Japan's high-speed train called Shinkansen (bullet train) connects most of major cities on the main island and Kyushu. Ever since the Tokaido Shinkansen line was opened in 1964, the line has continued to extend by centering Tokyo. With the maximum running speeds of over 300 km/h, Shinkansen provides more conveniences to both commuters and travelers.
* You can plan your travel on Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen trains at this site with an option to/not to include "Nozomi". This is not official JR website. Travel Planner
Type of Shinkansen
Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen
Nozomi
The fastest trains running on the routes stop only at the major stations. Nozomi trains run between Osaka and Tokyo in approximately two and a half hours. Japan Rail Pass is not accepted for the Nozomi trains.
Hikari
The second fastest trains running on the routes stop at a few more stations than Nozomi trains. Hikari trains run between Osaka and Tokyo in approximately three hours.
Kodama
The slowest trains running on the routes stop at every station.
Tohoku/Yamagata/Akita/Joetsu/Nagano Shinkansen
Hayate
The fastest trains running on the Tohoku Shinkansen line by stopping only at major stations and covering the longest distance on the route up to Hachinohe. Hayate trains are coupled with Komachi trains from Tokyo to Morioka. Must have a seat reserved.
Yamabiko
The second fastest trains running on the Tohoku Shinkansen line, Yamabiko trains stop at more stations than Hayate trains and run up to Morioka.
Nasuno
The slowest trains on the Tohoku Shinkansen line by stopping at every station on the route. Nasuno trains run between Tokyo and Koriyama.
Komachi
The only trains running on the Akita Shinkansen line, which travel between Tokyo and Akita by being coupled with Hayate trains between Tokyo and Morioka. All seats are reserved.
Tsubasa
The only trains running on the Yamagata Shinkansen lines, which travel between Tokyo, Yamagata, and Shinjo. Some of the Tsubasa trains are coupled with Yamabiko trains between Tokyo and Fukushima.
Toki
The fastest trains running on the Joetsu Shinkansen lines, which travel between Tokyo and Niigata.
Tanigawa
The slowest trains running on the Joetsu Shinkansen lines, which travel between Echigo and Yuzawa by stopping at more stations than the Toki trains.
Asama
The only trains running on the Nagano Shinkansen linesrun, which travel between Tokyo and Nagano.
Both reserved and non-reserved seats are available for most of Shinkansen and limited express trains as they carry green cars (green-seki), reserved cars (shitei-seki), and non-reserved cars (jiyu-seki). Seats in most green cars are reserved. Extra fees need to be paid for limited express trains and seat reservations unless you have the Japan Rail Pass.
The Japan Rail Pass allows you to board almost any train, as well as affiliated bus and ferry services, within the Japan Rail (JR) Group.
Eligibility for the Japan Rail Pass
The JAPAN RAIL PASS is only available to foreign visitors, who are in Japan for sightseeing purposes only. In order to purchase a JAPAN RAIL PASS, you must be one of the following:
1. A non-Japanese tourist, who has entered Japan as a "temporary visitor"with the purpose of sightseeing.
2. A Japanese citizen who resides in a foreign country, either (a) as a legal immigrant or permanent resident in that country, or (b) is married to a non-Japanese person residing outside Japan.
JAPAN RAIL PASS types and prices
Ther JAPAN RAIL PASS is available in two classes, Green (for superior-class Green cars), and Ordinary. Both can be purchased as a 7-, 14-, or 21-day PASS. Prices are listed in Japanese Yen, and are subject to the currency exchange rate at the time and place of purchase of the Exchange Order. Please be aware that the rate may be different when you actually exchange the Order for the Pass in Japan.
Type
Green
Ordinary
Duration
Adult
Child
Adult
Child
7-day
¥ 37,800
¥ 18,900
¥ 28,300
¥ 14,150
14-day
¥ 61,200
¥ 30,600
¥ 45,100
¥ 22,550
21-day
¥ 79,600
¥ 39,800
¥ 57,700
¥ 28,850
How to obtain JR PASS
-Purchased outside Japan-
1) An Exchange Order can be purchased
before leaving for Japan from travel agents.
2) Your Exchange Order needs to be
exchanged for a JR PASS after arrival in
Japan.
*3) The actual cost in local currency is calculated at the time the Exchange Order is issued. Note that the purchase
exchange rate may differ from the exchange rate in effect when you actually visit Japan.
If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you cannot use automatic gates, but must pass through a manned gate, showing your pass to the station staff.
If you stay in Kansai area more than a day, this is the best-buy pass ticket with complementary discount promotion for your sightseeing!!
This ticket enables you to ride on subways, private railways and buses throughout the Kansai district. As well as enabling you to tour Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto, it lets you visit Nara, Wakayama and Koyasan. Purchasing the economical KANSAI THRU PASS that comes in two types; 2-day and 3-day, will let you enjoy a more value-for-money holiday.
KANSAI THRU PASS
From Kyoto to Osaka, Kobe, Mt. Hiei and Himeji. Get on and off the train or bus bound for Wakayama, Nara and Koyasan as you like during the period of validity (Excluding JR lines. Check the map for the available trains and busses (http://www.surutto.com/). You can use the train or bus without going through the troublesome task of checking the complicated rate table to buy tickets and you won’t need to buy another ticket every time you make connections.
You can benefit from complimentary discount promotions at 350 major tourist facilities along the railway lines.
It can be used from Kansai Airport Station on the Nankai Train after arriving at Kansai International Airport (The Express rapi:t requires additional tariff). Receive a free guidebook in English, Chinese, Korean, German or French.
Who can get KANSAI THRU PASS
KANSAI THRU PASS is a special ticket available only for tourists visiting Japan for the purpose of sightseeing. You will need to meet one of the following requirements in purchasing a ticket.
(a) A foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad on a [short stay] entry status. (b) A Japanese national living abroad. (c) A person accompanying those who meet the requirements 1 and 2 above as their guide.
Japan's railway network is advanced and provides an easy way to get around with its safeness, comfortableness, speed, and punctuality. The tickets can conveniently be purchased at the vending machine provided near the ticket gates or at the ticket counters after consultations. The ticket price is based on the type of seat (reserved or non-reserved), the type of train, and the traveling distance.
The Japan Railways or commonly known as JR is predominant in the railway network in Japan and it accounts for approximately 70 percent of the entire network. Approximately 30 percent is ran by private sectors that mostly operate local lines in urban areas.
Type of Train
Futsu-Densha (Local Trains)
Trains stop at every station.
Kaisoku-Densha (Rapid Trains)
Trains stop only at selected stations on the same route as the local trains and the ticket price is the same as local trains.
Kyuko-Densha (Express Trains)
Trains stop only at selected stations that are fewer than those of rapid trains. Extra fee may be charged for these trains.
Tokkyu-Densha (Limited Express Trains)
Trains skip most stations and stop mainly at important stations. Extra fee may be charged for these trains.
Subway lines are also convenient transportations in metropolitan areas as they avoid traffic jam. Most of major cities provide subway lines and the tickets can be purchased at the ticket vending machines located near the ticket gates.
You can plan your travel on Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen trains at this site with an option to/not to include Nozomi. This is not official JR website. Travel Planner
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