The best way to Navigate Japan’s Railway System: Sorts, Tickets & Ideas

Japan’s railway system, recurrently hailed as the very best on the earth, connects the nation’s main cities, islands, landmarks, cities, and villages, and is undoubtedly probably the most handy and inexpensive strategy to discover this unbelievable place.

Understanding the best way to navigate Japan’s railways is, subsequently, completely important to benefiting from your time on this particular nation and having the easiest journey expertise. If you wish to see as a lot of Japan as you possibly can and make each second depend, then we are able to let you know how with our professional suggestions for navigating the nation’s quick, environment friendly, and clear railway system.

We’ll clarify every part it is advisable to know, from practice sorts, seat lessons, and shopping for tickets, to why a Japan Rail Go is such a wise funding, in our complete practice journey information.

Right here’s an summary:

Japan’s Railway System: An Overview

Quick, secure, environment friendly, and clear, Japan’s trains are every part you’ve heard and extra.

Additionally they join your entire nation, from the northernmost island to the southernmost, enabling vacationers to achieve in every single place they may need to go to in Japan. After all, a practice system this large and sophisticated can appear a bit of daunting for first-time guests and that’s the place we are available in.

Let’s begin by supplying you with a fast overview of the rail system and some key information

• Japan’s Railways are operated by the JR (Japan Railways) Group. The JR Group consists of six impartial practice operators (JR Hokkaido, JR Central, JR East, JR West, JR Shikoku and JR Kyushu). Collectively, these regional rail corporations join Japan’s six foremost islands. There are additionally smaller personal corporations who run further providers.
• Wish to see a map of the entire JR community? We’ve put collectively an interactive map of the community’s 4,800 practice stations and 23,000 km of rail traces, which gives an excellent useful resource for anybody planning to discover Japan by practice.

Prepare Sorts

There are a selection of various practice sorts in Japan, from the well-known and futuristic Shinkansen bullet trains to quaint native providers.

• Shinkansen
  The well-known ‘bullet trains’ (the nickname comes from the bullet-shaped nostril of their unique design) join Japan’s foremost islands, from the town of Sapporo within the north to Kagoshima within the south. In between these two stops, these unbelievable high-speed trains go to nearly all of Japan’s main cities – Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and lots of extra. The Shinkansen are solely operated by the JR Group and have separate ticket gates and platforms. Touring on a bullet practice is an attraction in itself for a lot of guests to Japan. Take a look at: The Full Information to Experiencing the Shinkansen Excessive-Pace Trains in Japan
• Restricted Categorical
  The quickest non-Shinkansen trains in Japan. Restricted Categorical trains are nonetheless very quick and solely cease at main stations. There are greater than 100 differing types.
• Categorical
  One other quick service. Categorical trains cease at fewer stations than Fast or Native trains to achieve foremost locations quicker.
• Fast
  Primarily a quicker model of the native trains under. These trains skip some minor stations to realize a quicker service. No seat reservations are wanted on speedy trains.
• Native
  Common trains that cease at each station. Native trains value the identical as speedy trains above. These trains additionally don’t have seat reservations.
• Particular trains
  These are commonly known as ‘joyful’ trains in Japan and are particular trains and providers usually primarily based round characters, particular occasions, or themes, from Mickey Mouse to restaurant trains and resort excursions. These usually include large view home windows, particular consolation seats, drinks and meals, and may additionally contain actions akin to a cellular artwork gallery, native dancing, and even sake tasting.

Seat Lessons

Whereas touring on Japan’s trains, there are typically two foremost kinds of seat lessons, though a 3rd, gran class, is accessible on some Shinkansen trains.

• Atypical
  These are commonplace seats. Japan’s extraordinary seats are snug, spacious, and clear.
• Inexperienced Automotive / Inexperienced Class
  The equal of firstclass with extra luxurious seating and additional area. Inexperienced automobiles might be recognized with a four-leaf inexperienced clover image on the carriage. Extras embody drinks, oshibori, hand towels and sweet.
• Gran Class
  Enterprise-class type luxurious seating with perks like eye masks, sake, sashimi, blankets and therapeutic massage seats. Gran class is just accessible on sure Shinkansen trains.

Introducing: The Japan Rail Go

The Japan Rail Go supplies limitless journey on your entire nationwide JR community, together with the high-speed bullet practice traces and transport to and from the nation’s airports.

Whether or not you’re planning to discover the entire nation or simply journey from Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka and again once more (for instance), a JR Go can provide a lot better worth than buying particular person tickets – and it’s solely accessible for worldwide guests.

Passes are legitimate for 7, 14, or 21 days as soon as activated and provide you with entry to all Japan Railways Group (JR) trains, buses, and ferry providers throughout Japan. This consists of the well-known Shinkansen bullet trains. One of many many advantages of the JR Go – alongside limitless journey on JR trains and the Shinkansen – is free reservations and seat choice. Having a move means you’ll additionally be capable of hop on and off trains as wanted with out having to purchase a ticket, which supplies you an enormous quantity of additional flexibility as a traveler. You’ll be able to even improve your JR Go to a Inexperienced Class JR Go for limitless first-class journey. 

