List of named passenger trains of Japan

Last updated

This article contains lists of named passenger trains in Japan.

Contents

Shinkansen (bullet trains)

Train nameName meaningOperatorTrain endpointsOperatedMaximum operating speed (km/h) Japan Rail Pass coverage
Aoba refers to Aoba Castle JR East TokyoSendai 1982–1997240Service discontinued
Asahi Morning SunJR East TokyoNiigata 1982–2004275Service discontinued
Asama refers to Mount Asama JR East TokyoNagano 1998–275Yes
Hakutaka White hawk [1] JR East / JR-West Tokyo – Tsuruga [2] 2015–275Yes
Hayabusa Peregrine falcon JR East / JR Hokkaido Tokyo – Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto 2011–320Yes
Hayate Strong windJR East / JR Hokkaido MoriokaShin-Hakodate-Hokuto 2002–
2002-2019 (Tokyo to Morioka)
275Yes
Hikari Light JR Central / JR-WestTokyo – Hiroshima and NagoyaHakata 1964–
  • Tokaido Shinkansen: 285
  • Sanyo Shinkansen: 300
Yes
Hikari Rail Star Light – Rail StarJR-West Shin-ŌsakaHakata 2000–285Yes
Kagayaki GlitterJR East / JR-WestTokyo – Tsuruga [2] 2015–275Yes
Kamome Seagull JR Kyushu NagasakiTakeo-Onsen 2022–260Yes
Kodama EchoJR Central / JR-WestTokyo – Shin-Ōsaka and Shin-ŌsakaHakata 1964–285Yes
Komachi Beauty [3] JR EastTokyo – Akita 1997–320Yes
Mizuho Harvest, also an ancient name of Japan JR Kyushu / JR-WestShin-Ōsaka – Kagoshima-Chūō 2011–300No
Nasuno refers to Nasu highlands JR EastTokyo – Kōriyama 1995–275Yes
Nozomi HopeJR Central / JR-WestTokyo – Shin-Ōsaka, Hakata1992–
  • Tokaido Shinkansen: 285
  • Sanyo Shinkansen: 300
No
Sakura Cherry blossomsJR Kyushu / JR-WestShin-Ōsaka – Kagoshima-Chūō2011–300Yes
Tanigawa refers to Mount Tanigawa JR EastTokyo – Echigo-Yuzawa1997–240Yes
Toki Crested ibis JR EastTokyo – Niigata 1982–1997; 2004–275Yes
Tsubame Swallow JR KyushuHakata – Kagoshima-Chūō2004–260Yes
Tsubasa WingsJR EastTokyo – Shinjō 1992–275Yes
Tsurugi refers to Mount Tsurugi JR-West ToyamaTsuruga [2] 2015–260Yes
Yamabiko Mountain spiritJR EastTokyo – Morioka 1982–275Yes

Daytime trains

Limited express (partial list)

