| Japanese train times & fares | |||||
| Journey: | Distance | Time by Nozomi * | Time by Hikari * | One-way fare: | Train frequency: |
| Tokyo - Kyoto | 513km, 320 miles | 2 hours 18 min | 2 hours 49 mins | ¥13,720 (£101, $161) | Every 5-10 minutes, direct. |
| Tokyo - Shin-Osaka | 552km, 345 miles | 2 hours 18 min | 2 hours 33 mins | ¥14,250 (£105, $168) | Every 5-10 minutes, direct. |
| Tokyo - Hiroshima | 894km, 559 miles | 4 hours 8 min | 5 hours 2 mins | ¥18,620 (£137, $220) | Every 10-20 minutes, direct. |
| Tokyo - Nagasaki | 1,328km, 830 miles | 7 hours 14 min | 8 hours 21 mins | ¥24,980 (£183, $294) | Every hour or better, change at Hakata. |
| Kyoto - Hiroshima | 380km, 237 miles | 1 hour 36 min | 1 hour 59 mins | ¥11,290 (£83, $133) | Every 10-20 minutes, direct.. |
| Hiroshima - Nagasaki | 434km, 271 miles | 3 hours 10 min | 3 hours 25 mins | ¥12,090 (£89, $142) | Every hour or better, change at Hakata. |
A Japan Rail Pass will probably save you money...
Train fares in Japan are expensive even by UK standards, and even if you are only planning a couple of inter-city journeys, a Japan Rail Pass can save you money over normal tickets. For example, the normal return fare from Tokyo to Kyoto is 27,440 Yen, about £211, and from Tokyo to Hiroshima 37,240 Yen, about £286. A Japan Rail Pass costs £226 for 7 days unlimited travel throughout Japan.
Train categories
All types of Japanese trains, from local to shinkansen, are typically classified into the following categories:
 | Local (kakueki-teisha or futsu-densha) Local trains stop at every station. |
 | Rapid (kaisoku) Rapid trains skip some stations. There is no difference in the ticket price between local and rapid trains. |
 | Express (kyuko) Express trains stop at even fewer stations than rapid trains. Japan Railways (JR) charges an express fee in addition to the base fare. |
 | Limited Express (tokkyu) Limited express trains stop only at major stations. A limited express fee usually has to be paid in addition to the base fare. It is typically between 500 and 4000 yen. JR railway companies always charge this fee, but some other private railway companies do not. |
 | Super Express (shinkansen) Shinkansen are only operated by JR. Shinkansen run along separate tracks and platforms. A limited express fee has to be paid in addition to the base fare. It is typically between 800 and 8000 yen. |
