Train travel in Japan🚊🇯🇵  is perhaps the best way to explore this beautiful country. Japan is well connected by rail and traveling by train in Japan is relatively stress free. The Shinkansen or “Bullet Train” is regarded as one of the world’s fastest trains and is a remarkable experience. There are many other modes of train transportation throughout Japan that can get you from one city to the next. For visitors traveling to Japan for a week or longer, it’s worth looking into the Japan Rail Pass, or for those like me that live here, getting a prepaid IC card 💳 is a must.   Whether you are a first time visitor to Japan or have been here for a while, this post details all there is to know about train travel in Japan. Train travel in a different country can seem intimidating, so I wrote this post to prepare you for your trip to Japan and am including information on what trains are like here in Japan, information on the Japan Rail Pass, proper train etiquette, tips and much more!  Traveling in Japan by Train Train Travel in Japan is an experience in itself. Japan is known for their shinkansen (bullet train), punctual arrivals and departures, and for having a wonderful train network connecting the country. When visiting Japan chances are you will be using a train at some point during your travels. To simply put it, traveling in Japan by train is one of the most convenient ways to explore the country. You can travel by train from Tokyo to Kyoto or from Fukuoka to Hiroshima and everything in between. Train travel in Japan is relatively inexpensive with the exception of the shinkansen.  Train stations are well thought out and planned in Japan. They aren’t as chaotic as the media makes it out to believe. In fact, they are well organized and getting on and off the trains are a breeze. Train travel in Japan is stress free and should be your primary mode of transportation in the country especially if visiting multiple cities.  What are Japan’s Trains Like? Trains in Japan are exactly what you think they are like. The trains here are clean, convenient, and punctual. During rush hour in high populated cities like Kawasaki or Sapporo, sure the trains can be overcrowded. The trains can be jam packed, and once the train arrives and opens the doors, hundreds of people depart and head up stairs to their destinations. Although it seems chaotic, it really isn’t. Even with the massive crowds at a subway or train station, everything runs smoothly and quickly.  Japanese, tend to not drink or eat on trains, so the train cars stay relatively clean and the seats are stain free. You won’t see graffiti anywhere or shady looking individuals.  Train travel in Japan is convenient. Cities are well connected. Most big cities will have trains and subways. Japanese trains are known to be punctual. In fact, 99% of the time, when a train is set to depart at a certain time, it does. Usually, it is on the dot! I always thought German trains were punctual until my most recent trip in 2022, and every train I got on arrived and departed late.  JR lines have comfortable seating and will usually have standing room as well. Many of these trains have heaters under the seats which is fabulous come winter time.  The shinkansen is like riding in luxury. Travelers get comfortable and wide seats with a lot of legroom. On the shinkansen, there are also reserved sections and non-reserved. Reserved basically guarantees you a seat while the non-reserved section is a first come first served basis. I’ve ridden the shinkansen many times and have never had an issue finding a seat.  Japan Railways Group Japan Railways Group or simply abbreviated as JR are railway companies in Japan. JR controls the majority of the railways and trains in Japan to include the shinkansen and commuter trains. There are six regional companies that fall under JR, these include JR East, JR West, JR Central, JR Hokkaido, JR Shikoku, and JR Kyushu.  I’ve taken many JR trains throughout Japan and am familiar with both JR East, JR West, and the shinkansen.  JR East and JR West JR East is the largest of the railway groups and mainly serves the Kanto and Tohoku regions of Japan. If you plan on staying in Tokyo the majority of your trip, chances are you will be served by JR East. JR West serves much of southern Japan to include Osaka and Hiroshima and everything in between. If you have an ICOCA card, this is compatible with all JR West lines.  Shinkansen (Japan’s Bullet Trains) When it comes to train travel in Japan from an outsiders perspective, the shinkansen is the most popular form of transportation. Everyone knows of Japan’s bullet trains and wants to experience a trip on the shinkansen. Yes, the shinkansen is included with the JR Pass with the exception of the Nozomi and Mizuho lines.  There are several types of the shinkansen. There are ones that are more direct going from Point A to Point B while other shinkansen trains stop at several stations while en-route.  Here are some facts about the shinkansen.  The Shinkansen does not get abbreviated to “Shin.” For example, when I lived on mainland, many foreigners would mention taking the “Shin” to a destination. “Shin” has several meaning in Japanese and not one of them mean the high speed bullet train.  The shinkansen can reach a maximum speed limit of 320km.  The shinkansen has been a part of JR since 1987. There is a reserved and non-reserved section. Taking the shinkansen is not cheap but it is convenient. Paying for Japan Train Tickets and Passes I’ll be honest, traveling in Japan by train is not cheap, especially the Shinkansen. But train travel here is convenient, relaxing, and a unique experience, so the prices shouldn’t deter you from traveling by train. To make the process easier for tourists, the Japan Rail Groups came up with the Japan Rail Pass. For citizens of Japan and others that live here, the Rail Pass is not an option, but there are IC Cards or prepaid cards that make life easier. For those that aren’t interested in either the Rail Pass or IC Cards, then each station has ticket machines and it’s relatively easy to purchase tickets the old fashion way!  Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) For tourists, one of the best ways to get around Japan is by using the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass). The JR Pass is only eligible for tourists. Meaning citizens of Japan, military, and all others that live and work in Japan are NOT eligible for the JR Pass.  The JR Pass has three different ticket options, a 7 day, 14 day, and 21 day. This means for that amount of time, you are free to take buses, trains, and ferries all throughout Japan. Visitors can even experience taking the shinkansen which is included with the rail pass. There are a few exceptions though. Both the Nozomi and Mizuho shinkansen’s for the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu lines. For more details on which modes of transportation and which lines are included with the JR Pass, I recommended visiting the Japan Rail Pass website. There are two types of tickets, Green Cars and Ordinary Cars. The Green Cars are basically the first class section of the shinkansen and limited express trains. These are reserved seats and generally they will be less crowded. But I recommend saving the money and going with the Ordinary Cars. The Ordinary Cars have plenty of space, are quite comfortable, and it is Japan, so it is always quite on the trains.  There are different prices for the JR Pass depending on where you purchase the ticket.  If purchasing the JR ticket online or at a train station in Japan, the prices are as follows.  7 DaysGreen CarAdult  ¥44,810 Child ¥22,400Ordinary CarAdult  ¥33,610 Child ¥16,800 14 DaysGreen CarAdult  ¥72,310 Child ¥36,150Ordinary CarAdult  ¥52,960 Child ¥26,480 21 DaysGreen CarAdult  ¥91,670 Child ¥45,830Ordinary CarAdult  ¥66,200 Child ¥33,100 Tickets can be purchased online either through the JR Pass or Japan Rail Pass websites. There are several other websites where tickets can be purchased from but I recommend the two listed.  The way the purchasing works for these passes, is that if the ticket is bought online, once in Japan you can pick it up at a train station. Remember, this is for tourists only. Tourists will have to show a passport with a short term stamp that is provided upon entering Japan through customs.  Prepaid IC Cards For citizens of Japan and others like me that do live here, I highly recommend getting a prepaid IC Card. These are regional cards, there are many of them including ICOCA, Suica, and Pitapa, to name a few, but there are several more IC Cards.  I have an ICOCA card and have had great success with using this card throughout Japan.  There have only been a few instances where I’ve had to buy an actual train ticket because the destination did not have compatible machines for the card. You can read more about the ICOCA card in my Japan Travel Recommendations post.  The prepaid cards can be purchased at train stations. There is an up front cost of ¥500. Money can be loaded onto these cards at train stations or selected convenient stores. These work on the automated gates at the train station, simply make contact with the card and reader and the gate will open. The gates at the station will even show you the current amount on your card and total deduction once exiting the station.  Train Stations in Japan Many train stations in Japan should be their own attraction or place to visit. Train stations like the one in Kyoto or Fukuoka are almost as impressive as the city itself. These train stations are more of a mall then station but have countless dining and shopping options. There are also unique stations like the Kishi Station in Wakayama Prefecture that has taken the shape of a cat, I mean even the trains are cat themed, there is even a cute train conductor on site, that would rather sleep and eat then drive a train, but it’s become such an attraction! Here are a few of the memorable train stations and trains that are worthy of sharing. Interesting and Unique Train Stations Kishi Station (Wakayama Prefecture) The Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa line is a train line between the cities of Wakayama and Kinokawa City. The route is 14.3 km and stops at 14 stations. The best part of this train station is that it is cat themed, from the station itself to the trains. There are even real cats that act as the conductors and station masters. Japan Travel App The Japan Travel App has saved us so much time and headache. This app is perfect for traveling around Japan and probably my #1 recommended app. We primarily use the Japan Travel App for looking up train stations and departures, but it also includes taxi and bus routes.  The Japan Travel App is easy to navigate. you can find any train station within Japan and check departure times, stops, estimate arrival times, and even the cost for the particular route.  A brief overview of how the app looks and works below. Select the Route tab, bottom center of the page. Here you can enter in either the current position which locates the closest train station, you can also use this to search for any train station. For this example, I types in Hakata Station in Fukuoka. For the destination I entered in Tenjin Station, Fukuoka.   You can then select the time you want to leave and the app will show a list of available options.    Proper Etiquette and Tips for Traveling Japan by Train Eating and Drinking on the Trains are not advised. Making loud noises and having loud conversations should be kept to a minimum. Talking on