Train nameName meaningOperatorTrain endpointsOperated
A-Train refers to Ariake region JR Kyushu Yoshizuka, HakataNagasu 1967–
Aizu Liner refers to Aizu region JR East Kōriyama – Aizu-Wakamatsu1968–
Akagi / Swallow Akagi refers to Mt. Akagi JR East Ueno, ShinjukuTakasaki, Maebashi 1982–
Ariake refers to Ariake regionJR Kyushu KumamotoMisumi 1967–2021
Asagiri Morning mist Odakyu / JR Central Shinjuku – Gotemba1991–2018
Ashizuri refers to Cape Ashizuri JR Shikoku KōchiNakamura 1990–
Ayame Japanese iris JR EastTokyo – Narita, Kashimajingū, Chōshi1975–2015
Azusa refers to Azusa RiverJR EastShinjuku, Tokyo, Chiba – Matsumoto, Hakuba1966–
Banetsu Monogatari refers to Banetsu West Line JR East Niigata - Aizu-Wakamatsu 1999–
Dinostar portmanteau derived from the English word "dinosaur" for which Fukui is famous and the word "star" [4] JR-West FukuiKanazawa 2015–2024
Enoshimarefers to Enoshima Odakyu ShinjukuFujisawaKatase-Enoshima 1964–
Fuji Excursion JR East ShinjukuKawaguchiko 2019–
Fujikawa refers to Fuji River JR Central Kōfu – Shizuoka1996–
Hachiōji / ŌmeJR East TokyoHachiōji,Ōme 2019–2025
Hakone / Super Hakone / Metro Hakonerefers to Hakone OdakyuShinjuku, Kita-SenjuHakone-Yumoto 1950–
Hakuchō / Super Hakuchō SwanJR East / JR Hokkaido Shin-Aomori, AomoriHakodate 2002–2016
Hamakaze Sea breeze/beach windJR-West ŌsakaKasumi, Hamasaka, Tottori 1972–
Haruka Faraway JR-West Kyoto/Shin-ŌsakaKansai Airport 1993–
Hashidate -JR-West, Willer Trains Kyoto – Amanohashidate, Toyooka1965–
Hida refers to Hida JR Central Ōsaka, Nagoya – Takayama, Hida Furukawa, Toyama 1968–
Hitachi old name of Ibaraki Prefecture JR East ShinagawaSendai 1969–
Hitoyoshi name of Hitoyohi, KumamotoJR KyushuKumamoto – Hitoyoshi2009–2024
Hokuto Big DipperJR HokkaidoHakodate – Sapporo1965–
Homeway / Metro Homeway-OdakyuShinjuku, Kita-Senju, ŌtemachiMachida, Sagami-Ōno, Hon-Atsugi, Odawara, Hakone-Yumoto, Karakida, Fujisawa, Katase-Enoshima1999–
Huis Ten Bosch -JR KyushuHakata – Huis Ten Bosch 1992–
Inaho Rice stalkJR East Niigata – Sakata, Akita 1969–
InajiWay to Ina, refers to Ina regionJR CentralToyohashi – Iida 1996–
Ishizuchi Refers to Mt. Ishizuchi JR ShikokuTakamatsu – Matsuyama 1988–
Iyonada Monogatari Story of the Iyonada Sea; refers to Iyo, old name of Ehime Prefecture JR ShikokuMatsuyama – Iyo-Ōzu, Yawatahama 2014–
Kaiji Way to Kai, old name of Yamanashi Prefecture JR EastTokyo, Shinjuku – Kōfu, Ryūō1988–
Kaiorefers to Kaiō Hiroyuki , a celebrity sumo wrestler from NōgataJR KyushuHakata – Nōgata 2001–
Kamome SeagullJR KyushuHakata – Saga, Hizen-Kashima, Nagasaki and Haiki – Nagasaki1961–
Kamoshika Japanese serow JR EastAkita – Aomori1997–2010
Kamui Kamuy JR HokkaidoSapporo – Asahikawa 2007–
Kawasemi Yamasemi refers to kingfishers native to the areaJR KyushuKumamoto-Hitoyoshi 2017-
Kinosaki refers to Kinosaki OnsenJR-WestKyoto – Kinosaki Onsen1996–
Kinugawa / Spacia Kinugawarefers to Kinugawa River JR East / Tobu Railway Shinjuku – Kinugawa-Onsen 2006–
KiramekiGlitterJR KyushuHakata – Kokura, Mojikō 2001–
Kirishima refers to Mt. KirishimaJR Kyushu MiyazakiMiyakonojō, Nishi-Miyakonojō, Kagoshima-Chūō and Kokubu – Kagoshima-Chūō1995–
Kita-KinkiNorth Kinki JR-WestShin-Ōsaka, Fukuchiyama – Toyooka, Kinosaki Onsen1986–2011
Kounotori StorkJR-WestShin-Ōsaka – Fukuchiyama, Toyooka, Kinosaki Onsen2011–
Kumagawa refers to Kuma River JR KyushuKumamoto – Hitoyoshi2004–
Kuroshio Kuroshio Current JR-WestKyoto, Shin-Ōsaka, Tennōji – Wakayama, Shirahama, Shingu1965–
Kusatsu/Shima refers to Kusatsu Onsen JR EastUeno – Naganoharakusatsuguchi1985–
Lilac -JR Hokkaido SapporoAsahikawa 1980–2007; 2017–
Mahoroba,Rakuraku Yamato JR West Osaka,Shin-ŌsakaNara Mahoroba: 2010;2019-

