Route search engines are a fantastic tool, whether you're just starting to plan a trip or are already in the country. For sorting through transport schedules and fares, Navitime computes to-the-minute directions including connecting trains, as well as buses and planes. Jorudan is a similar service, but with fewer options for exploring alternate routes. Google Maps' and Apple Maps' limited search options and the routes they present make them better for getting around subways and city trains than planning long distance trips, although even then you'll often have better results using apps like Jorudan's Japan Transit Planner to navigate the train system, then use Google or Apple for walking to/from the stations. JR-EAST Train Info is an app that shows train connection information down to the platform number at the station. The app only shows a map of JR East lines, but it can provide guidance for train lines throughout the country.

The paper version of these is the Daijikokuhyō (大時刻表), a phonebook-sized tome available for browsing in every train station and most hotels, but it will not be useful to most tourists since it is in Japanese. A lighter version that just includes limited express, sleeper and bullet trains (Shinkansen) is available from the Japan National Tourist Organization's overseas offices. English timetables are available on the websites of JR Hokkaido, JR East, JR Central and JR Kyushu. Timetables for the Tokaido, San'yo and Kyushu Shinkansen can also be viewed in English at Tabi-o-ji.

Navitime and Tabi-o-ji offer schedule searches to find routes you can use with the Japan Rail Pass (see below), as does Jorudan with a paid subscription. Navitime is also the only one that can search fares compatible with the Seishun 18 Ticket (see below).

One of the first things any visitor to Japan should do is purchase a public transport smart card (スマートカード sumāto kādo), also called an IC card (ICカード ai shī kādo) or jōsha kādo (乗車カード, "boarding card"). Using a smart card, fares are calculated automatically no matter how complicated your journey or how often you transfer; just tap on and tap off at both ends. In addition to public transport, smart cards are increasingly used for all sorts of electronic payments, so they can be used at vending machines, convenience stores, fast food restaurants, etc.

The ten major ones listed below are fully interchangeable, meaning you can purchase a card in any major city and use it in virtually the entire country, the main exceptions being Shikoku and Okinawa. By region from north to south, they are:

• Kitaca — Hokkaido
• Suica — Tohoku and Kanto
• PASMO — Tokyo
• TOICA — Chubu
• manaca — Nagoya
• ICOCA — Kansai and Chugoku
• PiTaPa — Kansai — A postpaid card linked to your Japanese bank account, so this one is not useful for most visitors
• SUGOCA — Kyushu
• Hayakaken (はやかけん) — Fukuoka
• nimoca — Fukuoka

These cards can be purchased from any station ticket counter and many station ticket vending machines, including those at airports. The base deposit is ¥500 plus the amount you wish to load. The deposit and any remaining value can be refunded when you leave Japan, or you can keep the card for your next visit as they stay valid for 10 years (except Welcome Suica which is intended for short-term tourists and expires after 28 days). You cannot use the deposit to enter negative balance on the card. You must go to fare adjustment machines within the station or on the bus to top up the card.

You cannot use smart cards themselves to travel between two different regions on regular train services. For example, if you were to start your journey in Tokyo and travel west to Atami using the JR Tokaido Line, you can use a smart card as these stations are within the boundaries of the East Japan Railway (JR East). However, if you continue west of Atami towards Shizuoka you would then enter an area operated by a different company — in this case, Central Japan Railway (JR Central) — and your card would not be accepted when you try to tap out of the system. Traveling between two regions requires a paper ticket, but even smart cards can be accepted at ticket vending machines as payment (your paper ticket would have the letters IC printed on it). Be aware that separate "regions" may exist even within the same company; for example, each of the metropolitan areas or cities in JR East's operating boundaries that supports Suica is considered a separate region, so a trip from Morioka to Akita on local or regional trains would still require a paper ticket. JR West does not have separate operating regions but does have a limit of 200km traveled on a single tap.