After living in Japan going on three years now, I have traveled to more then half of the 47 prefectures here. I’ve spent many hours riding trains, sleeping in hotels, ordering food at restaurants, and simply just living like a local. I do most my grocery shopping at local grocery stores and markets, live in a Japanese apartment, and have many friends that are from here. With the current Covid-19 situation, travel to Japan has been non-existent since early 2020. Lately, it seems that restrictions in Japan are headed in a promising direction. I am hopeful that this year, 2022, will finally be the year Japan accepts visitors and I can finally see my family and friends. I want to share my Japan Travel Recommendations. These recommendations have proved extremely useful to both Jill and myself while traveling around Japan and I can honestly say that these recommendations will make your travels around Japan so much easier and stress free! Stay up to date with the latest Covid-19 restrictions through my post on  Japan Covid-19 Updates. Japanese Language Japanese is a very difficult language. I speak fluent English and German. I have been learning Spanish for a while and even picked up some Dutch. For me all these languages are pretty easy to grasp. I’ve been in Japan for years now and struggle to learn Japanese. For Westerners like me, we are used to seeing letters. Even if it is a foreign language we can still pronounce the letter and say the word, although we might not know what it means. Japanese is very different, as their language is based on phonetics and not a set alphabet.  What makes Japanese even more confusing is that it uses three different sets of characters: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. Technically there is a fourth writing system here known as Romaji, which is basically the romanization of Japanese words using western letters.  Confusing right? When I first moved here, I could not wrap my mind around this and no one explained it to me in a clear way. I finally understand the differences of these characters and have memorized both Hiragana and Katakana.  Hiragana & Katakana Memorizing Hiragana and Katakana are probably my number one recommendation when visiting Japan. I say this for many reasons. Learning these characters can assist with reading a good portion of Japanese signs, menus, or anything else. Plus it’s fun to have these memorized as you can read random things walking around any Japanese City.  So what is Hiragana and Katakana and what is the difference?  Both Hiragana and Katakana are phonetic lettering systems where each symbol represents a certain sound.  Hiragana is the Japanese writing system based on syllables developed by the Japanese. Hiragana is used primarily for words that are native to the Japanese language.  Katakana was developed and used primarily for words and names that are foreign to Japan.  Here are some examples of Western Words in Katakana. Use the table below to sound them out.  アメリカ = America オ-ストラリア = Australia フランス = France Each set has 46 characters or symbols. It is pretty easy to tell the difference between Hiragana and Katakana. I was taught that Hiragana uses more curved lines like cursive while Katakana symbols appear straight.  Below is a chart I grabbed from Google Images (Adobe Stock). Hiragana is on the left while Katakana is on the right. Using this chart, you can view the symbol, underneath the symbol is the sound it makes.  For example, in Hiragana the symbol ぬ makes the sound “nu”.  By memorizing these charts, you will be able to read menus and signs around Japan and have a much more enjoyable experience.  Kanji Kanji is found in the Japanese language and consists of Chinese characters. Kanji was introduced to Japan in the 5th century, overtime it became ingrained in Japanese writing. Kanji is made up of characters and every character represents a word or meaning. Individual characters can also be combined to form new words. There are literally thousands of Kanji symbols. Though, I heard that in order to read a newspaper in Japan, you need to know around 2,000 characters.  What makes reading and writing in Japanese incredibly difficult is that they use all three scripts (Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji) in the same sentences. Someone like me who knows Hiragana and Katakana but can’t pick out most Kanji symbols would have a very tough time reading complete sentences. You can learn more about Kanji and see some examples of common characters on the  Japan Guide website Useful Phrases No matter where we travel around the world, it’s always polite to pick up a few common and polite key phrases or sentences. Here are some basic Japanese words and phrases to memorize. The Japanese below is written in the Romaji form, so it should be easy for everyone to read and sound out.  Kon’nichiwa – Hello Genki desu ka? – How are you?  Arigato – Thank you Arigato gozaimasu – Formal Thank you Onegaishimasu – Please Ohayou gozaimasu – Good Morning Konbanwa – Good Evening Oyasuminasai – Good Night Itadakimasu – Thank you for the food (said before eating, like how we say bon appetite) Gochisousama – Thank you for the meal (said after eating) Hai – Yes Iie – No (Not commonly used as it is considered direct and negative) Sumimasen – Excuse Me Doko Desu ka? – Where is?  Wakarimasen – I don’t understand Travel & Transportation Best Time to Visit Japan Japan can be visited all year long, it really depends on you and your preferences. If you are coming to Japan to snowboard then obviously winter is the best time to come. If you wat to scuba dive in some of the world’s best locations, then I would recommend coming to Okinawa during the summer months. But for the traditional traveler that just wants to take in the Japanese culture, see the wonderful cities, and get out in nature, then I recommend visiting Japan in either the Spring (April to early June) or Fall (late September to early December) seasons.  