Compared to many nations, the public transportation system in Japan is very advanced. Japanese people frequently use public transportation because it is often far more convenient and inexpensive than using one's own automobile. The train is the most popular form of transportation in Japan, so the sooner that the train system becomes familiar to you, the sooner you can explore and really start enjoying your new life in Shiga. Combined with buses and taxis, there are few places that are prohibitive to get to with no ownership of a car in Japan.
Train Lines in Shiga
There are three train companies in Shiga Prefecture: Japan Rail (JR), Omi Tetsudo and Keihan Railways. The Japan Rail is the national train company, while Omi Tetsudo and Keihan are private.
JR Lines
Japan Rail runs four major lines in Shiga: the JR Biwako, JR Kosei, JR Kusatsu, and JR Hokuriku lines. While Shiga Prefecture is not large, Lake Biwa's location in the center of the prefecture can turn a trip between two cities a short distance from each other into a sometimes lengthy journey if they are on opposite sides of the lake.
| JR Biwako Line | |
| JR Kosei Line | |
| JR Kusatsu Line | |
| JR Hokuriku Line |
Private Lines
| Omi Tetsudo | |
|
Keihan Railway *not shown on this map |
Types of Trains
Not including the shinkansen, there are two main types of JR trains in Shiga:
- Local trains (普通 futsū)
- Special Rapid trains (新快速 shinkaisoku)
The local trains stop at every station. If you live in a smaller city or town, the chances are quite good that you will be utilizing a local station. These trains are often a little shorter and a little older looking than the others.
The special rapid trains are a little newer looking than the local trains. They also have more cars than locals most of the time. The key difference is that they don’t stop at every stop. This means that the time spent on a special rapid train is shorter than that on a local. This also means that you should not just get on the first train you see pull into the station. If your destination is a local stop avoid the special rapid trains.
Tip: If you have no Japanese, remembering the kanji or the words themselves can be a little confusing. An easy thing to remember is local trains have only two symbols (普通) while special rapid trains have three (新快速).
Timetables
Train time tables are posted in and around every station. They also have small portable time tables for each station so you can figure out the time of that ever important last train. Far and away, though, thanks to cell phones, the Internet is the most used source for determining train times. With English and Japanese options, Hyperdia is one of the most useful.
For those able to read Japanese, Yahoo! has an excellent train timetable site (iPhone optimized).
Purchasing Train Tickets
Most stations have automated ticket machines found near the wicket in the center of the station.
Many JETs in Shiga opt to use JR West's ICOCA Card. An ICOCA card is a rechargeable train pass that allows you to not have to worry about a ticket. It is not discounted and requires a ¥500 deposit, but it does make life easier when rushing for a train.
Automated Ticket Machines
At most stations, to determine the price of your ticket, use the large map located above the ticket machines. Your current station will be written in red letters or some kind of outstanding mark. If the station names are not written in Roman letters below the kanji, and you are unsure of the kanji for your destination, ask a train employee:
-
How much is it to (Destination)?
(Destination) made wa, ikura desu ka.
There may also be a list written in hiragana next to the map. You can use this to look up your destination and price.
If there is no one in sight, you can always purchase the lowest priced ticket and have it adjusted when you arrive at your destination. In this case, at most stations, you can find a machine to adjust your fare. This is done by inserting your ticket in the machine and paying the price indicated (English instructions are often available if you need them). A new ticket will be issued to you, which you can put in the automated wicket. If an adjustment machine is not available, give your ticket to the person at the wicket and pay the price they tell you.
No Ticket Machine in Sight?
At smaller stations there may be no ticket machines. You can purchase your ticket from a person at the counter, or, if it is an unmaned station, you can purchase upon boarding the train from the conductor. If, by chance, no one comes to sell tickets on the train, when you arrive at your destination, tell the ticket checker where you boarded and pay your fare at the wicket.
