Hyperdia perfect guide, train timetable and route search engine

You will get five results.Fare table
2013.11.26
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If you want to plan your itinerary by yourself, Hyperdia will be a very useful tool.
This site is a comprehensive transportation search engine where you can look up timetables and routes for trains, flights, and airport shuttle buses.
I think it is the most convenient site available for travelers.
However, because it has so many functions and options, you may feel a bit overwhelmed when using it for the first time.

In this post, I will walk you through all the main features of Hyperdia and explain how to use them step-by-step.
By the end, I hope you will feel comfortable using the site and be able to plan your trips smoothly.

How to Use Hyperdia (Video Guide)

If you prefer to learn visually, you can watch the tutorial video below to understand how to use Hyperdia step-by-step.

Basic search

First, go to the Hyperdia.

Top page of Hyperdia. (clink to enlarge)

On the top page, you will see several search fields.
If you just want to look up a simple timetable or route, for example, Tokyo to Shin-Osaka, simply type the station names in the “From” and “To” fields.
Then select your travel date and time.

At the last dropdown menu, you can choose from Departure, Arrival, or Average:

  • Departure – Search based on your departure time (most commonly used).
  • Arrival – Search based on the time you want to arrive at your destination.
  • Average – Shows a range of options between departure and arrival, but this is rarely used.
You will get five results.

Example:
If you are flying out of Narita Airport Terminal 2 on December 15 and want to arrive by 15:00, type “Tokyo” in the From field and “Narita Airport Terminal 2” in the To field.
Then select December 15, 15:00, and choose Arrival.

Search with Conditions

When using a JR Pass, you cannot take Nozomi trains on the Tokaido or Sanyo Shinkansen.
Also, most passes issued by the JR Group do not cover private railway lines or subways.
On the other hand, some regional passes for private railways, such as the Kansai Thru Pass, do not cover JR trains.

Hyperdia allows you to filter routes based on these conditions.

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Scroll to the bottom of the search fields and click “Search Details.”
Here, you will see many options to customize your search.

Via 1, Via 2, and Via 3

Sometimes multiple routes are available between two cities.
If you want to force your route to go through a specific station, enter the station name in the Via 1 field.

Example:
If you want to travel from Tokyo to Takayama via Nagoya, input:

  • From: Tokyo
  • To: Takayama
  • Via 1: Nagoya

You can enter up to three intermediate stations using Via 1, Via 2, and Via 3.

Sorting Results

You can choose how the search results are sorted:

  • Best Departure Time – Default setting.
  • Transfer – Prioritizes routes with the fewest transfers.
  • Money – Prioritizes routes with the lowest total cost.

Check Boxes

There are check boxes to include or exclude certain transportation types.

Example:
If you are using a JR Pass to travel from Shin-Osaka to Hakata,
uncheck “NOZOMI / MIZUHO / HAYABUSA (SHINKANSEN)” because Nozomi and Mizuho trains are not covered by the JR Pass.

However, note that Hayabusa is categorized in the same group, but it is covered by the JR Pass.
If you are traveling north to places like Shin-Aomori or Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, you should keep this option checked.

Private railways are also not covered by the JR Pass, so you may want to uncheck “Private Railway” as well.
Similarly, uncheck “Airplane” and “Airport Shuttle Bus” unless you want flight results included.

You will get five results. (click to enlarge)

Advanced Features

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When you get search results, you can access more detailed information by clicking the links provided.

Train Timetable

Shows the departure and arrival times for every station along the train’s route.
This is useful if you are meeting friends along the way and need to know when they can board.

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Interval Timetable

This feature shows all trains running on the same segment, allowing you to compare earlier or later trains easily.

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Station Timetable

Displays all train departure times for a specific station.
You can click on individual trains for detailed information.

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When You Cannot Find a Station Name

Sometimes, Hyperdia may not recognize the station name you enter.
Here are some common reasons and solutions.

Hyphen in Station Names

Some stations require a hyphen (-) in their names.