Rakuraku Yamato: 2024-

Midori GreenJR KyushuHakata – Sasebo 1976–
Muroto refers to Cape Muroto JR ShikokuTokushima – Mugi 1962-2025
Nanki refers to South Kii Peninsula JR CentralNagoya – Shingū, Kii-Katsuura 1978–
Nanpū Southern windJR ShikokuOkayama – Kōchi1972–
Narita Express -JR East Tokyo area – Narita Airport 1991–
Nikkō / Spacia Nikkōrefers to Nikkō JR East / TōbuShinjuku – Tōbu-Nikko2006–
Noto Kagaribi Noto fire built in an iron basketJR-WestKanazawa – Wakuraonsen 2015–
Odoriko / Super View Odoriko / Saphir Odoriko refers to The Dancing Girl of Izu JR East / Izukyū / Izuhakone Railway Tokyo, Shinjuku, IkebukuroItō, Izukyū Shimoda, Shuzenji Odoriko: 1981-

Super View Odoriko: 1990–2020

Saphir Odoriko: 2020-

Ohayo Express / Oyasumi ExpressGood morning express / Good night expressJR-West TsurugaKanazawa
  • Ohayo Express: 2001–2024
  • Oyasumi Express: 2004–2024
Ohayo Tochigi / Hometown TochigiGood morning Tochigi / - JR EastShinjuku – Utsunomiya, Kuroiso 1995–2010
Okhotsk refers to Sea of Okhotsk JR HokkaidoSapporo – Asahikawa - Abashiri 1972–
Ozora SkyJR HokkaidoSapporo – Kushiro1961–
Rakuraku Biwako JR West OsakaKusatsu,Maibara 2003-
Rakuraku Harima JR West Kyoto,Shin-ŌsakaAboshi 2019-
Relay Tsubame SwallowJR KyushuHakata – Shin-Yatsushiro 2004–2011
Relay Kamome- JR Kyushu Hakata - Takeo-Onsen 2023-
Sagami / Metro Sagamirefers to Sagami, old name of Kanagawa Prefecture OdakyuShinjuku, Kita-Senju – Machida, Sagami-Ōno, Hon-Atsugi, Odawara1950–
Sarobetsu refers to Sarobetsu plain JR HokkaidoAsahikawa – Wakkanai2017–
Sazanami RipplesJR EastTokyo – Kimitsu 1972–
Shimanto refers to Shimanto River JR ShikokuTakamatsu – Kōchi, Sukumo1988–
Shinano refers to Shinano region, old name of Nagano Prefecture JR CentralNagoya – Nagano1968–
Shiokaze Sea breezeJR ShikokuOkayama – Imabari, Matsuyama1972–
Shiosai -JR EastTokyo, Shinjuku – Sakura, Narutō, Chōshi 1975–
Shirasagi EgretJR-WestNagoya, Maibara – Tsuruga1964–
Shirayuki White snowJR East NiigataJōetsumyōkō,Arai 2015–
Shōnan refers to Shōnan regionJR EastTokyo,Shinjyuku – Hiratsuka,Odawara2021–
Skyliner - Keisei Keisei UenoNarita Airport 1972–
Sonic -JR KyushuHakata – Yanagigaura, Ōita, Saiki (via Nippō Main Line)1997–
Soya refers to Soya regionJR HokkaidoSapporo – Asahikawa - Wakkanai2000–
Super Hakuto White hare, i.e. Hare of Inaba JR-West, Chizu Express Kyoto – Tottori - Kurayoshi1994–
Super Inaba refers to Inaba, old name of Tottori Prefecture. Also Hare of InabaJR-West, Chizu ExpressOkayama – Tottori1993–
Super Matsukaze Pine windJR-West TottoriMasuda 2003–
Super Oki refers to Oki Islands JR-WestTottori – Yonago, Shin-Yamaguchi2001–
Super White Arrow -JR Hokkaido New Chitose Airport, Sapporo – Asahikawa1986–2007
Suzuran Lily of the valley JR HokkaidoMuroran – Sapporo1992–
Taisetsu another name of Mt. Daisetsu JR HokkaidoAsahikawa - Abashiri 2017–2025
Thunderbird -JR-WestŌsaka – Tsuruga1995–
Tokachi refers to Tokachi regionJR HokkaidoSapporo – Obihiro1990–
Tōkai refers to Tokai regionJR Central Tokyo – Shizuoka1996–2007
Tokiwa old name of Ibaraki Prefecture JR EastShinagawa – Tsuchiura, Katsuta, Iwaki, Takahagi 2015–
Trans-Kyushu Limited Express -JR Kyushu Beppu – Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto2004–
Tsugaru old name of Aomori Prefecture JR EastAkita – Aomori 2002–
Tsurugisan refers to Mount Tsurugi JR Shikoku TokushimaAwa-ikeda 1996–
Umisachi Yamasachi refers to Hoderi, whose myth supposedly takes place in Southern KyushuJR KyushuMiyazaki-Nangō 2009-
Uwakai refers to Sea of UwaJR ShikokuMatsuyama – Uwajima1990–
Uzushio refers to Naruto whirlpools JR Shikoku TakamatsuTokushima 1988–
Wakashio Growing tide from neap tide to spring tide, also another name of Kuroshio Current JR EastShinjuku – Kazusa-Ichinomiya, Katsuura, Awa-Kamogawa1972–
Yakumo thick cloudsJR-West OkayamaIzumoshi 1972–
Yufu / Yufuin-no-mori refers to Yufu OnsenJR KyushuHakata – Yufuin, Ōita, Beppu (via Kyūdai Main Line)1989–
μ Sky-Meitetsu Shin-Unuma, Shin-Kani, Mikakino, Meitetsu Gifu, Meitetsu NagoyaCentral Japan International Airport 2005–