Japan Rail Passes might be purchased as much as three months upfront and should be activated in your arrival in Japan. Regional JR passes are additionally accessible in the event you’re undoubtedly solely visiting one space of Japan. Lastly, you may as well buy particular person tickets for single and return journeys from self-service ticket machines or ticket counters at stations, though it’s value noting even in the event you’re solely planning on utilizing the practice a few times throughout your keep, it’d nonetheless be higher worth to make use of a JR Go. 

Associated learn: Touring by Rail in Japan with JR Go

Prime Ten Journey Ideas for Japan’s Railways

Alongside the detailed data we’ve already offered, we’ve additionally put collectively an inventory of professional suggestions for Japan’s railways that will help you have the absolute best journey expertise.

1. Planning makes good

The extra time you spend planning your practice journeys earlier than you arrive in Japan, the much less time you’ll waste on the bottom. In case you do your analysis upfront to work out the very best and most effective practice journeys to achieve the locations most necessary to you you then’ll spend extra time having fun with the vacation spot and fewer time travelling. 

2. Arrive early, by no means late

Japan’s trains are extremely punctual and nearly at all times depart on time so it’s rather a lot higher to be early than late. Arrive on the station in loads of time and also you’ll be wonderful. The truth is, you’ll be amazed at how well timed Japan’s trains are in comparison with the remainder of the world!

3. Fashionable know-how is your buddy

The likes of Google Maps, Navitime, and Jorudan, might be extraordinarily helpful for stay updates while you’re out and about. Make sure to spend money on a PocketWifi gadget earlier than you journey nevertheless to remain related to the web while you want it. PocketWifi leases provide limitless Wifi from any location, and on as much as 5 units, permitting you to navigate and test stay timetable updates on the go. Learn extra about common apps in our information to Hyperdia alternate options. 

4. Discover the appropriate departure platform 

One fast tip that may be a lifesaver when in a rush is studying to seek out the appropriate departure platform. There might be loads of data on each your ticket and the departure screens, like practice identify, stops, kind of service and rather more. A quick strategy to discover the appropriate platform is to take a look at the departure occasions first, then have a look at every part else. Another is to ask what platform your practice will depart from when reserving the tickets and ask the workers to write down this in your ticket.

5. Pay attention to Japanese practice etiquette

Japan is understood for valuing good manners and its etiquette guidelines undoubtedly prolong to coach journeys. Hold your telephone on silent, attempt to keep away from taking calls if doable, take heed to music by way of headphones solely, hold your voice down whereas speaking, eliminate your litter, and retailer your baggage appropriately, are all good fundamental suggestions if you wish to keep within the good graces of Japanese commuters.

Associated learn: Japanese Etiquette: The best way to Act Like You’re Japanese

6. Examine your baggage allowance

Baggage laws on most of Japan’s trains are pretty relaxed. On the whole, chances are you’ll carry any dimension or variety of baggage inside cause, so long as it doesn’t inconvenience different passengers. The one exception is the Shinkansen bullet trains, which do have extra formal baggage laws.

When boarding the Shinkansen, the next laws apply: It’s possible you’ll carry as much as two items of luggage on board freed from cost. For every bag the entire of the size, width and peak should not exceed 250 centimetres, the size should not exceed two metres and the load should be not more than 30 kilograms.

• Baggage items lower than 160 cm (sum of peak x size x width) might be introduced aboard with out prior reservation.
• For baggage items between 160 cm – 250 centimeters, a previous reservation is required, which might be made without spending a dime. In case no reservation is made, then a 1,000 yen wonderful shall be charged, and your baggage could also be moved by the practice conductor.
• Baggage over 250 centimeters will not be introduced on the practice and can want various transportation. Reservations might be made without spending a dime by way of the Eki-Internet App, at a ticket machine or in particular person at a ticket window.
• Utilizing the JR Go, we propose making your seat reservations and baggage reservations on the identical time. JR Go holders who improve to Inexperienced Class get an additional baggage allowance of two suitcases per particular person.
• Lastly, when you have particularly giant baggage, chances are you’ll need to take into account using the lockers at stations or baggage forwarding providers. 

7. Reserved vs non-reserved

Relying on the kind of practice you’re touring on, you’ll come throughout providers with reserved and non-reserved carriages.

The latter merely means you possibly can sit wherever inside these carriages when you have a non-reserved ticket. In reserved carriages, you will have to pre-book your seat reservation upfront. Reservations are free for JR Go holders and might be made at ticket places of work. We’ve extra detailed data on reserving seats additional under, so hold studying.

It’s a good suggestion to order a seat in the event you can. Seat reservations and not using a rail move can value wherever between 200 and 1,000 yen every, however they’re free with the JR Go, which is one other good cause to contemplate shopping for one in your journey.

Making a reservation not solely saves cash, it additionally saves time, as there’s no have to queue for a seat on the station platform. Additionally, you will have the peace of mind which you can sit collectively together with your fellow vacationers. All reserved seats are assured.

