List of named passenger trains of Japan explained

This article contains lists of named passenger trains in Japan.

Shinkansen (bullet trains)

Train nameName meaningOperatorTrain endpointsOperatedMaximum operating speed (km/h)Japan Rail Pass coverage
Aobarefers to Aoba CastleJR East – 1982–1995240
AsahiMorning SunJR East – 1982–2004275
Asamarefers to Mount AsamaJR EastTokyo – Nagano1998–275
HakutakaWhite hawk[1] JR East / JR-WestTokyo – Tsuruga[2] 2015–275
HayabusaPeregrine falconJR East / JR HokkaidoTokyo – 2011–320
HayateStrong windJR East / JR Hokkaido – 2002–
2002-2019 (Tokyo to Morioka)		275
HikariLightJR Central / JR-WestTokyo – and – 1964–
Hikari Rail StarLight – Rail StarJR-West – 2000–285
KagayakiGlitterJR East / JR-WestTokyo – Tsuruga2015–275
KamomeSeagullJR Kyushu – 2022–260
KodamaEchoJR Central / JR-WestTokyo – and – 1964– 285
KomachiBeauty[3] JR EastTokyo – 1997–320
MizuhoHarvest, also an ancient name of JapanJR Kyushu / JR-WestShin-Ōsaka – 2011–300
Nasunorefers to Nasu highlandsJR EastTokyo – 1995–275
NozomiHopeJR Central / JR-WestTokyo – Shin-Ōsaka, Hakata1992–
SakuraCherry blossomsJR Kyushu / JR-WestShin-Ōsaka – Kagoshima-Chūō2011–300
Tanigawarefers to Mount TanigawaJR EastTokyo – Echigo-Yuzawa1997–240
TokiCrested ibisJR EastTokyo – Niigata1982–1997; 2004–275
TsubameSwallowJR KyushuHakata – Kagoshima-Chūō2004–260
TsubasaWingsJR EastTokyo – 1992–275
Tsurugirefers to Mount TsurugiJR-West – Tsuruga2015–260
YamabikoMountain spiritJR EastTokyo – 1982–275

Daytime trains

Limited express (partial list)

