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List of named passenger trains of Japan

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This article contains lists of named passenger trains in Japan.

Shinkansen (bullet trains)

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Train name Name meaning Operator Train endpoints Operated Maximum operating speed (km/h) Japan Rail Pass coverage
Aoba refers to Aoba Castle JR East Tokyo – Sendai 1982–1995 240 Service discontinued
Asahi Morning Sun JR East Tokyo – Niigata 1982–2004 275 Service discontinued
Asama refers to Mount Asama JR East Tokyo – Nagano 1998– 275 Yes
Hakutaka White hawk[1] JR East / JR-West Tokyo – Tsuruga[2] 2015– 275 Yes
Hayabusa Peregrine falcon JR East / JR Hokkaido Tokyo – Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto 2011– 320 Yes
Hayate Strong wind JR East / JR Hokkaido Morioka – Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto 2002–
2002-2019 (Tokyo to Morioka) 		275 Yes
Hikari Light JR Central / JR-West Tokyo – Hiroshima and Nagoya – Hakata 1964–
  • Tokaido Shinkansen: 285
  • Sanyo Shinkansen: 300
 Yes
Hikari Rail Star Light – Rail Star JR-West Shin-Ōsaka – Hakata 2000– 285 Yes
Kagayaki Glitter JR East / JR-West Tokyo – Tsuruga[2] 2015– 275 Yes
Kamome Seagull JR Kyushu Nagasaki – Takeo-Onsen 2022– 260 Yes
Kodama Echo JR Central / JR-West Tokyo – Shin-Ōsaka and Shin-Ōsaka – Hakata 1964– 285 Yes
Komachi Beauty[3] JR East Tokyo – Akita 1997– 320 Yes
Mizuho Harvest, also an ancient name of Japan JR Kyushu / JR-West Shin-Ōsaka – Kagoshima-Chūō 2011– 300 No
Nasuno refers to Nasu highlands JR East Tokyo – Kōriyama 1995– 275 Yes
Nozomi Hope JR Central / JR-West Tokyo – Shin-Ōsaka, Hakata 1992–
  • Tokaido Shinkansen: 285
  • Sanyo Shinkansen: 300
 No
Sakura Cherry blossoms JR Kyushu / JR-West Shin-Ōsaka – Kagoshima-Chūō 2011– 300 Yes
Tanigawa refers to Mount Tanigawa JR East Tokyo – Echigo-Yuzawa 1997– 240 Yes
Toki Crested ibis JR East Tokyo – Niigata 1982–1997; 2004– 275 Yes
Tsubame Swallow JR Kyushu Hakata – Kagoshima-Chūō 2004– 260 Yes
Tsubasa Wings JR East Tokyo – Shinjō 1992– 275 Yes
Tsurugi refers to Mount Tsurugi JR-West Toyama – Tsuruga[2] 2015– 260 Yes
Yamabiko Mountain spirit JR East Tokyo – Morioka 1982– 275 Yes

Daytime trains

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Limited express (partial list)

