Josh Yes, this is a train travel blog. And yes, I’m about to recommend a bus. When it comes to travelling from Narita Airport to central Tokyo, most visitors immediately think of the Narita Express or Keisei Skyliner. Both are excellent, but there is another option that can be much cheaper if you are heading toward … Read more
Yokohama Minato Mirai is one of the easiest waterfront escapes from Tokyo. Modern architecture, harbour views, shopping, museums, family attractions, and illuminated city scenery are packed into a compact area that is easy to explore largely on foot. Yokohama is less than 30 minutes from central Tokyo by train, making Minato Mirai practical as either … Read more
Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites include ancient temples, castles, sacred mountains, historic villages, memorials, pilgrimage routes, and extraordinary natural landscapes. Many of the country’s best-known heritage sites are also surprisingly easy to include in a train-based Japan itinerary. As of 2026, Japan has 27 properties on the UNESCO World Heritage List: 22 cultural properties and … Read more
The Saphir Odoriko is one of Japan’s most stylish limited express trains, connecting Tokyo and Yokohama with the hot-spring resorts and coastal scenery of the Izu Peninsula. Its deep sapphire-blue exterior reflects the sea and sky of Izu, while the interior is designed around a noticeably more premium travel experience than an ordinary limited express … Read more
Tokyo is one of the best cities in Japan for casual food exploration. Beyond sushi restaurants and ramen shops, you’ll find market stalls, shopping streets, festival-style snacks, traditional sweets, grilled seafood, croquettes, yakitori, and countless grab-and-go specialties across the city. The best part for train travellers is that many of Tokyo’s strongest food areas are … Read more
Tokyo is one of the easiest cities in Japan for enjoying cherry blossoms by train. Some of the capital’s best-known sakura spots are only a few minutes on foot from major JR or subway stations, so you can visit several beautiful locations without renting a car or spending much time on transfers. In a typical … Read more
Winter is one of the most rewarding times to travel around Japan by train. Snow-covered landscapes, hot springs, seasonal food, winter festivals, and quieter sightseeing can make the colder months feel completely different from the busy spring and autumn seasons. The challenge is choosing destinations that are both worth visiting in winter and practical to … Read more
Japan has an extraordinary range of destinations that are easy to explore without a car. From Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka to historic castle towns, mountain destinations, hot-spring resorts, and coastal escapes, many of the country’s most popular places are connected by an excellent rail network. This guide brings together 20 of Japan’s most popular train-accessible … Read more
Kyushu is one of Japan’s best regions for combining train travel with hot springs. Some onsen towns make the experience especially easy by offering a foot bath or hand bath right at the railway station, so the relaxation can begin almost as soon as you step off the train. This guide focuses on three particularly … Read more
Japan’s cherry blossom season is even more memorable when you can combine it with a historic castle — and several excellent castle parks are surprisingly easy to reach by Shinkansen. The five places in this guide are particularly useful for train travellers because you can arrive by Shinkansen and continue to the castle on foot … Read more