Japan by Rail

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Japan by Rail Welcome to the Japan by Rail page. Here we want to share with you our love for Japan with its rich culture and incredible rail network.

Japan is steeped in legend and myth, perhaps the greatest of which is the popular misconception that the country is simply too expensive to visit. The truth is that flights to Japan are cheaper than they’ve ever been, accommodation can be great value, while the warm hospitality which awaits every visitor costs nothing at all. The real secret to travelling around the country on a budget, however, i

s the Japan Rail Pass. Use this comprehensive guide in conjunction with a rail pass to get the most out of a trip to Japan.

15/11/2024

We are delighted to announce that the next time we post we will be back in Japan! We have a lovely itinerary planned and look forward to sharing photos of where we go.

For anyone in Japan now though the day is nearly over.
15/11/2024

For anyone in Japan now though the day is nearly over.

There are lots of places in Japan that are being illuminated now but if you are in Gifu take note of this!
15/11/2024

There are lots of places in Japan that are being illuminated now but if you are in Gifu take note of this!

If you are going to Nara do take note of this.
15/11/2024

If you are going to Nara do take note of this.

In September, 35 people were injured by antler attacks — a sevenfold increase from the five cases reported during the same period last year.

For anyone who will be in Kyoto for this year's autumn leaves.
15/11/2024

For anyone who will be in Kyoto for this year's autumn leaves.

If you are planning a visit to Byodoin, in Uji, soon do take note of the dates for the illuminations. We are sure that w...
14/11/2024

If you are planning a visit to Byodoin, in Uji, soon do take note of the dates for the illuminations. We are sure that would be an impressive sight.

For anyone going to Kyoto soon.
14/11/2024

For anyone going to Kyoto soon.

We always recommend going to Narita Town if you fly in or out of Narita Airport, though it is worth visiting as a day tr...
14/11/2024

We always recommend going to Narita Town if you fly in or out of Narita Airport, though it is worth visiting as a day trip from Tokyo if you are using Haneda. And the autumn leaves add to the experience!

13/11/2024

For Thomas fans in Japan, though it does seem a bit early to start the Christmas appearance.

The deer fit in perfectly with the autumn leaves.
13/11/2024

The deer fit in perfectly with the autumn leaves.

Walk among the divine deer of Nara Park and Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara!🦌🍁

Stroll through Nara Park and Tobihino of Kasuga Taisha Shrine and encounter over 1,325 free-roaming deer, cherished as messengers of the gods.

In autumn, these gentle creatures amidst colourful foliage perfectly capture Japan’s autumn magic🍂✨

Experience the magical fusion of nature and culture!

📸CREDIT:

If you are going to be in Matsue soon and like seafood have a look at this.
13/11/2024

If you are going to be in Matsue soon and like seafood have a look at this.

This is one journey we still want to do!
13/11/2024

This is one journey we still want to do!

Bridging the seasons. 🌉

Nestled in the hills of Fukushima Prefecture, near the town of Aizu Wakamatsu, you can find the beautiful Tadami Line. Winding its way along the Tadami River, the trainline connects Fukushima with Niigata Prefecture, offering a relaxing journey between the two prefectures. 😌

Along the line, there are specific viewpoints where you can see the train crossing the river from afar, framed perfectly by the trees and forests on either side. In autumntime, all the trees will have their changing colours, making for a stunning sight. Wintertime also brings a spectacular change in scenery as the train runs through the snow covered valleys of Aizu Wakamatsu. You’ll also notice that there are less train cars in comparison to the big cities, some regional trains will only have one car! 🚞

Have you seen the Tadami Line before? 😊

📝Go on, save this post for later!

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Tag us on your pictures or use our hashtag to give us permission to repost 📷✨

For SL fans who like seeing illuminations - and can be in the Nikko/Kinugawa-onsen area on 23rd November.
12/11/2024

For SL fans who like seeing illuminations - and can be in the Nikko/Kinugawa-onsen area on 23rd November.

