JR train timetables guide. How to find the timetable of the train in Japan.

Timetable and reservation
2010.08.24

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

hyperdia1

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:

Hyperdia perfect guide, train timetable and route search engine
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. But this site is a bit tricky and too many functions and options to you. This guide will help you to find the way to use this site.
jprail.com
2013.11.26

Comments

  1. Charlotte says:
    December 25, 2014 at 4:39 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    Thanks again for your kind advice, I agree too much transits and long hours travels for me if I want to travel to Osaka with Seihun 18 kippu. Finally I decided not to use it, instead I bought the JR Pass – 7days which could use for express train and saves me more than 4hours per trip.
    ( I just bought the JP Pass in Singapore Travel Agency today and obtain the voucher within same day.)

    There are few questions need your help to advise:
    1) Can I exchange the voucher to pass in Haneda Airport? Can the tickets be used immediately ?

    2) Any chance for below non-JR route can use JR pass? If cannot, any suggested route?
    a) Haneda Airport to Tokyo
    b) Tokyo to Kawaguchiko (Fuji mount)

    3) If all shinkansen need to be reserved? If I do not have chance to reserve, can I still go on board even the train is full (nomore seat) ?

    Thank you very much again for your time and all the advice.

    Best Regards,
    Charlotte Loo

  2. Charlotte says:
    December 23, 2014 at 7:33 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    Thanks for your kind advice, we had decided not to travel to Hokkaido per your advice.
    But air tickets were purchased to travel during this new year season 28Dec to 4Jan, so instead we plan to go west. Need your help to advise and confirm the below again, as I try to use the HyperDia and Jorudan website they provide the reference differently.

    1) JR Kanto Pass:
    a) We have plan to use it for 3days, is it valid to travel for all below station and route:
    Heneda Airport -> Tokyo Disney-> Tachikawa -> Kawaguchiko -> Yokohama -> Ishikawacho

    b) As I stay in Tachikawa, which station should I go to connect to Joetsu Shinkansen to Gala Yuzawa ? Do we need to make reservation for this Shinkansen?

    2) Seihun 18 kippu
    a) Can it be used only for major line only or all JR line including JR West, JR Center, JR Tokaido, JR rapid Nara, JR Tokaido Line Special Rapid Service, and all JR rapid service?

    b) If I use Jorudan to check, is it all Logo with JR (green color) means we could use this pass?

    c) Is it valid to travel for the route:
    Ishikawacho->Yokohama -> Kyoto-> Nara-> Osaka-> Haneda Airport

    d) If we take the 7am train to travel from Yokohama to Kyoto/Nara, can we reach Kyoto by afternoon (Travel on 31st Dec)

    e) For return, will the train traffic heavier on 2nd Jan or 3rd Jan? Should we try travel back on 2nd Jan to Tokyo as my return flight is on 4th Jan early morning.

    3) Kansai pass thru
    a) Can it be use to travel with train from Kyoto-> Nara ->Osaka?

    Thank you very much for your time and all the advice, it is very helpful.

    Best Regards,
    Charlotte Loo

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      December 23, 2014 at 10:24 am

      Hi Charlotte,

      1-a Yes, it does.
      1-b Take local train to get Tokyo and transfer to Joetsu Shinkansen. Reservation is strongly recommended.

      2-a Yes, you can.
      2-b Yes. same as above.
      3-c/d/e Technically you can. But you have to take all local trains or rapid trains. It takes more than 8 hours to get Kyoto from Ishikawacho with 5 or 6 times transfer. It’s better than Hokkaido, but not recommended for the first timer. If you want to save the cost to get Kyoto, take bus and forget about Seishun 18 kippu. I believe this deal is not suitable for you at all.
      https://willerexpress.com/en/
      But I have never taken this bus service before. So I don’t know how good it is.
      Traffic is the heaviest on Jan 3. Jan 2 and 4 will be busy too.

      3. Yes you can. Please see the coverage map for your interest.
      http://www.surutto.com/images/ticket/kansai_thru_pass/english/en_map.pdf

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  3. Charlotte says:
    December 13, 2014 at 8:36 pm

    Hi Takeshi,
    We are traveling to Tokyo Narita Airport on 27th Dec morning 9am, this is our first time travel to Japan. Please advise can we buy the” Seishun 18 Kippu” on the day we reach airport and use it to travel directly from Narita airport to Hokkaido – Sapporo? And if there is any night train that we could reserve with this rail pass? As we never travel in winter with train, can you advise if the train with any heater or we have to make sure enough clothing / food bringing along? Sorry as we never travel in Japan in winter, do you think it is suitable for us to take the train to see the beautiful scene of Japan along the way to Sapporo?
    Thank you very much for your time. Charlotte

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      December 14, 2014 at 1:12 am

      Hi Charlotte,

      You can purcahse Seihun 18 kippu. But it’s not a good idea to use this pass to get Hokkaido. This pass does not cover any express trains. You have to have local trains or commuter’s rapid train for all the way to get Sapporo. It will take two days at least to get Hokkaido by local trains. So don’t use this pass. This pass is designed for railway travel expert. It’s not suitable for you at all.

      If you want to go to Hokkaido by train, JR Pass is the best solution.
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
      https://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/how-to-get-sapporo.html

      By the way, Dec 27-29 will be very very busy in Japan. Many of locals in Tokyo will go to hometown and stay with family during New Years holidays. So trains will be very very busy before and after New Years. It may be hard to book the trains on Dec 27. But there is no way to book before you arrive in Japan even if you use JR Pass. Cross the fingers to get it.

