HomeResidents in JapanDoes anyone know how rapid lines work in Japan? Like is there a secret of how to figure out when they are or do you just wish on a star?
What train lines in particular are you having trouble with? Wikipedia has decent info for most train lines and lists each service (local, rapid, express, etc.).
Check the time table, they are distinguished by colors and what stops they stop at.
1.check timetable.
2. Check googlemaps
3. Ask someone at the station
4. Look at the info signages at the station.
The names aren’t very intuitive at first, i.e. “limited” “rapid” but once you get it, it’s smooth sailing across the entire country.
rapid trains work by tranporting people from far areas to the same target station for less time as they skip smaller stations (low density/ridership stations, standalone stations with no connections)
with this system people who live relatively closer can ride local trains instead and reduce congestion per ride, making use of multiple lanes on the same line and multiple platforms
how to figure out using then, others have commented
Timetables.
The timetables are decided on by the train companies, and they usually gets updated each season.
Usually you can find the timetables on the station platform, and you can find them online.
Here is the timetable for Shonan-shinjuku line from Yokohama towards Shinjuku. The colors tell you if it’s local (black), rapid (blue) or special express (green). There are probably better timetable sites out there. I just took the first one I could think of.
One trick if you’re in a station/on a line that’s not familiar: rapid/express lines will generally show up on the departure boards in red
The timetable or an app is definitely your friend. I understand your frustration.
Where I live, there’s a rapid and a special-rapid that leave from the same platform. And the digital board doesn’t offer any hints. The special skips the station I go to for work. I took it once and wasted twenty minutes or so returning. What I figured out is to watch the other passengers. If everyone gets on, it’s probably the regular rapid. If half or fewer of the passengers get on, it’s probably the one I don’t want to take.
8 comments
You use a timetable and/or a transit app.
What train lines in particular are you having trouble with? Wikipedia has decent info for most train lines and lists each service (local, rapid, express, etc.).
Check the time table, they are distinguished by colors and what stops they stop at.
1.check timetable.
2. Check googlemaps
3. Ask someone at the station
4. Look at the info signages at the station.
The names aren’t very intuitive at first, i.e. “limited” “rapid” but once you get it, it’s smooth sailing across the entire country.
rapid trains work by tranporting people from far areas to the same target station for less time as they skip smaller stations (low density/ridership stations, standalone stations with no connections)
with this system people who live relatively closer can ride local trains instead and reduce congestion per ride, making use of multiple lanes on the same line and multiple platforms
how to figure out using then, others have commented
Timetables.
The timetables are decided on by the train companies, and they usually gets updated each season.
Usually you can find the timetables on the station platform, and you can find them online.
Here is the timetable for Shonan-shinjuku line from Yokohama towards Shinjuku. The colors tell you if it’s local (black), rapid (blue) or special express (green). There are probably better timetable sites out there. I just took the first one I could think of.
One trick if you’re in a station/on a line that’s not familiar: rapid/express lines will generally show up on the departure boards in red
The timetable or an app is definitely your friend. I understand your frustration.
Where I live, there’s a rapid and a special-rapid that leave from the same platform. And the digital board doesn’t offer any hints. The special skips the station I go to for work. I took it once and wasted twenty minutes or so returning. What I figured out is to watch the other passengers. If everyone gets on, it’s probably the regular rapid. If half or fewer of the passengers get on, it’s probably the one I don’t want to take.