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.

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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Japan train stations: useful tips

If it is your first, second or third time travelling to Japan, this article offers great survival tips and guidance on everything you need to know about the train stations in Japan, including how to purchase single train tickets, how to make a seat reservation, how to find your train, store and transport your luggage.

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The JR Yamanote line: Getting around Tokyo

The JR Yamanote line is probably the most popular and convenient way for getting around Tokyo.

Japan Rail Pass holders can take advantage of the line for free. Taking any train on the Yamanote line is fully included in the JR Pass.

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Narita Express: Tokyo Airport transfer with the JR Pass

The Narita Express – also known as N’EX – is the most convenient Tokyo city transfer from and to Narita International Airport, which hosts most of the overseas flights to Japan.

This limited express train service is fast, reliable and punctual, and you can ride it for free with your Japan Rail Pass. Find out all the travel details in this post.

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Train travel in Japan: a complete guide

If you are planning a trip with the Japan Rail Pass, better be prepared! You will be riding Japanese trains quite often.

In Japan, railroads are the primary mode of passenger transportation, and they have been ever since the first passenger steam locomotives debuted in Japan during the Meiji Restoration in 1872.

There is 30,625 km of rail lines all over Japan and they carry more than 9 billion passengers per year. Due to the country’s extensive use of its rail system, 46 of the top 50 busiest stations in the world are located in Japan.

Most Japanese rail lines have a unique name, normally taken from one of the cities or regions along the route, which means that the system is incredibly easy to navigate (the line names are even indicated on the tickets!).

Even so, figuring out how to manage the Japanese transportation system might be somewhat of a challenge for some. With that in mind, we’ve created this complete guide to the train system in Japan to help solve any doubts regarding riding the densha (how you say train in Japanese!).

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