shinkansen. Komachi run between Tokyo and Akita.
All seats are reserved. Between Tokyo and Morioka, Komachi trains are
coupled with a Hayate train.
• Tsubasa (Yamagata Shinkansen): This is the only train category
on the Yamagata Shinkansen. Tsubasa run between Tokyo, Yamagata and Shinjo.
Between Tokyo and Fukushima, some Tsubasa trains are coupled with a Yamabiko
train.
• Toki (Joetsu Shinkansen): This is the faster of two
categories on the Joetsu Shinkansen, running all the way from Tokyo to
Niigata.
• Tanigawa (Joetsu Shinkansen): This is the slower of
two categories on the Joetsu Shinkansen. Tanigawa run only as far as Echigo-Yuzawa
and stop more frequently than the Toki trains.
• Asama (Nagano Shinkansen): This is the only train category
on the Nagano Shinkansen. Asama run between Tokyo and Nagano.
Japan's Subways
Most major cities in Japan have subway systems, they are an efficient and convenient means of transportation in Japan’s compact urban cities. In Tokyo, subway fares at 160 Japanese yen for Tokyo Metro and Toei (Metropolitan) lines, and both increase with the distance traveled. Almost all station have vending machines for tickets and automatic ticket-checking mashines at their entrance/exit gates.
↓ Subway maps in English are available below.
»Tokyo Subway Map (Tokyo Metro Lines)
»Tokyo Subway Mao (Toei Lines)
Japan Train Timetables
These days finding your way around Japan has become easier with a few companies offering electronic timetable services for the train system on the internet. You can also view these sites on your mobile phone (keitai) if you have internet access. Even JR and some of the other Major companies have sites in English now to make reservations.
↓You can find links to some of these sites bellow
Japan English Train / Subway Timetable Sites
The best time table »JOURDAN
This one is ok »HYPERDIA
Other Japan Railways Discount Programs
Seishun 18 (Juhachi) Ticket
(JR Seasonal Discount Ticket for Local and Rapid Trains)
Price
¥ 11,500 (a ticket for 5 time -use; 5 days or 5 persons)
Same price for adults and children
Seasons
Spring Term of sale Feb. 20-----------Mar. 31
Term of validity Mar.1------------ Apr. 10
Summer Term of sale July 1-------------Aug. 31
Term of validity July 20----------- Sep. 10
Winter Term of sale Dec.1-------------Jan. 10
Term of validity Dec.10----------- Jan. 20
Anywhere in Japan
These tickets are ok to use anywhere in Japan with JR local trains, JR
rapid trains, the JR ferryboat between Miyajimaguchi and Miyajima Island,
and JR limited express trains (non-reserved seat) between Kanita and Kikonai,
Shin-Yubari and Shintoku within Hokkaido.
Note
• This ticket package is good for 5 consecutive days or 5 non-consecutive
days within the designated period or may be shared with up to 4 other
persons. If a group travels on the same route. Each ticket is valid for
any 24-hr. period (one calendar day from midnight to midnight) within
the designated period of time.
• Passangers may get on and off as many times as they like at any JR station
and at the JR ferry terminal within the marked day of use. (The dates
of use should be marked on the ticket by JR staff when you enter the ticket
gate of any JR station).
• In case you take a local/rapid train requiring a seat reservation or
other surcharges(e. g. Green Car, priority seat), it is necessary to pay
the additional charges.
• This ticket is not valid for any express trains, limited express trains,
sleeping coaches, Green Cars except local trains or JR buses.
• This ticket works according to the calendar day. One time-use of the
ticket allows you to ride the trains for one day. In case you travel overnight
with one time-use of the ticket, you can travel only up to the very first
stop on the line after 12 midnight. With the exception, in Tokyo and Osaka,
one time-use of the ticket allows you to ride the last trains of the day
even after midnight.
Where to buy a ticket
• You can buy this ticket at major JR stations. View Plazas (JR Travel
Service Centers) and major travel agencies throughout Japan.
Refund for an unused ticket
• It can be refunded only before starting to use and within the designated
period of time (term of validity). There is a handling charge of ¥210.
The discount offered with this ticket is pretty go because if you travel
by JR local & rapid trains for more than 140km it would cost you ¥2,520
but 1 Seishun 18 ticket is only ¥2,300
For further information call
JR East Infoline : 050-2016-1603
Business hours: 10 am to 6 pm. (Closed during year-end & new-year
holidays)
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Hokkaido Rail Pass
Eligible Traveler: Only Foreign visitors
Validity: Year round
Unlimited use (3-day and 5-day passes) on all train lines of JR Hokkaido
and all bus lines of JR Hokkaido Bus. For Express and Limited Express
trains, reserved seats on Ordinary Car can be used.
Fares: 14,000 yen (3 days) and 25,000 yen (5 days)
Provider:JR
Hokkaido
*Available with overseas purchase of an exchange order for this ticket
or can be purchased after arrival in Japan.
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JR East Pass(Intercity / Regional, Eastern Japan)
Eligible Traveler: Foreign visitors
Validity: Year round
Unlimited use (ordinary-class reserved seats or 1st-class "Green
Car" seats) on JR's Shinkansen super express and limited-express
trains within the JR East area (5-, 10-day, flexible 4-day passes).
Fares: 20,000 yen (5 days for ordinary-class cars and reserved seats)
- 32,000 yen
(10 days for ordinary-class cars and reserved seats)
Provider:
JR East
*Available with overseas purchase of an exchange order for this ticket
or can be purchased after arrival in Japan.
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JR-West Rail Pass(Intercity / Regional, Western Japan)
Eligible: Traveler Foreign visitors
Validity: Year round
Kansai area: Unlimited use (1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 4-day
passes) on JR regular-class trains
Fares: 2,000 yen (1 day in Kansai) - 6,000 yen (4 days)
Sanyo Area:Unlimited use (4-day and 8-day passes) on
JR's Shinkansen (incl. "Nozomi"), limited-express and regular
trains within the Osaka-Sanyo area.
Fares: 20,000 yen (4 days) and 30,000 yen (8 days)
Provider JR
West
*Available with overseas purchase of an exchange order for this ticket
or can be purchased after arrival in Japan.
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JR-Kyushu Rail Pass(Intercity / Regional, Kyushu area)
Eligible: Traveler Foreign visitors
Validity: Year round
Unlimited use on JR trains within the JR Kyushu area (5-day passes).
Fares: 16,000 yen (5 days) 3-day Pass (13,000 yen)
Provider: JR
Kyushu
*Available with overseas purchase of an exchange order for this ticket
or can be purchased after arrival in Japan.
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