What to Know About Railway Stations in Japan

Please note, you will be redirected to Rail.Ninja® to finalize your booking. Rail.Ninja® is our trusted partner for booking train tickets online

Why Train Stations in Japan Are the Best?

When you see any major train station in Japan during the rush hour, it might seem like a personification of chaos. But thinking like that can't be further from the truth. Japan's train system is nothing but efficient, and if you look beneath the surface and observe its busy life for a few moments, you will see that despite the hectic atmosphere, everything goes like clockwork.

There are a lot of stations around the world that can be described as well-equipped, modern, or simply "great." But any big Japan's station is a whole new level of what "great" means. Where else can you find the railway stations equipped with blue-light panels designed for the sole purpose of calming the agitated passengers? Where sharp unpleasant buzzers commonly used to mark the train's departure are changed to pleasant jingles, meant to notify the travelers about the upcoming departure without increasing anxiety? Japanese train stations are full of surprises, so let's have a look at some of the most popular ones.

Examples of hassha melodies, composed by brilliant Hiroaki Ide to notify about the train departure and used all over Japan.

Major Japan Railway Stations

Tokyo Train Station

Hiroshima Train Station

A young woman waiting for a train in Japan

Nagoya Train Station

Osaka Train Stations

Kyoto Train Station

Fukuoka Train Station

Q&A: Railway Stations in Japan

How early should I arrive at the station to catch a train in Japan?

We advise arriving at least half an hour earlier, although it's better to get to the station about 45 minutes before your train departs if you've never been there before. This way, you will have enough time to print your tickets if you booked them in advance, find your way to the platform, and even explore the station's rich choice of onsite facilities. Or, if you prefer the old-school way of getting your tickets before departure over purchasing online, this time should be enough to successfully obtain a ticket (even if you have to wait in line during the rush hour to do that).

Is Wi-Fi available at the stations?

Yes, all major train stations in the country offer to take advantage of the Wi-Fi connection.