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
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
ashiyu-in-tokyo-7-foot-bath-spots-to-soak-tired-feet-between-sights Tokyo is a city that can wear out your feet surprisingly quickly. Long station corridors, huge sightseeing areas, and hours of walking can add up fast — especially after several days of exploring. One very Japanese way to take a break is an ashiyu, or foot bath. You simply remove your shoes and socks, … Read more
Hakone is one of the best places to escape Tokyo for mountains, hot springs, scenic train rides and views of Mount Fuji. Located in the 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 is … 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
Tohoku and Kanto offer some of Japan’s most varied sightseeing-train 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 and historic trains … Read more
Staying in a Tokyo hotel with a kitchen 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 … Read more
Tokyo could easily fill an entire trip, but some of Japan’s most rewarding destinations are close enough to visit by train and return to the city the same evening. From the temples and coastline of Kamakura to the mountain shrines of Nikko, the hot springs of Hakone and views of Mount Fuji around Kawaguchiko, these … Read more