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
Hi Takeshi,
There appears to be some discrepancies on the hyperdia website on train schedules compared to official JRHokkaido website.
In such cases, which one should I stick to? Also, is there any fare calculation on their JR website? Many thanks.
Hi Lee,
JR Hokkaido site is official. So use it to build your itinerary. You can use Hyperdia to calculate fare.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
can you tell us the trains available from tokyo to lake kawaguchico and back to tokyo…preferably the Limited express and the Bullet train. Can you pls send us the train schedule. Do we need to book the trains before hand or can we do it there itself. thanku
regards
swetha
Hi Swetha,
Please see the following link:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-to-go-to-mt-fuji.html
Regarding timetable, there is no timetable available in English other than I show you on this post. You will get the schedule to get Kawaguchiko from Tokyo at Hyperdia. (please see the above how to use it.)
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello JPrail!
We are scheduled to arrive Japan Sept1 in Narita Terminal 2 but will stay overnight since time of arrival is night time.
Following day Sept 2 we want to go directly to Kawaguchiko for an overnight stay near the lake. Are all trains specified in HYPERDIA using all JR pass even if we need to transfer? Do we need to book this route in the JR station in the airport?
Sept 3 we are staying in Shinjuku for 2nights then we need to be in Sapporo Sept 5. I got the HYPERDIA schedule leaving 6:20 AM and arriving in Sapporo at 15:44. We need to know if there are additional charges that we need to pay for this route since we don’t know if the transfers are using all JR trains.
DO WE ALSO NEED TO BOOK this ahead when we arrive in Narita Terminal 2 at the JR pass kiosk?
6:20 Shinjuku JR
28mins JR Saikyo Line Rapid
6:48 Omiya Saitama
6:58
169mins Shinkansen Hayabusa 1
9:47 Shin-Aomori arrival track #12
10:16
126mins Ltd Exp Super Hakucho 11
12:22 Hakodate
12:30
194 mins Ltd. Exp Super Hokuto 9
15:44 Sapporo JR arrival track #8
Your help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks a lot in advance!
Hi Joyce,
I recommend you to book all trains which you will take.
When you go to Kawatuchiko from Narita, you will take Narita Express (Narita airport to Shinjuku), Limited Express Azusa (Shinjuku-Otusuki) and Fuji Kyuko railway. You can book for both Narita Express and Azusa. Fuji Kyuko is not covered by JR Pass, so you have to pay extra on the spot. Please see the following link:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-to-go-to-mt-fuji.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello Takeshi!
Thank you so much for your reply!
Yes, when we arrive in Narita, we will book all our trains.
The itinerary I emailed Shinjuku going to Sapporo has no extra charge, right? We’ll book the same when we arrive in Narita.
We are so excited to see and explore Japan! Your website is my source of information.
Keep it up! You’re doing wonderful!
Joyce
Hi Joyce,
No extra charge will be required. So go ahead to book all trains right after you arrive in Narita. It will make you enjoy the travel without stress.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
i ‘d question i arrive sapporo please help me plan go to tokyo .
>> from sapporo –>tokyo about time afternoon until night to tokyo early morning about time 9-10 (sleep on train ) use jr japan rail time table i don’t understand http://www.hyperdia.com/en
>> after to tokyo i continue goto fuji asap i plan how ??? i bookimg stay there.
please help me and advise
i ‘d sleep on the train from sapporo to tokyo >>fuji use jr japan rail where down station how
thank you
ph031
Hi ph031,
Please see these following links. Those pages have information that you need:
https://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/how-to-get-sapporo.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-to-go-to-mt-fuji.html
http://transportation.fujikyu.co.jp/english/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
hello, i’m sorry i don’t understand
example
i arrive from sapporo(JR) to shinjuku(JR) about 15.00-20.00 and
sleep on train which train ?? finish about 9.00-10.00 you can help me chek t time table and which kind of train ? you sent link for me i confuse.
thank you
Hi ph031,
Okay. How about these links?
https://jprail.com/trains/overnight-express-train-cassiopeia.html
https://jprail.com/trains/overnight-express-train-hokutosei.html
These two trains take you to Ueno from Sapporo directly. Shinjuku can be accessed from Ueno by Yamanote line or Chuo Line. Please see Google map at the following link as well:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, I am told that I should take the JR Tokaido line to Yugawara station at Hakone. Can you tell me how to book the tickets and how to check the timings? I will also be travelling from Hakone yugaware station to Osaka.
Cheers!
Hi EPEI,
Yugawara is not located in Hakone. It is located between Odawara and Atami. Tokaido line train can take you there. If you take a local train or rapid train, you don’t need to book. Simple go to station and purchase a ticket.
