Trains of Japan
From Wikiasiantravel
With the so many choices plus added with the language barrier, getting a train ticket may give one a headache. There are 5 basic categories of trains that run the Japanese railway.
- Local trains or kakueki-teisha or futsi-densha - this type stops at every station. Not a good one if you plan not to waste time traveling in the rails, but if you prefer to see the stations from your seat then it would be a good vehicle for sight seeing.
- Rapid trains or kaisoku- same price as local trains but they don't stop at every station.
- Express train or kyuko - For Japan Railway (JR) trains - additional fees are added to the basic fare. Express trains stops at even lesser stations than Rapid trains.
- Limited Express trains or tokkyu - stops only at the major stations. Other non-JR companies do not add for "limited express fee" but some may. You can expect price to range between 500-4,000 Yen.
- Super Express trains or shinkansen - these are the bullet trains that are operated by JR and they have different tracks and platforms than the rest. Cost may range between 800-8000 Yen.
Train riders have two options on how to get a ticket. You can buy short distance tickets through the vending machine for convenience or with the reserved or long distance tickets from a sales person in the ticket counter. There are two choices as to the seat category of train you may want- ordinary or first class(green), then the kind of coach - smoking or non-smoking, and preference for reserved or non-reserved seat. Reservation usually costs more but you are assured of a seat and more comfort. Foreigners or Japanese nationals married to one or who resides outside of Japan may take advantage of Japan Rail Pass for 7,14, or 21 days travel. It can be a big savings for someone who plans to travel long distances in Japan.
You may check the external link below for more details and instructions.
Click here to be redirected to the page of Japan
External links
Advices in taking the Train in Japan
