If you want to build your itinerary by yourself, Hyperdia will help you a lot. This site is transportation search engine. You can search the timetables and routes of all trains, flights and airport shuttle bus. I think this site is most convenient site. But this site may be too many functions and options for you. You may be overwhelmed to use this site.
In this post, I will show you all functions of Hyperdia to understand using this site. I hope you will be a good friend of this site after reading this post.
How to use Hyperdia by movie
You may learn how to use this by the movie below if you like.
Basic search
Please access Hyperdia.
You see several fields. If you look for the simple timetable and route, such as Tokyo to Shin-Osaka, just type station’s names at “From” and “To”. Then select your trip date and time. At the last dropdown menu, you can choose one of those, “Departure”, “Arrival” and “Average”. In most of cases, you will use “Departure”. But if you want to arrive somewhere by the certain time, you may select “Arrival”. “Average” gives you some results between Arrival and Departure. But I have not used this mode many times.
e.g.
If you fly from Narita Airport terminal 2 on December 15. You will leave Tokyo station and you want to be Narita by 15:00. You will type “Tokyo” and “Narita Airport terminal 2”. And then select “December 15”, “15:00” and “Arrival”.
Search with some conditions
When you use JR Pass, you can’t take Nozomi on the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen. And most kinds of the pass that are issued by JR Group do not cover most of the private railway lines and the subways. On the other hand, some non JR railway’s deals, such as Kansai Thru Pass do not cover JR train. You can sorth the schedule and the route with these conditions.
Please see the bottom at the entry fields. You can find “Search Details”. Just click it and you will find many choices.
Via 1, Via 2 and Via 3
When you search the route and the schedule, sometimes the multiple routes are shown. If you want to fix the route, put the station name on the way to your destination at Via 1.
e.g.
If you want to get Takayama via Nagoya from Tokyo, input Tokyo at “From”, Takayama at “To” and “Nagoya” at Via 1. You will get the timetable of Tokyo-Nagoya-Takayama route.
You may input maximum three station names at Via 1, 2 and 3.
Order
You can choose the order of result. If you do not touch, the best departure time will be shown. If you choose “Transfer”, the fewest transfers route will be shown on the top. If you choose “Money”, the route of the lowest cost will be shown at the top.
Check box
You can check or uncheck to get the right schedule for your trip.
e.g.
If you use JR Pass and try to find the route from Shin-Osaka to Hakata, you should uncheck at “NOZOMI / MIZUHO / HAYABUSA (SHINKANSEN)” because Nozomi and Mizuho are not covered by JR Pass. But if you travel by the Shinkansen to the north, such as Shin-Aomori, Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, you will take Hayabusa. Hayabusa is categorized at same train type as Nozomi and Mizuho. But Hayabusa is covered by JR Pass and other JR deals.
Private Railways are not covered by JR Pass either. So you may uncheck at this field too. And also you should uncheck at “Airplane” and “Airport Shuttle Bus”. Hyperdia shows you the domestic flight schedule as well. As long as you use the rail pass, any result of the flight schedule is not required.
You can make some changes for these above conditions at the result page too.
Advanced function
When you get a result, you can see more detailed information.
Train timetable
If you click this link, new window is opened. It shows all station’s departure and arrival time of the train. If you travel with you friend. He/She will join you on the way to your destination, you can tell the time to join.
Interval timetable
Actually this function is very useful. Click this line open new window. You will see all other trains in same segment. If you want to compare earlier or later train, this function works very well.
Station timetable
If you click this link, new window is opened and show you all train’s departure time. There are links on all trains. You can click it to get detailed information of the train.
When you cannot find station’s name
This is tricky to use this site. Sometimes you cannot find the station name that you want to depart or arrive. There are several cases.
Hyphen in the name
Some station names have a hyphen in the name.
The station name which contains “Shin”
If you look for the name that starts from “Shin”, you may have to put hyphen (-) after “Shin”.
e.g.