At many of the Omi Tetsudo Stations or other smaller stops, there will be no one to sell you a ticket. When you board the train, take a ticket from a small machine near the door and pay according to the number when you reach your destination. Have change ready, as they cannot usually change large bills.
On the Train Platform
After purchasing your ticket, run it through the automated wicket, or have the ticket taker check it. Often, behind the wicket, you will find an automated sign that displays the times and destinations of the current trains. Check the final destination, time and track, and proceed to the appropriate platform. Most large stations have bilingual signs to point you to the correct platform.
On the platform, you may find numbers and markings on the ground in front of the train stop. These are to mark where the doors will stop for each type of train.
Useful Expressions
-
Excuse me, how much does a ticket to [...] cost?
Sumimasen, [...] made wa ikura desu ka. -
On what platform is the train bound for [...] ?
[...] made no densha wa, nanbansen desu ka. -
What time is the next train for [...] ?
[...] made no tsugi no densha wa, nanji desu ka. -
Does this train stop at [...] ?
Kono densha wa, [...] ni tomarimasu ka. -
A ticket from [...] to [...], please.
[...] kara [...] made no chiketto kudasai.
Money Saving Tips
If you will be traveling daily between two stops, you can purchase a commuter's pass (通勤定期券 tsūkin teikiken), which will allow unlimited travel between two stops (including all the stops in between) for the period of its validity. This can be purchased at major train stations.
If you are traveling frequently, but not daily, between two stops, it may be economical to purchase a book of tickets (回数券 kaisūken). You will receive eleven tickets for the price of ten. These tickets can be purchased at machines and counters of most JR stations and major stations of other lines.
During weekday afternoons (from 10:00 to 17:00) and all day on weekends and holidays, the Hiru toku kippu (昼特きっぷ) is also an option for travelling between large cities (only available when travelling past Kyoto) on the JR Tokaido Line. You can either purchase books of this ticket (valid for 3 months) at green ticket windows or purchase individual tickets from discount ticket vendors. Using this ticket reduces the price of a roundtrip ticket to Osaka by about ¥600. Discount ticket vendors can be found in many major shopping centers or right beside JR stations.
For longer distance traveling during vacation times, the Seishun jūhachi kippu (青春18きっぷ) can be purchased. This ticket can be used five times by an individual (or if you are traveling in a group, by up to five people) and costs ¥11,500.
Each time the ticket is used, it allows one full day of travel on all local/rapid JR trains. At the start of each day of travel the ticket is stamped one time for each traveler (one stamp = one full day of travel). The ticket allows a maximum of five stamps. Therefore, if you are traveling alone, the ticket would be stamped once for each full day of travel, and you could do this five times. However, if you were traveling with five people, the ticket would be stamped five times, and could be used only for that one day of travel. Of course any combination between is also possible, as long as the number of stamps does not exceed five stamps total.
Though certainly more exhausting then air, bullet train, or ferry travel, it is a very economical way to travel in Japan. The tickets can be used anywhere in Japan during the student holidays. The summer tickets are valid until mid-september.
The Kansai 1 Day Pass (関西1ディパス) is yet another option for traveling cheaply around the Kansai area. Though sold only during certain times of the year, it allows for unlimited travel on JR trains for one day. It costs ¥2,900 and is a especially useful for those in northern Shiga who want to make a day trip Osaka.
If friends or family visit Japan, they can purchase a Japan Rail Pass. They should contact a travel agent in their home country about these passes, as they can only be purchased outside of Japan (and for some reason can only be used by non-residents of Japan, which means JETs are not eligible to use these passes). They allow unlimited travel on all Japan Rail trains (including all bullet trains, ferries, etc.) for a one or two week period. They are very economical for people planning on taking several long trips on the bullet train. These tickets can only be used by people traveling in Japan on a tourist visa.
Lastly, on weekends and holidays, passengers on the Omi Tetsudo can purchase a ticket (the SS furī kippu) good for one day of unlimited travel on the Omi lines for only ￥550!
Using the JR Trains in Shiga