# Japanese Trains > Japanese Trains is a travel guide covering Japan's railway network, operated primarily by the JR Group, including Shinkansen bullet trains, JR-East, Limited Express, and local trains, routes, classes, and stations. ## About our website This website serves as a comprehensive guide to assist you in planning your rail travel across Japan, while also providing insightful details about the different train options available. We do not own or operate any of the trains in Japan; neither we nor our suggested partners for ticket booking services function as rail carriers. Some images on the website are AI-generated; while accuracy is a goal, mistakes in these images are not the site's responsibility. Japanese Trains is brought to you by Rail Ninja. ## Key stats - Types of trains: 5 - Railway length: 30,625 km / 19,029 mi - Crossing Japan journey: under 12 hours - Longest railway line: 674.9 km / 419.3 mi ## Why is Japan's railway system so efficient? Japan's railway system is considered one of the most efficient in the world, often preferred over driving, flying, or buses. Japanese railways were privatized in 1987, with the lion's share of railway traffic becoming the responsibility of the JR Group — an assembly of regional companies working tightly together. The JR Group consists of six regional passenger railway companies and one nationwide freight railway company, controlling approximately 80% of the country's railroads. The average annual delay on Japan's trains is just 54 seconds, with the Tokaido Shinkansen averaging just 0.7 minutes of delay in fiscal 2018. Major stations are typically located in urban centers, making them easily accessible and helping to prevent traffic congestion and parking issues in cities like Tokyo and Osaka. ## JR Group: JR lines The JR Group comprises six regional passenger companies — JR Hokkaido, JR East, JR Central, JR West, JR Shikoku, and JR Kyushu — plus JR Freight. Each operates its own lines within its region while cooperating on ticketing and timetables. **JR East** operates the largest regional network, covering Tokyo and the Tohoku region, managing the Tohoku, Joetsu, Hokuriku, and other Shinkansen lines running north from Tokyo. **JR Central** operates the Tokaido Shinkansen — the busiest and most famous line in Japan, connecting Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Shin-Osaka. Launched in 1964, it is the oldest and most popular Shinkansen line. **JR West** operates the Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Hakata (Fukuoka) and railway lines west of Osaka, including the Kansai region's local and limited express network, with connections to Hiroshima, Kobe, and the San'in coast. See: [Japan Railway System](https://www.japanesetrains.com/japan-railway-system) ## Shinkansen bullet trains Shinkansen bullet trains are Japan's network of high-speed intercity trains, requiring a surcharge, connecting major cities on separate dedicated tracks at speeds up to 320 km/h (200 mph). They are known for punctuality, comfort, safety, and efficiency, running exclusively on tracks built for and used only by Shinkansen. **Nozomi** is the fastest Shinkansen service on the Tokaido and Sanyo lines, stopping only at major stations and connecting Tokyo to Shin-Osaka in about 2.5 hours. **Hikari** is slightly slower, stopping at more stations, and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass, making it the recommended option for pass holders. **Kodama** is the slowest, stopping at all stations, suitable for shorter hops between nearby cities. See: [Shinkansen Trains](https://www.japanesetrains.com/shinkansen-trains) ## Japan Rail Pass The Japan Rail Pass allows unlimited travel on most JR trains, buses, and ferry services for 7, 14, or 21 days. It must be purchased before arriving in Japan, as it is not sold within the country. It covers the vast majority of Shinkansen services, local trains, rapid trains, and limited express trains on JR lines. For long-distance trips — such as Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Hiroshima, or Tokyo to Fukuoka — the JR Pass typically pays for itself quickly. Train travel in Japan does not require airport-style security screenings or strict check-in times; most stations have ticket gates that accept both physical JR Pass booklets and IC travel cards. ## Train categories in Japan Japan's railway network is categorized into five main classes based on distance and stops: - **Local Trains** — stop at all stations, ideal for short distances, no extra fee beyond base fare; the backbone of urban networks in Tokyo, Osaka, and other cities. - **Rapid Trains** — skip minor stations, no extra fare, faster than local trains, convenient for medium-distance trips. - **Express Trains** — largely upgraded to Limited Express or downgraded to Rapid in