Traveling on Trains in Japan

Update Feb 2024 ~ 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 2023/24 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/

Update: Sep 2023

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.)

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, in Tokyo, you will find many JR lines such as the Yamanote, Chuo, Sobu, Keihin-Tohoku, and so on. There are private train companies as well, such as Keikyu, Odakyu, Seibu etc.

Rechargeable prepaid cards for trains/buses, such as Suica and Pasmo, can be used when taking these trains.

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

**Please Note - Update Sept. 2023**

Please Note - Update 2023 JR Pass New Price from Oct. 1, 2023 Ordinary 7 days 50,000 JPY.

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.)

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)