Japan Bullet Trains (Shinkansen)

Bullet Trains (Shinkansen, 新干线) are ideal for travel between cities, especially cities with no airport nearby. Taking a Shinkansen can be more expensive, but it can be more convenient than taking a plane and faster than taking a bus or any other form of ground transportation. You van make reservations on a bullet train at the green window ticket counter (midori no madoguchi,) at most Japan Railway (JR) stations, or at travel agencies that handle Shinkansen tickets. Tickets are available up to one month prior to departure date. If you plan to travel during a busy season such as New Year’s or Golden Week (the first week of May), make sure you book your reservations well in advance.

Bullet trains are quite convenient for foreigners. All of the stops are written in English, and all in-train announcements are in English. Trains are equipped with a telephone system and rest rooms, and there are vendors selling beverages and rest rooms, and there are vendors selling beverages and box meals. First-class “green car” tickets are available, entitling you to slightly larger seats and free magazines and beverages. If you take the Tokyo-Osaka line, note that there are two main kinds of trains the hikari, which only stops at major Shinkansen stations, and the kodoma, which stops at every Shinkansen station. Sometimes the nozomi, which consists only of green cars and makes fewer stops, is available, although nozomi tickets are mire expensive, it is the fastest and most comfortable way to go.