Josh 
The Japan Rail Pass can make train travel around Japan much easier, but there are several rules and practical details that first-time visitors often overlook. Some of these details can save you money, while others can help you avoid common mistakes with seat reservations, train types, private railways and pass activation. Quick Answer: What Should … Read more
Not sure whether the Japan Rail Pass will save you money? Learn how to compare current JR Pass prices with individual train fares, check real itinerary examples, and decide whether a nationwide JR Pass, regional pass or separate tickets offer the best value.
Hakone and Lake Ashi make one of the best escapes from Tokyo for mountains, hot springs, scenic train rides and views of Mount Fuji. Located in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, the area combines Lake Ashi, volcanic landscapes, traditional onsen, museums and some of Japan’s most enjoyable mountain transportation. One of the best things about visiting Hakone … Read more
Staying in a Hakone hotel or ryokan with a private onsen is one of the most memorable ways to experience Japan’s famous hot-spring culture. Instead of using only a shared public bath, the properties in this guide offer guest rooms with a private open-air hot spring bath — often called a rotenburo in Japanese. A … Read more
Sightseeing trains in Chugoku and Shikoku offer some of Japan’s most rewarding rail journeys, with routes along the Seto Inland Sea, through rural mountain valleys and across parts of western Japan that many international visitors never explore. That should fix both: These trains range from elegant coastal sightseeing services and art-inspired trains to a historic … Read more
Kyushu has one of the best collections of sightseeing trains in Japan. JR Kyushu calls many of them “Design & Story Trains,” with each service built around the scenery, culture, food and character of the region it travels through. You can ride a classic resort train to Yufuin, follow two different coastal routes around western … Read more
Sightseeing trains in Tohoku and Kanto offer some of Japan’s most varied rail experiences, from dramatic coastal journeys in northern Honshu to family-friendly themed trains, luxury resort trains and steam locomotives within easy reach of Tokyo. Tohoku is particularly strong for JR sightseeing trains that highlight local scenery and culture, while Kanto offers several premium … Read more
Hokkaido is one of the best regions in Japan for scenic rail travel. Its trains cross snowy wetlands, dramatic coastlines, flower-covered countryside and vast mountain landscapes that feel very different from railway journeys around Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka. Many of Hokkaido’s most interesting trains are seasonal, so choosing the right experience depends heavily on when … Read more
Sightseeing trains in Kansai offer some of the region’s most memorable rail experiences, from scenic mountain routes to elegant limited express trains linking Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and beyond. From a classic trolley train through Kyoto’s Hozu River Gorge to elegant limited expresses linking Osaka, Nara and Kyoto, luxury journeys toward Ise-Shima and a brand-new sightseeing … Read more
Hotels near Tokyo Station with in-room kitchens can make family travel much easier, especially for breakfast, children’s meals, longer stays and early-morning Shinkansen departures. The properties in this guide range from apartment hotels to luxury serviced residences near Tokyo Station, Marunouchi, Hatchobori and Ginza. They offer an in-room kitchen or kitchenette with useful facilities such … Read more