Types of Trains in Japan

Up to now, Japan has 6 types of trains:
Shinkansen, the bullet train; Express, Limited Express, Rapid, Local and Sleeper running on dense classic railway networks. Except the Sleeper, they are one slower than the previous, and with more stops than the previous.  

Shinkansen: Japan Bullet Train

Shinkansen bullet trains can run at the speed of 240 to 320 km/h (150 to 200 mph). They are renowned for its punctuality and safety. Currently, Shinkansen trains run along 10 Shinkansen lines including Tokaido, Tohoku, Akita, Yamagata, Hokuriku, Joetsu, Hokkaido, Sanyo, Kyushu and Nishi-Kyushu, connecting major cities in Japan such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Akita, Sendai, Omiya, Nagoya, Shin-Yokohama, Takasaki and Shin-Aomori.

Cars can be categorized into three types: the ordinary car arranged in a 3 + 2 format in each row, the Green Car in the layout of 2 + 2 and the Gran Class with the format of 2 + 1 arrangement. Gran Class is not available on all Shinkansen trains; currently, only some trains of Tohoku and Hokkaido, Hokuriku, and Joetsu Shinkansen lines have the Gran Class, provding the first-class service for travelers.

The seats of ordinary car are categorized into two types: reserved and unreserved. For a reserved seat, passengers need to make seat reservation before getting onboard while they don’t need to reserve seats if they want to get on a non-reserved car. On usual days, there are always some unreserved seats available.

Moreover, dining carts with snacks, drinks and meals are provided onboard. The cars are equipped with two different toilets: the squat toilet and the western toilet which also can be used for disabled people.

Japan Shinkansen Trains

Local Train on the Platform

Limited Express Trains

Limited Express trains are the second fastest in Japan, stopping at a few stations. For Limited Express Trains, there is a Limited Express Surcharge in addition to the basic ticket fare. Limited Express can be categorized as Intercity Limited Express and Commuter Limited Express.

In general, the Intercity Express run long-distance trips and have better equipment and better service including serving passengers with food and drinks. Moreover, they have both reserved and non-reserved seats.

The seats on Commuter Express are all non-reserved and in busy time periods, passengers can barely get a seat. The service and facilities are also not as good as the intercity ones. 

Express Trains

The Express trains run at a lower speed compared with Limited Express and stop at more stations. They have non-reserved seats only and there are lots of people when it happens to be holidays. But the ticket is relatively cheaper which costs as fairly less as a local train ticket. Apart from the basic fare, you need to pay an express surcharge which is between JPY 500 and 4,000. If the train is not operated by JR Companies, there is no express surcharge probably. 

Rapid Trains

This type of train stops at even more stations than the Express but the ticket price is lower. Only non-reserved seats can be found in the cars. It is much slower at a speed of about 90 km/h (56 mph).

Local Trains

Unlike Rapid and Express trains, Local Trains stop at every station with the lowest cost and the lowest speed compared with other 5 types.

Sleeper Trains

The Sunrise Express is the only regular sleeper train available in Japan. The tickets are usually in great demand; so make a reservation in advance. The Sunrise runs from Tokyo to Himeji and Okayama. After arriving at Okayama, it is divided into two parts: one named Sunrise Seto heading for Takamatsu in Shikoku and the other one is Sunrise Izumo keep heading to Izumoshi. There are single berth cabins and double berth cabins onboard providing private space for passengers and they can have a good rest. The cheaper berths in row are also seperated by curtains.

Read more about Japan Train Seat Classes