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

Timetable and reservation
2010.08.24

You need to check the train timetable to plan your trip.
In this post, I will introduce several resources where you can find train timetables in Japan.

I will cover the timetables provided by the major train companies later.
However, those alone are not always enough. Some train companies only offer a search engine, so you may prefer to see a hard copy of the timetable.

JR Group’s website

JR used to be Japan’s national railway, but it was privatized many years ago.
Today, there are six separate companies:

  • JR Hokkaido (Hokkaido area)
  • JR East (Tohoku, Kanto, Tokyo and surrounding areas, Nagano)
  • JR Central (Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka, Nagoya and surrounding areas, Chubu region)
  • JR West (Kansai and Chugoku regions)
  • JR Shikoku (Shikoku area)
  • JR Kyushu (Kyushu area)

Some of these JR companies provide timetable and fare search functions on their official websites.

JR East timetable

This website provides timetables for most limited express trains, Shinkansen services, and popular seasonal trains in the JR East area.
It also includes timetables for JR Hokkaido trains.

JR East official site– the timetable

JR Central timetable

This website offers the timetable for the Tokaido Shinkansen and Sanyo Shinkansen.
These Shinkansen lines connect Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Hakata.

JR Central official site – Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen timetables

JR Kyushu timetable

This website provides timetables for most limited express trains, Shinkansen services, and popular seasonal trains in the JR Kyushu area.

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. rosie hugh says:
    May 6, 2015 at 12:31 am

    Hi,
    I want to travel by JR from Hiroshima to Shin-Yokohama on 16th July 2015, and want to know if there is a direct Hikari between the stations or if I have to change trains. I will be leaving Hiroshima at around 2 in the afternoon.
    Thanks for your help
    Rosie

  2. Viladda says:
    April 13, 2015 at 6:34 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I’ll be going to Toyama for Japan Alps route from Osaka and will be back to Osaka from Shinano-omachi station.

    Can you advise if there is any pass that I can use or I have to buy single tickets for both ways?

    Thank you very much for your kind help.

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      April 13, 2015 at 12:59 pm

      Hi Viladda,

      JR pass is only pass to cover your trip. But total fares for your trip will be around 20000 yen other than Alpine route. (Alpine route is not covered by any passes anyway)
      But even JR pass 7 days is 29100 yen. It’s way more expensive than single fare.

      At this point, single fare is much cheaper. But if you may add some more places, JR pass may be cheaper.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  3. Sylvia says:
    April 8, 2015 at 9:27 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    I can’t find JR Hokuriku Shinkasen time table. Please help.

    Thanks and regards,

    Sylvia

  4. sharon says:
    March 31, 2015 at 5:34 pm

    Hi Takeshi

    I would to go for a day trip to yokohama from yudanaka before i head to roppongqi. This will be my last day of my jr pass.

    Which train should i take to fully utilise my pass? I hv checked hyperdia, i cant use my pass from minatomirai to roppongqi. Any other route i can take?

    Hope you can advise. TiA!

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      March 31, 2015 at 5:43 pm

      Hi Sharon,

      If you want to go to Minato Mirai, you have two choices.
      Pay extra for Minato Mirai from Yokohama or walk from JR Sakuragicho station.
      https://goo.gl/maps/NHKi0

      You can take JR train between Yokoahama and Shibuya. You have to take subway to get Roppongi that is not covered by JR pass anyway. You can take Subway from Ebisu station that is one station before Shibuya.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  5. Herson says:
    March 30, 2015 at 3:03 am

    Hi, I want to ask for your help:

    What is the best way from Nara Park to Tokyo – Nippori Station using the 7 day JR pass?

    Thanks in advance!

  6. Drv says:
    March 8, 2015 at 7:58 pm

    Hi,
    I am trying to go from Hiroshima to Kumamoto. i have been researching a lot of info but I cant seem to find it. I have read that Sakura and Mizuho can do it, but I cant fins the timetable or price. Can you please tell me if I can go from Hiroshima to Kumamoto? And if yes, where can I find the timetable and price?
    Thanks very much.

  7. Les Heap says:
    February 5, 2015 at 4:29 pm

    Is there a timetable out yet for the new Hokuriku Shinkansen Tokyo to Kanazawa?

  8. Masmona says:
    January 26, 2015 at 2:33 am

    Hi. I wanna ask for you help:

    If I wanna go to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, is this the best route ?

    I am planning to go to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Ogisawa – Toyama) for one day from Nagoya, so is there direct JR train from Nagoya to Nagano JR station ? and is it possible for me to carry my luggage together during the alps travel or I need to use the baggage delivery servicehttp://www.alpen-route.com/en/transportation/baggagedelivery to get my luggage delivered to Toyama?

    And is there any direct JR train from Toyama JR station to Hakata (Fukuoka) JR Station? Or do I need to exchange train beforehand anywhere? Thank you.

  9. Patricia says:
    January 14, 2015 at 8:03 pm

    Hi Takeshi-San,

    Could kindly advise me on my rail travel as follows, which train pass should I get?

    Day 1 – Arr ITAMI airport, taking airport limousine bus to Our hotel at Namba.
    12/03/15

    Day 2 – taking train from Namba station to Wakayama Station East exit to pickup rental car.
    13/03/15 (Single trip or pass?)

    Day 3 – driving around Kumano Hongu sites.
    14/03/15

    Day 4 – return car at Wakayama station east exit then take train to Koyasan, stay overnight. 15/03/15 (Single trip or Heritage pass?)

    Day 5 – take train from Koyasan back to Namba station. (Single trip or Heritage pass?)
    16/03/15

    Day 6 – take train from Namba to Kyoto for full day trip then back to Osaka
    17/03/15 (using 2 days kansai thru pass or ?)

    Day 7 – take train from Namba to Kobe for full day trip then back to Osaka
    18/03/15 (using 2 days Kansai thru pass or ?)

    Day 8 – visiting attractions around Osaka, eg Kaiyukan/Osaka Castle etc.
    19/03/15.

    Please advise which type of tickets I should get for my rail/subway travels.

    Thank you. : )

  10. Charlotte says:
    December 25, 2014 at 6:30 pm

    Hi Takeshi,
    Thanks for the reply.
    I checked Hyperdia and found there is JR train “Holiday-Kaisoku-Fujisan No.1”& No.2 travel from Tachikawa to Kawaguchiko during 30-Dec to 4-Jan. Can I use JR pass with this train on 30-Dec?

    Thank you very much.

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

      Hi Charlotte,

      You can take this train but you still have to pay extra for Otsuki to Kawaguchiko. You can pay extra on board or when you exit Kawaguchiko staiton.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

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