JR West partners with JAL and ANA

Railways and airlines have traditionally been competitors, competing for the same passengers. However, in recent years, collaboration has been increasing alongside the growth of inbound tourism demand in Japan.

For example, in 2021, overseas JAL Mileage Bank members became able to exchange their miles for the JR-WEST RAIL PASS. This marked one of the initiatives jointly promoted by JR West and JAL to encourage travel across western Japan.

Looking ahead to the 2030s, the two companies are working to directly integrate their booking systems, allowing travelers to arrange both rail and air transportation in a single booking process.

Previously, travelers needed to book flights first and then separately reserve Shinkansen or limited express trains. With this new system, international visitors to Japan will be able to organize their entire journey on one platform.

As an early example, dynamic package products combining flights between Haneda and Nanki-Shirahama with JR West’s Limited Express Kuroshio and regional rail passes are already being introduced.

While flights are generally slightly faster in terms of travel time, how do they compare on price?

For example, on the Osaka–Fukuoka route, last-minute airfare and the standard Shinkansen fare are roughly similar, both costing around ¥16,000. However, if flights are booked early and outside peak travel periods, airfare can sometimes drop to around ¥9,000, making air travel the cheaper option depending on the conditions.

Under the Japanese government’s goal of attracting 60 million international visitors by 2030, stronger integration between transportation and tourism is becoming increasingly important.

One key challenge will be how to combine and coordinate relatively stable Shinkansen fares with airline prices, which can fluctuate significantly depending on timing and demand.

Currently, around 70% of inbound travelers’ overnight stays are concentrated in the Tokyo metropolitan area, Kansai, and Nagoya, making regional distribution another major issue.

Attention is now focused on whether collaboration between railways and airlines can help solve this challenge by encouraging international visitors to travel beyond Japan’s major urban centers.

2026年5月2日
鉄旅ライフ編集部
過去のコラムはこちら

Tokyo E-Prix Experience: Took the Train to Tokyo Big Sight

2025.05.30

I happened to see a commercial for the Tokyo E-Prix, so I decided to check it out.
When I looked into it, I found that the tickets were quite expensive—too pricey for me.
Instead, my family and I decided to visit the Fan Village, which was held in Halls 4 to 6 of the East Exhibition Hall at Tokyo Big Sight.
It was raining on the 17th, so we went on the 18th instead.
The good news is that admission to the Fan Village was free.

Formula E “Tokyo E-Prix” Overview

Event Dates: Saturday, May 17 – Sunday, May 18, 2025
Location: Ariake, Tokyo – around the Tokyo Big Sight area

The Tokyo E-Prix is held on a 2.582 km international racing circuit that loops around the Tokyo Big Sight convention center.

Formula E “Tokyo E-Prix” is the Japanese leg of an international Formula car racing series where all vehicles are fully electric (EVs). This cutting-edge and eco-friendly race aims to promote the future of mobility technology and the adoption of electric vehicles. It’s a thrilling event where the excitement of high-speed racing meets the unique cityscape of Tokyo.

Ticket Prices

The ticket prices for the event held on May 18 were as follows.

  • Grandstand A (General): ¥24,000
  • Grandstand B (General): ¥18,000
  • Grandstand B (U24): ¥13,500
  • Grandstand B (U15): ¥9,000
  • Grandstand C (General): ¥12,000
  • Grandstand C (U24): ¥9,000
  • Grandstand C (U15): ¥6,000

Fan Village

The “Fan Village,” held in East Halls 4 to 6, was free to enter. Large screens were set up, allowing visitors to watch the race from inside.

Things to Note About the Fan Village

Security checks were conducted at the entrance to prevent dangerous items from being brought in. I had to leave my child’s powdered milk can at the entrance, as it wasn’t allowed inside. Since it was very crowded, dropping it off and picking it up was quite a hassle.

What the Race Was Like

To be honest, it felt like the cars were just going around and around in a tight space. Since it’s a street circuit, overtaking opportunities are naturally limited. Personally, I wasn’t there for the technical aspects of the race—I just wanted to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the venue.

Atmosphere in the Fan Village

The venue was bustling with activity — there were plenty of merchandise stands and food stalls, creating a festive and energetic atmosphere.

There was a mini driving course for kids, but since the pedals were out of reach, we couldn’t participate. Still, just sitting in the displayed go-kart made my child incredibly happy.

They had a racing simulator as well, but the line was incredibly long—so we had to give up on that one. Maybe next time!

Access

Nearest Stations:

  • Rinkai Line: About a 7-minute walk from Kokusai-Tenjijo Station
  • Yurikamome Line: About a 3-minute walk from Tokyo Big Sight Station

As for my route, I first traveled from Kaihin-Makuhari to Shin-Kiba. From there, I transferred to the Rinkai Line and took the train to Kokusai-Tenjijo Station, which was just two stops away.

This is Tokyo Big Sight Station.

I’m inside Tokyo Big Sight. It’s very spacious, and it’s easy to get lost. I’m on my way to the East Halls.

This is around Tokyo Big Sight Station. There was also a festival called the ‘Tokyo Delicious Museum’ happening here.

The Fan Village had a festive, almost expo-like vibe. There were booths from sponsors and car brands, interactive exhibits about EV technology, and plenty of family-friendly activities. Even those who aren’t motorsports fans could have fun here.

Thanks for sharing this journey with me.