Smart cards are accepted for travel on the Tokaido and San'yo Shinkansen in lieu of paper tickets. Bullet train tickets can be purchased online with a credit card and tied to a smart card, which can be used to tap in and out of the ticket barriers. The service is available in both English and Japanese via the Smart-EX website.

If you have an Apple iPhone or Watch, it's possible to add Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA to your Apple Wallet and pay with your device. Android users are mostly out of luck for the time being. While Google Pay does support the cards, most non-Japanese Android devices do not have the necessary "Osaifu-Keitai" (FeliCa) chip installed. JR East is expected to launch a Suica app for foreigners in early 2025 that can be used on both Apple and Android phones.

Most railway/subway operators in urban areas show Station Numbers on signs and transit maps. Station Number is a combination of one or two alphabets and a two-digit number starting from 01 or 00, shown in a rectangle or circle color-coded by line or operator. Though a station may have multiple numbers if used by more than one line, platform signs show the corresponding one only.

In some cases, you may still need to buy paper train tickets, such as when crossing from one region to another, or in remote areas that don't accept smart cards yet.

Most train tickets in Japan are priced by distance, so there will be a map above the ticket machines. Near the center, the current station is usually marked in red with 当駅 (tōeki) or a red arrow ←. Around it will be all other stations you can get to with a price below them. The nearer stations have the smaller numbers (e.g. the closest stations will probably be about ¥140, more distant ones rising to perhaps ¥2,000). As long as you stay on the same rail system, you can take any route and transfer between trains for free.

To buy a ticket, insert coins or cash into the ticket machine. As you do, options will light up for the tickets you can buy with that amount of money. Usually you just need a regular ticket for the correct amount, but for some journeys you may need to purchase a transfer fare or some other special option.

The coin slot is large so that you can insert multiple coins at once. One trick is to dump your whole change purse in; whatever change you get back will be in the largest coins possible, reducing the amount of small change you're carrying (except for pesky ¥1 or ¥5 coins, which machines pass through and don't accept as payment).

Insert the ticket at the fare gate and don't forget to pick it up once you are through. Don't throw away the ticket yet; you have to insert it again when exiting the fare gates at the end of your journey.

If you cannot figure out the price, buy a minimum fare ticket and pay when you arrive at your destination. You can either present your ticket to the staff at the gate, or pay the balance at the "Fare Adjustment" machine. Look for a small ticket vending kiosk before the exit fare gate. Insert your minimum fare ticket and pay the balance indicated on the screen.

At unstaffed stations

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Unlike in major cities and suburbs, in rural areas there are a good number of unmanned stations where there are no ticket gates or ticket vending machines. In these cases, you'll likely have to take a seiriken (整理券) or numbered ticket when you get on the train, and settle the fare with the driver or conductor before you get off. At the front of the train will be a display board with numbers and fares that increase as the journey goes on. When you disembark, surrender your seiriken and pay the amount indicated next to your number. On most of these services you'll board at the rear of the train (denoted by 入口 or "entrance") and exit at the front of the train (denoted by 出口 or "exit"). Also note that most trains, like buses, have fare collection machines that only accept coins; however, either the machine itself or the driver can typically change notes into coins.

You can use a smart card on the train if it is supported. Tap your smart card when boarding, and again when you exit, and the fare is automatically deducted. In some stations, entrance and exit readers are located on the station platform. If you are using a JR train and have a Japan Rail Pass, simply show your Rail Pass to the driver as you exit. You will be informed of any fare difference that is owed.

If you disembark at a manned station, hand your seiriken and your fare to a manned station agent at the ticket gates. Conversely, if you get on at a manned station and exit at an unmanned station, hand your ticket to the driver before you get off.

Trains where the role of the driver and conductor are combined are called "one man" trains, and will have a sign in katatana characters (ワンマン) at the front of the train.

The Japan Rail Pass may be a good option for visitors who plan to do a great deal of travelling or who want the convenience of an all-you-can-ride pass. It allows unlimited travel on almost all JR trains, including the Shinkansen, and on certain segments of private railways (see exceptions below) for a fixed period of 7, 14 or 21 days. Following a big increase in its prices on 1 October 2023, the pass will probably not pay off unless you do a lot of travelling. It covers only JR lines (and a few non-JR lines in rural areas), and does not cover rides on the subway or most private railway lines.

