Express, rapid, and local trains boast a much wider coverage than their high-speed brothers in arms, with express trains making more stops than limited express trains, but less than rapid trains. Local trains are the slowest of the bunch, as they stop at every train station along the way.

While Japan is famous for the high-speed Shinkansen, there is a vibrant culture of "slow travel" featuring a wide variety of scenic and vintage trains. These include Steam Locomotives (SL), such as the SL Banetsu Monogatari, which takes passengers on a nostalgic 3.5-hour journey through the rice fields of Niigata and Fukushima. Another popular option is the SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen, a winter-only steam train in Hokkaido that offers stunning views of the Kushiro Wetlands and local wildlife like red-crowned cranes. Beyond steam engines, there are "sightseeing trains" (Joyful Trains) designed for relaxation and aesthetics rather than speed. For example, the Kyo-train Garaku on the Hankyu line features interiors decorated with tatami mats and seasonal motifs to evoke the atmosphere of Kyoto. These slow trains often include unique amenities like footbaths, dining cars serving regional bento boxes, and floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing travelers to immerse themselves in the landscape at a leisurely pace that the bullet train simply cannot offer.