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,
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
HI Charlotte,
1) Yes. But it’s open only daytime. Check the time at the link below:
http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en009.html
2a) Only Tokyo Monorail (Haneda-Hamamatsucho) can be covered.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/how-to-access-from-haneda-airport-to-downtown-tokyo.html
2b) Otsuki-Kawaguchiko is not covered.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-to-go-to-mt-fuji.html
3) Reservations is not required for Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto. There is non reserved seat. But if the seat is full, you still can ride it but you have to stand on the isle or passengers deck. Reserved seat fee is included in the pass. You should make a reservation. And also Nozomi that is the fastest train is not covered by JR Pass. Please see the timetable and the link below:
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
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
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
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
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
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
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 .
Hi William,
Please see the post below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-access-to-osaka-kyoto-and-kobe-from-late-arrival-flight-at-kansai-airport-kix.html
Shinsainashi is one station away from Namba by subway Midousuji line.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
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.
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
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
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
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
Hi Lily,
The best and the fastest route is Shinkansen (Hiroshima-Hakata) and Limited Express Midori (Hiroshima-Sasebo).
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
https://jprail.com/trains/limited-express-midorihuis-ten-bosch-hakata-sasebohuis-ten-bosch.html
You can find timetable and fare at Hyperdia. I wrote about how to use Hyperdia at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP rail
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.
Hi Lysander,
You can find it at Hyperdia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Shinkansen and Limited Express Hakucho (Shinaomori – Hakodate) are covered by JR Pass fully. However it will be busy on Dec 30 because of New Years Holidays. You may be able to book at JR East Shinansen Reservation site. Please find more info about booking at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
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.
Hi Ching,
Unfortunately you can’t. Because the distance is less than 200 km. In JR rule, minimum distance to stopover is more than 201 km. Nagoya-Osaka is around 190 km.
Please read the following link to get the details:
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP rail
Hi,
Thank you for your reply.
I used your link attached, check the validity and stopover, saw there is 2days validity from 101-200 km ? I cant stop over Kyoto ?! Kyoto and Osaka is different city right ?
Please advise. Im going on 21st this month. Want to stop over at Kyoto for few hours for a morning market which only open on 21st every month. And heading to Osaka in the same day.
Think of the ticket can be use for multi stop. If i cant, what is your advise for my journey ? Cheapest and faster way is the best. Thank you.
Hi Ching,
Oops. Sorry for my mistake. You can make a stopover at Kyoto as you guess.
So you can use one ticket and spend a few hours in Kyoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
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
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
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
Hi efraim,
There is Tobu Railway’s Hanyu station. Take the train there and you can get Asakusa or Oshiage. Some trains go through Tokyo subway line via Oshiage. You can get anywhere by subway.
Please see the map below:
https://goo.gl/maps/scYaZ
And also you can get more info about Tobu Railway.
http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/tobulineguide/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail