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Japan Trains

Japan has developed a crisscross railway network all over the country, as each city and place is veined with Shinkansen - the bullet trains, limited express trains, express trains, rapid trains, and local trains. The main trains are operated by JR companies of each region, which is also the major part of Japan railways. In addition, many local trains are private, running around a city. That’s to say, both JR trains and private local trains are accessible for a mid-short distance journey in Japan.

Japan Trains, Osaka

Shinkansen Bullet Trains - the Fastest & Expensive

Shinkansen of JR is the fastest train type in Japan, at a speed of 250-300 km/h (155-186 mph) generally. It is the trunk line, stretching to the main cities around the country. There are usually the standard class, green class and gran class onboard, but not every Shinkansen train has all the three classes.

  Learn more about Seat Classes on Japan Trains


Ordinary Trains

Limited Express Fuji Excursion
Limited Express Fuji Excursion
Limited express trains are the fastest among ordinary trains, time-saving with fewer stops, and it’s relatively expensive. Other types of trains have unreserved seats only in most cases, especially the local trains are more like the metro trains with handrails and grab handles while running around a city.

Not only JR operates these ordinary trains, but also private railway operators have some of these trains around the cities. Usually, travelers can get a transfer between two railways easily in Japan, and you needn’t worry about it but follow the search result by Google Map.

  See Also: Types of Trains in Japan


Shinkansen Bullet Trains VS Ordinary Trains

Shinkansen Bullet Train
Ordinary Trains
Limited Express
Express Train
Rapid Train
Local Train
The fastest
Top speed: 320 km/h (199 mph)
Slower and slower
Stops at major stations
More and more stops;
Local trains stop at every station
Expensive
Cheaper ticket fare
Reserved seats in gran class and green class;
Both reserved and unreserved seats in the standard class
Unreserved seats mostly
Limited express trains have reserved seats and maybe different classes
Local trains look like metro trains


Take the train trip between Kyoto and Osaka as the example:


Travelling Time
Fare
Density of Runs
Shinkansen
13 minutes
JPY 1,450 (Non-reserved seats)
JPY 3,280 (Reserved seats)
9-10 Shinkansen trains per hour
Limited Express
22-27 minutes
JPY 1,340 (Non-reserved seats)
JPY 2,070 (Reserved seats)
3-4 trains per hour
Express/Special Rapid Train
23-24 minutes
JPY 580
JPY 1,420 for a reserved seat if there are
4-5 trains per hour
Rapid Train
31-33 minutes
JPY 580
About 4 trains per hour
Local Train
42-50 minutes
JPY 580
Every 10-15 minutes

Notes:

  All the contents above are based on JR West system, between Shin-Osaka station and Kyoto station. Actually, there are more stations to take trains in the two cities. Thus, the travelling time and ticket fare are likely to be varied for different stations.
  All the trains in the chart above are direct trains because Osaka is not far away from Kyoto.
  If it is a long trip between two places, only Shinkansen can be the direct train, such as shuttling between Osaka and Hiroshima. Otherwise, you may need to get a few transfers of these types of ordinary trains, one, two, or all the types of trains are included probably. However, the travelling time would be multiplied for several times. Don’t be much concerned about the transfers, Google Map, official railway app, or more apps would give you the best search results.

Fujisan View Express
Express Train

Local Enoden Train, Kamakura
Local Train

Japan Rail Pass

JR Pass is money-saving for your train travels in Japan. JR companies of different regions issue a variety of Japan Rail Pass, for different regions and valid days. With a JR Pass, you can take the applicable trains for unlimited times within the validity.

Above all, only frequent train trips would save money. Also, it is critical to figure out the applicable scope of its use before your reservation. That is, make it clear which trains can be taken with the Japan Rail Pass in the corresponding region. Thereout, you can take full advantage of the JR Pass on your journey.

  Read details about How to Buy & Use Japan Rail Pass


Ticket Booking

Travelers can book a ticket via the official website of the corresponding JR company, like JR East and JR West. On the other hand, the ticket office and self-service ticketing machines in the stations can also be utilized to buy a train ticket on spot. You can select the reserved/unreserved seat of the train you’re going to take as prompted.