You have to see the timetable to build your trip plan. In this post, I will show you the resources of the timetable of the train in Japan.
JPRail.com PDF timetable
I will tell you about the timetable by the major train companies later. However those are not enough. And some train companies offers only the search engine. You may want to see the hardcopy of the timetable.
I picked up the major trains, such as the limited express Wide View Hida, the limited express Thunderbird, most of the limited express trains in Hokkaido. And I made the timetable in PDF format. You can find it in the link below:
Due to COVID-19, it may be operated on a schedule different from the normal timetable. Check the train schedule on Hyperdia.
Hyperdia perfect guide, train timetable and route search engine
JR Group’s website
JR used to be Japan’s National Railway but it was privatized a long time ago. And technically there are five different companies, JR Hokkaido (Hokkaido area), JR East (Tohoku, Kanto, Tokyo and surrounding area, Nagano), JR Central (Shinkansen Tokyo-Osaka, Nagoya and surrounding area, Chubu region), JR West (Kansai and Chugoku regions), JR Shikoku (Shikoku area) and JR Kyushu (Kyushu area). Some of these JR companies offers timetable and fare search in each websites.
JR East timetable
This website shows you the timetables of most of limited express trains, Shinkansen and popular seasonal trains in JR East areas. It also shows you the timetable of JR Hokkaido trains.
JR East official site – the timetable
JR Central timetable
This website shows the timetable of the Tokaido Shinkansen and the Sanyo Shinkansen. This Shinkansen line runs between Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima and Hakata.
JR Central official site – The Tokaido and the Sanyo Shinkansen timetable
JR Kyushu timetable
You can find the updated PDF format timetable of most of express trains in Kyushu.
JR Kyushu official site – The route map and the timetable of JR Kyushu trains
Hyperdia
If you cannot find the timetable in the links above, please use Hyperdia to find it. Hyperdia covers all train’s schedules, most of domestic flights schedules, airport shuttle bus schedules and fare tables. This is the best website for a traveler who takes a train, and helps you to build your itinerary. It is simple but a bit tricky to use. Please refer the guide of Hyperdia in the link below:
Comments
Dear Takeshi,
I am planning to travel to Hakodate from Lake Toya. Appreciate if you could advise the type of train to take to Hakodate. And if possible the timetable link too.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Winnie,
You can take Super Hokuto/Hokuto to get there.
https://jprail.com/trains/hokuto-super-hokuto.html
You can get a timetable at JR Hokkaido website.
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/index.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Greetings Takeshi:
The information you provide is so excellent!
We are interested in scenic rail trips. It seems that one of them is around the mountainous Kii Peninsula. We would like to leave Shin-Osaka on April 16 on board the Kuroshio1 arriving at Kii-Katsuura at about 11:31. Then we would want to take the Wide View Nanki 6 from there departing at about 12:23 to Nagoya. The WVN6 is shown in the 2012 JR English timetable and also comes up in the Jourdan.co.jp website timetable. But no WVN6 in Hyperdia. Has this train been dropped? Also, I have a question about fares but I will ask it in the ‘Fares’ section. THANKS GARY
Hi ,
My friend and I will be landing in Hansai, Osaka Airport then to Osaka hotel, we are planning to visit Kyoto, maybe Kobe and Nara (staying 4 nights in Osaka), then head to Hakone for 2 nights, and go to Tokyo for 4 nights. This is our first time to Japan.
Should we purchase the JR passes? We might take a tour for one day to Kyoto.
How do we get from Osaka to Hakone Machi? I know that we need to purhase Hakone Rail pass.
Please give us best interinary to travel and a reasonable price way to get where we need to go.
Thank you for your attention.
Hi Teri,
If you have one way trip to Tokyo from Osaka/Kyoto, Japan Rail Pass does not work. Please see the following post to get the sample fare tables:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/compare-japan-rail-pass-with-regular-fare.html
In this case, single ticket is only choice for you.
Regarding Hakone, you can access from Odawara on Tokaido Shinkansen. Please see the following link to get the details:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-hakone-from-tokyo-compare-japan-railway-and-odakyu-lines.html
You can use Odakyu train from Hakone to Shinjuku.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi,
my Parents will come to Japan in March. They arrive at Osaka international Airport from where we go to Kyoto (5nights). Sightseeing-Plan: The city of Kyoto
After that we go to Hiroshima (we planned to use Shinkansen here). In Hiroshima we will stay for 2 Nights. Sightseeing-Plan: Hiroshima and Miyajima
Then we go to Matsue/Shimane and stay there for 7 nights. Sightseeing-Plan: isn’t that finsihed yet, but I think we will go to Izumo, Yasugi and maybe 1 or 2 more places around Matsue. Of course we use the city-bus often I think.
Is it profitable to buy a RailwayPass for this travel-plan?