Shin-Osaka, Shin-Kobe, Shin-Yokohama, Shin-Aomori
These names are seen on the Shinkansen lines very often. Because “Shin” means “New”. These stations are built for just the Shinkansen lines near the major cities.
e.g.
Osaka and Shin-Osaka, Kobe and Shin-Kobe
However some station’s names does not have hyphen between “Shin” and name.
e.g.
Shinsapporo (means New Sapporo)
Shinimamiya (means New Imamiya)
And also the names itself include “Shin” do not have any hyphens.
e.g.
Shinsaibashi
The station name which contains the cardinal directions
When you look for the name that is started from “Higashi”, “Nishi”, “Minami” and “Kita”, you may have to put a hyphen after these words. These four words mean East, West, South and North. These types of stations are located near major cities too.
e.g.
Minami-Chitose (means south Chitose)
Nishi-Akashi (means west Akashi)
But in this case, some station names do not have any hyphens even though the name contains the cardinal direction.
e.g.
Nishiumeda (west Umeda)
The station name which contains the historical domain name
In Japan, these are still many names remaining the historical domain name from Edo era.
e.g.
Aizu (inland of Fukushima prefecture), Kaga (near Kanazawa)
We see this type of name at the station too. You may have to put a hyphen when you look for the name which consist of the domain name.
e.g. Aizu-Wakamatsu, Omimaiko
Again some names have a hyphen and others do not have.
Anyhow when you cannot find the name, try to put a hyphen.
Same location but different names
In major cities, especially in Tokyo and Osaka, there are so many railways. We sometimes find the lots of station names in same area. The most well known case is JR Osaka station area. There are JR lines, Hanshin railway, Hankyu railway and three Osaka metro lines.
- Osaka (most of JR line)
- Kitashinchi (JR Tozai line)
- Umeda (Hanshin railway)
- Umeda (Hankyu railway)
- Umeda (Osaka Metro Midosuji line)
- Higashiumeda (Osaka Metro Tanimachi line)
- Nishiumeda (Osaka Metro Yotsubashi line)
This area is usually called “Umeda by the local residents. Osaka is the city name and the prefecture name. It is not the name of this area. But JR station is “Osaka”. This is very complicated but these all stations are located within the walking distance. We can find this type of the case at many places.
e.g.
Hamamatsucho (JR and Tokyo monorail) and Daimon (Tokyo subway)
Namba (Nankai and subway), JR-Namba (JR) and Osaka-Namba (Kintetsu and Hanshin railways)
The station name which contains the company’s name and the location name
This is very tricky. In case that there are multiple railway stations in same area, the railway company put their name in the station name.
e.g. Kintetsunara (Nara), Kintetsunagoya (Nagoya), Seibu-Shinjuku (Shinjuku), JR-Namba
In this case, you can never find these names if you put the location name. Especially the major private railway companies, like Kintetsu, Seibu have this type of names. You may use Google map to find the exact name if you do not know an exact name.
I hope this post helps you to understand how to use this train search.
Comments
Hi,
I will be arriving in Fukuoka evening of sept 8 and planning to go to osaka the next day and be back at Fukuoka on Saturday what’s the best route please.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Ara
Hi Ara,
You just hop in Shinkansen to get Osaka.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
You can use Sanyo Sanin Area Pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/sanyo-sanin-area-pass-it-is-much-better-deal-than-sanyo-area-pass.html
This is most affordable choice for taking this route.
By the way, this pass does not cover subway or bus between Fukuoka airport and Hakata. You have to get Hakata station first and then purchase or exchange this pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
If i buy jr pass can use this to travel roundtrip from fukuoka to osaka via bullet train?
Thank you again
Hi Ara,
You can take Shinkansen (bullet train) by JR pass. But JR pass and Sanyo Sanin Area Pass are different. JR pass is more expensive than Sanyo Sanin Area Pass. You can take Shinkansen by Sanyo Sanin Area Pass. Please see the link that I gave you about this pass to find the coverage of this pass. You can get Osaka from Fukuoka by this pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san
For the Yamaguchi Hiroshima Pass and JR Northern Kyushu Pass, can we activate them at the Fukuoka airport and start using it from the airport to Hakata station. Thank you
Hi Claire san,
You cannot activate it at airport. You have to go to Hakata station. Subway is not JR. It’s not covered.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello, sorry for the confusion but where/how can one purchase tickets in advance online? I cannot see any link on the Hyperdia website?
Thank you
Hi Jitka,
You cannot purchase it online. You can purchase it after you arrive in Japan.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi-san,
We travel from Nagiso to Shinagawa on Aug11th, with 5 persons. We allready have a JRpass. Do we have to book extra tickets (someone told us, because of Obon we wouldn’t be able to reserve our seats? He offered us tickets of 24.000 yen p.p.) or can we make seat reservations on our regular JRpass. Do we have to pay extra by then ( or must we make reservations for Green seat?)
I hope you’ll understand my questions…
Hi Anne Marie san,
I think you will okay because I expect the busiest day is August 13. Please see the link below to find the info about how to manage the trip in the busy period.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/2016-busiest-period-to-travel-by-train-tips-to-book-your-seat-in-even-busy-period.html
Of course I cannot guarantee it. But if you are okay any seats and cannot sit together, you can make it. Please remember there are several routes to get Shinagawa, Nagiso-Shiojiri(or Matsumoto)-Tokyo, Nagiso-Nagoya-Tokyo and Nagiso-Nagano-Tokyo. Trip time is not much different among these routes. Good luck.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
I m planning to visit hokkaido in mid July this year. This is my first time going to hokkaido. I will like to visit places like sapporo , furano, Lake toya , noboribetsu n Hakate. I m travelling with my daughter. Both of us cannot drive. Hence I will like to find out whether JR train can bring us to all these places from sapporo or do I need to stay at different hotel at different places. Can I take train from sapporo n come back on the same day. I can visit one place a day . Planning to stay in hokkaido for 8 days . Thanks
Hi Alice,
You can do it. But trip time is around 2 hours for one way to get these places from Sapporo.
Please see the train timetable in the link below. It’s easier to find it than hyperdia:
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/index.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi I am in minsami- gyotuku and need to get to Tokyo. Will I get a train from here to Otemachi and transfer onto the marunouchi line to Tokyo. After that I am going to Osaka with a JR pass. Is this what I have to do. Thanks in advance. Cherilyn
Hi Cherrilyn,
The route is correct. But actually you can walk from Otemachi to Tokyo station. It takes about 10 minutes. Just follow the signage and you will get Tokyo station. Of course you can change the train to Marunouchi line if you want.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-san,
I be arriving at haneda airport 10.30pm and I need to get to kawasakidaishi station. The site you have provided is very useful and it shows that i can take Haneda-Keikyu line to Keikyu Kawasaki station instantly then from Keikyu Kawasaki Station to the Daishi Line to Kawasakidashi Station. In addition, what time is the last train for the transfer from keikyu kawasaki to kawasakidashi station?
Thank you
Andrew
Hi Andrew san,
It’s very very tough. You have to take 23:31 departure. If you miss, you still can get Kawasaki but you cannot get Kawasakidaishi.
You have to take taxi from Kawasaki to Kawasakidaishi. But I have no idea about taxi fare. The last one to Kawasaki is 00:14 departure.
You can input Haneda Airport International Terminal and Kawasakidaishi on hyperdia and you can find the schedule.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Thank you for the feedback. Does it mean I need to depart from Haneda airport by 23.31 in order for me to catch the train from kawasaki to kawasakidaishi? I have run through the hyperdia and it says the latest i need to board is by 23:42 where the latest train from kawasaki to kawasakidaishi i need to catch is before 00:03.
Thank you.
Andrew
Hi Andrew san,
You’re right. I missed 00:03 train. 23:42 is the last connection.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi san,
I have tried to figure out the actual sequence of subway/trains to go from Namba to Himeji and am very confused as to what station to begin the trip. I am planning to use the Kansai Area Pass to make this trip.
