How to Book Online Train Tickets in Japan
The best way to explore Japan is by train, as the country has an excellent railway network covering the entire nation, and tickets are easy to book online.
Of course, the high-speed Shinkansen trains are the best known among foreign visitors, but besides these, Japan also has many convenient express and commuter trains that will take you anywhere you might wish to visit.
Booking Japanese train tickets
There are several reliable booking websites tailored to foreign visitors where you can easily book Japanese train tickets.
12Go and Trip.com are by far the most customer-friendly websites to book all train tickets you need for your Japan trip.
Both these websites have an extremely easy-to-use interface and accepts all foreign debit and credit cards.
Whether you want to book a high-speed Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka, an airport express from Kansai or Narita Airport, or explore the island of Hokkaido by rail, you can easily check train schedules and book all your tickets on these websites.
Japan rail pass
If you plan to travel extensively through Japan, buying a Japan Rail Pass could be worthwhile.
There are several rail passes available, ranging from a nationwide pass covering almost all trains across Japan – including Shinkansen high-speed services – to regional passes that cover only commuter and regional trains in a specific part of Japan.
Unless you plan to take a long-distance Shinkansen nearly every day, a nationwide rail pass for Japan will generally be more expensive than buying point-to-point tickets, although regional rail passes can offer tremendous value.
In any case, it is always a good idea to compare the cost of a rail pass with point-to-point tickets before deciding what to buy. It may even be that a combination of point-to-point tickets and a regional rail pass is the best option.
Read our Japan Rail Pass guide to learn more about the different options, or go directly to 12Go to purchase one.
About Japanese trains
Most trains in Japan are run by the Japan Railways Group (JR Group), which is subdivided into six regional companies: JR East, JR Central, JR West, JR Hokkaido, JR Kyushu, and JR Shikoku.
They operate Shinkansen high-speed trains, limited express trains, rapid trains, and local commuter trains.
In addition to JR, Japan has several private railway companies. These range from small local operators running trains along a single railway line to larger companies that even operate multiple express trains. Perhaps the best-known example is the Keisei Electric Railway, which operates services on the Keisei Main Line between Tokyo Ueno and Narita Airport, such as the Skyliner Limited Express train.
Travel classes on Japenese trains
Shinkansen high-speed trains and limited express trains in Japan typically have two classes: Ordinary and Green Car.
Ordinary seats are akin to second class and usually have a 2+3 configuration on Shinkansen or 2+2 on limited express trains on the conventional network. Green Cars, the first class option on Japanese trains, are identifiable by the green clover symbol next to the train door and generally have a 2+2 seat layout on Shinkansen or 2+1 on express trains on the conventional network.
Green Car seats obviously offer more elbow, shoulder and legroom, making them more comfortable than ordinary seats. Whether the premium is worth it is up to you. Apart from the larger seat, there are no additional benefits, as no free drinks or food are provided.
Some top category high-speed trains on the Tohoku and Hokkaido Shinkansen feature a premium first class option known as Gran Class, with leather recliner seats in a 1+2 configuration and a personal steward service providing complimentary food and drinks.
Train travel etiquette
When travelling by train in Japan, please be mindful of local train etiquette. This includes queuing properly behind other passengers on the platform and waiting your turn until everyone has disembarked and those in front of you have boarded.
Make sure to store your luggage correctly in the overhead racks or dedicated luggage spaces, and never block the aisle or other seats with your suitcase.
Japanese passengers value a quiet atmosphere on board, so it is considered extremely rude to talk loudly, play music, or make phone calls. If you need to make a call, step into the train vestibule to do so quietly, away from other passengers.
You may bring your own food and drinks on Shinkansen or Limited Express trains, but avoid bringing smelly food, and always dispose of any rubbish in the bins provided. On commuter trains, eating or drinking is generally frowned upon, though it is acceptable if done discreetly.
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