List of named passenger trains of Japan

This article contains lists of named passenger trains in Japan.

Shinkansen (bullet trains) Train name Name meaning Operator Train endpoints Operated Maximum operating speed (km/h) Japan Rail Pass coverage Aoba refers to Aoba Castle JR East – 1982–1997 240 Asahi Morning sun JR East – 1982–2004 275 Asama refers to Mount Asama JR East Tokyo – Nagano 1998– 275 Hakutaka White hawklegendary white hawk in Mount Tate JR East / JR-West Tokyo – Tsuruga 2015– 275 Hayabusa Peregrine falcon JR East / JR Hokkaido Tokyo – 2011– 320 Hayate Strong wind JR East / JR Hokkaido – 2002–2002-2019 (Tokyo to Morioka) 275 Hikari Light JR Central / JR-West Tokyo – and – 1964– Hikari Rail Star Light – Rail Star JR-West – 2000– 285 Kagayaki Glitter JR East / JR-West Tokyo – Tsuruga 2015– 275 Kamome Seagull JR Kyushu – 2022– 260 Kodama Echo JR Central / JR-West Tokyo – and – 1964– 285 Komachi Beautyrefers to Ono no Komachi JR East Tokyo – 1997– 320 Mizuho Harvest, also an ancient name of Japan JR Kyushu / JR-West Shin-Ōsaka – 2011– 300 Nasuno refers to Nasu highlands JR East Tokyo – 1995– 275 Nozomi Hope JR Central / JR-West Tokyo – Shin-Ōsaka, Hakata 1992– Sakura Cherry blossom JR Kyushu / JR-West Shin-Ōsaka – Kagoshima-Chūō 2011– 300 Tanigawa refers to Mount Tanigawa JR East Tokyo – Echigo-Yuzawa 1997– 240 Toki Crested ibis JR East Tokyo – Niigata 1982–1997; 2004– 275 Tsubame Barn swallow JR Kyushu Hakata – Kagoshima-Chūō 2004– 260 Tsubasa Wings JR East Tokyo – 1992– 275 Tsurugi refers to Mount Tsurugi JR-West – Tsuruga 2015– 260 Yamabiko Mountain echo JR East Tokyo – 1982– 275

