Japanese Rail Systems

The Japanese rail network is one of the most complex railway systems in the world, from underground to high-speed train-Shinkansen. With an advanced train control system and a tight schedule, Japanese trains have a reputation for being punctual and efficient. In Japan, the rail network is often called JR(Japanese Rail). Like other countries, JR is divided into many parts managed by different companies which are JR Hokkaido, JR East, JR Central, JR West, JR Shikoku and JR Kyushu, and one nationwide freight railway company, JR Freight. Different companies have different types of trains which make the diversity of trains in Japan. This page will help you view some popular Trains and travel lines in Japan. Also, we will provide with some railway knowledge about the JR system for you.

Railway Network

Here we will introduce the Shinkansen, the Japanese Highspeed trian and some travel lines like Shiki-Shima, the most expensive travl line, sleeping train Sunrise Seto Sunrise Izumo, the most popular line Yamanote line and the Enoshima which was shown in many anime many times.

Shinkansen(Japanese High Speed Train)

Shinkansen is the first high-speed train all around the world. Because of its looking of zero generation. It is also called “Bullet Train”. The purpose of establishing the line is to connect the Tokyo and others areas and promote the development of economy. Now the max speed is up to 360km/h (Class E956, branded "ALFA-X"). Currently there are 7 main lines of Shinkansen which are Tōkaidō Shinkansen(Tokyo-Shin-Osaka), San'yō Shinkansen(Shin-Osaka-Hakata), Tōhoku Shinkansen(Tokyo-Shin-Aomori), Jōetsu Shinkansen(Ōmiya-Niigata), Hokuriku Shinkansen(Takasaki-Kanazawa), Kyushu Shinkansen(Hakata-Kagoshima-Chūō) and Hokkaido Shinkansen(Shin-Aomori-Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto). Now you can just spend 3 hr travelling between Utsunomiya and Morioka and 3 hr between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka with Hikari services.

LOGO

  • JR East Shinkansen
  • JR Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen

Famous Travel Line

  1. Shiki-Shima

    Shiki-Shima is a new travel service created by JE East using the new luxury train Class E001 designed by Ken Okuyama, cooperating with Porsche, Ferrari and Maserati. Passageers should first fill the application table for drawing the lucky passenger, then they will pay $2,200-$10,000 for four-day itineraries around eastern Japan.

  2. Sunrise Seto & Sunrise Izumo

    Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo are the long distance sleeping trains operated by JR Central and JR West between Tokyo and Lzumo or Takamatsu. Two trains will coupled between Tokto and Okayam, then the Seto will toward Takamatsu and Izumo will toward Lzumo. Passages who have the Japan Rail Pass can take the special seats “nobinobi zaseki” or “stretch-out seats” with no extra cost.

  3. Enoshima Electric Railway

    Enoshima Electric Railway is a private railway running by a Odakyu Group of companies connecting the connects Kamakura Station in Kamakura with Fujisawa Station in Fujisawa, Kanagawa. It was opened on 1 September 1902. Later was as the scens for animes and movies, one of which is the SLAM DUNK.

    The map of the Enoshima line

References