To be eligible for the pass, you must be a foreign national visiting Japan as a tourist (with the temporary visitor stamp in your passport), or a Japanese national who has lived outside of Japan for at least ten years. If you're using the Japan Rail Pass as a Japanese national, you'll need to show specified proof such as documentation obtained from the consulate or embassy of Japan where you live in addition to your Japanese passport.

Effective October 2023, Japan Rail Passes can be purchased before your departure or after your arrival, there is no longer any price difference. The easiest way is through the Japan Rail Pass Reservation (JRPR) website, which also lets you make seat reservations before arrival.

The other option is to purchase a voucher via an accredited travel agency. Agencies charge a markup and the voucher must be exchanged within three months of issuance, and within one month of the date you want the pass to start. Japanese nationals that qualify for the rail pass, and those who wish to purchase the pass by means other than a credit card, must use the exchange voucher system through a travel agent. Japanese nationals living abroad can purchase Exchange Orders through to at least December 2025.

Japan Rail Pass prices

You must go to a staffed ticket agent at a major JR station and present your passport to pick up the Japan Rail Pass. If it was purchased in advance, you will need to show either proof of purchase (if the pass was purchased through JR) or your exchange voucher (if purchased through a travel agency). If exchanging a voucher, you must inform the ticket agent of the date that you want the rail pass to start. Dedicated counters with English-speaking staff are available at major airports such as Haneda, Narita and Kansai. There are also counters specifically for rail pass pickups at major JR stations such as Tokyo, Shinjuku, Ueno, Nagoya, and Sapporo.

Unlike the previous paper versions, the Japan Rail Pass is now a magnetic train ticket with a printed QR code unique to the user. You can use the ticket to pass through the automatic ticket barriers as you enter and exit the train station.

The rail pass includes free seat reservations on eligible JR trains, including most Shinkansen and limited express services. If you purchased the pass in advance through JR, you can make online seat reservations as soon as you have purchased your pass. Once the rail pass has been obtained, reserved seat reservations can be made or collected at a JR station using the reserved ticket machine. You will be able to access the machines by scanning the QR code printed on your rail pass (or entering the identification number printed on the pass) and then entering your passport number. Even if seat reservations were made online, the actual seat reservation tickets must be printed out at the ticket machine and in your possession before boarding the train. Note that with the automated system, seat reservations are linked to each individual Rail Pass and you will not be permitted to reserve services that overlap with each other. This isn’t usually a problem, but if you miss your reserved train you may not be able to make a reservation for the next departure right away. For unreserved seating, no ticket is needed; just show your rail pass when the conductor comes through checking tickets.

The rail pass does have a few exceptions:

• If you travel on the Tokaido, San'yo, or Kyushu Shinkansen, the Japan Rail Pass does not cover travel on the faster Nozomi or Mizuho services unless you buy a supplemental Nozomi Mizuho ticket. Prices depend based on the section of usage, e.g. ¥4960 between Tokyo and Kyoto or Shin-Osaka.
• Many of the newer trains on the Shinkansen networks of JR East have a premium first class cabin known as "GranClass". You cannot use the GranClass cabin with any Japan Rail Pass unless you pay the limited express and GranClass surcharges (i.e. ¥27,220 on the Hayabusa if going from Tokyo all the way to Hakodate).
• You must pay extra surcharges for JR trains that travel on tracks not owned by JR. Some examples include:
  • The Tokyo Waterfront Railway (TWR) Rinkai Line between Osaki and Shin-Kiba, used to access Odaiba
  • The Izukyu Railway from Ito to Shimoda on the Izu Peninsula
  • The Kyoto Tango Railway from Fukuchiyama to Toyooka, which is used by JR trains running from Kyoto to Amanohashidate
• If you stay in a private compartment — available on overnight trains and a small number of Shinkansen trains between Osaka and Fukuoka — you must pay the limited express and accommodation charges.