Daytime trains Limited express (partial list) Train name Name meaning Operator Train endpoints Operated A-Train refers to Ariake region JR Kyushu , – 1967– Aizu Liner refers to Aizu region JR East – Aizu-Wakamatsu 1968– Akagi / Swallow Akagi refers to Mt. Akagi JR East , – , 1982– Ariake refers to Ariake region JR Kyushu – 1967–2021 Asagiri Morning mist Odakyu / JR Central – Gotemba 1991–2018 Ashizuri refers to Cape Ashizuri JR Shikoku – 1990– Ayame Japanese iris JR East Tokyo – , , Chōshi 1975–2015 Azusa refers to Azusa River JR East Shinjuku, , Chiba – Matsumoto, Hakuba 1966– Banetsu Monogatari refers to Banetsu West Line JR East - 1999– Dinostar portmanteau derived from the English word "dinosaur" for which Fukui is famous and the word "star" JR-West – 2015–2024 Enoshima refers to Enoshima Odakyu – – 1964– Fuji Excursion JR East – 2019– Fujikawa refers to Fuji River JR Central Kōfu – Shizuoka 1996– Hachiōji / Ōme JR East – , 2019–2025 Hakone / Super Hakone / Metro Hakone refers to Hakone Odakyu Shinjuku, – 1950– Hakuchō / Super Hakuchō Swan JR East / JR Hokkaido , – 2002–2016 Hamakaze Sea breeze/beach wind JR-West – , , 1972– Haruka Faraway JR-West / – Kansai Airport 1993– Hashidate - JR-West, Willer Trains Kyoto – , Toyooka 1965– Hida refers to Hida JR Central , Nagoya – , , 1968– Hitachi old name of Ibaraki Prefecture JR East – 1969–Hitoyoshiname of Hitoyoshi, KumamotoJR KyushuKumamoto – Hitoyoshi2009–2024 Hokuto Big Dipper JR Hokkaido Hakodate – Sapporo 1965– Homeway / Metro Homeway - Odakyu Shinjuku, Kita-Senju, – , , , , Hakone-Yumoto, , Fujisawa, Katase-Enoshima 1999– Huis Ten Bosch - JR Kyushu Hakata – 1992– Inaho Rice stalk JR East – Sakata, 1969– Inaji Way to Ina, refers to Ina region JR Central Toyohashi – 1996– Ishizuchi Refers to Mt. Ishizuchi JR Shikoku Takamatsu – 1988–Iyonada MonogatariStory of the Iyonada Sea; refers to Iyo, old name of Ehime PrefectureJR ShikokuMatsuyama – Iyo-Ōzu, Yawatahama2014– Kaiji Way to Kai, old name of Yamanashi Prefecture JR East Tokyo, Shinjuku – , Ryūō 1988– Kaio refers to Kaiō Hiroyuki, a celebrity sumo wrestler from Nōgata JR Kyushu Hakata – 2001– Kamome Seagull JR Kyushu Hakata – , , and – Nagasaki 1961– Kamoshika Japanese serow JR East Akita – Aomori 1997–2010 Kamui Kamuy JR Hokkaido Sapporo – 2007– Kawasemi Yamasemi refers to kingfishers native to the area JR Kyushu Kumamoto- 2017- Kinosaki refers to Kinosaki Onsen JR-West Kyoto – Kinosaki Onsen 1996– Kinugawa / Spacia Kinugawa refers to Kinugawa River JR East / Tobu Railway Shinjuku – 2006– Kirameki Glitter JR Kyushu Hakata – , 2001– Kirishima refers to Mount Kirishima JR Kyushu – , , Kagoshima-Chūō and – Kagoshima-Chūō 1995– Kita-Kinki North Kinki JR-West Shin-Ōsaka, Fukuchiyama – Toyooka, Kinosaki Onsen 1986–2011 Kounotori Stork JR-West Shin-Ōsaka – Fukuchiyama, Toyooka, Kinosaki Onsen 2011– Kumagawa refers to Kuma River JR Kyushu Kumamoto – Hitoyoshi 2004– Kuroshio Kuroshio Current JR-West Kyoto, Shin-Ōsaka, – Wakayama, Shirahama, Shingu 1965– Kusatsu/Shima refers to Kusatsu Onsen JR East Ueno – Naganoharakusatsuguchi 1985– Lilac - JR Hokkaido – 1980–2007; 2017– Mahoroba,Rakuraku Yamato JR West , – Mahoroba: 2010;2019- Rakuraku Yamato: 2024- Midori Green JR Kyushu Hakata – 1976– Muroto refers to Cape Muroto JR Shikoku Tokushima – 1962-2025 Nanki refers to South Kii Peninsula JR Central Nagoya – , 1978– Nanpū Southern wind JR Shikoku Okayama – Kōchi 1972– Narita Express - JR East Tokyo area – Narita Airport 1991– Nikkō / Spacia Nikkō refers to Nikkō JR East / Tōbu Shinjuku – Tōbu-Nikko 2006– Noto Kagaribi Noto fire built in an iron basket JR-West Kanazawa – Wakuraonsen 2015– Odoriko / Super View Odoriko / Saphir Odoriko refers to The Dancing Girl of Izu JR East / Izukyū / Izuhakone Railway Tokyo, Shinjuku, – , , Odoriko: 1981- Super View Odoriko: 1990–2020