Express

Train nameOperatorTrain endpointsOperated
Chichibuji Chichibu Railway Hanyū, KumagayaKagemori, Mitsumineguchi 1969–
MoriyoshiAkita Nairiku Jūkan Railway KakunodateTakanosu 1989–
SL Express Ōigawa Railway Shin-KanayaSenzu 1976–

Rapid

Train nameOperatorTrain endpointsOperated
Acty  [ ja ]JR East TokyoAtami 1989–2023 [5]
Airport  [ ja ]JR Hokkaido Otaru, Sapporo – New Chitose Airport 1992–
Aqua Liner  [ ja ]JR-West YonagoMasuda 2001–
AteruiJR East Mizusawa – Morioka2001–
Central Liner  [ ja ]JR Central Nagoya – Nakatsugawa1999–2013
Hamayuri  [ ja ]JR EastMorioka – Kamaishi (via Kamaishi Line)2002–
Kansai Airport Rapid Service  [ ja ]JR-WestTennōji – Kansai Airport (via Ōsaka)1994–
Karikachi  [ ja ]JR Hokkaido Takikawa, AsahikawaObihiro 1990–2024
Kishuji Rapid Service  [ ja ]JR-WestTennōji – Wakayama, Kainan, Gobō, Kii-Tanabe (via Ōsaka)1999–
Kitami JR Hokkaido AsahikawaAbashiri 1998–
Kubikino JR East AraiNiigata 2002–2015
Marine Liner JR-West / JR Shikoku OkayamaTakamatsu 1988–
Mie JR Central / Ise TetsudoNagoya – Toba 1990–
Nayoro  [ ja ]JR Hokkaido AsahikawaNayoro 1965–
Rabbit  [ ja ]JR EastTokyo – Utsunomiya, Kuroiso 1988–
Rias  [ ja ]JR EastMorioka – Miyako (via Yamada Line)1988–
Shōnan Liner JR EastTokyo – Odawara (Some of trains pass Tōkaidō Freight Line)1986–2021
Sunliner  [ ja ]JR WestOkayama – Fukuyama1989–2022
Sunport  [ ja ]JR ShikokuTakamatsu – Matsuyama (some trains to Kotohira via the Dosan Line)2002–
Tambaji Rapid Service  [ ja ]JR-WestŌsaka – Sasayamaguchi 2000–
Tottori Liner  [ ja ]JR-WestTottori – Yonago, Izumoshi 2001–
UrbanJR EastTokyo – Takasaki, Maebashi 1989–2024
Yamatoji Rapid Service  [ ja ]JR-WestTennōji – Kamo (via Ōsaka)1989–

