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Questions tagged [japan-rail]

The Japan Railways Group, more commonly known as JR Group, consists of seven for-profit companies that took over most of the assets and operations of the government-owned Japanese National Railways in 1987. This tag is not for all train lines in Japan.

The JR Group lies at the heart of Japan's railway network, operating a large proportion of intercity rail service (including the Shinkansen high-speed rail lines) and commuter rail service.

It consists of 7 passenger companies, namely,

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Is the Koboro rail station really inaccessible by land?

Koboro Station, in rural Hokkaido, is a famously remote train station. According to Hokkaido Likers, Koboro train station on the Muoran Line "cannot be reached by car" and further states that the "place cannot be reached except train" [sic]. It…
Robert Columbia
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Traveling with dogs in Japan

I am debating taking a job in Japan. I have a ~11kg dog, and want to get a sense of how hard it would be to travel with her. For example, would she be allowed on the Narita Express to Tokyo? Or on any of the local trains around the Tokyo area? If I…
spacetyper
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I have a ticket for a conventional railway line. Can I take the Shinkansen instead (or vice versa)?

I have a ticket that specifies a conventional line/local line (zairaisen 在来線) as part of my route. Can I use the Shinkansen for that segment, if I buy an express ticket separately? (Note: the basic idea is simple, but there are a lot of complex…
xuq01
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Can't stop over at Sapporo when going from Asahikawa to Chitose airport?

Yesterday I travelled from Asahikawa to Chitose airport (in Hokkaido, Japan), as on this Hyperdia screenshot (except I planned to take a later Airport service after having lunch in Sapporo). Now since the trip is over 100 kilometers (184 to be…
fkraiem
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Are there differences between Japan Rail pass vendors?

The Japan Rail pass provides visitors with an easy way to travel by rail. This answer claims that the official website for information about it is japanrailpass.net (which does not appear to make any claims itself about being the official website…
WBT
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Stop along the Tokyo-Kyoto Shinkansen for Mt Fuji views

We are currently in Tokyo and will be traveling to Kyoto tomorrow, March 31, by bullet train (nothing booked yet). We would like to see Mt Fuji along the way. Ideally it will take as little time out of the trip as possible, as we have a full…
swrobel
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How to reserve a seat with Japan Railways (JR)?

Especially for all-reserved trains, but also for others, one sometimes needs or wants to reserve a seat on a JR train, even with a rail pass. When and how can one do so?
fkraiem
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Can I converse with Japanese travellers on the Shinkansen or is it rude?

I'm planning to travel from Osaka to Tokyo and back, and since the ride will be long, I think it's the perfect time to make friends. However, I'm unsure how the Japanese see this kind of behaviour - a stranger suddenly conversing with them who is a…
Zaenille
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First Class Japan Rail Pass on Trains Without First Class

Can I use a first class Japan Rail pass to board trains that don't have a first class carriage?
BJ Dela Cruz
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Where can I find a map of the whole Japan railway system?

I can't seem to find a map that includes every railway in Japan (it's very very difficult, actually). Is there a map (as photo) that includes every single railway, except google map?
JCCM
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Do I need to disembark when crossing a Japan Rail pass zone boundary?

Say I have a JR West Kansai–Hiroshima Area Pass, which covers travel between Kurashiki and Sōja, and I take the train from Kurashiki to Izumo(shi), which goes through Sōja. Is it necessary that I either disembark and exit ticket gates at Sōja (where…
Chortos-2
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How to purchase Japan train tickets online and also Japan scenic itinerary?

I will be travelling to Japan next month for 10 days and I need to ask 2 questions here: 1 Is there any official Japanese website to buy train ticket online? 2 What would be the best scenic itinerary starting from Tokyo and ending in Osaka or…
Ali Awan
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Options for sending a message while on a Shinkansen

I need to send a message, preferably while I'm on a Shinkansen, to tell someone which Shinkansen I'm on. I tried to find out how I could do this and ended up with ridiculously expensive options like booking a mobile internet device for 30$ or…
fifaltra
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Stopovers on Shinkansen services?

I'm planning a Hakodate-Tokyo journey this summer after the Hokkaido Shinkansen opens, but it's a four-hour journey even on the fastest service and I'd like to take a break, stretch my legs and eat some sushi somewhere along the way. (Yes, I'm…
lambshaanxy
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Do I have to reboard at the same station after a Japan Rail stopover?

With some exceptions, Japan Rail base fare tickets allow stopovers. There is an excellent answer that explains when a ticket is eligible for stopovers, but it is not clear from either that answer or the linked JR website whether skipping forward is…
Chortos-2
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