Saphir Odoriko: 2020- Ohayo Express / Oyasumi Express Good morning express / Good night express JR-West – Ohayo Tochigi / Hometown Tochigi Good morning Tochigi / - JR East Shinjuku – , 1995–2010 Okhotsk refers to Sea of Okhotsk JR Hokkaido Sapporo – Asahikawa - 1972– Ozora Sky JR Hokkaido Sapporo – Kushiro 1961– Rakuraku Biwako JR West – , 2003- Rakuraku Harima JR West , – 2019- Relay Tsubame Swallow JR Kyushu Hakata – 2004–2011Relay Kamome -JR KyushuHakata - Takeo-Onsen2023- Sagami / Metro Sagami refers to Sagami, old name of Kanagawa Prefecture Odakyu Shinjuku, Kita-Senju – Machida, Sagami-Ōno, Hon-Atsugi, Odawara 1950– Sarobetsu refers to Sarobetsu plain JR Hokkaido Asahikawa – Wakkanai 2017– Sazanami Ripples JR East Tokyo – 1972– Shimanto refers to Shimanto River JR Shikoku Takamatsu – Kōchi, Sukumo 1988– Shinano refers to Shinano region, old name of Nagano Prefecture JR Central Nagoya – Nagano 1968– Shiokaze Sea breeze JR Shikoku Okayama – , Matsuyama 1972– Shiosai - JR East Tokyo, Shinjuku – , , 1975– Shirasagi Egret JR-West Nagoya, Maibara – Tsuruga 1964– Shirayuki White snow JR East Niigata – Jōetsumyōkō,Arai 2015– Shōnan refers to Shōnan region JR East Tokyo,Shinjyuku – Hiratsuka,Odawara 2021– Skyliner - Keisei – 1972– Sonic - JR Kyushu Hakata – , , (via Nippō Main Line) 1997– Soya refers to Soya region JR Hokkaido Sapporo – Asahikawa - Wakkanai 2000– Super Hakuto White hare, i.e. Hare of Inaba JR-West, Chizu Express Kyoto – Tottori - Kurayoshi 1994– Super Inaba refers to Inaba, old name of Tottori Prefecture. Also Hare of Inaba JR-West, Chizu Express Okayama – Tottori 1993– Super Matsukaze Pine wind JR-West – 2003– Super Oki refers to Oki Islands JR-West Tottori – Yonago, Shin-Yamaguchi 2001– Super White Arrow - JR Hokkaido New Chitose Airport, Sapporo – Asahikawa 1986–2007 Suzuran Lily of the valley JR Hokkaido Muroran – Sapporo 1992– Taisetsu another name of Mt. Daisetsu JR Hokkaido Asahikawa - 2017–2025 Thunderbird - JR-West Ōsaka – Tsuruga 1995– Tokachi refers to Tokachi region JR Hokkaido Sapporo – Obihiro 1990– Tōkai refers to Tokai region JR Central – Shizuoka 1996–2007 Tokiwa old name of Ibaraki Prefecture JR East Shinagawa – , , Iwaki, 2015– Trans-Kyushu Limited Express - JR Kyushu – Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto 2004– Tsugaru old name of Aomori Prefecture JR East Akita – 2002– Tsurugisan refers to Mount Tsurugi JR Shikoku – 1996– Umisachi Yamasachi refers to Hoderi, whose myth supposedly takes place in Southern Kyushu JR Kyushu Miyazaki- 2009- Uwakai refers to Sea of Uwa JR Shikoku Matsuyama – Uwajima 1990– Uzushio refers to Naruto whirlpools JR Shikoku – 1988– Wakashio Growing tide from neap tide to spring tide, also another name of Kuroshio Current JR East Shinjuku – , , Awa-Kamogawa 1972– Yakumo thick clouds JR-West Okayama – Izumoshi 1972– Yufu / Yufuin-no-mori refers to Yufu Onsen JR Kyushu Hakata – , Ōita, Beppu (via Kyūdai Main Line) 1989– μ Sky - Meitetsu , , , , – 2005–

Express Train name Operator Train endpoints Operated Chichibuji Chichibu Railway , – , 1969– Moriyoshi Akita Nairiku Jūkan Railway – 1989– SL Express Ōigawa Railway – 1976–

