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Japan Railway operate Rapid trains throughout Japan. Especially lots of Rapid trains are operated in urban area, such as Greater Tokyo. In Tokyo, these trains are operated basically for commuters. But there are many operation routes. Of course you can use these trains for your exploring in surrounding Tokyo area. These trains connect Tokyo (=東京) and Shinjuku (=新宿) with Yokohama (=横浜), Kamakura (=鎌倉), Odawara (=小田原) (for Hakone (=箱根)), Utsunomiya (=宇都宮) (for Nikko (=日光)), Mito (=水戸), Narita airport (=成田空港) and even Atami (=熱海) (Izu peninsula hot springs (=伊豆半島)). These trains are fully covered by Japan Rail Pass. If you have Japan Rail Pass Green, most of Rapid trains in Greater Tokyo have double decker Green cars. You will feel same type of atmosphere in a commute train.

Route

View Urban Rapid train network in Greater Tokyo in a larger map

There are several routing in Greater Tokyo. Tokyo, Shinjuku and Ueno are terminal stations in Tokyo. All lines connect these stations with major cities in Kanagawa pref., Saitama pref., Chiba pref., Ibaraki pref., Gunma pref., Tochigi pref, Yamanashi pref. and Shizoka pref.

Yokosuka-Sobu line

This line is operated between Chiba and Kurihama via Tokyo and Yokohama. Many trains depart and arrive at Narita Airport. Especially the train to Narita airport is called “Rapid Airport Narita” (快速エアポート成田). If you need more informations about this line, please check the post, Yokosuka-Sobu line.

Shonan-Shinjuku line

Shonan-Shijuku line connects Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Shibuya with Yokohama, Kamakura, Odawara, Omiya, Takasaki and Utsunomiya. If you stay in Shijuku, Ikebukuro or Shibuya, this line is very convenient to use. Especially if you go to Nikko via Utsunomiya, this line might be faster than Tohoku Shinkansen. If you need more informations about this line, please check the post, Shonan-Shinjuku line.

Tokaido line

This line connects Tokyo with Kawasaki, Yokohama, Kozu (for Gotenba), Odawara (for Hakone), and Atami (fro Izu Peninsula). Shinkansen does not have any stations in downtown Yokohama. Shinakansen’s station, Shin-Yokohama is a few stations away from Yokohama. This line is more convenient than Shinaksen when you go to Yokohama from Tokyo. If you need more informations about this line, please check the post, Tokaido line.

Utsunomiya line

All trains depart from Ueno and go to Utsunomiya mostly. Some of these trains depart and arrive at Koganei and a few trains are extended to operate to Kuroiso. This route is completely same as Tohoku Shinkansen. So unless you go to small city along this line, take Tohoku Shinkansen from Ueno or Tokyo. This is much faster and more comfortable.

Joban line

This line connects Ueno with some major cities in Ibaraki Pref, such as Tsuchiura, Mito.

Chuo line

This line connects Tokyo and Shinjuku with Hachioji, Takao and Otsuki. Some trains go through Fuji Kyuko line to Kawagchiko (Lake Kawaguchi in Mt. Fuji). Rapid trains on Chuo line do not have any Green cars.

Accommodation

These Rapid trains are operated as a commute train. Please do not expect a luxury atmosphere. The standard seats are long bench seat and some box seats. You have to expect to stand up in the train when you take this in peak hours. But if you have Japan Rail Pass Green, it is a different story. All Rapid trains except Chuo line have double decker Green car. It gives you completely different comfortability. The Green seat in Rapid trains is non reserved seat. But Rapid train is operated very frequent.

*Sonic Rail Garden has copyright for all images of accommodations below.

Images

Green seat

Ordinary seat

Sanitary space

You may also like these posts:

• Access to Narita airport and Kamakura from Tokyo. Rapid Train on Yokosuka-Sobu line (Airport Narita)
• Narita Express, Most popular transfer from Narita airport to Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shinagawa and Yokohama
• Train to Shonan, Odawara and Atami with no surcharge from Tokyo. Rapid train on Tokaido line
• Learn more about Japan Railway’s trains and networks
• Train to Matsumoto, Kofu and Hakuba from Shinjuku, Limited Express Azusa, Super Azusa and Kaiji

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4 Comments to “No express surcharge! Fast, economical and convenient! Rapid service network in Greater Tokyo”

1. Gunawan Hidajat says:

   February 17, 2013 at 11:26 pm

   My point is if I had the JR Kanto Area Pass 3 days ago from Tokyo to Yokohama to Odawara using Tokaido line with the Shonan Train, if I can use the train or have to use other train JR?, Thanks

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     February 17, 2013 at 11:32 pm

     It is covered by the pass, Gunawan. Only Tokaido Shinkansen is not covered. Shonan train or any trains on Tokaido line is covered.
     Cheers,
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
2. Mary Blyth says:

   January 14, 2012 at 7:47 pm

   Does the Keikyu Main Line Rapid Ltd Express leave from Yokohama or Shin-Yokohama to Asakusa.

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     January 14, 2012 at 11:42 pm

     Hi Mary,
     Most of rapid trains from Yokohama go to Shinagawa. Mostly you need to transfer the train to Asakusa at Shinagawa.
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply