Getting Around Japan by Rail.
#Train.
Trains are a fast and convenient way to travel throughout Japan, making them an ideal option for those wishing to cover lengthy distances in short periods. One of the best places to start planning your rail journey through Japan is the Japan Navitime website.
The Navitime website can be accessed at the following link:
#Japan Railways.
Japan Railways Group (JR) is the primary rail operator in Japan covering much of the country's extensive rail network. The JR Group is essentially divided into regional groups (listed below) from whom travellers can purchase individual tickets or passes.
1. JR West: https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/
2. JR East: https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/
3. JR Central: https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/
4. JR Hokkaido: https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/
5. JR Kyushu: https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/
6. JR Shikoku: https://www.jr-shikoku.co.jp/global/en/
For those planning to cover multiple regions a National JR Rail Pass can be purchased. More information on the pass can be found at https://japanrailpass.net/en/
Note: Recent price increases to JR Passes could mean a rail pass is no longer a worthwhile purchase. The following website may help determine if a JR Pass is the right fit for you: https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/route/calculator/
#Non-JR Rail Passes:
Passes may also be available for train services not operated by Japan Railways with some being valid on multiple lines. These include:
1. The 5-Day Kintetsu Rail Pass.
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Principal Destinations: Covers travel between Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Yoshino, Iga, Mie, and Nagoya.
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Valid Lines/Services: Valid for Kintetsu local and rapid line services. NOT Valid for Limited Express.
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Website: https://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/ticket/krp_5day.html
2. The 2-Day Kintetsu Rail Pass.
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Principal Destinations: Covers travel between Osaka, Kyoto, Yoshino, and Nara.
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Valid Lines/Services: Valid for Kintetsu local and rapid line services. NOT Valid for Limited Express.
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Website:
3. The 5-Day Greater Tokyo Pass.
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Principal Destinations: Covers travel between Tokyo, Yokohama, Odawara, Enoshima, Takaosanguchi, Kawagoe, Nikko, and Narita.
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Valid Lines/Services: Valid for various rail/bus services. NOT valid for Limited Express (reserved seat tickets). More details can be found at https://greater-tokyo-pass.jp/en/rosen/
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Website: https://greater-tokyo-pass.jp/en/
4. The 3-Day Hakone Kamakura Pass.
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Principal Destinations: Covers travel between Tokyo, Odawara, Hakone, and Kamakura.
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Valid Lines/Services: Valid for various rail and other transport services. More details can be found at https://www.odakyu.jp/wordpress/wp-content/themes/odakyu/english/pdf/passes/hakone_kamakura.pdf
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Website: https://www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/hakone_kamakura/
5. The 2-Day Meitetsu Rail Pass.
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Principal Destinations: Nagoya, Gifu, Inuyama, Central Japan International Airport, Tokoname, and Toyokawa Inari.
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Valid Lines/Services: Valid on all Meitetsu Line Services not requiring a reservation. For detailed coverage, please refer to the following link https://www.meitetsu.co.jp/eng/train/route/map/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2023/03/22/0314_ensen_EN_ura.jpg
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Website: Information can be found on page 2 of the following PDF https://www.meitetsu.co.jp/eng/train/Ticket/special/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2021/07/21/meitetsu_specialdiscount_tickets_1.pdf
6. The 5-Day Nankai Tokushima Free Pass.
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Principal Destinations: Covers travel between Osaka, Sakai, Koyasan, and Wakayama. See route maps at https://www.nankai.co.jp/en_railway/traffic/railmap.html
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Lines/Services: Valid on all Nankai Electric Railway Services (surcharge on Limited Express)