Night trains

Limited express

Train nameOperatorTrain endpointsOperated
Akatsuki JR-West KyotoNagasaki 1965 – Mar 2008
Akebono JR East UenoAomori 1970 – Jan 2015
Asakaze JR-West Tokyo – Shimonoseki1956 – Mar 2005
Cassiopeia JR EastUeno – Sapporo 1999 – Mar 2016; occasionally operates as a charter train
Dream Nichirin JR Kyushu HakataMinami-Miyazaki, Miyazaki Airport 1993–2011
Fuji JR KyushuTokyo – Ōita 1964 – Mar 2009
Hayabusa JR KyushuTokyo – Kumamoto 1958 – Mar 2009
Hokuriku JR EastUeno – Kanazawa 1947 – Mar 2010
Hokutosei JR East / JR Hokkaido Ueno – Sapporo1988 – August 2015
Izumo JR EastTokyo – Izumoshi (via Tottori)1972 – Mar 2006
MarimoJR HokkaidoSapporo – Kushiro 2001–2008
Naha JR KyushuKyoto – Kumamoto1968 – Mar 2008
Nihonkai JR-West / JR East Ōsaka – Aomori1968 – Mar 2012
Sunrise Izumo JR Central / JR-WestTokyo – Izumoshi (via Okayama)1998–
Sunrise Seto JR Central / JR-WestTokyo – Takamatsu 1998–
Okhotsk JR HokkaidoSapporo – Abashiri 1992 – Mar 2006; Daytime service continues
RishiriJR HokkaidoSapporo – Wakkanai 2000–2007
Sakura JR KyushuTokyo – Nagasaki1959 – Mar 2005
SuiseiJR-WestKyoto – Minami-Miyazaki1968–2005
Twilight Express JR-WestŌsaka – Sapporo1989 – Mar 2015
Oze yakō 23:55 / Snowpal 23:55 Tobu Railway AsakusaAizukōgen-Ozeguchi 1986–; Climbing and skiing season only

Express

Train nameOperatorTrain endpointsOperated
DaisenJR-WestŌsaka – Yonago (via San'in Main Line)1968 – Oct 2004
Ginga JR-WestTokyo – Ōsaka1950 – Mar 2008
HakkōdaJR EastUeno – Aomori(via Tohoku Main Line)1961 – Dec 1993 (daily operation) / Aug 1998 (temporary service)
Hamanasu JR Hokkaido Aomori – Sapporo1955 – Mar 2016
Kitaguni JR-WestŌsaka – Niigata 1968 – Jan 2013
Noto JR EastUeno – Kanazawa1975 – Feb 2012
TsugaruJR EastUeno – Aomori(via Ōu Main Line)1954 (temporary service) / 1956 – Dec 1993 (daily operation) / Jan 1998 (temporary service)

Rapid

Train nameOperatorTrain endpointsOperated
Moonlight Echigo JR East Shinjuku – Niigata1986 – May 2014
Moonlight Nagara JR East / JR CentralTokyo – Ōgaki 1996 – March 2020
Moonlight Shinshu JR EastShinjuku - Hakuba2002 - December 2018

See also

References