As of 12:00 pm (Japan time), October 21, 2011
This post tells you about the damage by Great earthquake in March 11, 2011.
All JR lines, subway and private railways in Greater Tokyo area, and most of JR lines in Tohoku area are operate as normal. Some of the lines along Sanriku coastline (east coastline of Tohoku area) are still suspended due to Tsunami damaged. It will take a long time to restore. Please see the details below.
*This post tells you about the regular line in Tohoku and Kanto area. If you are looking for most updated informations about Tohoku, Yamagata and Akita Shinkansen, please refer Tohoku, Yamagata and Akita Shinkansen operation status. But Tohoku, Yamagata and Akita Shinkansen are operated as normal now. (Those line were restored completely on September 23, 2011.)
*If you are looking for the most updated information about the damage by Typhoon on September, please see Operation status on Kii Line or Updated information of train operation status after Typhoon 15.
*Narita Express is operated as normal now.
*If you are looking for most updated informations about Narita Express, please refer Narita Express. Narita Express is operated every 30 minutes in morning and evening peak hours only. You need to take Rapid service in daytime. It takes 90 minutes between Tokyo and Narita.
Operation status map in Tohoku area
This map shows you closed section in Tohoku area. Most of lines have been restored. A few lines along the coast line are still closed due to huge damage by Tsunami or the radiation problem by Fukushima nuclear plant.
View Closed section due to earthquake in a larger map
Limited Express
Refurbished 253 series will be used for Nikko and Kinugawa
All limited express trains are operated as normal except Fresh Hitachi and Super Hitachi (Ueno-Mito/Katsuta/Iwaki/Sendai). All trains are operated on regular schedule. But all trains are still suspended between Iwaki and Sendai because of Fukushima radiation problem.
Local line in Tohoku area
These following lines are closed due to heavy damage by Tsunami. It will take a long time to be restored.
- Hachinohe line between Hashikami and Kuji
JR East announced they will start to operate between Hashikami and Taneichi on August 8, and they expect to start operating the rest of Hachinohe line by early spring in 2012. - Yamada line between Kamaishi and Miyako
- Ishinomaki line between Ishinomaki and Onagawa
- Kesennuma line between Yanatsu and Kesennuma
- Senseki line between Takagimachi and Yamoto
- Jouban line between Hirono and Watari
*This section is closed due to the radiation problem. Between Hisanohama and Hirono is restored on October 11, 2011. And JR East announced that they will start to operate between Haranomachi and Souma. This is just outside 20km circle of Fukshima nuclear plant.
Readers who viewed this page, also viewed:
- Operation status on Kii line
- Updated information of train operation status after Typhoon 15
- Tohoku, Yamagata and Akita Shinkansen operation status
- Direct access to Akita from Tokyo, Akita Shinkansen (bullet train)
- What is Shinkansen (bullet train)? Most convenient and the fastest train service throughout Japan.
70 Comments to “Train operation status”
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Hello vcky,
Today M7.1 afterquake struck again. I did not hear any big damage yet. If everything will be on schedule, you will be able to go to almost anywhere in Japan. Even Matsushima and another towns along the coast side can be accessible now. Once Tohoku Shinkansen start to operate all section, everything will be fine. Tohoku Shinkansen and other local lines in Tohoku area will be opened by the end of April as long as they did not have any serious damages today. So everything will be fine in June in my opinion.
Takeshi / JP Rail
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dill says:
Hi there! Correct me if I’m wrong but it means that NE’X is not available during afternoon right?
Aaahh..This is bad news to me as I planned to use NE’X to go to Shinjuku in the afternoon
Thank you for such informative post!
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Hello Dill,
Unfortunately you are right. Last N’ex in the morning depart from Narita at 11:5am. First N’ex in the afternoon depart from Narita at 17:16.
Takeshi / JP Rail
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Henry says:
Dear Kind Sir:
Firstly, please accept my heartfelt condolences to you and all of Japan on the occasion of terrible tragedy and loss. I am in a possition to contribute without afterthought to the Red Cross for relief efforts and have given generously.
I travel to Japan annually and usually December–January. This year however my friends in Tokyo came to the US for holiday. Consequently I will travel to Japan in July. I have no thoughts to cancel my trip–Japan needs tourists to spend money for recovery.
Perhaps you can aswer a few questions:
1) I have reservation to arrive Narita 28 July 16:30. Can you advise the best way by train to get to Takayama.
2) I have the option of all train travel or flight from Narita to Nogoya and then via train to Takayama. However, from my research it seems that little time will be saved by air travel then train.
3) Is it possible to take a sleeper train from Narita to Takayama?
4) Is it expected that most operations will be almost normal in the West Japan in July?
Please accept my sincere appreciation for any information. I am…
Sincerely yours,
Henry-
Hello Henry,
Thanks for your support.
I answer to your questions.1) I have reservation to arrive Narita 28 July 16:30. Can you advise the best way by train to get to Takayama.