Since I am staying in Namba (Hotel Monterey Grasmere), where do I go to catch the Special Rapid service train? Do I have to use subway to get to a particular station?
Thank you for your help.
Hi Frances,
The easiest way is taking subway to get Umeda (JR Osaka) and transfer to special rapid.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/osaka-station-guide-how-to-change-jr-trains-subway-trains-and-other-private-railways.html
But subway is not covered by Kansai area pass. If you are okay to spend some extra time and want to save your cost, walk to JR-Namba station and take local train to get Shin-Imamiya and then change the train on Osaka loop line to get Osaka station.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/namba-stations-guide-how-to-change-the-trains-among-nankai-kintetsu-hanshin-subway-and-jr.html
This trip is covered by Kansai area pass fully but you need to change the train at Shin-Imamiya. And also JR-Namba station is not located in the center of Namba.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi-san
I find this site very useful because you have a very good way of organising and sharing information. Unfortunately I still cannot decide whether the JR Rail pass is good for me.
I arrive 19 Feb (Kansai Airport) and will stay in Kyoto ( i have been advised to follow these directions to my accomodation (Kansai Airport Station > Kyoto Station (via Haruka towards Kyoto) – Kyoto Station> Tofukuji Station (via Nara Line towards Joyo) – Tofukuji Station -> Kiyomizu-Gojo Station (via Keihan Line towards Demachiyanagi) . On 20 Feb & 21 Feb I plan to visit Arashimaya / Nishiki market / Gion/Pontocho /Kiyomizu-dera (not in that sequence) and on 22 Feb I plan to leave for Osaka to stay for one day to see some sights and then on 23 Feb I will leave Osaka for Tokyo where i will stay near the Shibuya area. When in Tokyo I want to also make a day trip to Mount Fuji & a day trip to DisneySea So i think i want to buy the 7 days JR rail pass because i see that I can experience teh Shinkansen too. So, my question is whether you think it is value for money that I buy the 7 day JR Rail pass and if yes, is it the green or ordinary one. I don’t know how it works with reserving seats. I have checked Hyperdia & can see that on the Shinkansen, there are seat resevation options. Thanks. Again, keep up your excellent work helping people like me on this site.
Hi Nina san,
If you leave from Narita in 7 days, 7 days JR pass will be cheaper than single fare. Otherwise single fare is cheaper. The most affordable choice is the following:
ICOCA and Haruka for arrival day and transfer to Osaka from Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/icoca-and-haruka-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-kansai.html
Kyoto city deals (You need this even if you use JR pass)
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
Single ticket from Osaka to Tokyo
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html
Express bus to Lake kawaguchi
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Budget bus to Narita or single ticket to Haneda.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/haneda/how-to-access-from-haneda-airport-to-downtown-tokyo.html
These deals combination will be cheaper than 7 days JR pass. But it’s a bit complicated to handle many kinds of deals.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello. I am planning a trip during April in Japan. I plan to travel top the following areas (hopefully in this order) Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Beppu, Miyagi, and maybe Hokkaido. This is all within a 19 day period. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Hi Cassidy,
The following link may help you to build your plan.
https://jprail.com/category/sample-itineraries/14days
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Good moning, Takeshi-san,
I have looked at Hyperdia timetable which apparently has been updated on March, 15. I searched for Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto for early April 2016, but it says: the arrival station is not found.
Only the Jorudan online schedule is accurate which is very good. When will Hyperdia update the Hokkaido Shinkansen modifications (as I have learnt – all valid from March, 26) ?
Thank you for your kind support,
Christoph.
Hi Christoph san,
I believe Hyperdia will update the database soon. But I don’t know when. I use JR Hokkaido’s timetable now.
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/08.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
– as always – you were correct ! Hyperdia has updated its database (last minute !) by last weekend and I am now able to get accurate itineraries for all origins and destinations, like Shinagawa to Wakkanai. It works like a dream.
All the best,
Christoph.
No problem, Christoph san.
Enjoy your trip!
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com