Rapid train Mie (みえ) is operated between Nagoya (名古屋) and Toba (鳥羽) via Ise-shi (伊勢市) on Sangu line (参宮線). If you go to Ise by Japan Rail Pass, simply take this train. This is the easiest and most economical way. However it is not fully covered by Japan Rail Pass, because there is non JR lines on the route of this train. And also this is not limited express train. So the interior of this train is under express trains’ standard.
I will tell you the details about this train. And I show you extra charge on Japan Rail Pass too.
Route, schedule and travel time
View Rapid train Mie in a larger map
This train is operated once an hour at every :30 or :35 between 09:00 and 21:00. This train stops at the following stations:
Nagoya (名古屋) – Kuwana (桑名) – Yokkaichi (四日市) – Suzuka (鈴鹿) – Nakaseko* (中瀬古駅) – Tsu (津) – Matsusaka (松阪) –
Taki (多気) – Iseshi (伊勢市) – Futaminoura (二見浦) – Toba (鳥羽)
Only several trains make a stop at Nakaseko. And there are some trains that stop at all stations between Taki and Toba.
If you miss this train, you can take Limited Express Wide View Nanki between Nagoya and Taki. This train does not go through Sangu line to Ise-shi and Toba. You have to transfer at Taki.
Average travel times are the following:
Nagoya – Iseshi : 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes
Nagoya – Toba : 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours
This train runs for both tourists and commuters. Therefore some of trains do not run on weekend. And trains to Nagoya in the morning and to Toba in evening are expected to be crowded on weekdays. Especially Kuwana and Yokkaichi are greater Nagoya area. Lots of commutes use this train in this segment. There are reserved seat on this train that is fully covered by Japan Rail Pass. If you want to secure your seat, reserve your seat before on board.
Extra charge for Japan Rail Pass user
This train is operated on Ise Railway between Kawarada (where is located between Yokkaichi and Suzuka) and Tsu. Ise Railway is not JR line. So you need to pay a basic fare on top of Japan Rail Pass for this section. The basic fare is 490 yen. Child rate (6-11 yrs) is half.
Accommodation
Rapid train Mie is serviced by KIHA 75 series. As I mentioned above, this train is operated as commuter trains around Nagoya area. Interior is not express trains standard. The seats on car#1 are reserved seat. But it is completely same seats as non reserved cars.
Train formation
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
R | NR | NR | NR |
R=Reserved ordinary seat
*This train does not have any Green car. All cars are non smoking.
*Non reserved cars are used as regular commuter trains. In peak hours, many passengers are expected and some of them stand up on isle.
Images
Copyright of those above four images:
Seats of JR Tokai Type 75 DMU ( Kiha 75-306 ) – by Tennen-Gas
Interior of JR Central KiHa 75 DMU car KiHa 75-403 – by Tennen-Gas
Wheelchair-accessible toilet of JR Central KiHa 75 DMU car KiHa 75-4 – by Tennen-Gas
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:JR_Tokai_75_series_DMU_010.JPG – by Tennen-Gas
Comments
Hello Takeshi,
I’m planning to travel Kumano / Ise peninsula with JR Pass. Does it require to pay any extra fee, if I take the train from 松板 Matsuita to 紀伊勝浦 Kii Katsuura through ‘”The Limited Express -Wide View Nanki” which haven’t included the route of Ise Railway (Kawarada – Tsu)?
Thanks
Hi Rita,
Ise railway is not included between Matsusaka and Kii Katsuura. The extra fare is not required to travel.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Many thanks for your comments.
On 5th November, i’d like to go to IseShi from Nagoya. Perhaps by Rapid Mie train at 10.37am. Can you please tell me the platform number? In Nagoya? Many thanks! Saby
Hi Saby,
It usually depart from the track #12 or #13. You may find some info about Nagoya station in the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/nagoya-station-guide-how-to-transfer-among-shinkansen-kintetsu-meitetsu-subway-and-jr-local-trains.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi!!! Many thanks for your reply.
My time is too short; so i need to take the other line as well. I am in Kishiwada City. So, first from Kumeda Station via Tennoji to Tsuruhashi by JR. Then change to Kintetsu line. From Tsuruhashi to Ise city and back by Kintetsu line.
QUESTION: Can I buy a 1-day pass for Kintetsu line in Tsuruhashi? Is it better to have a 1 day pass than to buy tickets? Because there is an extra fee. I don’t understand why, but my friends told me that there is.
Many thanks for your swift answer.