Rapid Train name Operator Train endpoints Operated JR East – 1989–2023 Airport JR Hokkaido , Sapporo – New Chitose Airport 1992– JR-West – 2001– Aterui JR East – Morioka 2001– JR Central – Nakatsugawa 1999–2013 JR East Morioka – (via Kamaishi Line) 2002– JR-West Tennōji – (via Ōsaka) 1994– JR Hokkaido , – 1990–2024 JR-West Tennōji – , , , (via Ōsaka) 1999– Kitami JR Hokkaido – 1998– Kubikino JR East – 2002–2015 Marine Liner JR-West / JR Shikoku – 1988– Mie JR Central / Ise Tetsudo Nagoya – 1990– JR Hokkaido – 1965– JR East Tokyo – , 1988– JR East Morioka – Miyako (via Yamada Line) 1988– Shōnan Liner JR East Tokyo – Odawara (Some of trains pass Tōkaidō Freight Line) 1986–2021JR WestOkayama – Fukuyama1989–2022JR ShikokuTakamatsu – Matsuyama (some trains to Kotohira via the Dosan Line)2002– JR-West Ōsaka – 2000– JR-West Tottori – , 2001– Urban JR East Tokyo – , 1989–2024 JR-West Tennōji – (via Ōsaka) 1989–

Night trains Limited express Train name Operator Train endpoints Operated Akatsuki JR-West – 1965 – Mar 2008 Akebono JR East – 1970 – Jan 2015 Asakaze JR-West – Shimonoseki 1956 – Mar 2005 Cassiopeia JR East Ueno – 1999 – Mar 2016; occasionally operates as a charter train Dream Nichirin JR Kyushu – , 1993–2011 Fuji JR Kyushu Tokyo – 1964 – Mar 2009 Hayabusa JR Kyushu Tokyo – 1958 – Mar 2009 Hokuriku JR East Ueno – 1947 – Mar 2010 Hokutosei JR East / JR Hokkaido Ueno – Sapporo 1988 – August 2015 Izumo JR East Tokyo – (via ) 1972 – Mar 2006 Marimo JR Hokkaido Sapporo – 2001–2008 Naha JR Kyushu Kyoto – Kumamoto 1968 – Mar 2008 Nihonkai JR-West / JR East – Aomori 1968 – Mar 2012 Sunrise Izumo JR Central / JR-West Tokyo – Izumoshi (via ) 1998– Sunrise Seto JR Central / JR-West Tokyo – (via ) 1998– Okhotsk JR Hokkaido Sapporo – 1992 – Mar 2006; Daytime service continues Rishiri JR Hokkaido Sapporo – 2000–2007 Sakura JR Kyushu Tokyo – Nagasaki 1959 – Mar 2005 Suisei JR-West Kyoto – Minami-Miyazaki 1968–2005 Twilight Express JR-West Ōsaka – Sapporo 1989 – Mar 2015 Oze yakō 23:55 / Snowpal 23:55 Tobu Railway – 1986–; Climbing and skiing season only

Express Train name Operator Train endpoints Operated Daisen JR-West Ōsaka – (via San'in Main Line) 1968 – Oct 2004 Ginga JR-West Tokyo – Ōsaka 1950 – Mar 2008 Hakkōda JR East Ueno – Aomori(via Tohoku Main Line) 1961 – Dec 1993 (daily operation) / Aug 1998 (temporary service) Hamanasu JR Hokkaido Aomori – Sapporo 1955 – Mar 2016 Kitaguni JR-West Ōsaka – 1968 – Jan 2013 Noto JR East Ueno – Kanazawa 1975 – Feb 2012 Tsugaru JR East Ueno – Aomori(via Ōu Main Line) 1954 (temporary service) / 1956 – Dec 1993 (daily operation) / Jan 1998 (temporary service)

Rapid Train name Operator Train endpoints Operated Moonlight Echigo JR East – Niigata 1986 – May 2014 Moonlight Nagara JR East / JR Central Tokyo – 1996 – March 2020Moonlight ShinshuJR EastShinjuku - Hakuba 2002 - December 2018

See also Rail transport in Japan

References

JR Timetable, December 2008