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Train name Name meaning Operator Train endpoints Operated
A-Train refers to Ariake region JR Kyushu Yoshizuka, Hakata – Nagasu 1967–
Aizu Liner refers to Aizu region JR East Kōriyama – Aizu-Wakamatsu 1968–
Akagi / Swallow Akagi refers to Mt. Akagi JR East Ueno, Shinjuku – Takasaki, Maebashi 1982–
Ariake refers to Ariake region JR Kyushu Kumamoto – Misumi 1967–2021
Asagiri Morning mist Odakyu / JR Central Shinjuku – Gotemba 1991–2018
Ashizuri refers to Cape Ashizuri JR Shikoku Kōchi – Nakamura 1990–
Ayame Japanese iris JR East Tokyo – Narita, Kashimajingū, Chōshi 1975–2015
Azusa refers to Azusa River JR East Shinjuku, Tokyo, Chiba – Matsumoto, Minami-Otari 1966–
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 Fukui – Kanazawa 2015–2024
Enoshima refers to Enoshima Odakyu Shinjuku – Fujisawa – Katase-Enoshima 1964–
Fujikawa refers to Fuji River JR Central Kōfu – Shizuoka 1996–
Hakone / Super Hakone / Metro Hakone refers to Hakone Odakyu Shinjuku, Kita-Senju – Hakone-Yumoto 1950–
Hakuchō / Super Hakuchō Swan JR East / JR Hokkaido Shin-Aomori, Aomori – Hakodate 2002–2016
Hamakaze Sea breeze/beach wind JR-West Ōsaka – Kasumi, Hamasaka, Tottori 1972–
Haruka Faraway JR-West Kyoto/Shin-Ōsaka – Kansai Airport 1993–
Hashidate - JR-West, Willer Trains Kyoto – Amanohashidate, Toyooka 1965–
Hida refers to Hida JR Central Ōsaka, Nagoya – Takayama, Hida Furukawa, Toyama 1968–
Hitachi old name of Ibaraki Prefecture JR East Shinagawa – Iwaki 1969–
Hitoyoshi name of Hitoyohi, Kumamoto JR Kyushu Kumamoto – Hitoyoshi 2009–
Hokuto Big Dipper JR Hokkaido Hakodate – Sapporo 1965–
Homeway / Metro Homeway - Odakyu Shinjuku, Kita-Senju, Ōtemachi – Machida, Sagami-Ōno, Hon-Atsugi, Odawara, Hakone-Yumoto, Karakida, Fujisawa, Katase-Enoshima 1999–
Huis Ten Bosch - JR Kyushu Hakata – Huis Ten Bosch 1992–
Inaho Rice stalk JR East Niigata – Sakata, Akita 1969–
Inaji Way to Ina, refers to Ina region JR Central Toyohashi – Iida 1996–
Ishizuchi Refers to Mt. Ishizuchi JR Shikoku Takamatsu – Matsuyama, Uwajima 1988–
Iyonada Monogatari Story of the Iyonada Sea; refers to Iyo, old name of Ehime Prefecture JR Shikoku Matsuyama – Iyo-Ōzu, Yawatahama 2014–
Kaiji Way to Kai, old name of Yamanashi Prefecture JR East Tokyo, Shinjuku – Kōfu, Ryūō 1988–
Kaio refers to Kaiō Hiroyuki, a celebrity sumo wrestler from Nōgata JR Kyushu Hakata – Nōgata 2001–
Kamome Seagull JR Kyushu Hakata – Saga, Hizen-Kashima, Nagasaki and Haiki – Nagasaki 1961–
Kamoshika Japanese serow JR East Akita – Aomori 1997–2010
Kamui Kamuy JR Hokkaido Sapporo – Asahikawa 2007–
Kawasemi Yamasemi refers to kingfishers native to the area JR Kyushu Kumamoto-Hitoyoshi 2017-
Kinosaki refers to Kinosaki Onsen JR-West Kyoto – Kinosaki Onsen 1996–
Kinugawa / Spacia Kinugawa refers to Kinugawa River JR East / Tobu Railway Shinjuku – Kinugawa-Onsen 2006–
Kirameki Glitter JR Kyushu Hakata – Kokura, Mojikō 2001–
Kirishima refers to Mt. Kirishima JR Kyushu Miyazaki – Miyakonojō, Nishi-Miyakonojō, Kagoshima-Chūō and Kokubu – 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, Tennōji – Wakayama, Shirahama, Shingu 1965–
Kusatsu refers to Kusatsu Onsen JR East Ueno – Manza-Kagawaguchi 1985–
Lilac - JR Hokkaido Sapporo – Asahikawa 1980–2007; 2017–
Midori Green JR Kyushu Hakata – Sasebo 1976–
Muroto refers to Cape Muroto JR Shikoku Tokushima – Mugi 1962-
Nanki refers to South Kii Peninsula JR Central Nagoya – Shingū, Kii-Katsuura 1978–
Nanpū Southern wind JR Shikoku Okayama – Kōchi, Nakamura, Sukumo 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, Ikebukuro – Itō, Izukyū Shimoda, Shuzenji Odoriko: 1981-