8. Ebook forward (or keep away from touring) throughout busy durations

Every day, chances are you’ll need to keep away from commuter rush-hour durations, that are just like these in different international locations (8 am-9 am and 5 pm-7 pm). In any other case, you’ll additionally need to concentrate on vacation durations when trains is likely to be absolutely booked. These embody New 12 months, Obon, and Golden Week, that are well-liked holidays in Japan. The well-known Cherry Blossom season is one other busy time of 12 months in Japan for vacationers.

Key dates to be careful for are 28 December to six January (New 12 months), 27 April to six Could (Golden Week), and 11-20 August (Obon season). The identical goes for festivals, just like the Gion Matsuri in July, the Takayama Pageant from April 14-15 and Tokushima Pageant August 12-15.

Typically talking, reserving forward and making seat reservations is an effective approach to make sure you have a seat no matter time of 12 months it’s. 

9. You’ll want a pay as you go journey card for Japan’s subways

Alongside a JR Go for countrywide journey, a pay as you go journey card for inner-city journeys is a should! These IC playing cards – just like London’s Oyster card system – are the best strategy to get round Japanese cities utilizing glorious public transportation.

As such, you’ll undoubtedly need to spend money on a pay as you go journey card akin to an ICOCA, PASMO or Suica card. IC playing cards like these might be topped up and refunded as wanted they usually work by tapping or waving them over the cardboard reader as you move by way of the ticket gates.

As a bonus tip (and never only for practice journey), make sure to carry money the place you possibly can in Japan as bodily money continues to be used rather a lot throughout the nation.

10. Take a second to get pleasure from Japan’s trains and practice stations

Each Japan’s trains and stations are distinctive, state-of-the-art, and filled with issues to see and do. They aren’t simply transport hubs or technique of transport to get from A to B, they’re an expertise in themselves.

Be sure you take a while to cease, go searching, and luxuriate in each the stations and trains themselves as a part of your journey. Some stations are main complexes filled with outlets, eating places, and services, for instance, whereas others are picturesque, quaint, and nostalgic.

You’ll additionally discover the world’s greatest practice meals at stations – Ekiben. Pronounced ‘air key ben’, the Japanese phrase ‘Ekiben’ is a portmanteau of the kanji symbols for ‘practice station’ and ‘boxed meal’ i.e. ‘station-bento’. Its identify completely describes what it’s – a lunch field bought at practice stations for consuming throughout your rail journey. Learn our Information to Ekiben for extra.

Equally, Japanese trains, significantly the Shinkansen, include options akin to onboard drinks and snacks providers, energy retailers for telephone charging and laptop computer use, seats that may rotate 180 levels, and extra.

Navigating Japan’s Railway System

In relation to getting round Japan’s practice stations, shopping for tickets, and boarding trains, chances are you’ll be pleasantly stunned to find it’s a lot simpler and fewer daunting than chances are you’ll suppose. You is likely to be stunned to know that Japanese practice stations have indicators and departure boards in English in addition to Japanese. You may additionally see indicators in Chinese language and Korean, reflecting the nation’s standing as a worldwide journey vacation spot. 

The best way to Reserve Seats & Board the Prepare

Japan’s trains have each non-reserved and reserved seats in separate automobiles. Sure providers are absolutely reserved, and others could also be switched to totally reserved throughout nationwide holidays just like the New 12 months, Obon, or Golden Week, so make sure to test earlier than you journey.

In case you are touring with a Japan Rail Go then one of many many benefits of that is which you can make advance seat reservations without spending a dime. Seats might be reserved freed from cost at Midori no Mado Guchi ticket places of work, recognizable by their inexperienced signal, or at Journey Service Centres and JR-associated Journey Businesses.

For a number of years, JR East trains have been the one service that has provided a web based English language reservation system, which could possibly be used to make bookings from exterior of Japan, with all different traces requiring in-person reservations as soon as in Japan. To order a seat, merely take your JR Go to the Midori no Mado Guchi, specify which practice you want to reserve a seat on, stating smoking or non-smoking. You’ll then obtain your reserved seat ticket and easily want to point out your JR Go on the ticket gate and go to your platform.

Make sure to hold maintain of your ticket as you could have to current each your JR Go and seat reservation to the ticket inspector. 

So far as boarding a practice goes, it’s comparatively easy – after arriving on the station, you will have to undergo the common ticket gates into the paid fare zone and head to the platform. Please observe in the event you’re touring on a Shinkansen practice there shall be a second set of ticket gates. Shinkansen additionally has its personal devoted platforms.

You’ll discover your carriage quantity in your ticket. Carriage numbers may also be discovered printed on the bottom and hanging from indicators (non-reserved carriages are often numbered 1-5). Line up behind the white line and wait in your practice. As soon as the practice arrives, enter your carriage and discover your seat (seat numbers are indicated above the window). In any other case, you possibly can sit in any seat if it’s an unreserved carriage.

After that, merely sit again and chill out!