Train nameName meaningOperatorTrain endpointsOperated
A-Trainrefers to Ariake regionJR Kyushu, – 1967–
Aizu Linerrefers to Aizu regionJR East – Aizu-Wakamatsu1968–
Akagi / Swallow Akagirefers to Mt. AkagiJR East, –, 1982–
Ariakerefers to Ariake regionJR Kyushu – 1967–2021
AsagiriMorning mistOdakyu / JR Central – Gotemba1991–2018
Ashizurirefers to Cape AshizuriJR Shikoku – 1990–
AyameJapanese irisJR EastTokyo –,, Chōshi1975–2015
Azusarefers to Azusa RiverJR EastShinjuku,, Chiba – Matsumoto, Minami-Otari1966–
Banetsu Monogatarirefers to Banetsu West LineJR East - 1999–
Dinostarportmanteau derived from the English word "dinosaur" for which Fukui is famous and the word "star"[4] JR-West – 2015–2024
Enoshimarefers to EnoshimaOdakyu – – 1964–
Fujikawarefers to Fuji RiverJR CentralKōfu – Shizuoka1996–
Hakone / Super Hakone / Metro Hakonerefers to HakoneOdakyuShinjuku, – 1950–
Hakuchō / Super HakuchōSwanJR East / JR Hokkaido, – 2002–2016
HamakazeSea breeze/beach windJR-West –,, 1972–
HarukaFarawayJR-West/ – Kansai Airport1993–
Hashidate-JR-West, Willer TrainsKyoto –, Toyooka1965–
Hidarefers to HidaJR Central, Nagoya –,, 1968–
Hitachiold name of Ibaraki PrefectureJR East – 1969–
Hitoyoshiname of Hitoyohi, KumamotoJR KyushuKumamoto – Hitoyoshi2009–
HokutoBig DipperJR HokkaidoHakodate – Sapporo1965–
Homeway / Metro Homeway-OdakyuShinjuku, Kita-Senju, –,,,, Hakone-Yumoto,, Fujisawa, Katase-Enoshima1999–
Huis Ten Bosch-JR KyushuHakata – 1992–
InahoRice stalkJR East – Sakata, 1969–
InajiWay to Ina, refers to Ina regionJR CentralToyohashi – 1996–
IshizuchiRefers to Mt. IshizuchiJR ShikokuTakamatsu –, 1988–
Iyonada MonogatariStory of the Iyonada Sea; refers to Iyo, old name of Ehime PrefectureJR ShikokuMatsuyama – Iyo-Ōzu, Yawatahama2014–
KaijiWay to Kai, old name of Yamanashi PrefectureJR EastTokyo, Shinjuku –, Ryūō1988–
Kaiorefers to Kaiō Hiroyuki, a celebrity sumo wrestler from NōgataJR KyushuHakata – 2001–
KamomeSeagullJR KyushuHakata –,, and – Nagasaki1961–
KamoshikaJapanese serowJR EastAkita – Aomori1997–2010
KamuiKamuyJR HokkaidoSapporo – 2007–
Kawasemi Yamasemirefers to kingfishers native to the areaJR KyushuKumamoto-2017-
Kinosakirefers to Kinosaki OnsenJR-WestKyoto – Kinosaki Onsen1996–
Kinugawa / Spacia Kinugawarefers to Kinugawa RiverJR East / Tobu RailwayShinjuku – 2006–
KiramekiGlitterJR KyushuHakata –, 2001–
Kirishimarefers to Mt. KirishimaJR Kyushu –,, Kagoshima-Chūō and – Kagoshima-Chūō1995–
Kita-KinkiNorth KinkiJR-WestShin-Ōsaka, Fukuchiyama – Toyooka, Kinosaki Onsen1986–2011
KounotoriStorkJR-WestShin-Ōsaka – Fukuchiyama, Toyooka, Kinosaki Onsen2011–
Kumagawarefers to Kuma RiverJR KyushuKumamoto – Hitoyoshi2004–
KuroshioKuroshio CurrentJR-WestKyoto, Shin-Ōsaka, – Wakayama, Shirahama, Shingu1965–
Kusatsurefers to Kusatsu OnsenJR EastUeno – Manza-Kagawaguchi1985–
Lilac-JR Hokkaido – 1980–2007; 2017–
MidoriGreenJR KyushuHakata – 1976–
Murotorefers to Cape MurotoJR ShikokuTokushima – 1962-
Nankirefers to South Kii PeninsulaJR CentralNagoya –, 1978–
NanpūSouthern windJR ShikokuOkayama – Kōchi, Nakamura, 1972–
Narita Express-JR East1991–
Nikkō / Spacia Nikkōrefers to NikkōJR East / TōbuShinjuku – Tōbu-Nikko2006–
Noto KagaribiNoto fire built in an iron basketJR-WestKanazawa – Wakuraonsen2015–
Odoriko / Super View Odoriko / Saphir Odorikorefers to The Dancing Girl of IzuJR East / Izukyū / Izuhakone RailwayTokyo, Shinjuku, –,, Odoriko: 1981-Super View Odoriko: 1990–2020

