Rail/Trains in Japan - What are the differences?
 

Before I start, I wish there was some sort of Wiki/master thread on the basics of getting around in Japan. However since I haven't found it, I will have to ask.

I've spent the better part of the last three days going thru various threads on this forum and using different search terms. In the end, I didn't see the answers (or could not follow the answers) to my questions below.

I'm taking my kids to Japan in August. I have never been there and cannot speak a lick of Japanese and cannot read it. I have no idea how I'm going to get around. I presume rail/subway is the best way.

I will be flying into/out of NRT from the states. However once in Tokyo, we would really like to go to HIJ. Getting it part of my award didn't happen so I'm on my own upon arrival as to how to get to HIJ. Whether that is by Air or by Rail, I don't really know what I'll do. I don't know where in Tokyo I'm staying yet, have not found anything yet. Most likely at a Hyatt at this point but will consider Marriott & SPG. HIJ will hopefully be the Sheraton.

However since this is a rail thread, that is what I'll inquire about

Ok, I see there are numerous types of train services in Japan? Some of these might be part of the same train service but I have no idea which are which.

Japan Rail/Shinkansen/Bullet - According to this site its all the same thing. Is that true? A JR Pass will work on all of these? Which line(s) would I take Tokyo to HIJ? I'm guessing from Tokyo tokaido and changing to the Sanyo line to HIJ?

Nozomi -is the fastest train I take it, but does a JR pass work on this train? Did I read this right that there are only 8 stops between Tokyo and Hiroshima?

Am I missing other rail options? I see lots of different names but they all appear to be versions of the same system like I stated above in the JR/Shinkansen/Bullet statement above

Osaka - if we have time, would this be a good stop for a day, two days etc with two teens? I take we would have to make reservations on the JR accordingly to get on/off at Osaka if we do stop here.

Seating - I definitely am willing to pay more for a reserved seat to HIJ; but I'm confused as to how to reserve seats and how much more it will cost? Again, would this all be part of JR or would the reserve seating be additional fees on top of the JR (assuming I can use the Nozomi to HIJ)?

If I can't use the Nozomi, what is the fastest way via rail to get to HIJ? Again, would that be on a JR Pass?


My questions basically are three fold:

1. NRT to/from Tokyo - there are threads on this I can read
2. Tokyo to Hiroshima (and back) - I see very little on HIJ on this forum
3. Within Tokyo - seems to be a lot of bits and pieces I'm looking in Gen'l

One thing I'm paranoid about is looking at a rail map in Japanese and not having a clue what it says. Ditto for the kiosk. How on earth does one buy a ticket from Point A to Point B if you can't read Japanese?

Wifi - Do the long haul trains (for me Tokyo to HIJ) have wifi?

If you miss your train, how does it work getting on the next train? I'm really talking about the Nozomi assuming I can use that, if not the Shinkansen.

Do they serve alcohol on these long distance trains? Do they have food cars or the carts like a plane?

I take it I have to buy a JR pass before I get to Japan and then do the exchange at the airport (NRT)?

Do the conductors speak English?

Finally, Is the green car worth paying extra for? While the regular reserved cars look good enough for me, Since I have no idea what I'm doing, I figured having less people around me might make me a bit more relaxed but the price seems a bit steep for what you get. so I thought I'd just ask here.

The former Japan National Rail (JNR, kokutetsu) was broken up into regional Japan Rail companies operating train and other transportation services. The JR companies still have very close working relationships with each other. Japan Rail Pass works with all JR companies.

To be pedantic, shinkansen refers to the high speed rail routes. On the technical side, JNR's original rail system were built to narrow gauge specification. When they built the high speed rail in the 60's, it was on standard gauge and therefore new and incompatible with the old system. Therefore the New Trunk Line makes sense.

If you are going from Tokyo to Hiroshima and back the Japan Rail Pass is definitely worth it. The Japan Rail Pass official site has all the details. The rest of the answers will be framed in JR Pass user's perspective.

Yes, more or less.

You cannot take Nozomi or Mizuho trains with the Japan Rail Pass. Nozomi is the fastest service and only stops at the major stations as shown in the wiki.

You can use Japan Rail Pass on the slower Hikari and Kodama trains on the same routes. They stop at some of the minor stations for Hikari, and all of the stations for Kodama.

For long distance travel, Shinkansen trains are the fastest and have their own grade separated tracks. The slower trains (limited express, rapid and local) run on the narrow gauge network. Some people like to take their trips slowly.

The private rail companies do not have a nation-wide network like JR. They are regional at most.

Yes, or you can show your JR Pass to the ticket gate attendant and ride in the non-reserved seats. Great for the spontaneous day trips.

