Japan’s printed railway timetable books are still popular despite the rise of travel planning apps!
The March 20, 2025 edition of NHK World’s Japan Railway Journal titled “The Enduring Charm of Printed Timetables,” exploring why they remain popular despite the widespread use of travel planning apps. The publisher of the JR Timetable sells around 100,000 copies a month. Unlike in many places JR updates its timetables on a monthly basis, although big changes tend to take place in March and October. The railway timetable is one of the basic tools that TS Japan Rail uses when planning itineraries for clients.
Stephen Turner, President of TS Japan Rail, was featured on the program, discussing why TS Japan Rail relies on railway timetables. The program also included a visit to the Railway Timetable Museum, which houses timetables dating back 100 years. Turner explained that these historical timetables provide valuable insights into Japan’s railway history, and he often refers to them for tour inspiration.
Once it has been initially broadcast on cableTV and the Internet, it will be available as a video-on-demand (VoD) on NHK World’s website until March 2028.
When and how to see the program…
Where you can see the program and broadcast times:
The program will be broadcast internationally on the NHK World cable TV channels and also on the internet: (https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/2049157/)
at the following times (examples):
In Japan
March 20, 2025. 23:30 – 23:58
March 21, 2025. 05:30 – 05:58 / 12:30 – 12:58 / 18:30 – 18:58
In UK
March 20, 2025, 14:30 – 14:58 GMT / 20:30 – 20:58 GMT
March 21, 2025, 03:30 – 03:58 GMT / 09:30 – 09:58 GMT
On the US West Coast
March 20, 2025, 13:30 – 13:58 PDT / 20:30 – 20:58 PDT
March 21, 2025, 02:30 – 02:58 PDT /
On the US East Coast
March 20, 2025, 10:30 – 10:58 EDT / 23:30 – 23:58 EDT
March 21, 2025, 05:30 – 05:58 EDT
In Central Europe
March 20, 2025, 15:30 – 15:58 CET / 21:30 – 21:58 CET
March 21, 2025, 04:30 – 04:58 CET / 0:30 – 10:58 CET
Australian Eastern Daylight Time
March 21, 2025, 01:30 – 01:58 AEDT / 7:30 – 07:58 / 14:30 – 14:58 AEDT / 20:30 – 20:58
Without giving away too much of what is said in the program; there are three reasons why we use the full timetable in preference to the apps when planning our clients’ itineraries:
- It is easier to select the best routes and train for our clients’ itineraries if we can see all the trains that are operating.
- As the travel apps basically select based on fastest and cheapest, many very scenic and interesting routes will not be shown by the apps. Fastest and cheapest are not always the best options!
- Ideas – reading the timetable will often provide us with other ideas for interesting and scenic routes. the maps in particular are useful.
In fact we use an electronic version of the timetable that provides us with a lot of information that helps our clients to Explore Japan by Train or Explore Japan’s Railways.
We also use the travel apps, but usually more as a double check!
Timetable Museum
The timetable Museum (時刻表 ミュージアム Jikokuhyo Museum) is a small private museum in Tokyo’s Nakano City. For more information please see its website: https://jikokuhyo-museum.tokyo
Whether you want to See Japan by Rail or Explore Japan’s Railways, TS Japan Rail can help you plan your trip with ideas, designing travel itineraries, assisting with bookings and more.
We take the stress out of planning your trip and help ensure it is successful!
For more information on our services
see our homepage!
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