recent years; current express services operate mainly on specific regional routes. - **Limited Express Trains** — the fastest intercity trains outside the Shinkansen, requiring a limited express fee; important for areas not served by Shinkansen, especially on private railway lines. - **Bullet Trains (Shinkansen)** — the highest class, up to 320 km/h, requiring a Shinkansen surcharge. Seating includes Reserved and Non-Reserved cars, plus upgraded Green Cars (comparable to airplane business class). ## Private railway companies Private railway companies operate over 2,870 km of railways, providing competition and alternative routes to the JR Group. Major companies include Tokyu, Keikyu, Odakyu, Kintetsu, Hankyu, and Keihan, particularly important around Tokyo and Osaka. Many operate a single line or a few lines within a specific region, specializing in commuter and urban routes, and often provide direct connections from city centers to tourist destinations and airports without requiring a transfer to JR lines. ## Tickets, IC cards, and how to buy Most stations have ticket vending machines for short-distance trips; long-distance tickets are typically bought at ticket counters or select machines, along with seat reservations. The cheapest ticket starts from around 130–200 yen depending on region and distance. IC travel cards such as Suica and Pasmo are widely used for tap-and-go access at ticket gates on trains and buses throughout the country, eliminating the need to calculate fares for every journey. Japan train tickets can also be booked online via Rail Ninja for long-distance and Shinkansen journeys in advance. See: [Japanese Train Tickets](https://www.japanesetrains.com/japanese-train-tickets) ## Seat reservations and travel tips Reservations are not required for local, rapid, and express trains but are recommended for Shinkansen and some limited express trains. Reserved seats guarantee a place on a specific train, especially important during peak periods like Golden Week, New Year, and Obon. Non-reserved seat cars are available on most Shinkansen but may fill up quickly during busy holidays. Eating on local or subway trains is generally considered impolite in Japan, while enjoying an ekiben (boxed meal) on long-distance trains like the Shinkansen is common and enjoyable. "Joyful Trains" — sightseeing trains designed for scenic views and unique, often pop-culture-themed experiences — have gained popularity. Long-distance journeys offer scenic countryside views, including Mount Fuji visible from the Tokaido Shinkansen on clear days. ## Frequently Asked Questions - What is the train in Japan called? - How often do Japanese trains run? - How fast are Japanese trains? - How much are train tickets in Japan? - How to buy a train ticket in Japan? (Answers to these are covered across the sections above.) ## Most traveled lines with prices (indicative, subject to change) - Osaka to Tokyo — from $151 - Kyoto to Tokyo — from $145 - Hiroshima to Tokyo — from $200 - Tokyo to Osaka — from $151 - Tokyo to Kyoto — from $145 - Tokyo to Hiroshima — from $200 ## Booking Rail Ninja is presented as the recommended way to book Japanese train tickets. See: [Book Japanese Train Tickets](https://rail.ninja/japan-trains) ## Key pages - [Shinkansen Trains](https://www.japanesetrains.com/shinkansen-trains) - [JR-East Trains](https://www.japanesetrains.com/jr-east-trains) - [Limited Express Trains](https://www.japanesetrains.com/limited-express-trains) - [Short-Distance Trains](https://www.japanesetrains.com/short-distance-trains) - [Japan Railway System](https://www.japanesetrains.com/japan-railway-system) - [Shinkansen Travel Classes](https://www.japanesetrains.com/shinkansen-travel-classes) - [Limited Express Travel Classes](https://www.japanesetrains.com/limited-express-travel-classes) - [All Routes](https://www.japanesetrains.com/popular-routes) - [Tokyo to Kyoto](https://www.japanesetrains.com/tokyo-to-kyoto) - [Kyoto to Tokyo](https://www.japanesetrains.com/kyoto-to-tokyo) - [Tokyo to Osaka](https://www.japanesetrains.com/tokyo-to-osaka) - [Osaka to Tokyo](https://www.japanesetrains.com/osaka-to-tokyo) - [Tokyo to Hiroshima](https://www.japanesetrains.com/tokyo-to-hiroshima) - [Hiroshima to Tokyo](https://www.japanesetrains.com/hiroshima-to-tokyo) - [All Stations](https://www.japanesetrains.com/main-train-stations) - [Tokyo Train Station](https://www.japanesetrains.com/tokyo-train-station) - [Nagoya Train Station](https://www.japanesetrains.com/nagoya-train-station) - [Kyoto Train Station](https://www.japanesetrains.com/kyoto-train-station) - [Osaka Train Stations](https://www.japanesetrains.com/osaka-train-stations) - [Hiroshima Train Station](https://www.japanesetrains.com/hiroshima-train-station) - [Japanese Train Tickets](https://www.japanesetrains.com/japanese-train-tickets)