Plan Your Japan Rail Journey
Japan’s rail network makes it possible to travel from huge cities to historic towns, mountain villages, hot-spring resorts, and remote corners of the country with remarkable ease.
Train Travel Japan helps you plan those journeys with practical, firsthand guides to JR Passes, regional rail passes, train itineraries, sightseeing trains, family travel, and destinations across Japan.
Whether you are planning your first Shinkansen trip or building a multi-week rail itinerary, the goal is simple: help you understand your options and travel Japan by train with more confidence.
Practical Japan Train Travel Guides
Reserve Shinkansen Seats With a JR Pass
Learn how seat reservations work, when you should reserve in advance, and how JR Pass holders can book Shinkansen seats online.
Travelling With Large Luggage
Understand Japan’s train luggage rules, oversized baggage reservations, and practical ways to make travelling with suitcases easier.
Travelling Japan by Train With Kids
Find practical advice for families using trains in Japan, including seating, strollers, luggage, and travelling with younger children.
Getting From Narita Airport to Tokyo
Compare the low-cost TYO-NRT bus with the Narita Express and Skyliner, including current fares, travel times, and luggage considerations.
Featured Destinations & Experiences
Himeji Castle
Visit one of Japan’s most impressive original castles, just a short walk from Himeji Station and easy to reach by Shinkansen.
Miyajima & Itsukushima Shrine
Plan a visit to one of Japan’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage destinations, easily reached from Hiroshima by train and ferry.
Yokohama Minato Mirai
Enjoy waterfront views, museums, shopping, Chinatown, and an easy half-day or full-day trip from Tokyo.
Hakone & Mt. Fuji
Combine mountain scenery, hot springs, Lake Ashi, and views of Mt. Fuji on one of the most popular escapes from Tokyo.
Why Train Travel Japan?
Train Travel Japan is built around firsthand experience of travelling throughout Japan by rail.
I’m a Japanese native based in Canada who has travelled across all 47 prefectures of Japan over more than 30 years. That experience shapes the way these guides are written: practical, realistic, and focused on what actually helps travellers plan a smoother trip.
The site covers everything from nationwide and regional JR passes to scenic trains, family travel, station access, hotels near major rail hubs, and complete itineraries.
The goal: help you spend less time figuring out Japan’s rail system and more time enjoying the journey.
Featured Japan Train Itineraries
7-Day Tokyo to Fukuoka by Shinkansen
Follow a classic one-week route across Japan, connecting Tokyo with major destinations in central and western Japan before finishing in Fukuoka.
9-Day Northern Japan: Tokyo to Sapporo
Travel north through Tohoku and Hokkaido on a rail-focused itinerary featuring scenic journeys and some of northern Japan’s best destinations.
9-Day Hokuriku Arch Itinerary
Travel between Tokyo and Osaka through Nagano, Toyama, Kanazawa, and the Hokuriku region instead of following the usual Tokaido route.
Explore All Japan Train Itineraries
Looking for a different trip length or region? Browse the complete collection of rail itineraries and compare routes around Japan.
Start Planning Your Japan Train Journey
Not sure where to begin? Start with the Japan Rail Pass guide, compare regional passes, or browse complete train itineraries based on the length and route of your trip.