You can check the timetables on the following sites.

Hyperdia

Hyperdia covers all railway lines, bus lines and even domestic flights. It is very simple to use. But I show you some capture images.

JR Group’s website

All JR companies except JR West have English website and show some timetables.

JR Hokkaido timetable

JR Hokkaido is doing good job. They have all limited express trains, such as Super Kamui, Super Ozora, Super Hokuto and more, overnight express Hamanasu and most of local trains! Some of local trains are not on the timetable. But I think this is enough for the tourists from other countries.

JR East timetable

This website show you the timetables of Tohoku Shinkansen, Joetsu Shinkansen, Nagano Shinakansen, Akita Shinkansen, Yamagata Shinaksen, Narita Express, Odoriko/Super View Odoriko, Nikko/Kinugawa, Super Azusa/Azusa/Kaiji, Hakutaka and Super Hitachi/Hitachi. These are only trains that can be reserved online in ALL JR TRAINS.
This does not show any overnight trains, such as Cassiopeia, Hokutosei, Sunrise Izumo, Sunrise Seto and Akebono. And these overnight trains cannot be reserved online either.

JR Central (JR Tokai) timetable

This website shows the timetable of Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka.
Westbound (from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka) | Eastbound (from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo)
This website does not show other JR Central trains, such as Wide View Hida, Shinano, Wide View Nanki.

JR West timetable

You are able to find the timetables at the bottom of this English website. It shows you the timetables for Sanyo Shinkansen (Shin Osaka-Hakata), Haruka (Kansai airport-Shin Osaka/Kyoto), Thunderbird (Osaka-Kanazawa/Toyama), Kuroshio (Kyoto/Shin Osaka-Shingu) and Kinosaki/Konotori/Hashidate/Hamakaze (Osaka/Kyoto-Kinosaki Onsen).

JR Shikoku timetable

JR Shikoku has English website. But it shows the timetables in Japanese. They put the numbers on all JR Shikoku stations and mention how to read Japanese timetable. However it is too complicated to read. I recommend to use Hyperdia.

JR Kyushu timetable

You can find the timetable of Kyushu Shinkansen and all limited express trains in Kyushu, such as Kamome, Sonic, Trans-Kyushu Limited Express, Hayato no Kaze, Umisachi-Yamasachi and more.

Readers who viewed this page, also viewed:

• Guide to plan your trip. Fare Calculation
• Alternatives of Overnight train Twilight Express, in case that you cannot make a reservation.
• Alternatives of Overnight train Cassiopeia and Hokutosei, in case that you cannot make a reservation.
• Overnight train to/from Tokyo and Takamatsu via Okayama, Sunrise Seto. JR Pass user can take with no extra charge!
• Save time and money! Overnight transfer between Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka

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19 Comments to “Guide to plan your trip. How to find Japan Railway’s timetables”

1. sheila says:

   May 13, 2012 at 2:32 pm

   How do I prebook tickets for the Aso Boy

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     May 13, 2012 at 8:17 pm

     Hi Sheila,
     As you saw the above, there is only one English booking system (JR East Shinkansen Reservation). If you can understand Japan or you have any connections who can understand Japanese, you can use Eki net for booking Aso Boy. Otherwise you cannot prebook it.
     Cheers,
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
2. jmak says:

   April 10, 2012 at 6:38 pm

   Hi,

   I have a difficult question. I want to go from Izumo to Tottori to Kanazawa. I hope to take a train with the JR pass, and do it quickly.

   But my search on Hyperdia says each time I have to go to Kyoto or Shin-Osaka to change trains.

   Isn’t there something I can do that is faster? It seems alot of up and down, instead of direct across.

   I even called Matsue and Tottori tourist office, and they said it is not possible.

   Thanks for your help!!

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     April 10, 2012 at 9:19 pm

     Hi jmak,
     I understand what you mean. Please refer the map below:
     http://g.co/maps/dckgd
     It is direct access and shortest distance route. It is possible to take. But as everybody said, this is not the fastest route. Because this route is a rustic local line. There is no express train on this route that is called Maizuru line and Obama line (Ayabe-Higashimaizuru-Tsuruga).
     If you take a route via Shin Osaka or Kyoto, it takes about 3 hours to 3.5 hours. But if you take this direct route, it takes at least 4 hours by only local commute train.

     When you look for the route between Tottori and Kanazawa on Hyperdia, the route by Limited Express Super-Hakuto may be shown. But Super-Hakuto goes through NON JR line (Chizu Kyuko line) between Chizu and Kamigoori. This section is not covered by Japan Rail Pass. You need to pay basic fare 1260 yen + Ltd Exp surcharge 510 yen. Even though you need pay extra, Super Hakuto is only train that connects Tottori with Osaka. There is no train connects Tottori with Osaka/Kyoto directly. I think the combination of Super Hakuto (Tottori-Osaka) and Thunderbird (Osaka-Kanazawa) is the fastest. Japan Rail Pass cover all trains except Super Hakuto Chizu-Kamigoori section.

     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
     • JAyre says:

       April 11, 2012 at 2:29 am

       Hi jmak, Takeshi,

       From Tottori, Super Hakuto (usually to Himeji) and Thunderbird from Shin-Osaka is indeed the fastest route. However, I’d like to suggest a couple of situational alternatives.

       If you are on a JR Pass and want to save money, from Tottori you can also use Ltd Exp “Super Inaba” to Okayama and use Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka. There are less services, but is covered by the Japan Rail Pass and doesn’t cost too much time because of Shinkansen connection.