A few extras are included:

• The JR Pass covers travel to and from isolated JR rail lines on private railways provided that no stopovers occur on the following segments:
  • Between Hachinohe and Noheji, between Aomori and Noheji, and between Hachinohe and Aomori on the Aoimori Railway for access to the JR Ominato Line.
  • Between Kanazawa and Tsubata on the IR Ishikawa Railway for access to the JR Nanao Line.
  • Between Toyama and Takaoka on the Ainokaze Toyama Railway for access to the JR Johana and Himi Line.
• The JR Pass covers travel, including stopovers, on the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda Airport to Hamamatsucho in Tokyo.
• The JR Pass covers travel on the JR Ferry to Miyajima.

Main article: Seishun 18 Ticket

The Seishun 18 Ticket (青春18きっぷ Seishun jūhachi kippu) is one way to score a deal for travel in Japan, offering five consecutive days of unlimited train travel for just ¥12,050. The main catches are that tickets are only valid on local trains and that tickets are valid only during school holidays (March–April, July–September, December–January), so you need good timing and plenty of time on your hands to use it.

Outside major holiday periods (Golden Week, Obon, New Year) it is rarely necessary to reserve trains in advance, and neither are there significant discounts for booking in advance. Particularly for bullet trains, it's quite feasible to simply show up at the station and hop on the next train out.

Standard JR tickets are usually split into two categories:

• Basic Ticket or jōshaken (乗車券): These tickets cover the basic fare for trains operating between two stations/areas. Stopovers are permitted on long trips, though you must stay on the ticketed route and cannot backtrack. Tickets are valid for 2 days for journeys over 100 km, 3 days for journeys over 200 km, and then one day for each additional 200 km. The exception to this is tickets entirely within the Kanto or Kansai urban areas, in which stopovers are not permitted no matter the distance (for example, Nikko to Atami is over 200km but because it is entirely within the Kanto urban area, no stopovers are included in the ticket).
• Limited Express Ticket or tokkyūken (特急券): With a few variants on the name, limited express tickets are purchased for premium long-distance trains, including the Shinkansen. Generally, unreserved (自由席 jiyūseki) tickets are valid for unreserved seats on any service, while reserved (指定席 shiteiseki) tickets are valid for a specific train. Refunds will be given if the train is delayed in arrival by 2 hours or more.

At major stations there will be an obvious travel section where you can buy your ticket from a human being; look for the little green sign of a figure relaxing in a chair or ask for the midori no madoguchi (みどりの窓口, lit. "green window"). Since you probably need to know the train times and may want to reserve a seat as well this is a good thing. Generally speaking you can make your desires known by means of hand waving and pointing at destinations if the staff are unable to speak English. Writing down information helps as most Japanese have a much easier time reading English than listening to it.

For express trains that require a surcharge and seating reservation, you will usually be able to find a staffed window. However, some trains have their own specific machines to do this. First, buy a regular train ticket to your destination. On the touchscreen machines, there will usually be a button for express services. Choose the name of the service you wish to travel on, your destination, preferred departure time and seating preferences, and then insert the surcharge amount. You will be issued a reservation card showing the departure time and your seat number. You must also have either a travel ticket, pass, or smartcard to get through the ticket gates: a surcharge on its own is not valid for travel.

General purpose automatic ticketing machines are becoming more prevalent. These machines can be made to display English and are able to issue long-distance fare tickets and limited express tickets for both reserved and unreserved seats. They are usually located around ticketing windows. When buying fare tickets, take note of the route displayed, as you are required to travel on the ticketed route (stopovers are not allowed outside of that route).

For unreserved local trains, just use your smart card. If the fare happens to cost more than you had left on the card, you can pay the difference at a ticket counter or fare adjustment machine at the destination station. However, if your journey crosses the boundaries of different operators then there is the possibility that your smart card will not be accepted. Further, some stations do not have smart card readers. Details of such limitations can usually be found near the boundaries of different rail companies or on the websites of card issuers. It is recommended to always buy a fare ticket at a ticket machine or a ticket counter when traveling long-distance. Additionally, doing so may enable you to buy a fare ticket all the way to your final destination, making stopovers in between, which may save you plenty of money due to the fare per kilometer being cheaper the longer the ticketed distance.

