Traveling on Trains in Japan

Now you can book your JR tickets online across all JR companies.

You will receive a QR code to issue the physical tickets at JR Station.

https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/booking/jr/

User guide

https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/booking/jr/support/operation/

Shinkansen

Shinkansen, (known internationally as Bullet trains), are operated by JR. They are quite convenient when traveling long distances between big cities.

Shinkansen Network

  • Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen

  • Tohoku/Yamagata/Akita/Hokkaido/Joetsu/Hokuriku Shinkansen

  • Kyushu/Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen

For 2025 Sake Tours, these are the Shinkansen lines we use to travel from Tokyo.

  • Niigata Tour - Joetsu Shinkansen

  • Toyama Tour - Hokuriku Shinkansen 

For more information about Shinkansen: https://www.japan.travel/en/plan/getting-around/shinkansen/ 

Luggage space reservation on Tokaido Shinkansen

If you have a suitcase, you need to put it on the overhead area, or you need to reserve a space at the end of the car to store your luggage in advance. https://japanrailpass.net/pdf/oversized_baggage_EN_230317.pdf 

There is a new travel option for Nozomi with JR Pass from Oct. 1, 2023. JR Pass holders have an option to travel on Nozomi with additional cost: https://japanrailpass.net/pdf/JRP_pressrelease_en_230802.pdf 

Coffee and snacks are no longer available on Tokaido Shinkansen from Nov. 1, 2023 (so buy them on the platform at the convenience stores.)

Tips for riding the Shinkansen

1. Arrive Early

  • Arrive at least 30 minutes early. Tokyo Station is large and can be confusing, so arriving with time to spare will help you locate your train and platform without stress.

2. Check Your Track and Train Details

  • Locate the correct track number by checking the electronic departure boards for the train name, destination, train number, and departure time.

  • Train stops are quick (around one minute at most), so be prepared to board quickly at your designated car.

3. Ticket Check at the Gate

  • Insert your ticket(s) at the Shinkansen ticket gates. If you have two tickets (base fare and Shinkansen surcharge), insert both together.

  • Retrieve your ticket(s) on the other side, as you’ll need them throughout the journey and to exit at your destination.

4. Find Your Car and Seat

  • Follow signs on the platform to your car number.

  • Stay behind the yellow line when lining up for your train.

  • Line up in front of your car door location, which is marked on the platform. For reserved seats, go to your assigned car and seat. If it's non-reserved, line up early for a better chance of securing a seat.

  • Seats are numbered and lettered as on an airplane, and overhead storage is available for luggage.

5. Keep Your Ticket Accessible

  • JR staff may come around to check tickets, so keep them handy.

  • You need your ticket to exit the station at your destination. If you lose it, you’ll have to pay the full fare again.

6. Onboard Amenities

  • Get some snacks, drinks, and coffee from the kiosk on the platform prior to boarding as on-board sales are no longer available on certain journeys.

  • There are Western-style restrooms every two cars.

  • Overhead luggage storage is available, but Tokaido Shinkanse luggage storage is extremely limited. We recommend shipping your suitcase to your next destination.

7. Exiting the Train

  • Listen for announcements about the next stop, and be ready to disembark promptly since the train only stops for about a minute.

  • Exit through the automatic ticket gates or show your ticket to the station staff if needed. Remember that multi-use passes like the Japan Rail Pass might work differently.

Local Train / Express train

While the Shinkansen is convenient for city-hopping, local trains cover the whole city in a web-like network of lines. For example, to explore Tokyo, you will be on various different train and subway networks.

Rechargeable prepaid IC cards , such as Suica, Pasmo and ICOCA, can work seamlessly.

IC cards (Suica and Pasmo) are the easiest if you plan to travel on subways or local trains around Tokyo and Kanto area. Outside of the Kanto area, different IC cards are being used such as ICOCA (Kansai area) and Kitaka (Hokkaido), but generally speaking, all these IC cards can be used anywhere across the country except for some really local lines in the countryside (you may be required to purchase separate tickets). 

Please see the section at the bottom of this page for Suica and Pasmo availability and how you can obtain a time limited card.

In addition to the local trains which stop at each station, Express trains (or 特急) can be convenient for longer distances. If you join Sake Tours Nagano Tour, you will use the Azusa Express train to reach the meeting place on the first day.

While JR trains and other private lines run above ground, Tokyo Metro and Toei Subways cover underground Tokyo. 

Google Maps is the easiest way to work out how to  travel around the country, especially larger cities like Tokyo and Osaka where the subway system can be confusing. Download the google maps app on your phone.

For the ticket costs and transit information, the websites mentioned below can be helpful in addition to using Google Maps. 

Japan Travel  https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/route/

Japan Transit Planner  https://world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/en/?sub_lang=nosub

Japan Rail Pass

If you are not traveling outside of Sake Tours, it does not make sense to purchase the JR Pass. Regional passes are available, but please make sure to check when and where to start using the regional pass.

If you plan to travel around in Japan before / after the tour, a Japan Rail Pass can be one of the options for your transportation. With this pass you will be able to ride all JR trains including Shinkansen and express trains, with some exceptions, during the designated period. (It sometimes is not as cheap when compared to a regular ticket - depending on the areas covered and usage frequency of the Shinkansen trains.)

** IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE** - JR Pass and regional passes may be initiated only in certain cities.

For more information, please check https://japanrailpass.net/

SUICA/PASMO/IC TRANSPORT CARD

Suica/Pasmo is an IC transport card which can be used on JR and most subways in Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto.

In August 2023, there was an announcement that SUICA and PASMO card sales will be suspended indefinitely due to the limited availability of the IC chip.

What does it mean to international travelers?

If you have a SUICA/PASMO/ICOCA IC transport card from previous travel, please make sure to bring it. They do not expire for a long time.

If you do not have one or if you are visiting Japan for the first time, you can purchase a time limited Welcome SUICA or PASMO PASSPORT which will expire after 28 days.

Welcome SUICA or PASMO PASSPORT are sold at limited locations. It is best to obtain one at Narita or Haneda Airport.

Please note that the sale of the card is limited one per traveler (passport holder with tourist visa)

How to read a Japanese Train Ticket

When you travel on the Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on where and how you buy your ticket, you may receive one ticket or two tickets.

Simple rule is: If two tickets, insert two tickets to go through the Shinkansen gate - you can put them both through at the same time.

If you are at a local train gate, you only need to insert base ticket.

  1. Base Fare Ticket: This covers the distance traveled, with details like departure and arrival stations, date, and train type. (see image below)

  2. Shinkansen Surcharge Ticket: This ticket includes the additional fee for the high-speed service and any reserved seating details, such as car and seat numbers. (see image below)

For non-reserved seats, again you might only have one combined ticket or two tickets.

A Japanese train ticket typically includes the following information:

  1. Departure and Arrival Stations: Usually written in Kanji, but if you purchase the ticket from a machine using English it will print the tickets in English.

  2. Date and Time: Indicates when the train departs.

  3. Car Number and Seat: For reserved seats, you'll see the car (車) and seat number.

  4. Ticket Type: It may specify ordinary or green (first-class) seats.

  5. Price: The fare is shown, sometimes along with surcharges.

Tickets are often color-coded: green for reserved seats and orange for unreserved.

For more information on how to use trains and stations please go to https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/tickets/use/

Travel Tips