Saphir Odoriko: 2020-

Ohayo Express / Oyasumi ExpressGood morning express / Good night expressJR-West –
Ohayo Tochigi / Hometown TochigiGood morning Tochigi / - JR EastShinjuku –, 1995–2010
Okhotskrefers to Sea of OkhotskJR HokkaidoSapporo – Asahikawa - 1972–
Relay TsubameSwallowJR KyushuHakata – 2004–2011
Relay Kamome-JR KyushuHakata - Takeo-Onsen2023-
Sagami / Metro Sagamirefers to Sagami, old name of Kanagawa PrefectureOdakyuShinjuku, Kita-Senju – Machida, Sagami-Ōno, Hon-Atsugi, Odawara1950–
Sarobetsurefers to Sarobetsu plain JR HokkaidoAsahikawa – Wakkanai2017–
SazanamiRipplesJR EastTokyo – 1972–
Shimantorefers to Shimanto RiverJR ShikokuTakamatsu – Kōchi, Sukumo1988–
Shinanorefers to Shinano region, old name of Nagano PrefectureJR CentralNagoya – Nagano1968–
ShiokazeSea breezeJR ShikokuOkayama –, Matsuyama, Uwajima1972–
Shiosai-JR EastTokyo, Shinjuku –,, 1975–
ShirasagiEgretJR-WestNagoya, Maibara – Tsuruga1964–
ShirayukiWhite snowJR EastNiigata – Jōetsumyōkō2015–
Skyliner-Keisei – 1972–
Sonic-JR KyushuHakata –,, (via Nippō Main Line)1997–
Soyarefers to Soya regionJR HokkaidoSapporo – Asahikawa - Wakkanai2000–
Super HakutoWhite hare, i.e. Hare of InabaJR-West, Chizu ExpressKyoto – Tottori - Kurayoshi1994–
Super Inabarefers to Inaba, old name of Tottori Prefecture. Also Hare of InabaJR-West, Chizu ExpressOkayama – Tottori1993–
Super MatsukazePine windJR-West – 2003–
Super Okirefers to Oki IslandsJR-WestTottori – Yonago, Shin-Yamaguchi2001–
OzoraSkyJR HokkaidoSapporo – Kushiro1961–
Tokachirefers to Tokachi regionJR HokkaidoSapporo – Obihiro1990–
Super White Arrow-JR HokkaidoNew Chitose Airport, Sapporo – Asahikawa1986–2007
SuzuranLily of the valleyJR HokkaidoMuroran – Sapporo1992–
Taisetsuanother name of Mt. DaisetsuJR HokkaidoAsahikawa - 2017–
Thunderbird-JR-WestŌsaka – Tsuruga1995–
Tōkairefers to Tokai regionJR Central – Shizuoka1996–2007
Tokiwaold name of Ibaraki PrefectureJR EastShinagawa –,, Iwaki, 2015–
Trans-Kyushu Limited Express-JR Kyushu – Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto2004–
Tsugaruold name of Aomori PrefectureJR EastAkita – 2002–
Umisachi Yamasachirefers to Hoderi, whose myth supposedly takes place in Southern KyushuJR KyushuMiyazaki-2009-
Uwakairefers to Sea of UwaJR ShikokuMatsuyama – Uwajima1990–
Uzushiorefers to Naruto whirlpoolsJR Shikoku – 1988–
WakashioGrowing tide from neap tide to spring tide, also another name of Kuroshio CurrentJR EastShinjuku –,, Awa-Kamogawa1972–
Yakumothick cloudsJR-WestOkayama – Izumoshi1972–
Yufu / Yufuin-no-morirefers to Yufu OnsenJR KyushuHakata –, Ōita, Beppu (via Kyūdai Main Line)1989–
μ Sky-Meitetsu,,,, – 2005–

Express

Train nameOperatorTrain endpointsOperated
ChichibujiChichibu Railway, –, 1969–
MoriyoshiAkita Nairiku Jūkan Railway – 1989–
SL ExpressŌigawa Railway – 1976–

