Japan Rail Pass



Railway

In general, we divide two types of train lines in Japan: regular trains and Shinkansen. There are regular train lines operated by the Japan Railways (JR) company, some are owned by private operators. Although we say the Shinkansen is a type of train, it is actually operated by several different companies depending on the line, five of the main ones:

The Tokaido Shinkansen (東海 道 新 幹線), the most important and congested line, which connects Tokyo and Shin-Osaka (including Nagoya and Kyoto), is operated by JR Central. Just imagine this route is the Tokyo line to the West.

The Sanyō Shinkansen (山陽 新 幹線), a connection from Osaka to Fukuoka (covering Kobe and Hiroshima), is operated by JR West.

The Tohoku Shinkansen, the Tokyo line to the north to the very end of the island, is operated by JR East.

The Hokkaido Shinkansen, which connects to the Tohoku Shinkansen, opened in March 2016 which connects Shin-Aomori and Hakodate Hokuto via the underwater Seikan Tunnel on the Hayabusa Shinkansen train making train lines to Hokkaido Island even more concise. It is planned that this shinkansen line will be connected to the city of Sapporo.

Hokuriku Shinkansen, a new line since 2015 connecting Tokyo to Kanazawa (originally only as far as Nagano). This trail has become popular with tourists who wish to explore the Murodo Dam, Alpine Route, and Shirakawa-Go village.


Shinkansen

There are 2-3 types of Shinkansen departures according to the travel time (and the actual number of stops made). The name varies depending on the operator, such as Super Express, Express, and All-stop. For the Tokaido route: the most express one is called Nozomi, which is the least amount of stops so it arrives faster. Below that is the Hikari type, and the last stop at all the stations is the Kodama type. As for the Hokuriku line (Tokyo-Nagano-Kanazawa), Kagayaki (the fastest) and Hakutaka are distinguished, both of which use the same type of train, namely the E7 series.

Riding the Nozomi type, you can get the newest type of Shinkansen, the N700 series, on the Tokaido route, but not always, depending on the schedule. Also, because there are not many stops, this Shinkansen can reach a top speed of 270-300km / hour, whereas if a regular Kodama is only around 200km / hour (because it has to stop intermittently) and definitely use the 700 series train.

For example for the Tokaido Shinkansen line, between Tokyo to Osaka, Nozomi (total 2 hours 30 minutes) only stops at Nagoya and Kyoto, while if you use the Hikari train (3 hours 2 minutes) there are additional stops for Shizuoka and Hamamatsu, and the Kodama train (4 hours 4 minutes) stops at each stop / city that is passed

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Get Lunch at Train Station in Japan

Image
Foodshop at Nagoya Train Station Japanese Lunch If you need lunch while you are at the train station in Japan, it is not difficult because many shops sell food, including lunch. Of course food is Japanese food, lunch is usually rice and meat or fish or shrimp as well as Asian food. But sometimes there are also order of vegetables, but the noodle is a bit light. A litle Europe or American food may be rarely found, except in the big stations will be found, such as fast food or fried chicken or burger. However, the bread will be easy to find a fresh or and have a taste. Food in Japan is not too expensive for the size of Europe and the United States people, but for Asian may be a little expensive. If you have Japan money in 1000 yen, or approximately 9 US dollar you will get enough lunch. Inside the Shinkansen train you can also buy food, stewardess who usually have to sell food. Or you can also order lunch on the Shinkansen, but the price will be different. Softdrink will easily found in
Read more

Another types of Japan's Train

Image
If you go to Osaka you will find an unique type of Japan's Train that will take you to Universal Studio Japan. This trains is JR (Japan Railway) Train that painted wiith promoting Universal Studio Japan. Universal Studio has a movie maker studio in Japan, you will not lost to go to this studio if you get this unique train. This place to be one of favorites tourism place in Japan. Universal Studios Japan's Train in Osaka Another Japan's Transportation that you will found a contradiction with high speed Shinkansen is a Ricksaw. Ricksaw is kind of transportation or drawn cart that pull by a human. You may find out this drawn cart in Kyoto; use for getting interest of tourist who visit ancient temple in Kyoto. This traditional drawn cart maintain by Japan in order to express theirs previous age traditional culture. I may remember about Jet Lee's and Jacky Chan's movie regarding the Ricksaw. Ricksaw in Kyoto
Read more