If you happen to use a smart card mistakenly, you will settle the fare at the destination and the station staff or conductor will write you some kind of proof that you will take either to a nearby station or the origin station for them to unlock your card.

Examples of smart card boundaries can be found on the Tōkaidō Main Line between Tokyo and Kansai (not the shinkansen): At Atami (JR East and JR Central), and at Maibara (JR Central and West).

JR pioneered the famous bullet train, referred to by its Japanese name Shinkansen (新幹線). With speeds of up to 320 km/h (360 km/h in the near future), these services are classified as "superexpress" (超特急 chō-tokkyū) and remain the fastest way to travel around the country. Note that the Shinkansen does not run overnight. The Shinkansen is also known for its enviable safety record, with not a single accident resulting in a passenger fatality since it began operation in 1964.

Other Shinkansen routes

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Japan's other bullet train routes are operated primarily by JR East and radiate north of Tokyo station. These include:

• Tohoku Shinkansen to Sendai, Morioka and Aomori, continuing to Hakodate as the Hokkaido Shinkansen
• Akita Shinkansen to Akita, coupled with Tohoku Shinkansen trains as far as Morioka
• Yamagata Shinkansen to Yamagata and Shinjo, coupled with Tohoku Shinkansen trains as far as Fukushima
• Joetsu Shinkansen to Yuzawa and Niigata
• Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano, Toyama, Kanazawa, Fukui and Tsuruga
• Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen to Nagasaki. Operated by JR Kyushu, but only up to Takeo-Onsen where you'll need to take a regular train to rejoin the main Kyushu Shinkansen at Tosu or Fukuoka.

The Japan Rail Pass is valid for all of these services, except for the GranClass cabin operating on certain routes (additional fare is required).

Other JR train types

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Other JR services, particularly suburban ones, use the following generic labels:

• Regular/Local (普通 futsū, 各停 kakutei, or 各駅 kakueki) – stops at every station
• Rapid (快速 kaisoku) – skips approximately 2 out of 3 stops, no surcharge
  • Special Rapid/New Rapid (新快速 shinkaisoku) — faster service unique to JR West and Central, only stops at designated stations, no surcharge
• Express (急行 kyūkō) – skips approximately 2 out of 3 stops, requires a surcharge (less common on JR these days compared to locals and rapids)
• Liner (ライナー rainā) – skips approximately 2 out of 3 kyūkō stops, requires a surcharge
• Limited Express (特急 tokkyū) – skips approximately 2 out of 3 kyūkō stops, requires a surcharge and usually a reserved seat as well

Express services may offer first-class Green Car (グリーン車 guriin-sha) seats. Given that the surcharge of almost 50% gets you little more than slighter wider seats and a bit of extra leg room, most passengers opt for regular seats. However, if you really need to ride a particular train for which the regular seats are full, the Green Car is an alternative. The JR pass is available in two types: "Ordinary", which requires paying the surcharge to use the Green Car, and "Green", which includes Green Car seats at no additional charge.

Depending on where you travel in Japan, Green Cars do have some little perks. On the premium Nozomi and Mizuho (not valid with the rail pass) you are greeted by a female attendant who will bow to you as you enter the train and check your tickets in place of the train conductor. On the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Green Car is the only car left with food and drink purchase available on board; there is no buy-on-board available in the standard reserved or unreserved cars. Depending on the day and time that you travel, Green Cars can be less crowded and quieter than the regular cars, but, of course, during Golden Week and other high-peak travel periods, all bets are off.

Most trains operating on the bullet train networks of eastern Japan and Hokkaido (those operated by JR East and JR Hokkaido) offer a premium Green Class experience known as GranClass (グランクラス guran-kurasu). The service can be equated to international business class on an airline and features 18 wide, power-reclining "shell seats" in a 2+1 configuration.

