Rail Travel Resources
TSJR's Pick of Useful resources
Make the Most of Your Trip to Japan
TSJR’s Recommended Travel Resources
At TS Japan Rail, we’re committed to helping you enjoy an unforgettable trip to Japan.
While our core expertise is in rail travel, we’re also passionate about exploring and sharing authentic, locally sourced travel tips.
Our team researches destinations across Japan, with a special focus on places that are less-traveled by inbound tourists. Whether you’re planning your first visit or your fifth, you’ll find valuable insights here to help you experience the real Japan.
We’ve created this curated travel resource hub, which we’ll continue to grow over time. You’ll find links to helpful regional travel sites, trusted ticket booking platforms, and services from local travel partners we genuinely recommend.
We value our independence and offer unbiased, experience-based advice.
We don’t take commissions (unless noted)
our advice is independent, and sometimes even saves you money!
Here’s what we recommend
Train Ticket Booking Sites
Booking tickets online
Booking shinkansen and Limited Express trains is easy to do online. Also using these links you will not pay commissions that often exceed 25%!
All the platforms we have listed are operated by the JR companies so are commission free and also unlike third party sites you can select your seats. In some cases you may even get a discount on normal fares.
Most non JR rail companies that operate Limited Express or tourist trains requiring bookings also have their own on line booking sites.
Important
Before booking on any of these sites check the instructions on where to pick up the tickets. In some cases you will get a QR code you can use instead of tickets or link your booking to a transportaion IC Card.
Need help? TS Japan Rail’s Itinerary Planning Service provides clients with all the ticket information, including best tickets / passes and how to get them!
If you live in Japan and understand Japanese we recommend that you use the Japanese on line booking sites as they have far more functionality. For example on the Japanese Ekinet site you can book all JR Shinkansen and Limited Express tickets no matter which JR company operates them and also buy the basic fare ticket seperately, this in some cases will save you money!
Where to get your JR Japan Rail Pass
Our top advice is do not purchase your JR Japan Rail Pass from a third party seller! Instead purchase directly from the official JR Group “JR Japan Rail Pass” site.
The big reason for doing this is that once you have purchased the ticket, you will be sent a reservation number by email, which you can then use to start booking your trains.
If you buy through a third party, you will have to wait for an exchange voucher to be sent to you and you cannot make any bookings until you arrive in Japan and exchange your voucher for the actual JR Rail Pass.
JR Regional Passes should be purchased from the relevant JR Company’s train booking website (see above).
Before Purchasing make sure that buying a JR Rail Pass makes sense!
These are partners and resources we trust
Recommended Providers
Links to recommended providers
Note: [Japan Mobal] For technical reasons, data-only SIMs may include a commission. Voice + data SIMs are commission-free and come with a client discount. For All other services listed in this section, TS Japan Rail does not receive any commissions.
Useful Information
Worried about “standing out” or breaking some unwritten rules. Here are some quick Etiquette Tips to help you…
In Japan
Etiquette tips
All countries have their unique practices, customs, and often unwritten etiquette rules. Many of these are not formal rules but rather guidelines rooted in common sense. It is important to note that numerous claims made on social media about local customs may not be accurate.
Our advice is to observe and follow the behaviors of the local population; this approach will generally serve you well. Additionally, locals usually offer some flexibility and understanding toward visitors.
Explore Japan by Train - Explore Japan's Railways
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