Blog posts

With Shinkansen trains such an important part of Japan’s transport network, Shinkansen train cars have continued to evolve over the years.

Planning to travel Japan by rail with luggage? Here's everything you need to know about Shinkansen baggage rules, free reservations, and tips for a stress-free journey.

The Hokuriku Shinkansen runs from Tokyo through Nagano and Kanazawa to Tsuruga. Discover its trains, the Kagayaki vs Hakutaka, and how to ride it with a rail pass.

The Kyushu Shinkansen runs from Hakata to Kagoshima, with the new Nagasaki (Kamome) line too. Here are its trains, top speed, stops and how to ride it with a JR Pass.

There are few absolutes in life, but if you love trains, there is no better place in the world for you to visit than Japan. From iconic steam trains to hyper modern bullet trains, Japan has them!

ide the Hokkaido Shinkansen from Tokyo through the undersea Seikan Tunnel to Hakodate in about 4 hours — fully covered by the JR Pass. Routes, speeds and costs.

From the 320 km/h Shinkansen to the record-breaking 603 km/h maglev — discover how Japan's bullet trains work, which lines to ride, and what the JR Pass covers.

The Tohoku Shinkansen (東北), gets its name from the Tohoku region and covers the entire route between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori.

The Sanyo Shinkansen links Shin-Osaka with Hiroshima and Hakata (Fukuoka). Here are its stops, trains (Nozomi, Mizuho, Hikari, Sakura, Kodama) and how to ride it with a JR Pass.

Learn about the Tokaido Shinkansen, the JR Pass validity, route details, train services and everything else you need to know.