This looks a wonderful garden!
12/11/2024

This looks a wonderful garden!

We haven't been here but it does sound interesting and worth visiting!
11/11/2024

We haven't been here but it does sound interesting and worth visiting!

For anyone planning some retail therapy in Japan!
11/11/2024

For anyone planning some retail therapy in Japan!

Ninna-ji is probably less well-known than other temples in the Kyoto area but it can easily be fitted into a day visitin...
11/11/2024

Ninna-ji is probably less well-known than other temples in the Kyoto area but it can easily be fitted into a day visiting Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji.

Kintaikyo Bridge in Iwakuni is probably its best-known sight but it really is a lovely place to walk around so do allow ...
11/11/2024

Kintaikyo Bridge in Iwakuni is probably its best-known sight but it really is a lovely place to walk around so do allow a full day there.

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Fukui station is now full of animatronic and static dinosaurs but of all the options to see we thought this the most impressive.

Life is full of surprises and this was one - we happened to be filming at Mihara station when the Hello Kitty shinkansen appeared!

We are also now pleased to start sharing some of the videos we took when in Japan - this is the first of a few we took at the new Fukui Shinkansen station.

Happy New Year and we hope lots of you will get to Japan in 2023.

Sanja Matsuri 2019
Sanja Matsuri 2019

We are delighted to share a video taken at last weekend’s Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa.

View from JR East's Hotel Metropolitan Marunouchi, Tokyo
View from JR East's Hotel Metropolitan Marunouchi, Tokyo

We also took a video using our camera so, again, the quality isn't good but you will get an idea of what a wonderful place it was to stay. There was always so much to see from the window there was no need to go out! Though, of course, we did!

View from JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo
View from JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo

Whilst we loved our night in the JR Inn in Sapporo staying at JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo was a really wonderful experience. Since the rooms are on the 23rd-34th floors you have the chance for fantastic views (depending on the weather!) and if you are lucky a view over the tracks. Cleverly the platform roofs say where the trains are going to; this video was taken from our room and we loved watching the trains come and go. There is also an absolutely fantastic hot spring on the 22nd floor.

SuperKomachi arriving at Kakunodate
SuperKomachi arriving at Kakunodate

We realise it is a while since we have posted a video so thought we would share one which shows the Super Komachi arriving at Kakunodate station.

Magic chopsticks, Ueno
Magic chopsticks, Ueno

Time to share another video. This one was taken when walking from Ueno station, Tokyo, to Ameyoko Market. Enjoy!

Natural hot sand bath, Sunamushi-onsen
Natural hot sand bath, Sunamushi-onsen

A while ago we posted photos of the natural hot sand bath at Sunamushi-onsen, Ibusuki, but today we are sharing a short video taken there and hope it will encourage lots of people to include this wonderful experience in their itinerary.

Shonan Monorail
Shonan Monorail

One of our favourite places in Japan is Kamakura. We also love the fact that you can do an interesting round trip with a variety of modes of travel to get there including the Shonan Monorail. Have a look at the video and then see p107 in Japan by Rail for more details of the route.

Aqua Fantasy 1, Kyoto
Aqua Fantasy 1, Kyoto

Today's post is a video taken at one of the six Aqua Fantasy (water and light) shows outside Kyoto station. These happen every evening at 7pm, 8pm, 9pm and 9.30pm. We will post videos of two of the other shows in the coming weeks - we are keeping our favourite till last! Even though we enjoyed watching these we do feel they are a bit strange in a city which is renowned for its World Heritage sites. Let us know what you think.

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Japan by Rail

Welcome to the page for the guidebook to discovering Japan by train. Japan by Rail tells you what you need to know to plan a trip to Japan including; details of the main rail passes (both JR and private), ideas about when to go and how much a trip might cost. The book also tells you what to see and do when you are there, as well as where to stay and eat. Most importantly, though, it tells you how to get around by train, particularly with a Japan Rail Pass.