Best regards
Saby
Hi Saby,
If you have a round trip between Tsuruhashi and Ise, Kintetsu rail pass is recommended.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kintetsu-rail-pass-most-affordable-deal-for-osakakyoto-nagoya-and-access-to-ise.html
You cannot buy it at Tsuruhashi. Please see the link below to find the sales location list:
https://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/ticket/get.html
There is no direct trains other than limited express from Tsuruhashi to Ise. Kintetsu Rail Pass covers only base fare. If you use the limited express train, you have to add the seat fee. You can find the rate at the first link in this reply.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello, thanks to your advice I was able to take the Mie train without much hickups. I would just like to elaborate on the extra charge for Japan Rail Pass user. I wasn’t sure whether to buy the basic fare ticket at a ticket office or on the train.
What I learned: you pay the basic fare to the conductor on the train itself!
To explain: you can’t purchase a basic fare ticket at JR Ticket Offices, or any other ticket office except at Ise Railway stations. But, if you are not accessing the Kisei-Ise-Sangu-etc line from one of their stations, you don’t have that option. Therefore, just purchase it when/IF the conductor approaches you to pay the fare.
As of this writing, the full run of the Ise line costs 510 yen. On my way from Nagoya to Iseshi, the conductor wasn’t even on board to collect the fare. On my way back we had to pay for one-way basic fare.
Thanks again!
No worries, Cyth. I’m happy to hear that.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
I’m planning a trip to Mie using my JR pass. I found the timetables from Nagoya to Iseshi but i can’t find them from Iseshi to Nagoya.
Where can i find them?
Thank you
Hi Benoit,
You can find it at hyperdia:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
You may search it by JR trains only, you can find it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi there, love your site and really appreciate the help you give! A question regarding the extra fee for JR pass users taking the Rapid train Mie. So the private Ise line is between Yokkaichi and Tsu. If I am staying at Toba and using the JR to get to Tsu, do i still have to pay that fee even though I’m not passing through the private line stations? Thanks very much
Hi Stella,
ACtually yes. As long as you take this train which include Ise line by JR pass, you have to pay extra. It doesn’t matter that you get off at any station of Ise line or not. When you exit at Tsu station, you will be mentioned by the station staff about the extra fare. However they may not mention to you.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your helpful post. I’m planning my trip there to Tsu and Mie and have some questions.
1. I will go to Tsu from Nagoya airport so as outlined in your post, I can take Rapid Mie and pay an extra of 490JPY as I have the JR pass.
so, can I do the same way back from Tsu to Nagoya on the way back to the international airport, if I still have the JR pass?
How can I book the reserved seat on the train on the way back to Nagoya airport?
– If my JR pass expire at this point, then how can I travel back?
as I found if I go with Kintetsu Limited Express, it seems that it will cost double the price compared to JR : https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Tsu/Nagoya
2. I plan to stay in Tsu for about 4-5 days, is there any pass to cover bus/ train I can use in Mie because we want to go to Ise, Toba or other places?
Thank you
Hi Julia,
Even if you have JR pass, I recommend you to use Kintetsu Rail Pass when you leave Nagoya.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kintetsu-rail-pass-most-affordable-deal-for-osakakyoto-nagoya-and-access-to-ise.html
Because this is only deal which cover the trip to Ise, Toba. If you complete the stay in Tsu in 5 days, this pass covers all. You don’t need to take Limited Express. Kintetsu Rail Pass covers only base fare. You have to add limited express surcharge which is pricy. So you can take ordinary train to travel around Tsu.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your suggestion. I have come up with an itinerary for April and very unsure of the route and travel pass. Could you please kindly advise if possible please?
9/4: Arrive at Kansai Int Aiport, Osaka (either 630am or afternoon). Transfer to Kyoto. I’m thinking of activating JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass for these 5 days.
10/4: Kyoto
11/4: Himeji + Kobe and back to Kyoto
12/4: Osaka or Nara
13/4 (Saturday): Hiroshima + Miyajima and stay at Miyajima.
14/4 (Sunday): The pass I assume that will be expired today so can I pay for the Miyajima ferry and train to Hiroshima while I’m there? then activate the JR 7-day pass from Hiroshima to Matsumoto?
15/4: Matsumoto
16/4: Matsumoto – Tokyo
17/4: Tokyo
18/4: Tokyo
19/4: Tokyo – Kawaguchiko – Fuji Shibazakura Festival. Overnight in Kawaguchiko
20/4 (Saturday): Kawaguchiko 1/2 day + Oshino Hakkai then take a train to Nagoya Or back to Tokyo first before going to Nagoya
21/4 (Sunday): Activate the Kintetsu Rail Pass as you suggested above . So can I buy it in Tokyo and should I activate it in Nagoya train station?
22/4: Mie
23/4: Mie
24/4: Mie
25/5: Back to Nagoya International Airport.
So I will have the first 5 days in Kansai area (Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Himeji, Hiroshima and Miyajima. The next 7 days are at Matsumoto, Tokyo and Kawaguchi and the last 5 days are in Mie. What do you think of this itinerary and do you think those travel passes are the right choice? I have read about the passes in Kansai area, however, it seems confusing to me so I wasn’t quite sure.
Thank you so much
Hi Julia,
I think you have chosen the right deals. You will be able to get the worth of all passes and these are most effective choices for your trip. I think all part of your trip covers by one of those passes.
Kansai Hiroshima area pass 9/4 to 13/4
JR Pass 14/4 to 20/4
Kintetsu rail pass 21/4 to 25/4
When you go to Miyajima, you can use Kansai Hiroshima area pass. And when you leave Miyajima, you can start using JR pass. But you must exchange the pass in advance somewhere, like Kansai airport, Kyoto, Hiroshima.
http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/exchange.html
You can exchange it in advance. When you exchange it, you can choose the date when you want to start using it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi takeahi
Currently i am in kyoto. I read that we need ro pay additional surcharge from nagoya to taki using wide view nanki. Do you know what the surcharge for green class from nagoya to taki. Thanks
Hi Siowkeat,
You just need to pay 510 yen basic fare and limited express fee 310 yen on top of the pass. You don’t need to pay any more even if you are on Green car.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Is there any way to buy the reserved ticket online? I plan to travel Japan next week but would like to secure the tickets for family first (from Nagoya to Toya)? If not, is there any other way to ensure we will get the tickets? Thanks.
Hi Tum,
Only JR East online site is available but it cover eastern part of Japan only, such as Tohoku, Hokkaido, Shinshu regions. It does not cover Nagoya to Tokyo. Please see the link below to find more info.
https://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu/Menu.aspx?_ga=1.4778995.1325107855.1421419524
Otherwise you have to book it after you arrive in Japan.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I’m have bicycle in case size 120cm x 80cm x 30 cm. Can I ride on this train? How about 9 bicycle case with 10 people? Can we travel in the same train?
Hi Jenvit,
Yes, you can. But most of trains do not have any luggage space. You may need to keep your case at your seat.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/baggage/managing-luggage-how-to-carry-your-baggage-on-board-and-how-to-store-your-baggage-at-the-station.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I will de departing a tour to Takayama at Nagoya station~12:30 4/8/14.
How long is a quick visit to Ise shrine? How do I book; and
I want to travell to Mt Fuji 5th station that day also; what transport do I use? How can I book?
Hi moira,
You will spend at least 3 hours for return trip to Ise from Nagoya. And you need at least one hour to visit Ise shrine. But this is very minimum time to visit. Usually 2 hours is minimum. So it’s not impossible bus it will be very very tight. You don’t need to book to take this train. But if you want, just go to the station reservation window.
Regarding Mt. Fuji, it’s absolutely impossible. Even day trip is very tight. You will spend at least 4.5 hours to get Lake Kawaguchi. And you will spend another one hour to get 5th station.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I have been on Rapid Mie, many years ago. At the time, I did not have to pay any extra. Maybe staff simply did not check, but no-one asked any question about it.
Also, from my experience, if you travel on weekends, you will not be able to reserve a seat. As home to Japan’s most sacred Shinto shrine, I found that there were many hundreds of people who visited from places such as Tsu and Matsusaka, and they have booked well in advance. I went on Kintetsu Railway one way and had to pay, but was able to reserve a seat on limited express.
Ise-shi has a unique atmosphere, but I got many quizzical looks when I went. It’s the only place in Japan I have ever felt a little out of place. However, I still think it is definitely a worthwhile place to visit for overseas travelers!
Best regards,
– Jonathan Ayre –
Hi Jonathan,
Actually I have been Ise about 30 ago by Kintetsu from Osaka. At that time, JR was still JNR. There was no direct train to Toba and Iseshi from Nagoya. Sangu line was one of those local line. JNR was not competitive at all. JNR was spoiled too much. (That’s why it was privatized.)
I understand you did not pay any extra. Especially at non reserved seat, nobody check the ticket. It’s one of rapid trains.
I’m interesting in trip to Toba from Nagoya and then going around Kii peninsula by Nanki and Kuroshio. But I had too many things on my list. And my vacation is always very short term. I still cannot make it. I wish I will do it on my next next trip. I think I cannot make it on next trip. I already have too many on my list.
Cheers.
Takeshi / JP Rail