       Also, my personal favourite route is to see more of the San-in coast, and go via Kinosaki Onsen. You do have to use local trains between Tottori and Kinosaki Onsen (one change at Hamasaka), then use Ltd Exp Kinosaki (or Kounotori and Hashidate) to Kyoto, then Thunderbird to Kanazawa. It’s substantially slower, but the scenery is very impressive, and goes through the famous Amurube Viaduct.

       Many lines in the San-in region do not have regular (or in some cases, any) express services. I’ve come into this situation before.

       Best regards,

       - Jonathan Ayre -

       Reply
       • jmak says:

         April 11, 2012 at 8:25 am

         Thanks for both responses!!

         Today I was trying to plan with my Japanese friend. I am thinking of doing a a rush trip to see how far I can go on my JR Pass.
         I”m going to check on Hyperdia tomorrow to see if it works or not, but my rough plan is this:

         Monday ~ Osaka to Tottori ( forget Izumo )

         Tuesday ~ Totori to Kanazawa

         Wednesday ~ Kanazawa to Tokyo ( meet a friend for dinner )

         Thursday ~ Tokyo ~ Niigata ~ Sendai

         Friday ~ Sendai ~ Aomori ( night train to Osaka )

         Saturday ~ Osaka ~ Shikoku

         Sat/Sun I will spend with friends in Shikoku.

         Before I check out details, do you think this plan is ok, or not?

         thanks,
         jmak

         Reply
         • JPRail says:

           April 11, 2012 at 12:54 pm

           Hi Jmak,

           Jonathan is very familiar with Sanin area. As he suggested, Sanin coast is very scenic. If you have an extra time, try to take this route.
           I checked your schedule. It’s going to be very busy trip. But it is possible. Actually I did much busier trip in March.
           By the way, I want to check one thing. Which night train are you going to take on Friday? Are you going to take Nihonkai? Do you know it is seasonal operation?
           If you have a plan to take Nihonkai, check the date on the following link:
           http://jprail.com/travel-informations/schedule-of-2012-spring-seasonal-trains-of-japan-railways.html#west
           If you will take this train on operation day, you still need to make reservation ahead. This train may be very busy. If you can ask your friend in Japan to make a reservation, ask your friend as soon as possible. You can find the details about reservation at the following link:
           http://jprail.com/travel-informations/how-to-reserve-seat.html

           Takeshi / JP Rail
         • JAyre says:

           April 13, 2012 at 7:04 am

           Hi jmak, Takeshi,

           Just issuing a correction. Super Inaba does use the Chizu Express line, so you would have to pay the surcharge, like on Super Hakuto. However, depending on shinkansen schedules, it may still be faster to use Super Inaba to Okayama. If you try to change at Himeji, less shinkansen stop there and sometimes you will wait longer.

           Best regards,

           - Jonathan Ayre -
         • JPRail says:

           April 13, 2012 at 4:10 pm

           Hi Jonathan,
           Thank you for always being so kind.
           Cheers,
           Takeshi / JP Rail
3. Tim says:

   April 10, 2012 at 5:37 am

   I’m arriving at Narita on 15 April (1530) and need to go to Yokosuka. There used to be a train called Rapid Service that would take you all the way to the JR Yokosuka Station. Does this service still exist or do I now need to transfer to Yokosuka Line in Ofuna?

   Thank you,
   Tim

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     April 10, 2012 at 12:37 pm

     Hi Tim,
     It is existed. See the following link to get details:
     http://jprail.com/trains/rapid-train-on-yokosuka-sobu-line-airport-narita.html
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
4. Phat Dao says:

   March 28, 2012 at 9:18 pm

   I will arrive at Nariata airport at 2:30 PM on October 29, 2012 on Japan Airlines from Chicago and would like to take JR train to Kyoto. Which terminal I will be reserving my seat on JR Train for Kyoto? Could I use my JR pass?

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     March 29, 2012 at 10:07 pm

     Hi Phat Dao,
     You can do it at both Terminal 1 and 2. You can turn in your pass there and reserve your seat there too.
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
5. Angie says:

   March 23, 2012 at 3:40 am

   Hi,

   If I buy JR Pass, the one that can be used all over Japan for 7 days (minimum), can I use it in Hokkaido area, just like JR Hokkaido, to go around between Sapporo, Otaru, Hakodate, etc.? The travel agent who sells JR Pass here said that I cannot use. So, I wonder if it is true.

   Thank you,
   Angie

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     March 23, 2012 at 9:11 pm

     Hi Angie,
     Japan Rail Pass cover throughout Japan. That means from Hokkaido to Kyushu. Please see the map below:
     http://www.japanrailpass.net/images/map_en.pdf
     You can take all lines on this map by Japan Rail Pass. I just finished my trip. I used 7 days pass. I have been to Kagoshima, Hakata, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Osaka, Tokyo, Sendai, Kakunodate, Aomori, Hakodate, Otaru and Sapporo. That was crazy trip. So I don’t recommend to do like this trip to everybody. But technically you can do it by 7 days pass.
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
6. joy says:

   March 17, 2012 at 2:44 am

   GOOD DAY. PLS GIVE ME THA TIMETABLE, FROM SHIZOUKA TO ROPONGGI. THANK YOU

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     March 17, 2012 at 6:34 am

     Hi Joy,
     Please use Hyperdia. You can get the timetable there.
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
7. Ton says:

   March 10, 2012 at 9:50 am

   Hello,

   I am looking for the timetable of SL Hakodate Onuma train in July 2012.
   Could you help ? Thanks.

   Regards,
   Ton

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     March 10, 2012 at 9:48 pm

     Hi Ton,
     JR Hokkaido have not released summer seasonal train schedule yet. It will be released in late April.
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply