Various types of trains run on JR lines, including high-speed trains like the Shinkansen, limited express trains on conventional lines and stopping trains. Find the best train for your travel schedule, purpose, budget and ticket type.
● See also Types of JR Train Tickets.
Shinkansen
Bullet (260–320km/h) train using high-speed lines from Hokkaido to Kyushu. Yamagata Shinkansen and Akita Shinkansen run on conventional lines. Officially, it falls into the category of “limited express train”.
Name: 新幹線 / しんかんせん
Services: A number of shinkansen convey ordinary class (2nd class) and Green Car (1st class, including Gran Class).
Supplements: A higher supplement (shinkansen limited express ticket) is payable for travel by all shinkansen trains.
Limited Express Train
Fast regional trains (95-130km/h) on the JR conventional lines that connect major cities. It is operated as a complement to the Shinkansen.
Name: 特急 / tokkyu
Services: Limited express trains offer ordinary class (2nd class) and on some services Green Car (1st class seats).
Supplements: A supplement (limited express ticket) is payable for travel by all the limited express trains. In some sections on the JR lines, there are exceptions that allow you to board a non-reserved seat (or reserved seat) on an ordinary car of a limited express train with an ordinary ticket. → Learn More
Sleeper Limited Express Train
There are two JR sleeper limited express trains that run daily: the Sunrise Seto (サンライズ瀬戸) between Tokyo and Takamatsu, and the Sunrise Izumo (サンライズ出雲) between Tokyo and Izumo-shi. You can travel long distances while you sleep, so you can use your time effectively and save on lodging costs.
Name: 寝台特急 / shindai-tokkyu
Services: The Sunrise Seto / Izumo convey A-shindai (1st class: private rooms), B-shindai (2nd class: private and twin rooms) and the budget Nobinobi Zaseki (full-flat reserved seats).
Supplements: Supplement (limited express ticket and sleeper ticket, or reserved ticket) are payable for travel by all sleeper trains.
Express Train
It is a “fast” train positioned between limited express train and rapid train. But there are no regular express trains on the JR lines. In recent years, there are sightseeing trains operated as express trains with all seats reserved.
Name: 急行 / kyuko
Supplements: A supplement (express ticket) is payable for travel by all express trains. A reserved seat ticket, green ticket or sleeper ticket for an express train is charged separately.
Rapid Train
Fast train that makes fewer stops than local train. Officially, it falls into the category of “local train”.
Name: 快速 / kaisoku
Services: All regular trains offer non-reserved seats (2nd class), and on some services reserved seats and Green Car (1st class seats).
Supplements: Supplements are not payable except reserved seats and Green Car seats.
Local Train
Futsu is local stopping train. In the metropolitan area and regional lines, there are many fast local trains that stop at fewer stations.
Name: 普通 / futsu
Services: All regular trains offer non-reserved seats (2nd class), and on some services Green Car (1st class seats).
Supplements: Supplements are not payable except reserved seats and Green Car seats.
Home Liner
Operated by the JR Hokkaido and the JR Central. The liner trains using limited express train cars. Comfortable and affordable.
Name: ホームライナー / Home Liner
Services: All liner trains offer non-reserved seats (2nd class), and on some services reserved Green Car (1st class seats).
Supplements: A supplement (liner ticket) is payable for travel by all liner trains (except reserved Green Car). Same price for adults and children.
