Japan railway guide
With super-fast, super-efficient shinkansen bullet trains connecting practically every major city, and the potential to head up into the mountains too, traveling by train in Japan makes perfect sense for those who want to see as much of the country as possible in a short space of time.
Tokyo’s neon glamour, Kyoto’s ancient temples, Osaka’s legendary street food scene and the idyllic Japanese Alps – all easily and quickly accessible by rail.![]()
Then there are the trams of Hiroshima, and the famously punctual Tokyo subway, both of which, like the commuter-laden bullet trains, provide no end of opportunities to speak with local people. There is little point in taking internal flights in Japan, when you can be whisked between the must-see destinations in speed and comfort by rail.
Find out more in our Japan railway vacations travel guide.
Find out more in our Japan railway vacations travel guide.
What does a Japan railway vacation entail?
A typical Japan railway vacation lasts around two weeks, during which you can cover a lot of ground, certainly if you stick to the main island, Honshu, where the most well-known cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are located. That would allow for at least a couple of days exploring each destination, as well as getting a little off the beaten track - heading into the countryside around the iconic Mt. Fuji for instance, and up into the beautiful Japanese Alps around Kamikochi National Park and Takayama where you can enjoy traditional hospitality in a ryokan inn , with multi-course meals and the option to soak in an onsen.
These are small group tours with numbers capped at 14, and led by professional tour leaders to ensure you meet all connections and have no difficulties in getting around. There may be a few included activities and tours, such as an introduction to the ancient art of tea ceremonies with a geisha in Kyoto, or a visit to a samurai castle in Matsumoto on the return to Tokyo. But for the most part in each location you will be free to explore on your own initiative. For instance, while in Osaka you might take an easy train journey for a day-trip to Hiroshima.
Highlights are bound to include the aforementioned tea ceremony; the opportunity to climb Japan’s most iconic peak, Mt. Fuji (in July or August); diving into the eclectic food culture of Osaka; the whole experience of riding the bullet train network but perhaps most of all, a few days in the Japanese Alps. Here you can try the sublime Hida beef, soak in a hot spring (not for the shy), hike out to look for wild monkeys, and wander the craft shops, sake breweries and markets of Takayama.
Highlights are bound to include the aforementioned tea ceremony; the opportunity to climb Japan’s most iconic peak, Mt. Fuji (in July or August); diving into the eclectic food culture of Osaka; the whole experience of riding the bullet train network but perhaps most of all, a few days in the Japanese Alps. Here you can try the sublime Hida beef, soak in a hot spring (not for the shy), hike out to look for wild monkeys, and wander the craft shops, sake breweries and markets of Takayama.
Bullet trains
Japan’s bullet trains, or shinkansen (new trunkline) to give them their actual name, travel at speeds of up to 320km/hour. An actual bullet travels at around 2700km/hour but still, these are some of the speediest trains in the world. You can get from Tokyo to Osaka, 500km to the west, in two and a half hours. This is life in the fast lane. The bullet train network extends throughout Japan, connecting major cities, and running through the Hida Mountains – the ‘Japanese Alps’. They are clean, spacious and amazingly punctual – the railway companies sometimes produce a ‘delay certificate’ if a train is five minutes late, so rare is it . A Japan Rail Pass will be included and arranged on your behalf by the tour operator.
Our Japan railway Vacations
Japan golden route vacation
9 night classic Japan trip: Tokyo, Fuji, Kyoto
From
US $2625
10 days
ex flights
Japan classic tour by rail
A visually striking railway journey through Japan
From
£5735
14 days
inc UK flights
Hidden Japan vacation
Get beneath the surface into the heart of Japan
From
£3950 to £4410
13 days
ex flights
Japan small group vacation by bullet train
Japan's must-see cities and beautiful, rural countryside
From
£4350 to £4620
14 days
ex flights
Japan 12 day tour, tailor made
A combination of Japan's classic sights & hidden gems
From
£2751
12 days
ex flights
20 day Japan tour, private departure
A comprehensive tailor-made journey through Japan
From
£5536
20 days
ex flights
Travel Team
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When to go
Catch the last of the cherry blossom in May, or travel in autumn for the extravagant colours of the leaf change after the heat of summer.![]()
Japan railway vacations usually operate between May and October, experiencing the best of the weather, with daytime temperatures averaging around 26°C in Tokyo in August. Cabins on the shinkansen bullet trains are air-conditioned so you’ll be comfortable getting between cities. Up in the Japanese Alps, around Kamikochi National Park and Takayama, it tends to be several degrees cooler - spring and autumn can be on the chilly side. Visit July or August if you want to climb Mt. Fuji, but avoid Golden Week in early May and the Obon Festival in August, when Japanese people travel en masse and trains get very busy. The best time to go on a Japan railway vacation is around September and October, at the turn of the seasons, when the autumnal colours are stunning.
More about Japan railway
Take a peek at our interactive Japan railway vacations map and highlights to see where you can get to on the main island of Honshu with just a sense of adventure.
Japan's Shinkansen trains provide peace, safety and comfort for passengers traveling north, south and west.