Take in to account, Japan has a typhoon season that generally runs from July to October. There is also a brief rainy season that tends to occur early in June until about mid July.  Spring in Japan is refreshing. It usually starts with Sakura season. Sakura season is when the cherry blossom trees bloom around Japan. During Sakura season, locals and tourists flock to areas with cherry blossom trees to take photos, walk around, and share the moments with family and loved ones. Spring time in Japan is also a great time to explore the natural beauty Japan has to offer. Many people spend the spring season hiking and camping, before the humidity arrives that come with the intense summer heat.  Fall is probably my favorite season in Japan, especially in Mainland Japan. During the fall months, humidity drops and the temperatures become a lot more comfortable. The leaves, especially the maple leaves start to turn colors. Like spring, fall is an ideal time to go for a hike and spend time in the outdoors. There are also a lot of seasonal food items and festivals going on around this time of year.  Curious on what to do and see around Japan during fall? Check out this  2 week itinerary in Japan during autumn. Although Okinawa and the rest of the Ryukyu Islands do not see a traditional fall like mainland, it is still a great destination to visit during the fall months. The hot summer temperatures begin to decline as does the humidity. This is a perfect time of the year to get out and hike, walk the beaches, and explore many of the WWII sites. One of Japan’s most exciting festivals the Naha Great Tug-of-War Festival in October takes place around the beginning of fall. If tug-of-war, large crowds, and a once in a lifetime experience sounds right up your alley, you can read more about Naha, Japan and the World’s Largest Tug-O-War Festival. Hotel Amenities Traveling to Japan and headed to your hotel but forgot your tooth brush, or comb, or razor? No problem! Most of these bathroom items will come included in your hotel room, usually at no extra cost. One time we stayed at a hotel and they charged a small fee for bathroom amenities. But 95% of the time hotel rooms come stocked with brand new tooth brushes and tooth paste, razors, travel sized combs, bath sponges, and even shower caps. Most hotels have these amenities already stored in the bathroom of the hotel room, but other hotels will have a section in the lobby with amenities that are free to take.  Japan Travel App The Japan Travel App has saved us so much time and headache. This app is perfect for traveling around Japan and probably my #1 recommended app. We primarily use the Japan Travel App for looking up train stations and departures, but it also includes taxi and bus routes.  The Japan Travel App is easy to navigate. you can find any train station within Japan and check departure times, stops, estimate arrival times, and even the cost for the particular route.  A brief overview of how the app looks and works below. Select the Route tab, bottom center of the page. Here you can enter in either the current position which locates the closest train station, you can also use this to search for any train station. For this example, I types in Hakata Station in Fukuoka. For the destination I entered in Tenjin Station, Fukuoka. You can then select the time you want to leave and the app will show a list of available options.  Rail Pass And or ICOCA Card The Japan Rail Pass is highly recommended for tourists. Unfortunately, for those like me that live here cannot take advantage of this deal. There are six JR Line companies that are grouped together in this pass, meaning you can travel just about anywhere in Japan. Types of Transportation included in the JR Pass are the Shinkansen (Japan’s High Speed Trains), limited express trains, and other regular and rapid trains. Other then trains, the rail pass can be used on buses and ferries.  Visitors can select the amount of days they wish to travel using the JR pass, I believe there are 7 day, 14 day, and 21 day passes available.  For a list of the current transportation and fees included with the rail pass, I recommend visiting the  Japan Rail Pass website. For those that do live here, or wish to travel longer past the JR Pass dates, I recommend an ICOCA card or one of the other similar cards available. These cards are regional,  the ICOCA card belongs to JR West, I was able to use it for throughout most of Southern Honshu and recently in Hokkaido.  These cards can be purchased at JR West Stations from the ticket machines. There is an initial fee for the card, I think it was ¥500 then you can freely load money onto the card either at train stations or even convenience stores. Once you have an ICOCA card, you can use it at automated gates within the train station, simply touch it to the card recognizer on the gate and the doors will open!  The ICOCA card isn’t only good for trains, it can also be used for shopping at certain stores and even selected vending machines.  General Travel Recommendations Daiso and other ¥100 Shops ¥100 shops are popular throughout Japan, and the most popular ¥100 shop is Daiso. Daiso can be found in every city and most small towns. These ¥100 shops are much different then $1 stores in the United States. ¥100 shops like Daiso have great quality items and some food and drink selections. At Daiso you can find basically everything to include: dishes, plants, accessories for pets, car stuff, school supplies, arts and crafts, and so on. Daiso carries