Stations Starting with “Shin”

For stations beginning with “Shin” (meaning “New”), you often need to include a hyphen.

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However, some names do not use a hyphen:

  • Shinsapporo (New Sapporo)
  • Shinimamiya (New Imamiya)
  • Shinsaibashi (no hyphen used)
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Stations Starting with Cardinal Directions

Stations that start with Higashi (East), Nishi (West), Minami (South), or Kita (North) often require a hyphen:

  • Minami-Chitose (South Chitose)
  • Nishi-Akashi (West Akashi)

But sometimes, there is no hyphen:

  • Nishiumeda (West Umeda)

Stations with Historical Domain Names

Some stations include historical domain names from the Edo period:

If you cannot find a station, try adding or removing a hyphen.

Anyhow when you cannot find the name, try to put a hyphen.

Same Location, Different Station Names

In large cities like Tokyo or Osaka, multiple stations in the same area may have different names depending on the railway company.

Example: Osaka/Umeda area

  • Osaka (JR)
  • Kitashinchi (JR Tozai Line)
  • Umeda (Hanshin Railway)
  • Umeda (Hankyu Railway)
  • Umeda (Osaka Metro Midosuji Line)
  • Higashi-Umeda (Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line)
  • Nishi-Umeda (Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line)

These stations are within walking distance, even though they have different names.

Other examples:

  • Hamamatsucho (JR and Tokyo Monorail) / Daimon (Tokyo Subway)
  • Namba (Nankai and Subway) / JR-Namba (JR) / Osaka-Namba (Kintetsu & Hanshin)

Station Names Containing the Company Name

When there are multiple stations in the same area, some companies include their company name in the station name:

  • Kintetsu-Nara
  • Kintetsu-Nagoya
  • Seibu-Shinjuku
  • JR-Namba
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If you cannot find a station by location alone, use Google Maps to check the exact name.

I hope this guide helps you understand how to use Hyperdia to plan your train journeys in Japan.
With a little practice, you’ll be able to search routes quickly and confidently!

Comments

  1. mai says:
    November 19, 2018 at 5:41 am

    Hi

    we are going to be in japan on 17/12

    our plan is:
    Osaka (17/12-20/12)
    Kanazawa (21/12)
    Shirakawa go (22/12)
    Takayama (22/12) and Alps
    Tokyo (23/12-01/01)

    how can we maximise out 7 day pass

    thanks

  2. Tan says:
    November 16, 2018 at 4:43 am

    I plan to take a trip from Tokyo to hakata over 10 days period. I plan to stop in Lake Biwa 2 nights (katata station) , Osaka (4 nights), Hiroshima (2 nights) and then hakata.

    How can I optimise the train fare without buying many passes and still use the tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen

    Thanks.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      November 16, 2018 at 6:36 am

      Hi Tan,

      Even if you use a regular ticket, you have to purchase several tickets. You need Tokyo to Katata, Katata to Osaka, and then Osaka to Hakata with stopover at Hiroshima.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Tide says:
    October 15, 2018 at 2:31 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    I plan one day trip from Nagoya to Gero and I have found that there is a Ltd. Exp(WideView) Hida that is the easiest way to do so. My questions are the return ticket can be sold at the station directly or I have to book beforehand.
    Thank you
    Tide

  4. Piers says:
    December 23, 2017 at 12:55 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thank you for your very useful website.
    I have looked around to try to find information on ticket prices for children and toddlers, but it is very difficult to be certain.

    I know that children under 6 years old are free with an adult on the Metro lines in Tokyo. What about if I am booking a ticket on a JR service from Kichijoji to Kamakura, for instance? I am travelling with 2x adults, 1 child (8 years old) and 1 toddler (3.5 years old). Do I need to buy tickets for the toddler then?

    Sorry to ask, but I really can’t find this information anywhere and HyperDia doesn’t appear to have Child fares (that I can see).