Seat reservations are free with JR Pass.

JR Pass is good for local JR trains too. Show your JR Pass to the attendant and he or she will let you through.

If outside of pass validity, you will have to buy the tickets. Easiest way is to get a stored value IC card like Suica, ICOCA or PASSMO and let the system figure out the fare for you.

Buying single tickets from the vending machine is not as daunting as it seems. 1. Look up the fare to your destination on the map above the vending machines. 2. Walk up to the vending machine and press the English button. 3. Press the fare button. 4. Change the number of adult/children tickets if necessary. 5. Deposit cash. 6. Receive ticket(s) and change.

Some trains do. It depends on the rolling stock. The wifi service is not free. It supports numerous subscription services to use it.

Your ticket is good on the same day. You can take another train in the non-reserved seats. Only the seat reservation is fixed to the train dispatch.

There are vending trolleys. You can also bring on board your own food. It is common to buy an eki-ben (station lunchbox).

Yes.

The in-train announcements are bilingual in Japanese and English. Are the announcements still using Donna Burke's voice?

Personal preference. There is more than enough leg room that I don't need green seats myself.

Most of your concerns were answered above. A few thoughts:

1. Breathe. Relax. It is not nearly as scary as you are making it on yourself.

2. All main and most minor stations are extensively signed in English and Japanese. Sometimes there are other languages as well but English is always one of them. This holds true for most street signs and signage at popular tourist attractions.

3. As noted above, the Japan Rail Nozomi is not covered by the Rail Pass. It is used often by traveling business people and the company likes to keep seats available for those who pay high fares. The next "slower" shinkansen (bullet train) is called Hikari on the section of rail line you are concerned with. It actually is not slower, it travels the same speed. It just makes a few more stops along the way, making total trip times longer. Usually 20 or 30 minutes.

4. I assume you are interested in travel to Hiroshima. HIJ is the airport, which is way out in the sticks. Hiroshima is a major stop on the main shinkansen line. You can usually find decent Hikari routings that only require one change of train, often at Shin-Osaka Station outside of Osaka but occasionally at Shin-Kobe or Okayama. All are main stations, liberally signed in English. Many of the station attendants are English speakers as well. One caution. When you arrange seat reservations, the agents will occasionally try to schedule very short connection times. Don't let yourself be stuck with 5 minute connections. Better to have extra time than have to run.

5. Local train trips can be ticketed by machine but shinkansen reservations should be made at the Japan Rail Travel Service Center, called midori-no-madoguchi or "green window." These are glass walled offices that have green trim on the glass. Very easy to spot.

If you are traveling on Japan Rail lines and have a Japan Rail Pass, there should be no need to "interact" with a ticket machine. For shinkansen travel, you should get your seat reservations at the green window and for local JR trains, just walk through the manned gate (not the ticket wicket) and show your Pass to the attendant. Likewise, on the train, show your Rail Pass to the conductor as he passes through, along with the seat "ticket" when on the shinkansen.

6. There are "trolly dolly" sales people pushing drink and snack carts through the aisles on shinkansen and many limited deluxe trains, selling food, snacks and drinks - much like on an airplane. These folks are the exception to the English speaking assistance though. Few speak English. I find it much simpler to pick up a nice boxed lunch and bottled beverage at the station before boarding rather than trying to guess what might be in the brightly wrapped lunch box in the cart on the train. The selection is usually better at the station as well. The "bento" kiosks often have open-box examples of what is on offer, making it easier to choose. Just point at what you want. Drinks can also be purchased there or from the ever-present vending machines. Even beer can be purchased from machines although the selection will be better at a store. Eating a bento lunch box on the train is a quintessential Japanese travel experience. You will notice everyone around you chowing down as soon as the train gets up to speed if it is anywhere near a meal time.

8. Train announcements regarding stops and such are multilingual on the shinkansen. They will also have electronic scrolling announcement boards at the front of the cars, also in Japanese and English.

9. I have never found the green car to be worth the cost and I am a very big guy. The regular cars on the Hikari are quite comfortable.

TH,

PM me for my local phone number if you like. It can be kept handy for any instances where you are at a loss to communicate (pass the phone to them) or when you need something checked on the 'Net quickly when you are out and about (next train etc.)

We'll avoid talk of Kiffin and motorcycles, just Japan talk :)

Mike

thanks guys

those were fantastic in depth answers and are much appreciated.

I do have one more question, how much more would it cost me to ride the Nozomi over the Shinkansen trains to/from Hiroshima.. yes when I say HIJ I do mean Hiroshima and not the airport, thanks

MJM, you will have a pm shortly

First, Nozomi IS a shinkansen train. The term refers to the system, not just a particular train type. ALL of the "bullet trains" are shinkansen. The Rail Pass is usable on most but not all of the train types on the shinkansen lines, such as Nozomi.