Rapid

Train nameOperatorTrain endpointsOperated
JR East – 1989–2023[5]
JR Hokkaido, Sapporo – New Chitose Airport1992–
JR-West – 2001–
AteruiJR East – Morioka2001–
JR Central – Nakatsugawa1999–2013
JR EastMorioka – (via Kamaishi Line)2002–
JR-WestTennōji – (via Ōsaka)1994–
JR Hokkaido, – 1990–
JR-WestTennōji –,,, (via Ōsaka)1999–
KitamiJR Hokkaido – 1998–
KubikinoJR East – 2002–2015
Marine LinerJR-West / JR Shikoku – 1988–
MieJR Central / Ise TetsudoNagoya – 1990–
JR Hokkaido – 1965–
JR EastTokyo –, 1988–
JR EastMorioka – Miyako (via Yamada Line)1988–
Shōnan LinerJR EastTokyo – Odawara (Some of trains pass Tōkaidō Freight Line)1986–
JR WestOkayama – Fukuyama1989–
JR ShikokuTakamatsu – Matsuyama (some trains to Kotohira via the Dosan Line)2002–
JR-WestŌsaka – 2000–
JR-WestTottori –, 2001–
JR EastTokyo –, 1989–
JR-WestTennōji – (via Ōsaka)1989–

Night trains

Limited express

Train nameOperatorTrain endpointsOperated
AkatsukiJR-West – 1965 – Mar 2008
AkebonoJR East – 1970 – Jan 2015
AsakazeJR-West – Shimonoseki 1956 – Mar 2005
CassiopeiaJR EastUeno – 1999 – Mar 2016; occasionally operates as a charter train
Dream NichirinJR Kyushu –, 1993–2011
FujiJR KyushuTokyo – 1964 – Mar 2009
HayabusaJR KyushuTokyo – 1958 – Mar 2009
HokurikuJR EastUeno – 1947 – Mar 2010
HokutoseiJR East / JR HokkaidoUeno – Sapporo1988 – August 2015
IzumoJR EastTokyo – (via)1972 – Mar 2006
MarimoJR HokkaidoSapporo – 2001–2008
NahaJR KyushuKyoto – Kumamoto1968 – Mar 2008
NihonkaiJR-West / JR East – Aomori1968 – Mar 2012
Sunrise IzumoJR Central / JR-WestTokyo – Izumoshi (via) 1998–
Sunrise SetoJR Central / JR-WestTokyo – 1998–
OkhotskJR HokkaidoSapporo – 1992 – Mar 2006; Daytime service continues
RishiriJR HokkaidoSapporo – 2000–2007
SakuraJR KyushuTokyo – Nagasaki 1959 – Mar 2005
SuiseiJR-WestKyoto – Minami-Miyazaki1968–2005
Twilight ExpressJR-WestŌsaka – Sapporo1989 – Mar 2015
Oze yakō 23:55 / Snowpal 23:55Tobu Railway – 1986–; Climbing and skiing season only

Express

Train nameOperatorTrain endpointsOperated
DaisenJR-WestŌsaka – (via San'in Main Line)1968 – Oct 2004
GingaJR-WestTokyo – Ōsaka1950 – Mar 2008
HakkōdaJR EastUeno – Aomori(via Tohoku Main Line)1961 – Dec 1993 (daily operation) / Aug 1998 (temporary service)
HamanasuJR HokkaidoAomori – Sapporo1955 – Mar 2016
KitaguniJR-WestŌsaka – 1968 – Jan 2013
NotoJR 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 EchigoJR East – Niigata1986 – May 2014
Moonlight NagaraJR East / JR CentralTokyo – 1996 – March 2020
Moonlight ShinshuJR EastShinjuku - Hakuba

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. legendary white hawk in Mount Tate
  2. Web site: Shimbun . The Sankei . 2024-03-18 . New Hokuriku Shinkansen Extension Between Kanazawa and Tsuruga Opens JAPAN Forward . 2024-08-01 . japan-forward.com . en-US.
  3. refers to Ono no Komachi
  4. Web site: 北陸新幹線開業で金沢駅発着の特急「ダイナスター」「能登かがり火」誕生! . 7 October 2014 .
  5. Web site: 2022-12-18 . 快速「アクティー」最後の2列車が消滅へ 34年の歴史に幕 JR東海道線 . 2024-08-01 . 乗りものニュース . ja.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "List of named passenger trains of Japan".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.