Super View Odoriko: 1990–2020

Saphir Odoriko: 2020-

Ohayo Express / Oyasumi Express Good morning express / Good night express JR-West Tsuruga – Kanazawa
  • Ohayo Express: 2001–2024
  • Oyasumi Express: 2004–2024
Ohayo Tochigi / Hometown Tochigi Good morning Tochigi / - JR East Shinjuku – Utsunomiya, Kuroiso 1995–2010
Okhotsk refers to Sea of Okhotsk JR Hokkaido Sapporo – Asahikawa - Abashiri 1972–
Relay Tsubame Swallow JR Kyushu Hakata – Shin-Yatsushiro 2004–2011
Relay Kamome - JR Kyushu Hakata - Takeo-Onsen 2023-
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 – Kimitsu 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 – Imabari, Matsuyama, Uwajima 1972–
Shiosai - JR East Tokyo, Shinjuku – Sakura, Narutō, Chōshi 1975–
Shirasagi Egret JR-West Nagoya, Maibara – Tsuruga 1964–
Shirayuki White snow JR East Niigata – Jōetsumyōkō 2015–
Skyliner - Keisei Keisei Ueno – Narita Airport 1972–
Sonic - JR Kyushu Hakata – Yanagigaura, Ōita, Saiki (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 Tottori – Masuda 2003–
Super Oki refers to Oki Islands JR-West Tottori – Yonago, Shin-Yamaguchi 2001–
Ozora Sky JR Hokkaido Sapporo – Kushiro 1961–
Tokachi refers to Tokachi region JR Hokkaido Sapporo – Obihiro 1990–
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 - Abashiri 2017–
Thunderbird - JR-West Ōsaka – Tsuruga 1995–
Tōkai refers to Tokai region JR Central Tokyo – Shizuoka 1996–2007
Tokiwa old name of Ibaraki Prefecture JR East Shinagawa – Tsuchiura, Katsuta, Iwaki, Takahagi 2015–
Trans-Kyushu Limited Express - JR Kyushu Beppu – Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto 2004–
Tsugaru old name of Aomori Prefecture JR East Akita – Aomori 2002–
Umisachi Yamasachi refers to Hoderi, whose myth supposedly takes place in Southern Kyushu JR Kyushu Miyazaki-Nangō 2009-
Uwakai refers to Sea of Uwa JR Shikoku Matsuyama – Uwajima 1990–
Uzushio refers to Naruto whirlpools JR Shikoku Takamatsu – Tokushima 1988–
Wakashio Growing tide from neap tide to spring tide, also another name of Kuroshio Current JR East Shinjuku – Kazusa-Ichinomiya, Katsuura, Awa-Kamogawa 1972–
Yakumo thick clouds JR-West Okayama – Izumoshi 1972–
Yufu / Yufuin-no-mori refers to Yufu Onsen JR Kyushu Hakata – Yufuin, Ōita, Beppu (via Kyūdai Main Line) 1989–
μ Sky - Meitetsu Shin-Unuma, Shin-Kani, Mikakino, Meitetsu Gifu, Meitetsu Nagoya – Central Japan International Airport 2005–

Express

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Train name Operator Train endpoints Operated
Chichibuji Chichibu Railway Hanyū, Kumagaya – Kagemori, Mitsumineguchi 1969–
Moriyoshi Akita Nairiku Jūkan Railway Kakunodate – Takanosu 1989–
SL Express Ōigawa Railway Shin-Kanaya – Senzu 1976–

