Japan's extensive railway network is a traveller's dream, offering efficient and punctual services that (other than at rush hour and on public holidays) are a pleasure to use. The Japan Railways (JR) rail network, which is subdivided into six regional systems, operates most of these services. Trains in Tokyo and northern Japan are operated by JR East (tel: (03) 3423 0111; www.jreast.co.jp/e/index.html).

Travelling on JR's futuristic shinkansen (also known as ‘bullet trains') is a highlight for any visitor to Japan. Clean, fast and punctual, the trains crisscross the country, and whisk visitors from city to coast, mountain or town. Shinkansen run to northern Japan, Niigata on the Japan Sea, Nagano in the central Alps, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima, and Fukuoka on the southern island of Kyushu.

But of the six shinkansen lines, the Tokaido-Sanyo line is the most popular. It takes travellers along the coast from Tokyo to Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Fukuoka. It is operated by JR Central (tel: (03) 5818 3510; www.jr-central.co.jp/eng.nsf).

There are three types of shinkansen trains; the ‘Kodama,' which stops at every station, the ‘Hikari', which only stops at major stations, and the ‘Nozomi', which is the fastest of all. However, at present the Nozomi is only available on the Tokaido-Sanyo line, and carries a significant additional fee.

On shinkansen bullet trains and selected express services, travellers can choose between ordinary carriages and upgrading to ‘green car' carriages. A surcharge buys visitors extra space and a more comfortable seat. Reserving a seat is always advised, and although it incurs a small surcharge, if you hold a rail pass it is free. Reservations for train travel of any kind on and around national holidays should be made well in advance - from a major station.

Long-distance rail travel is expensive but the Japan Railways Rail Passes (www.japanrailpass.net) offer outstanding value for money for those planning to make extensive use of the rail network. Passes offer unlimited travel in specific areas of Japan, or one pass allowing travel throughout Japan.

Passes are valid for seven, 14 or 21 days. These passes must be bought before entering Japan, however, and are only available to non-resident tourists. 

There is no national railways enquiries service, and information on rail travel in Japan is provided by the individual stations and travel agents, which are equipped with the latest timetables.