Japan Train Travel Explained: How to Ride the JR, Shinkansen, and Private Railways

[@lillygirl7238]

This was excellent. Now I can better understand all the different rail systems. On my first trip to Tokyo last year, I basically only used subways since we were in Ginza and the subway entrance was right outside of our hotel. Arigato, Kengo san!🫶🏻😎💕🌺

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you so much for watching Lilly san! That's great you got such a good location for your hotel in Tokyo. :) 👍

[@swissfoodie3542]

Thank you Kengo for this great video ! I am sure it will be very helpful for first time travellers to Japan. Before I went the first time, I was very nervous, but after just a few days, I realised that everything is so well organised, there are english signs everywhere, its easy to buy tickets etc. So there is really no need to worry. Here a few of my personal tipps: - having an IC card (Suica or Pasmo) is a must, as you mentionned - if you dont plan to travel from place to place almost every day, getting a JR Pass will not pay off - if you decide to get a JR Pass, you will limit your choice of the trains you can use, which I dont want - for Shinkansen journeys, I would always get a reserved seat. Yes, you pay a bit more, but then you know that you have a seat, and where to stand on the plattform - that makes it so much easier, especially assuming that you will travel with luggage - for Shinkansen journeys, we always eat at the station before leaving or at the station after arriving (there is usually a great choice of restaurants), or we bring a bento box and drinks on the train. Bento boxes are great, its just that the food is cold (and it should be warm) - in Tokyo avoid travelling during rush hours at all costs

[@KevinandDayle]

Great introductory explanation of Japan’s railways

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you so much for your super support Kevin san Dale san! I like to talk about trains so I hope it was't too much detailed. :)

[@matwillis3169]

Great video Kengo, so much useful info about what can be a pretty confusing system for an outsider. You asked folks to post their favourite rail trips in Japan, for us it was taking a local train from Tokuyama in Yamaguchi prefecture to Hiroshima. It was not the quickest way to travel but was a great way to see some of ordinary non-tourist side of Japan, weaving along the inland sea coast and seeing a few of the smaller places at a slower pace. Not a trip for everyone, especially if you have limited time but was a relaxing and fascinating day for us.

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you so much Matt san for sharing your favorite trip! I think I took that similar route recently. I agree it's a great way to take the local train to see towns that we haven't seen, instead of skipping by Shinkansen. :)

[@henrychew235]

Good video as usual. Definitely agree with you that it is almost a must to ensure you purchase food and drinks before these long train journeys!!

[@jeighteen8297]

This was a great video breaking down the various different companies and where they operate. Whilst I feel fairly familiar with the various options nowadays this would have been super useful for me on my first trip, or even second. Thank you for taking the time to put this information together.

[@dankhristopherlibo-on817]

This is very informative and helpful! I used Keisei Line, Tokyo Metro and Toei Subways lines during my visit in Japan. It was a great experience. I would definitely explore more of the trains in Tokyo first before going into the other train systems within Japan (such as JR) when I go back there in the future. Great work Kengo san! Many thanks for sharing this 👍💯

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you so much for watching Dan san! I’m glad you hear you took some of them already. I hope you get to experience many others when you will be back here. :)

[@lavenderamberli]

Thank you for this concise explanation on the different train companies and routes! I'm going to Japan next year and you give such great recommendations on places to see and visit!

[@felixchow5579]

WOW! I feel like I needed a diploma certificate to have a thorough command of the myriad train systems in Japan😅Thank you Kenchan for your informative video (in addition to all your previous ones). My upcoming travel to Japan in early Fall is fairly “local”. The area covers Yokohama, Kamakura and Endoshima where I could travel about by local trains and buses of different companies.In the future when I do travel among major distant cities, I shall use Shinkansen or other equivalent and might consult your helpful videos.

[@briandevitt6903]

Another excellent video, thank you so much.

[@kapilachandrabharathi7134]

Good morning Kenchan We couldn't get seats on YUFUIN NO MORI even trying 2 weeks before.😢😢 Have a nice day. Btw I'm missing those little lights behind you 😊😊😊

[@firefangz]

Very good and informative video, as always Kenchan! I'm looking forward to visiting Japan once again and use their amazing train system!

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you for watching Ryuga san! I'm sure you can travel like a local now that it's 2nd time for you. :)

[@firefangz]

@@tokyokenchan haha I will try my best!

[@Invisible_Gaijin]

Hey I'm first. Best Wishes from Seattle!

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you so much Carl san for the first comment. :)

[@Kushal-v8b]

Thanks for sharing 🙏

[@tokyokenchan]

@@Kushal-v8b Thank you for watching!

[@alanbassig5761]

Your video showed up on my recommended feed. After viewing I now subscribed to your channel 👍 I've been to Japan several times already and I'm pretty much comfortable taking the local trains, and even the shinkansen as me and my family used that to travel to some distance outside of Tokyo, with Hakodate the farthest. I'll watch the rest of your uploads soon, and greetings from the Philippines 😄

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you so much for watching and subscribing. :)

[@mattsawyer4972]

Great video! Have you traveled on Fujikyu Raileay from Otsuki?

[@tokyokenchan]

Thank you Matt san! Yes I have a while ago. You are going to take the local train?

[@mattsawyer4972]

@@tokyokenchan we are not too sure at moment as never done it before! Jr Chuo from Tokyo and then switch at Otsuki. But any suggestions welcome. You are so helpful!

[@minhatsamigullin8278]

Hi Kengo, when u have a moment can u pls advise on the best direct train ride from Shinjuku stn to Matsumoto and back for one day trip?

[@abcdhouimou]

The Azusa limited express train is recommended. It takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes to Matsumoto.

[@Omni0404]

I think I went into a green car today and didn't pay for it. Instead of the long rows of seats there were little clusyers of 4. I'm the 迷惑 外国人 now lol. At least I stood the whole time and didn't force somebody else to.

[@anthonyloke2846]

Tried to make reservations for hokuriku shinkansen from Tokyo with pass bought from travel agency. Problem is I have to collect the tickets the day before departure. But I'll travel to Kanazawa on arrival date. Is it risky to get reserved seats on hokuriku shinkansen on arrival for departure about 12 noon? Arriving on Thursday morning at Narita.

[@tokyokenchan]

Hi. You can make reservation for the Shinkansen when you receive the pass. I don't think it will be full if around noon time. For that route, Kagayaki is the fastest, but it's only for reservation. In case the train is full, the 2nd fasterst Hakutaka has non-reserved seats (Car No.1-4), so you can get seats for sure if you wait in the line at Tokyo station.