      At last, it will be very cold in Hokkaido. Temperature is below minus and sometimes it’s below minus 10 degrees. But as long as you are on board, don’t worry about it. It’s well heated.

      If you really want to go to Hokkaido, I recommend you to book domestic flight to get Sapporo from Narita. You can book before you leave and secure the seat. It’s very hard to travel Hokkaido from Tokyo during this period for the first timer.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  4. William Chai says:
    November 30, 2014 at 4:09 am

    Hello,

    I travel from Malaysia to Osaka, and my hotel is Flexstay Inn Shinsaibashi. My flight reach Kansai is at 10.30pm. Can you teach me how to get there ? Thanks a lot .

  5. Flora Ng says:
    November 25, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    I’m planning go Nagoya on Dec 8 to Dec 12, if I buy this Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass, did this Pass can use on Airport to Nagoya ?? Also, did this Pass can use go to Gero which taking the route of Takayama Honsen Wide View ?? How about the Nouhibus from Takayama to Skirakawago is it include ?? And, did it include Nagoya Subway Network ??
    Wish you can answer me as soon as possble, thank you.

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      November 25, 2014 at 11:16 pm

      Hi Flora,

      Airport-Nagoya is not covered by this pass.
      This pass gives you unlimited ride it the area. So you can make stopover at Gero. Nohi bus to Shirakawago is included. But subway and any other transportation in the city of Nagoya. It can give you the ride to Takayama.
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-tourist-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

    • Flora Ng says:
      November 26, 2014 at 12:37 am

      Sorry for my stupid question again, can you get help to clarify below
      Dec 8, from Centrair airport take Meitetsu to Nagoya, this is not include, correct ??
      From Nagoya take subway go to Fushini, this is include, correct
      Dec 9, from Fushini take subway go to Nagoya City, thsi is include, correct ?/
      From Nagoya take JR Takayama Honsen Wide View go to Gero, this is include, correct ??
      Dec 10, from Gero take JR Takayama Honsen Wide View go to Hida Takayama, this is include, correct ??
      From Hida Takayama take Nohi Bus go to Skirakawago, this is include, correct ??
      Dec 11, from Hida Takayama take JR Takayama Honsen go to Nagoya, this is include, correct ??
      From Fushini take Subway go Osukannon, this is include, correct ??
      Your help are highly appreciated, thank you so much

      • Takeshi / JPRail says:
        November 26, 2014 at 12:42 pm

        Hi Flora,

        Dec 8, from Centrair airport take Meitetsu to Nagoya, this is not include, correct ??
        >Correct

        From Nagoya take subway go to Fushini, this is include, correct
        >No. Any subway ride is not included.

        Dec 9, from Fushini take subway go to Nagoya City, thsi is include, correct ?/
        >No.

        From Nagoya take JR Takayama Honsen Wide View go to Gero, this is include, correct ??
        >Correct

        Dec 10, from Gero take JR Takayama Honsen Wide View go to Hida Takayama, this is include, correct ??
        >Correct

        From Hida Takayama take Nohi Bus go to Skirakawago, this is include, correct ??
        >Correct

        Dec 11, from Hida Takayama take JR Takayama Honsen go to Nagoya, this is include, correct ??
        >Correct

        From Fushini take Subway go Osukannon, this is include, correct ??
        >No.

        Cheers,

        Takeshi / JP Rail

  6. Lily says:
    November 19, 2014 at 7:29 pm

    Hi, We are new here in Japan and we are planning to go to Hiroshima from Sasebo. Can you please advice how much it will cost round trip and what is the route to take? Is there any connection from each train station?

    thank you
    Lily

  7. Lysander Kenning says:
    November 12, 2014 at 5:46 am

    I have bought 4 JR pass exchange vouchers (green car)in my country. I would like to go from tokyo to Hakodate in the shortest time possible by Shinkansen/train. Would like to travel 7am on 30 December 2014.
    Pl advise how to go about this travel -especially if any further payment is needed and train transfers.

  8. Ching teng says:
    September 3, 2014 at 10:00 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    If im going to Osaka by Shinkansen Nozomi from Nagoya using single ticket, can i stop over at Kyoto for few hours and using the same ticket again to Osaka after in the same day ?

    Thank you.

  9. Endri says:
    July 8, 2014 at 2:06 am

    Dear Mr. Takeshi / JPRail

    I am a foreigner that lives in Toyama. Next month I have a flight from Narita Internation Airport, and I want to go there by train. This will be my first time using trains in Japan, and hope it is not so difficult. Please can you give me some information if there is any night train, because I had the flight around 11:40. Please help me and if U can, suggest me which is the best way to follow. Thank you very much,
    Endri

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      July 8, 2014 at 4:47 pm

      Hi Endri,

      Unfortunately there is no overnight train option. I think you need to stay in Narita or Tokyo if you use train. Because even if you take the earliest train connection, you will arrive in Tokyo at 9:55. And it takes another one hour from Tokyo to Narita. It doesn’t work.

      If you really want to take overnight transfer, take overnight bus. I’m not very familiar with bus, but I know Willer Express has Toyama-Tokyo overnight bus.
      http://willerexpress.com/x/bus/dynamic/3/en/html/pc/route/list/hokuriku.php?mid=1

      I think there are other bus services. But only this company gives us English info.
      And please remember if bus is late and you can’t catch your flight, nobody compensate it. That is 100% your risk.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  10. efraim says:
    April 29, 2014 at 8:52 pm

    hello sir,..i want to go to tokyo using train..sorry..im just a beginners..im lived in hanyu city saitama please help how to do first then step by step..tnxx

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