GranClass on the fastest services offers a personal in-cabin attendant, an increased selection of soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, and premium quality food items made with local ingredients. GranClass may also be offered on slower, stopping services during the morning and evening peak periods, but food and attendant services will not be available.

A special GranClass fare structure is in place for these services. Japan Rail Pass holders and JR East Rail Pass holders will need to pay the Shinkansen express charge and the GranClass surcharge to travel in GranClass. Even if you have a Green Car pass, it will still cover just the basic fare — however, trains with GranClass also offer regular Green Car seating which can be used for no extra charge with the Green Car pass.

Smoking cars on trains, once ubiquitous, are virtually extinct. All Shinkansen lines banned smoking entirely from March 2024, and just about all private companies have already followed suit.

You can still find "smoking corners" on the platforms of major train stations.

When taking a shinkansen or long-distance limited express service, it's best to buy any food or beverages for consumption before boarding your train.

Consider purchasing an ekiben (駅弁), which are packaged meals sold at train stations intended to be eaten on trains. Every large station has several stalls selling ekiben, and even medium-sized stations will typically have some available. Every ekiben is different and represents the taste of the region from where it was packaged. Some major Shinkansen stations such as Tokyo and Shin-Osaka will have stores selling ekiben from all over the country. It's not uncommon for Japanese to pick up an ekiben along with a beer or can of sake and have a mini-party on the train, a custom you could happily adopt.

Some major stations will have restaurants or quick-service eateries in their station concourses or even on the platforms themselves where you can have a bite to eat before taking your train. The Shinkansen platforms at Nagoya, for example, have a few noodle shops just steps away from where the bullet trains pull in.

On-board food and beverage sales are now rarely available, particularly on JR services. If a train does have at-seat catering, there will often be a selection of ekiben available, but it's usually more expensive and more limited than what's available at stations. As of November 2023 Tokaido Shinkansen trains (Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka) offer Green Car passengers a mobile ordering service, with items delivered by an attendant after scanning a QR code and ordering with a smartphone.

Food and beverage consumption is usually not permitted on regular commuter trains. Generally speaking, if you have your own seat with a tray table, it's okay to eat and drink on the train.

On Shinkansen and tokkyū trains, some of the carriages require passengers to have reserved their seats in advance (指定席 shiteiseki). For example, on the 16-carriage Hikari service on the Tokaido Shinkansen, only five of the carriages permit non-reserved seating. On a busy train, making a reservation in advance can ensure a comfortable journey. Especially consider it if you're travelling in a group, as you're unlikely to find 2 seats together, let alone more, on a busy train.

Making a reservation is surprisingly easy, and is strongly advised for popular journeys (such as travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto on a Friday evening, or taking a train from Nagoya to Takayama). Many JR stations have ticket machines where seat reservation tickets can be purchased; the newer machines have multi-language options in English, Chinese and Korean. Alternatively, look out for the JR Office at the train station, which bears a little green logo of a figure relaxing in a chair - and ask to make a reservation when you buy your ticket. The reservation can be made anywhere from a month in advance to literally minutes before the train leaves. Note that the opening hours of the manned ticket offices (dedicated to long distance travels) are more limited than the ones for local trains: they may be closed early in the morning or late in the evening.

If you are a Japan Rail Pass holder, reservations are free: go to a ticket machine for reserved seating and push the "Japan Rail Pass" button at the bottom of the screen to get started, or go to a manned agent at the JR Office and present your Rail Pass when requesting a reservation.

Without a pass a small fee will be charged, so a non-reserved ticket may be preferable to a reserved ticket, particularly if you are boarding at Tokyo or another originating station where all the seats will be open anyway.