You cannot get to Takayama on same day as your arrival day. The last express train “Wide View Hida” depart from Nagoya at 19:43. It takes about 2 hours to get Nagoya from Tokyo by Shinkansen. You will spent another one hour to get Tokyo station from Narita Airport. So it will not be in time.2) I have the option of all train travel or flight from Narita to Nogoya and then via train to Takayama. However, from my research it seems that little time will be saved by air travel then train.
It will be almost same situation as above. If you take the flight from Narita to Chubu (Nagoya) at 18:05, you will arrive at Chubu at 19:15. It will take 30 minutes from Chubu airport to Nagoya. I don’t think it’s in time.3) Is it possible to take a sleeper train from Narita to Takayama?
Unfortunately we do not have any sleeper train to Takayama and even Nagoya. So I recommend to stay in Nagoya for one night. The first express train depart from Nagoya at 07:43.4) Is it expected that most operations will be almost normal in the West Japan in July?
We don’t have any problem with rail travel in the west side now. There are many trains that are suspended in east Japan. But even east Japan will be almost okay in July.I hope you will enjoy your travel in Japan.
Takeshi/JP Rail
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James says:
Hi everyone
I think there is interruption on Liyama line at the moment.
http://traininfo.jreast.co.jp/train_info/shinetsu.aspx
飯山線 運転見合わせ 2011年04月04日
2011年4月4日4時5分 配信
飯山線は、地震の影響で、戸狩野沢温泉～十日町駅間の上下線で終日運転を見合わせます。その他の区間の上下線の一部列車のみ運転しますI think it translates to…
Between Togarinozawa-Onsen and Tōkamachi station, there is no service at the moment, and other part of the line some trains are cancelled or service change.
I can only say, keep your eyes on the status, July is still 3 months away, the landslide might be clear by then
Regards
James -
Sonya says:
Dear Takeshi san,
We are planning to go to Japan in early July. One place that we were hoping to travel to by train was Tokamachi, in Niigata prefecture and I noticed that they suffered landslides and avalanches after the 6.7 earthquake on the border of Niigata and Nagano that happened not long after the Tohoku earthquake. I have determined that trains aren’t running between Tokamachi and the next stations on the Iiayama line. Do you think they will be running again by early July? also, I can’t find any information about if the Hokuhoku line is running between Noetsu (Joetsu) and Tokamachi and between Tokamachi and Echigo Yuzawa. There is no information on this on the English version of their website.
Thank you for your useful site.
warm greetings,
Sonya
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Hello Sonya,
Hokuhoku line is operated as usual now. So you can access by rail to Tokamachi from Echigo-Yuzawa.
JR did not announce any official comment about Iiyama line so far. But it will be completed to recover in next one month. So I cannot guarantee it, but your trip will be fine!
Takeshi / JP Rail -
Hello Sonya,
Iiyama line has been completed to restore today. A few of the trains are still suspended. But mostly it is back to normal now! : )
Takeshi / JP Rail
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Stephanie says:
Hi Takeshi-san,
Thank you for all your posts so far, I’m sure all of us visiting or planning to visit Japan have found it very useful.
Could you please help with my question below -
I will be going to Japan in late April, arriving in Sapporo by plane. I have purchased a 14 day Japan Rail Pass.
I am spending a few days in Sapporo, and then go to Kyoto by train (via Tokyo) on 27th April. I was planning to take the 10pm overnight exp. Hamanasu from Sapporo to Aomori, then take a shinkasen from Shi-Aomori to Tokyo, and finally get to Kyoto by another shinkasen.
I understand, from your train operation status page that shinkasen from Tokyo to Osaka are still running. But I’m not sure about the express Hamanasu from Sapporo to Aomori. Can you confirm that that the 10pm exp. Hamanasu is still running from Sapporo to Aomori?
I would really prefer to avoid having to take a flight as it has become increasingly expensive, not to mention, I want to fully utilise my 14 day pass.
Thank you in advance!
Stephanie
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Hello Stephanie,
Don’t worry about Hamansu. JR Hokkaido started to operate this train on Mar 18. You don’t need to worry about the train in Hokkaido. It’s operated 100% now.
But it is critical that Tohoku Shinkansen will be operated between Ichinoseki and Fukushima. JR East announced they will start to operate this section by the end of April. So if Tohoku Shinkansen will not be operated all section, you have to make a big detour. Please see the chapter “How to access major cities in Tohoku area from Tokyo” on Train operation status (just below the map).
You can take this route by overnight train “Akebono”. In this case, you need to transfer to Aomori in daytime. Akebpno is suspended now. But it will be started on Apr 1.
Takeshi / JP Rail
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Chelsea says:
Takeshi-san,
Condolences to all in Japan with their current situation. My heart goes out to everyone..
A quick question. We have bought a 7 day ordinary Shinkansen Rail Pass valid from 12th May. We are due to fly to Osaka that morning, catch the train to Hiroshima for the night, then onto Kyoto for four nights, before travelling to Tokyo for another four nights. I was wondering what the cancellation fees are in this situation, as we are actually leaving Australia a couple of weeks earlier and need to rearrange things here before we leave (if need be).
Many thanks.
Chelsea
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Hello Chelsea,
If you cancel your pass, you can receive a refund. But basically 10% handling fee will be charged.
As we know, Japan Railway suspend lots of trains now. So I think you may have a room to negotiate to waive this handling charge. Please contact the travel agent where you bought.
Takeshi / JP Rail
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Jenny says:
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks for all your advice. I’ve looked into it and it seemed to be too risky, if we miss the last train we’re totally stuck somewhere foreign to us so…with that in mind, we actually canceled our trip to Hokkaido.
It’s unfortunate but I guess there’s always next time. We’re currently in Osaka and will be spending the rest of the time here. Thanks again for your help!Jenny
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azusa train says:
Azusa and Super Azusa between Shinjuku and Matsumoto still in services?
Thanks for your help -
Hi Takeshi San,
I am currently in Nagano and plan to travel from here to Hakodate on 24th March. I didn’t realise that there are so few shinkansens and was worried that I might miss that last trip from Shin-Aomori to Hakodate. If I do miss it, how else can I get to Hakodate from there? Would any other ways also be covered by my JR Pass?
Also, from Nagano, how would I actually travel to Shin-Aomori? Would it be through the top of Japan, through Akita instead of down? Do you know how long it might take for this trip?
Thanks so much for all the very useful information on your site and hope this crisis can be over soon!
Take care everyone affected.
Jenny
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Hi Jenny,
First of all, you cannot take Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori. JR East operates Tohoku Shinkansen. But they did not recover between Nasu-Shiobara and Morioka. You have to make a big detour. I will give you the timetable. This is only one connection from Nagoya to Hakodate in one day. If you miss one of those train, it’s over. You have to stay there.
Tokaido Shinkansen to Tokyo from Nagoya (any train to Tokyo as long as it arrive at Tokyo by 13:00)
Joetsu Shinkansen to Niigata from Tokyo (Max Toki #325 13:12->15:14)
Limited Express Inaho to Akita from Niigata (Inaho #7 15:31->19:16)
Limited Express Tsugaru to Aomori from Akita (Tsugaru #7 19:26->22:09)
Overnight Express Hamanasu to Hakodate from Aomori (Hamanasu 22:42->01:00am)If you go to Hakodate from Tokyo, you can arrive at Hakodate much earlier.
Joetsu Shinkansen to Niigata from Tokyo (Toki #3 06:08->08:14)
Limited Express Inaho to Akita from Niigata (Inaho #1 08:34->12:11)
Limited Express Tsugaru to Aomori from Akita (Tsugaru #3 13:10->15:53)
Overnight Express Hamanasu to Hakodate from Aomori (Super Hakucho #27 16:54->18:53)We have two more Super Hakucho to Hakodate from Aomori after Super Hakucho #27. Those trains are Super Hakucho #31 (depart at 18:41) and Super Hakucho #33 (depart at 19:38) So if you miss Super Hakucho #27, you still have a choice from Aomori to Hakodate. But if you miss Inaho or Tsugaru, you have to take Hamanasu from Aomori.
If you go there from Nagano, take Nagano Shinkansen to Takasaki. You can transfer to Joetsu Shinkansen to Niigata at Takasaki. You will have Asama #500 that depart from Nagano at 06:00. You will arrive at Takasaki at 06:49. If you can take this train, you can use the above timetable from Tokyo. Toki #3 on Joetsu shinkansen that depart from Tokyo at 06:08 arrive at Takasaki at 06:58. So you will have 9 minutes to transfer at Takasaki. As long as the train arrive on time, 9 minutes is enough to transfer.
I hope you can make it!
Takeshi / JP Rail
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I am very happy to answer your questions. But if you are looking for the information about timetable ,fare and reservations, please read the following posts before you leave a commnet:
- If you are looking for the information about timetable, please refer Japan Railway's timetables.
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- If you are looking for the information about reservation, please refer, How to reserve seat.
- And you may find the infomation that you need at full index in top page.
If you still have a question, of course you can ask me!
Please don't ask a question about other than train travel. :)
Hello
Thank you for all of the helpful information you have posted here.
I will be flying in to Osaka on 9 June, having booked my trip just afew days before the dreadful earthquake and tsunami occurred. I stil intend to come and I will be in japan for 6-7 weeks.
I had planned to travel all across Japan fom North – South using a couple of Japan Rail Passes.
Which parts of Japan (epecially in terms of tourist hotspots like Matsushima) do you think will be inaccessable still by Mid June?
Is it still worth me getting a JRP for the whole 6-7 weeks? I was thinking if I can’t get to the north at all following th earthquake/tsumani/nuclear powerstation damage that I should just get a JRP for 3 weeks to use in the west and then go down to the islands in the south??
Can you advise on where is likely to be inaccessable and how regular services are likely to be by then?
Also if some of the tains aren’t running will there be buses instead and will I be able to use my JRP on those buses?
Thanks!
Vicky