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,
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
HI Rosie,
Mostly you have to transfer at Shin-Osaka. Please check the timetable below:
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
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.
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
Hi Takeshi,
I can’t find JR Hokuriku Shinkasen time table. Please help.
Thanks and regards,
Sylvia
HI Sylvia,
There is no complete timetable in English but you can find partial one at JR East site.
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/index.html
Otherwise Hyperdia is only way to find it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
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!
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
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!
Hi Herson,
Take JR Nara line train to get Kyoto and then transfer to Shinkansen to Tokyo. After arrival Tokyo, take Yamanote line local train to get Nippori.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-access-to-nara-by-japan-rail-pass-if-you-dont-use-jr-pass-kintetsu-railway-is-more-convenient.html
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
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.
Hi Drv,
Yes. Sakura and Mizuho can take you to Kumamoto.
You can find fare and timetable at Hyperdia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Is there a timetable out yet for the new Hokuriku Shinkansen Tokyo to Kanazawa?
Hi Les,
It’s available in Japanese. But it’s not hard to understand.
https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2014/20141222.pdf
On page 12, it’s to Kanazawa and on page 13, to Tokyo.
You can find station name in both Japanese and English at the link below:
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-kanto/tokyo/ueno/hokuriku-shinkansen-direct-access-to-kanazawa-nagano-and-toyama-from-tokyo.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
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.
Hi Masmona,
There is no direct train to get Shinano-Omachi where is the gate station to Ogisawa. You have to transfer local train at Matsumoto. Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-for-train-access-to-nagano-matsumoto-and-other-places-in-shinshu-and-surrounding-area.html
It takes usually 3.5 hours from Nagoya to Shinano-Omachi. One day trip is not impossible but it will be a bit tight.
I don’e recommend you to take baggage to alpine route. Sometimes bus is very busy and like commuter bus. It’s sometimes very hard to handle the baggage.
You have to take three trains to get Hakata from Toyama. It’s a big trip.
Hokuriku Shinkansen (Toyama-Kanazawa) 30 minutes
Limited Express Thunderbird (Kanazawa-Shiosaka) 2.5 hours
Shinkansen (Shinosaka-Hakata) 2.5 – 3 hours
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
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. : )
Hi Patricia san,
I think I have already answered your question before. Please refer the following link.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-get-mt-koya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
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.
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