Travel to the Japan Ski Resorts by Train

Japan Railways

Japan trains are a superb way of getting around the land of the rising sun. You can travel to most parts of Japan via train and you can even travel between the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu via a tunnel. The Japanese rail network runs like clockwork and the modern trains are kept immaculately clean.

Train travel in Japan is not just a means of "getting from A to B"; it is part of the Japanese culture that must be experienced. Many of the stations are the hub and lifeline for towns and cities, large and small. Many of the larger stations are abuzz with activity and are surrounded by indoor shopping malls, markets and food halls.

Your first train trip in Japan may be a bit of an eye opener, but travelling by train in Japan is easy because the major stations have signs and departure boards in English as well as Japanese.

Types of Japan Trains

Bullet Train Japan
Shinkansen bullet trains whizz along at super fast speeds of 200 to 300 kilometres per hour, so getting around Japan takes no time at all. The ride is smooth and noise free, the windows are large, and the views during the daytime are spectacular.

Shinkansen have reserved seats and most also have non-reserved seats, so don’t make the mistake of sitting in the reserved section if you haven’t paid your dues. The bullet trains have standard class seats which are more than adequate, but if you really want to travel in style there are green cars (1st class).

The train stations will have signs on the platform indicating where each carriage will stop, and you’ll see other travellers queuing up in front of these signs.

Part of the fun of travelling on a Shinkansen is buying the curious snacks from the hostess with the food and drink trolley, where they still exist. Watching the hostesses, conductors and cleaning staff bowing is also rather fascinating!

Announcements regarding the next stop are commonly in English as well as Japanese. Many of the Shinkansen will also have electronic signs in English at the end of each carriage to indicate the next stop.

Limited Express Trains
These trains only stop at the major train stations. Many of these trains have reserved and non-reserved seating.

Local Trains
Local trains stop at every station and generally all seats are non-reserved.

Rapid Trains
Rapid trains are the same as the local trains except that they skip some stations.

Japan Rail Pass

Japan Rail passes can be used on an array of trains across Japan but it can be unwieldy trying to figure out which ones! A Japan rail pass can be an economical way to travel on trains but it can also have an associated hassle which needs to be weighed up against any economical benefits. Those with a non-Japanese passport with a visa to stay in Japan for no longer than 90 days are eligible to purchase a Japan rail pass.

There are regional rail passes such as the JR East Pass (for the ski resorts in Nagano, Niigata and Tohoku) and the JR West Pass (Osaka and Kyoto, Kanazawa) which are only for 5 days.

JR East Passes

The JR East Pass used to be an economical and flexible rail pass to travel around Tokyo and Eastern Japan (ie northern Honshu) where there is a large concentration of Japanese ski resorts. The JR East Pass used to offer 5 days of rail travel that could be used within a 14 day period but unfortunately since March 31 2021 the pass is only for 5 consecutive days, which makes it less attractive for most skiers and snowboarders who want to go on at least a week long trip.

In addition to being valid for the Narita Express (between Narita airport and Tokyo), the JR East Pass can be used to travel to the Nagano ski resorts, the Yuzawa ski resorts (in Niigata) and the Tohoku ski resorts e.g. those in Aizu, Yamagata, Iwate and Aomori.

Examples of lines it is not valid for include: the train from Nagano to Myoko Kogen; the train from Nagano to Yudanaka (for the snow monkeys or Shiga Kogen); and the Skyliner from Narita Airport (which can provide a quicker route than the NEX).

Is It Cheaper to Buy JR East Pass or Purchase Train Tickets as I Go?

The answer for most people is that it makes sense to buy tickets as you go. If you’re heading to Nagano or Niigata it’s only worthwhile to purchase the pass if you’re doing lots of train travel and your return trip is within the 5 day period of the pass, because as of March 2021 the pass is only valid for 5 consecutive days. If you’re heading up to Morioka or Aomori, the cost is pretty similar between the pass and one-way travel from Narita Airport to Tohoku. Buying and using the pass is a hassle and not being able to use certain trains make planning train travel unwieldy.

Buying a Ticket

You can purchase a ticket via ticket machines or ticket offices which is much easier. The JR ticket offices at Tokyo airport stations and other major train stations have staff that speak English and can assist you. Elsewhere, if you don’t speak Japanese it may be helpful if you write down the number of the train, the departure time, and arrival time. The non-English speaking staff will generally get the gist if you show them the numbers and state your destination.

Buying a ticket from a vending machine can be rather daunting if you can’t read Japanese (only some ticket machines have an English option), but if this is your only option you’ll survive! For local trains, push the button with the lowest price on it. This will get you on the train, and when you get off you can pay a fare adjustment.

Unless it is a major Japanese holiday (e.g. New Year’s) you don’t need to pre-book your train tickets.

Luggage

Luggage space for large items on the trains is limited. There may be a little bit of space behind the end row of seats in each carriage, but otherwise the only spot for a ski or snowboard bag is on the racks above the seats. When putting your luggage up there, you’ll need to be very respectful and apologetic to those sitting in seats below the rack along with some sumimasen.

If you are taking the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka, fees may apply for oversized baggage such as ski/snowboard bags.

For local trains, the etiquette is to not take large luggage items on the train during rush hour unless it’s unavoidable, considering that there’s barely enough standing room on the train for people.

If you don’t need your large suitcase or bag straightaway because you’re spending a couple of days in Tokyo for example, you may want to use a luggage courier service such as Yamato Black Cat. They have service counters at airports and major train stations and your hotel can also assist with luggage pick-up. You don’t need to pre-book this.

Other Japan Train Travel Tips

Be aware that some Shinkansen and express trains will split apart during the trip and the two halves will head to different destinations. Reserve your seats and absolutely get on the right carriage. You don’t want to end up in a place that you had no intention of visiting!! The tickets will show you which carriage to get on. The platforms have overhead or ground signs that indicate where the carriage will stop for a particular type of train (and where to queue).

The large train stations have signage in English. However some of the small train stations that rarely receive tourists have no or limited signage in English, so it can be worthwhile to check the train schedules on one of the travel apps. Trains are amazingly punctual so if you know the time to get on a train and when to get off, it makes life a little easier!

Other Japan train etiquette:

• Only eat on long distance trains such as a bullet train
• Don’t talk on your mobile phone unless in the designated talking area
• Talk to your travel companions very quietly