From Yugawara to Osaka, Shinkansen is the best way to get Osaka. But you have to go to Odawara or Atami to get Shinkansen because there is no Shinkansen station in Yugawara. You can get timetable at Hyperdia as I explained it above.
Regarding booking, booking for Shinkansen is recommended. Please see the following link:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your info. I realised now I booked a hotel in the wrong place. I only have one night in Hakone and I dont intend to spend too much time travelling.
Hence, would i be correct to say that I should book a hotel near Odawara or Atami so that I can take the shinkansen from tokyo to Hakone and thereafter from Hakone to Osaka?
EPEI
Hi EPEI,
If you have to go to Hakone, Odawara is the best location. Atami is not close to Hakone. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-hakone-from-tokyo-compare-japan-railway-and-odakyu-lines.html
You have to take local train from Odawara to get Hakone. Shinkansen does not have any station in Hakone. Odawara is the nearest station of Shinkansen.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello Takeshi / JP Rail,
We’d like to travel to Takayama in the end of this month (Arr. at Chubu Airport at 0800 a.m.of 28th June). Can we get on the Limited Express Wide View Hida from Chubu Airport or we have to get on it from Nagoya station? And if we can get on it from the airport, would you please give me the details of which platform we’re gonna take and how to get there?
Thanks & Best regards,
Limm
Hi Limm,
You have to get Nagoya station first.
At Nagoya staion, Wide View Hida departs from platform #4,5 or 6. You can see the map at the following link:
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/station/index.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Many thanks, Takeshi.
No problem, Limm.
Enjoy your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello, I’ve been confused with all kinds of trains
I will have my JP rail pass for 3 weeks
can I ask few questions:
1.I will be at Osaka, Tokyo, Hakone,Fuji 5 lakes,Kyoto, Uwajima and Kirishima
does the JP pass covers all these destinations?
many thanks for your reply
with KR’s
Alex
Hi Alex,
Regarding Fuji, Hakone, Tokyo and Osaka, please see the following links:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-to-go-to-mt-fuji.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-hakone-from-tokyo-compare-japan-railway-and-odakyu-lines.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-osaka.html
Regarding Uwajima, you can get there by JR Pass.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/limited-express-shiokaze-ishizuchi.html
But you may need to get local bus to Kirishima. It depends on which part of Kirishima you will go.
https://jprail.com/destinations/limited-express-hayato-no-kaze.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
I will go to Osaka 11 april and will arrive 07.00 pm. I want to go Hakone but I don’t how can I go. I find some knowledge for example kansai-odawara by JRT but how many hours ? I cant find and after odawara to hakone-yumoto station but I can’t find time table and when is last train time please help me. If between kansai-odawara time is 6 hours (in my opinion ı dont know how many hours) I think I can take a train may be 08.00-.8.30 pm earlier and then 02.00am I will arrive. Can I find a train or bus to hakone?
Hi Pınar,
I think you will not be able to get Hakone on arrival day.
If you go to Hakone from KIX, average travel time is the following:
KIX (JR train Haruka) Shin-Osaka Travel time 50 mins
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/kansai-airport-limited-express-haruka.html
http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/timetable/pdf/timetable_haruka.pdf
Shin-Osak (Tokaido Shinkansen) Odawara Travel time 3 to 3.5 hours
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
According to timetable above, the earliest Haruka that you will be able to take is 20:16 departure. Even if you can take it, you cannot make Shinkansen to get Odawara. The last Shikansen that can take you to Odaweara is 20:37 departure.
Shin-Osaka 20:37 (Nozomi 60) 22:54 Shin-Yokohama 23:06 (Kodama) 23:22 Odawara
If you take 20:16 departure Haruka, you will be Shin-Osaka at 21:06. You cannot make it as you see.
The only choice for you is staying in Osaka on arrival day. Unfortunately you cannot go to Hakone on arrival day.
There is only one overnight train from Osaka to Tokyo. But you cannot make a booking from outside of Japan without Japanese speaking. It’s sold out very often. It is too risky to book it on arrival day.
I recommend you to stay in Osaka and go to Hakone next day.
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 Gary,
I don’t know why Hyperdia does not show it. But I found Nanki 6. It will run.
The fare is same as other Wide View Naki. If you can find other Wide View Nanki at Hyperdia, you can use that fare.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, thank you so much for all your information on the Japan railway. I understand that you have put a link for the shinkansen schedule. However, I guess I am way too noob for that, I don’t understand the the timetable at all. Please kindly advice on the earliest time for departure at the osaka shinkansen. It will be of great help to me. Thank you.
Hi Kriz,
If you don’t use JR Pass, 6:00 departure “N200” (means Nozomi #200) is the earliest. If you use JR Pass, 6:08 departure H504 (means Hikari #504) is the earliest.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thank you so much! Really appreciate your reply alot! ^^
No problem, Kriz,
Takeshi / JP Rail