Hi Julia,
Unfortunately there is no passes available that cover you and your parents trip. I recommend you ICOCA and Haruka for the transfer from Kansai Airport to Kyoto.
http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/pass/icoca-haruka/
Your parents can use ICOCA for the excursion in Kyoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thank you very much!!!
No problem, Julia.
Takeshi / JP Rail
I’m sorry to bother you again. I’ve been looking for the amount I can save with ICOCA when using Haruka Shinkansen from Osaka Airport to Kyoto. The normal price is about 3000 Yen. But how much is it with ICOCA? I can’t find this informaton anywhere on the JR Homepage.
Hi Julia,
ICOCA and Haruka includes 1500 yen e-money. If you travel from KIX to Kyoto by Haruka, the fare is almost 3000 yen. So 1500 yen e-money is a huge asset.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
is the 1 or 2 day osaka unlimited pass can be use on the rapid train from kansai to namba (nankai railway limited express?
thanks
Hi william,
No. See the map on the following map:
http://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/map/map.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
hi,
plan to visit visit japan, arriving at kansai osaka then stay 4 night at osaka, then will go to hakone (by hikari)for 1 nite, then continue to tokyo for another 7 nights.
what is you suggestion to save cost on the transportation during my trip?
thanks
Hi william,
Regarding Kansai area, there are several options. Please see the following link:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
Regarding from Osaka to Odawara, there is only trip fare available.
After you arrive at Hakone, there are some options. Please see the following link:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-hakone-from-tokyo-compare-japan-railway-and-odakyu-lines.html
As well as Tokyo, there are several options:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/subway-in-tokyo.html
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/index.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello!
I’m in Kikuchi-shi, Kumamoto-ken. I want to go to Harmonyland in Hijimachi, Hayami-gun, Oita-ken. Which train and route should I take? How much is the ticket?
Thank you very much!
Hi Leigh,
Take Kyushu Shinkansen from Kumamoto to Kokura. And transfer to Limited Express Sonic at Kokura to Oita. Then follow the links below:
http://www.harmonyland.jp/english/harmony/hl_guide/access.html
*Usually using Houhi line from Kumamoto to Oita is the fastest. But since it was damaged by heavy rain in this past July, Houhi line is closed.
Regarding fare and schedule, check it at Hyperdia.
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
I will be in tokyo for 6 nights before hopefully catching the overnight train up to sapporo for 6 nights ( skiining at Niseko for 5 ), i would like to know what is the best pass to get and and if you can pree book the train in advance?
Hi Michelle,
Use Japan Rail Pass 7 days for the trip to Sapporo from Tokyo and return. This is the cheapest way to get there.
When you stay in Tokyo, you may purchase subway pass. But it depends on your plan. Single ticket may be fine. If you arrive at Narita or Haneda, you can use Suica and N’ex or Suica and Monotail.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/index.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, I have plan to visit tokyo for 8N/7D days in Mid Nov as following itinerary:-
Arrival :Haneda at 11pm
Depart : Haneda at 11.55pm
Day 1-Overnight at hotel in haneda airport (Due to late arrival)
(Do you have any budget hotel recommended around the area?)
Day 2- To exchange the 7D JR pass at the haneda airport (to utilize for the Monorial to Hamama) & check in hotel near Ueno area.Plan to visit those attraction which can be access by JR Yamanote line for the day.
Day 3 & 4 – Bound fr Shinjuku to Hakone via Hokone 2 days pass & 1 night stay at ryokan.
Day 4 -Plan to visit kyoto by day trip via JR pass (Hikari Shinkansen)
Day 5 -Plan to Nikko by day trip via JR pass
Day 6 & 7 -Explore tokyo attraction via 2 days subway pass (for those not excess by JR line)
(Base on my plan above, I need to buy 7 days JR pass, 2 days Hokone pass & 2 days subway pass)
I would like to seek your value advice which is the most workable & cost saving pass & itinerary that more suitable for my above plan? Tq
Hi Joyce,
I don’t see any problem with your itinerary.
But if you really shrink your budget, try to use JR Pass to get Hakone.
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-get-hakone-from-tokyo-compare-japan-railway-and-odakyu-lines.html
You still need to pay some extra on JR Pass. But it cover a part of trip to Hakone.
Subway pass is good. But you may need to purchase one day pass. See the following link:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.html
You can have one day trip to Kyoto from Tokyo. But I recommend you to stay in Kyoto. It is very busy to do one day trip.
Regarding Haneda hotel, I recommend you to go to Kamata. It is not far and easy to find the budget hotel. Most of hotel around Airport is not cheap.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/how-to-access-from-haneda-airport-to-downtown-tokyo.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
My wife and friends will be going from Okayama to Yasugi to visit Adachi Gardens. I would like to go along that train line but get off and visit some branch lines into the mountains. Can you suggest some interesting side trips. I have previously traveled the San-in line down through Hagi. Colin
Hi Colin,
I think Kisuki line is the best. This line is one of the most popular local line in Japanese rail fan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kisuki_Line
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail