Railway in Japan
JR Lines
Mark of JR company
JR (Japan Railways) are the nationwide railway companies.
Except Okinawa islands, the railway lines spread throughout Japan.
They were originally the national railway of Japan having the railway lines in the whole mainland, and it was privatized and split up into six JR companies in 1987.
But, the nationwide network of the railway is kept, so the passengers can use the trains as national railway.
When you travel around Japan, JR lines are the main means of transportation.
Japan Rail Pass is available for only JR lines.
In all areas, long-distance limited express trains are operated, and many local trains are also operated.
Tokaido Shinkansen
Especially, Shinkansen (新幹線) is the high-speed train of Japan, and connects the main cities in Japan.
All lines have been costructed as the exclusive track for high-speed train, and managed by JR.
Of course, Japan Rail Pass is available.
About JR network across Japan, check the following page.
Railways in the large cities
Asakusa station of Ginza Line, Tokyo Metro (Subway)
Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya are the central cities of the three major metropolitan areas of Japan.
Main lines of JR and the other railway companies gather and there are a few terminal stations.
Many lines of Subway are laid in the city.
These are the useful transport to travel around the city.
But, all of them are not management by JR, so Japan Rail Pass is not available.
In Tokyo and Osaka, a loop line of JR runs in the central area.
Many subway lines cover the inside and outside of the loop line.
Kyoto is also a big city, and is the most popular sightseeing city.
There are some railway lines in the city.
Check these cities.
Various local railway companies
Hakone Tozan Railway
In local regions, there are many small railway companies.
Most railway companies have a few short lines around the local city.
And some railway companies have the lines to popular sightseeing spots.
To visit the sightseeing spots, they are effective means of transportation.