Rapid

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Train name Operator Train endpoints Operated
Acty [ja] JR East Tokyo – Atami 1989–2023[5]
Airport [ja] JR Hokkaido Otaru, Sapporo – New Chitose Airport 1992–
Aqua Liner [ja] JR-West Yonago – Masuda 2001–
Aterui JR East Mizusawa – Morioka 2001–
Central Liner [ja] JR Central Nagoya – Nakatsugawa 1999–2013
Hamayuri [ja] JR East Morioka – Kamaishi (via Kamaishi Line) 2002–
Kansai Airport Rapid Service [ja] JR-West Tennōji – Kansai Airport (via Ōsaka) 1994–
Karikachi [ja] JR Hokkaido Takikawa, Asahikawa – Obihiro 1990–
Kishuji Rapid Service [ja] JR-West Tennōji – Wakayama, Kainan, Gobō, Kii-Tanabe (via Ōsaka) 1999–
Kitami JR Hokkaido Asahikawa – Kitami 1998–
Kubikino JR East Arai – Niigata 2002–2015
Marine Liner JR-West / JR Shikoku Okayama – Takamatsu 1988–
Mie JR Central / Ise Tetsudo Nagoya – Toba 1990–
Nayoro [ja] JR Hokkaido Asahikawa – Nayoro 1965–
Rabbit [ja] JR East Tokyo – Utsunomiya, Kuroiso 1988–
Rias [ja] JR East Morioka – Miyako (via Yamada Line) 1988–
Shōnan Liner JR East Tokyo – Odawara (Some of trains pass Tōkaidō Freight Line) 1986–
Sunliner [ja] JR West Okayama – Fukuyama 1989–
Sunport [ja] JR Shikoku Takamatsu – Matsuyama (some trains to Kotohira via the Dosan Line) 2002–
Tambaji Rapid Service [ja] JR-West Ōsaka – Sasayamaguchi 2000–
Tottori Liner [ja] JR-West Tottori – Yonago, Izumoshi 2001–
Urban [ja] JR East Tokyo – Takasaki, Maebashi 1989–
Yamatoji Rapid Service [ja] JR-West Tennōji – Kamo (via Ōsaka) 1989–

Night trains

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Limited express

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Train name Operator Train endpoints Operated
Akatsuki JR-West Kyoto – Nagasaki 1965 – Mar 2008
Akebono JR East Ueno – Aomori 1970 – Jan 2015
Asakaze JR-West Tokyo – Shimonoseki 1956 – Mar 2005
Cassiopeia JR East Ueno – Sapporo 1999 – Mar 2016; occasionally operates as a charter train
Dream Nichirin JR Kyushu Hakata – Minami-Miyazaki, Miyazaki Airport 1993–2011
Fuji JR Kyushu Tokyo – Ōita 1964 – Mar 2009
Hayabusa JR Kyushu Tokyo – Kumamoto 1958 – Mar 2009
Hokuriku JR East Ueno – Kanazawa 1947 – Mar 2010
Hokutosei JR East / JR Hokkaido Ueno – Sapporo 1988 – August 2015
Izumo JR East Tokyo – Izumoshi (via Tottori) 1972 – Mar 2006
Marimo JR Hokkaido Sapporo – Kushiro 2001–2008
Naha JR Kyushu Kyoto – Kumamoto 1968 – Mar 2008
Nihonkai JR-West / JR East Ōsaka – Aomori 1968 – Mar 2012
Sunrise Izumo JR Central / JR-West Tokyo – Izumoshi (via Okayama) 1998–
Sunrise Seto JR Central / JR-West Tokyo – Takamatsu 1998–
Okhotsk JR Hokkaido Sapporo – Abashiri 1992 – Mar 2006; Daytime service continues
Rishiri JR Hokkaido Sapporo – Wakkanai 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 Asakusa – Aizukōgen-Ozeguchi 1986–; Climbing and skiing season only

Express

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Train name Operator Train endpoints Operated
Daisen JR-West Ōsaka – Yonago (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 – Niigata 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

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Train name Operator Train endpoints Operated
Moonlight Echigo JR East Shinjuku – Niigata 1986 – May 2014
Moonlight Nagara JR East / JR Central Tokyo – Ōgaki 1996 – March 2020
Moonlight Shinshu JR East Shinjuku - Hakuba

See also

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References

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  • JR Timetable, December 2008
  • ＪＲ新幹線＆特急列車ファイル (JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File). Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. 2008. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
  • 列車名鑑１９９5 (Train Name Directory 1995). Japan: Railway Journal. August 1995.
  1. ^ legendary white hawk in Mount Tate
  2. ^ a b c Shimbun, The Sankei (2024-03-18). "New Hokuriku Shinkansen Extension Between Kanazawa and Tsuruga Opens | JAPAN Forward". japan-forward.com. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  3. ^ refers to Ono no Komachi
  4. ^ "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. ^ "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". 乗りものニュース (in Japanese). 2022-12-18. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
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