You’ve probably often seen JR commercials—JR has a rail network spanning all across Japan—while watching TV or browsing video sites.
They’re full of things that make you want to go out, like announcements about great deals and travel campaigns you can enjoy using JR lines.
What’s more, JR commercials feature all kinds of trains, from the Shinkansen to popular limited express trains, so they’re fun to watch for the visuals alone.
We’ll be introducing JR commercials both old and new, so be sure to check them out.
JR commercial roundup: A comprehensive look at train-featured commercials (1–10)
JR East “Tomorrow’s DESIGN. Compilation” editionNEW!Minami Hamabe
Tomorrow’s DESIGN. Special Compilation (15 seconds)
Tomorrow’s DESIGN. Compilation (30 seconds)
In this commercial, a college student played by Minami Hamabe is visited by her daughter from the future, played by Kaito Sakurai.
Through their lively back-and-forth, the ad introduces JR East’s initiatives.
It presents a digest-style overview of efforts across various fields, sparking interest in how each initiative connects to the future.
The energetic exchange between the two also conveys that these are positive initiatives, which is another key point.
JR Central: Supporting 'Let’s Go Meet.' “It’s not just that we’re gathering.” (version)NEW!
Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) Supporting “Let’s Go Meet.” 60-second version of “We’re not just gathering.”
People boarding the Shinkansen to head to all kinds of event venues—music concerts, comedy shows, baseball games—are shown alongside the charged atmosphere at those venues.
The commercial conveys the message that they’re not just going to a venue or a gathering; they’re going to meet someone.
It’s a lovely expression that makes you feel as if the distance between you and your favorite performer has suddenly grown much smaller.
The background music is an instrumental brass arrangement of UA’s “Ai ni Ikou” (Let’s Go Meet).
Its flowing melody really sticks in your head after just one listen.
JR East 'Enjoy! SixTONES, Enjoy! Shinkansen.' versionSixTONES
“Enjoy! SixTONES, Enjoy! Shinkansen.” 15-second version
This commercial showcases how JR East’s Tohoku Shinkansen supports enjoyable journeys, as portrayed through SixTONES.
The direction is striking, with a scene moving from underground to above ground where the light comes into view, positively expressing the moment of setting off on a trip.
The sight of the Shinkansen racing through vast landscapes is another highlight, conveying the excitement of departing for new places.
Further heightening that sense of anticipation is SixTONES’ song “Shine with U.” Its brilliant sound and lively vocals leave a strong impression, evoking expansive scenery and a forward-looking feeling.
This is a superb masterpiece that bursts with the dazzling pop sensibility of Queen, the world-famous band born in the UK! Led by melodious yet rhythmic piano, the driving bass and drums create an exhilarating sense of speed, and the brief but memorable guitar solo is quintessential Queen.
It’s included on the classic 1978 album Jazz, and was released as a single the following year, in 1979, becoming one of the band’s signature songs.
The lyrics and music were written by Freddie Mercury, the frontman whose name is etched in music history.
Beyond the characteristically beautiful yet urgent melody that is so Freddie, the lyrics—shouting raw, instinctive desire straight out—are quite striking.
This track was also used in a TV commercial for the Tokaido Shinkansen N700S, which debuted as a fully redesigned model in July 2020, and the song’s structure—balancing stillness and motion—was skillfully employed in the ad.
Minami Hamabe and Kenshi Okada co-star in the JR Ski commercial! Song by Eve, “Shirogane.” New JR SKISKI CM.
Eve’s “Shirogane,” chosen as the theme song for JR SKI SKI in 2019–2020, has an easy-to-love, bouncy guitar riff that’s really fun! Its worldview feels like it paints a grand silver landscape, with a sparkling quality that hints at the future to come.
Thinking about moments that will never return, it seems brimming with the youth and brilliant hope that exist in the “now.” It teaches us the importance of raw, all-out feelings and passion—a winter song that clears the heart.
JR SKISKI 'White and Heat. Girls' Version / 'White and Heat. Boys' VersionNatsuki Deguchi, Yu Aoki
[JR SKISKI] Pablo Haiku’s newly written song “you’re my” heats up the youth of winter! / Pablo Haiku Interview
This is a commercial that promotes JR SKISKI by showcasing scenes of winter leisure that support fun times in the season.
It features sports on snowy mountains, and the way friends call out to each other and smiles emerge expresses the excitement of winter.
The song that further highlights the relaxed atmosphere of those enjoyable moments is Pablo Haiku’s “you’re my.” Written specifically for this commercial, the gentle sound and easygoing vocals blend to convey a laid-back sense of fun.
Through the scenes of Shinichi Tsutsumi enjoying TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY, it conveys the sense that a better future is drawing near.
In this mysterious gateway, Ami Toma is greeted by an AI version of Tsutsumi, while the real person is enjoying himself beyond the gate—a curious, otherworldly concept.
By depicting various elements, such as the grand, expansive landscapes and the relaxed atmosphere of the bookstore, it also communicates the excitement of wondering what kinds of experiences await.