On all bullet trains and limited express services, there is an overhead rack where personal items and small luggage can be stored. There is also a limited amount of space at the rear of each car for a few large suitcases (some of these spaces need special reservations, see below). Bringing large luggage is generally discouraged for personal space and comfort considerations, both for yourself and other passengers. As an alternative to bringing large luggage on the train, you may wish to look into a luggage delivery service, which in Japan is a highly efficient and economical way to transport your luggage. For example, a 20 kg (44 lb) suitcase measuring not more than 140 cm (55 in) total in length, width and height costs just under ¥2000 to transport between Tokyo and Kyoto on Yamato's Ta-Q-Bin (宅急便 takkyūbin) service with next day delivery. Long distance deliveries (i.e. Tokyo-Fukuoka) can take two days, and one extra day must be added for deliveries to an airport. Most hotels and convenience stores will be able to make the necessary arrangements for you and accept payment.

A growing number of trains are installing large storage spaces for luggage. Many of the newer express services on JR and private railways have luggage compartments at the end of some cars, while a few trains such as the Hinotori between Nagoya and Osaka have free luggage lockers.

A few private railways operate premium trains for travel between major cities and tourist/leisure destinations. With distinctive exteriors, these trains usually feature comfortable, all-reserved seating and make limited stops. Some offer food and beverage service, either through vending machines, at-seat wagon sales or an on-board cafe. All of these premium services require a tokkyūken at an additional charge, just like for JR trains.

Such premium services include Odakyu Railway's Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone, Tobu Railway's SPACIA and Revaty from Asakusa to Nikko and Kinugawa, and Seibu's Red Arrow and Laview from Ikebukuro to Chichibu and from Shinjuku to Kawagoe. In central Japan, Kintetsu runs many limited express services between Nagoya and Osaka, and from Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka to such destinations as Ise, Toba, Shima, Nara and Kashihara, under names such as Shimakaze, Hinotori and Urban Liner. In Kansai, Keihan Railway operates a Premium Car on their fastest commuter trains operating between Kyoto and Osaka with reserved seating.

A growing number of operators such as Odakyu, Tobu and Kintetsu now offer online reservations for premium trains in English on their respective websites.

Additionally, a few private railway operators offer reserved seat services on regular commuter trains, comparable to Green Car seats on JR trains in Tokyo. These seats can be purchased before boarding at a reasonable cost. One example is the Keihan Railway in Kansai, where Premium Car seats cost only an additional ¥500 to travel between Kyoto and Osaka.

See also: Tourist trains

A number of excursion trains are marketed as Joyful Trains (ジョイフルトレイン joifuru torein). As of 2020, you can find as many as 50 such trains by searching for "joyful train". Some are simply ordinary rides with scenic views, while others have interesting features on board such as tatami mat seating, an art gallery, sweet snacks made from local produce, or foot baths. There are also character trains that generally target kids, such as the Pokémon train with a playroom car, decorated with about a million Pikachus.

The various Japan Railway companies offer some sleeper trains with deluxe accommodations. The Seven Stars in Kyushu (ななつ星in九州 nanatsuboshi) was unveiled in 2013 by JR Kyushu, who coined the phrase cruise train due to its long and various itineraries. The Seven Stars in Kyushu appropriately operates in Kyushu and contains 14 deluxe suites, a lounge car and a dining car.

Fares start from ¥210,000 for a one night journey and ¥480,000 for a three night journey that includes one night at a ryokan (per person, double occupancy). Despite the high cost, the excursion train has proven to be so popular that JR Kyushu holds a ticket lottery to determine who can order tickets. For example, there were over 6,800 applications for the 210 suites available for train runs between October 2015 and February 2016. Travel agencies have begun selling these itineraries at a mark-up for those who miss out on the lottery.

Due to the success of Seven Stars in Kyushu, other train companies are following suit with their own excursion trains. JR East has introduced the luxury Train Suite Shiki-shima (四季島) for journeys from Tokyo to Tohoku and Hakodate in southern Hokkaido. JR West's Twilight Express Mizukaze (瑞風) operates itineraries between the Kansai and Chugoku regions.

The Royal Express of Izu-Kyuko Railway operates excursions from Yokohama to the Izu Peninsula.