  5. Terry says:
    June 17, 2017 at 5:48 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I am planning to take Hida 3 from Nagoya to Takayama in early July. As mentioned in the webpage that the train will be combined with the train from Osaka at Gifu. If so, do I need to change to another train when arriving Gifu.

    Thanks,

  6. Ricard Garrit says:
    May 28, 2017 at 11:11 am

    Hi again,
    Sorry, I’ve got a new question.
    When I see in Hyperdia “Total:¥ 5,780(TicketFare:¥ 2,590 Seat Fee:¥ 3,190)” and if I have de JRP Should I pay the extra fee 3.190Y or this amount is included in JRP?
    Thanks.

  7. Scott says:
    May 20, 2017 at 6:07 pm

    I’m interested in taking a Wakashio train from Tokyo to Onjuku. The prices listed are a little over 3000 JPY. Are these round-trip prices or one-way?
    Thanks,
    Scott

  8. Hoa Pham says:
    March 16, 2017 at 12:17 pm

    Hi,

    I am confused about the fare like Joanne’s question.

    Hyperdia shows the total fare( basic fare+ seat reserved fare). So my question is that I have to pay the total fare or only the basic fare?

    Thanks.

    hoa

  9. Jeje says:
    February 25, 2017 at 7:02 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Could you please show us if there is a way on Hyperdia to differentiate the lines which are covered by JR pass and the private line?
    For example I want to travel from Kyoto to Hakone with JR Pass, I tried to uncheck the private line box, and there was no result also happen when I uncheck the JR line box.

    Thank You your expertise is very much appreciated 🙂

    Jeje

  10. Joanne says:
    August 16, 2016 at 7:29 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I used hyperdia to find the cost of taking a shinkansen from Hakata to Kagoshima. It said that total fare is 7000 yen ( 3500 yen basic fare + 3500 yen seat reservation). Does it mean that seat reservation is compulsory? If I do not want to reserve a seat, is the fare only 3500 yen or I MUST have a reserved seat on the shinkansen.

    My 2nd question is, if I purchased Northern kyushu JR pass but I wanted to get from Hakata to Kagoshima ( my last stop and no more trains after that) , does it mean I have to get off at Kumamoto and purchase another train ticket from Kumamoto to Kagoshima?

    Thanks for your patience.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      August 16, 2016 at 3:32 pm

      Hi Joanne,

      Are you sure that it costs 7,000 yen for Hakata to Kagoshima-Chuo by Shinkansen? I think it costs around 10,500 yen altogether.
      Anyway you can choose reserved seat or non reserved seat. Reservation is not required at all. If you want to take non reserved seat, you still need to pay non reserved seat fee on top of base fare. But non reserved seat fee is around 500 yen cheaper than reserved seat fee.

      If you want to get Kagoshima by Northern Kyushu Rail Pass, you can purchase a ticket for Kumamoto to Kagoshima-Chuo in advance. However base fare and seat fee by Shinkansen for Kumamoto to Kagoshima-Chuo is almost 7,000 yen. All Kyushu Rail Pass is cheaper than Northern Kyushu Rail Pass + Extra 7,000 yen.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Elisa Fung says:
        October 26, 2018 at 1:20 am

        I have Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass. I will go to Kanazawa from Nagoya directly. In order to shorten the time of travelling, I plan this way:
        (1) Nagoya to Gifu by Shirasagi using Pass
        (2) Gifu to Tsuruga by Shirasagi paying extra fee
        (3) Tsuruga to Kanazawa by Shirasagi using Pass
        Can I take Shirasagi using Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass in (1&2)?
        Can I take the same train from Nagoya onward without transferring train?

        • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
          October 26, 2018 at 6:38 am

          Hi Elisa,

          You can take this route with paying extra charge for Gifu to Tsuruga by Takayama Hokuriku area pass. When you exchange the pass, tell the staff that you want to take Shirasagi from Nagoya to Kanazawa, and you are okay with paying the extra charge for Gifu to Tsuruga. You can purchase a ticket for this segment at this time and you can get Kanazawa directly from Nagoya.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

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