I think your real question is how much would it cost to take Nozomi rather than buy and use a Japan Rail Pass. The difference in cost for a purchased Nozomi ticket versus a purchased Hikari ticket is only a couple hundred yen, almost negligible. However, there are savings involved in using the Rail Pass. The difference between buying a Nozomi ticket versus buying (and using) a 7-day ordinary Japan Rail Pass is more significant. The cost of the Rail Pass is 29,110 JPY. The cost of Nozomi tickets Tokyo-Hiroshima and back is +/- 38,000 JPY depending on connections, so a difference of almost 9,000 yen or about $90.00. Plus, the Rail Pass can be used for other travel beyond the single round trip to/from Hiroshima, such as the Narita Express from NRT to Tokyo, the JR line out to Miyajima-guchi from Hiroshima Station, the JR ferry to Miyajima Island, Yamanote Loop Line in Tokyo and other travel on JR lines. The actual difference would probably significantly exceed $100.00 each.

Think of the Shinkansen services like this:

Nozomi: Super Express,
Hikari: Limited,
Kodama: Local,

All of these lines are Shinkansen.

The difference in time between the Nozomi and the Hikari (with transfer) going from Tokyo to Hiroshima is about 40 minutes. Considering the punctuality of the trains, it's better to budget the extra time and pocket the cash (so you can have ramen later). :D

That's the best advice :-).

Getting around is rather easy, although some of the stations can be a bit confusing in layout. Tokyo Shinjuku is a prime example of this. But in general it's not that hard.

I find that having mobile internet access makes it even less stressful. You can use hyperdia.com to see what your best transport options are. And seeing on which tracks the trains arrive/depart saves you from having to look for that on the boards.

Don't focus too much on the Nozomi. The JR pass will save you a bundle and the other trains you can take only take a bit more time and their frequency is good as well. If you go south from Osaka then the Sakura type is a very nice one.

Having just returned from my first trip to Korea after spending much time in Japan, let me assure you that Japan makes many more concessions to English speakers than Korea does.

In Japanese train and subway stations, especially in the major cities, ALL signs are in Japanese and English, and sometimes in Korean and Chinese as well.

In Korea, someone seems to decide at random which signs need an English translation, even within the same station, and if there is an English translation, it may be in tiny letters.

I hear ya, for a 40-minute delta, I'm going to go with the Hikari and pocket the cash (times 3) plus have the JR available for other travels, thanks for the input ^


Thank you, that was an idiot proof way of showing me how it works :D

Both of my kids love Ramen, I'm sure they will be eating plenty of that

I do think one of the things that I worry about in the back of my mind is how American trains and public transport in general are always running late so this thing about having trains actually be on time is a totally bizarre concept to me :o

I still need to look up this hyperida.com. I also need to head to the Verizon store today to see how to make my phone work in Japan. (iPhone 5)

As stated right above, I'll pass on the Nozomi

When you say South from Osaka is that towards Hiroshima (I thought it was west)? What is south of Osaka (if not Hiroshima)?

You are correct. Although it is closer to WSW, the direction is west. Since you are traveling "down" the Japan archipelago, it is easy to make the slip and refer to it as south. I've done it myself.

The Japanese rail system rocks! I don't speak or read Japanese and I have negotiated it on three different trips to Japan. It is easy. It's on time. It's efficient. It's clean. No one yells at you going through security. Everyone is helpful beyond belief.

Yes, I tend to simplify things.... There is no straight North/South with the shinkansen as this picture shows http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:..._201208_en.png.

The Sakura starts at Osaka and travels to Fukuoka(Hakata).

Hikari: every 30 minutes
Nozomi: every 10 minutes

Cash price difference: ~520yen (5.2 USD)

National JR pass: not valid on Nozomi. Cannot upgrade. Must pay full retail price.

Various JR West passes: valid for on Nozomi, non-reserved seats. But of course JR West passes not valid on Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka.

I will attest to that.

unfortunately we did not have a JR pass on a recent trip. although using miles from ITM-HND was cheap, getting their sucked assS...we were at the Shangri la in Tokyo so having to limo bus from Kyoto to ITM and then clear security, fly and then go from HND to Tokyo Station was long and convoluted...although to take the shinkansen was less time, it would be about US$450 for three of us....versus 13500 BA miles and 8 bucks in taxes...

I mean, the bus is cheap and so too is getting to Tokyo station but it's much longer and with luggage, totally blows having to fly.