Explore Japan’s Cities, Towns & Attractions by Train
Explore Japan destinations by train, from lively cities and historic towns to mountain temples, hot-spring resorts and scenic countryside.
Browse our destination guides by region below. Each guide helps you plan your visit with practical information about train access, nearby sights and how the destination fits into a wider Japan itinerary.
Still deciding on your route? Browse our Japan train itineraries or compare JR regional passes.
Hokkaido
Explore Japan’s northern island through historic port cities, scenic rail journeys and countryside day trips.
Hakodate
Plan a visit to Hakodate’s waterfront, Morning Market, Goryokaku and famous night view, with practical advice on arriving by train.
Explore the Hakodate Travel Guide →
Furano by Train
Learn about the seasonal Furano Lavender Express and planning a summer rail trip from Sapporo to Furano.
Read the Furano Lavender Express Guide →
Explore More of Hokkaido
Tohoku — Northern Honshu
Explore northern Honshu’s mountain temples, historic sights and scenic railway journeys.
Yamadera Temple, Yamagata
Plan a visit to this mountainside temple, with advice on train access from Sendai or Yamagata, the stone-step climb and the viewpoints along the way.
Explore the Yamadera Temple Guide →
Plan a Wider Northern Japan Journey
- 9-Day Northern Japan Itinerary: Tokyo to Sapporo — combine Sendai and Yamadera with stops in Hokkaido.
- Sightseeing Trains in Tohoku & Kanto — explore scenic and themed rail journeys.
Kanto — Tokyo & Nearby Destinations
Use Tokyo as a starting point for trips to historic shrines, waterfront districts and mountain hot-spring towns.
Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Explore Nikko’s richly decorated shrine, with practical advice on getting there by train and planning your visit.
Explore the Nikko Toshogu Shrine Guide →
Yokohama Minato Mirai
Discover Yokohama’s waterfront, museums and sightseeing spots, with advice on train access and exploring the area.
Explore the Yokohama Minato Mirai Guide →
Hakone & Lake Ashi
Plan a mountain escape with hot springs, Lake Ashi and scenic transportation, including tips for the Hakone sightseeing loop.
Explore the Hakone & Lake Ashi Guide →
Compare Day Trips from Tokyo
Not sure which destination suits your trip? Compare Nikko, Kamakura, Hakone, Yokohama and other options in our day-trip guide.
Chubu & Hokuriku — Central Japan
Explore historic towns, traditional villages and cultural cities along routes through central Japan and the Hokuriku region.
Kanazawa
Plan your journey to Kanazawa, explore its gardens and historic districts, and find practical advice on getting around from the station.
Explore the Kanazawa by Train Guide →
Takayama & Shirakawa-go
Discover Takayama’s historic streets and Shirakawa-go’s traditional village, with advice on combining train travel and bus connections.
Explore the Takayama & Shirakawa-go Guide →
Plan a Central Japan Rail Journey
- 8-Day Central Japan Itinerary — travel from Tokyo to Osaka via Nagano and Kanazawa.
- 5-Day Takayama-Hokuriku Itinerary — combine Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa.
Kansai — Osaka, Nara & Historic Castles
Explore lively Osaka neighborhoods, Nara’s temples and parkland, and historic castles that fit naturally into a Kansai rail trip.
Dotonbori, Osaka
Discover Osaka’s famous canal-side district, with advice on reaching it through Namba, sightseeing and local food.
Nara
Plan a visit to Nara Park, Todaiji and historic neighborhoods, with train access advice from Kyoto or Osaka.
Explore the Nara Travel Guide →
Himeji Castle, Hyogo
Visit Himeji’s remarkable original castle, with practical advice on arriving by train and walking from the station.
Explore the Himeji Castle Guide →
Hikone Castle, Shiga
Explore Hikone’s original castle and surrounding sights, with advice on visiting from Kyoto or via Maibara.
Explore the Hikone Castle Guide →
Plan Your Kansai Route
Chugoku & Shikoku — Western Japan
Explore western Japan through historic cities, island visits and scenic rail experiences.
Okayama & Kurashiki
Discover Okayama’s gardens and castle, and plan a side trip to Kurashiki’s historic canal district.
Explore the Okayama & Kurashiki Guide →
Miyajima from Hiroshima
Plan your train and ferry journey to Miyajima, with advice on sightseeing, Itsukushima Shrine and exploring the island.
Explore the Miyajima Train & Ferry Guide →
Scenic Rail Experiences in Chugoku & Shikoku
Discover sightseeing trains that make the journey itself part of your western Japan trip.
Explore Chugoku & Shikoku Sightseeing Trains →
Plan Your Western Japan Route
Kyushu — Hot Springs & Scenic Train Journeys
Explore southern Japan through hot-spring towns, historic cities and memorable sightseeing trains.
Hot-Spring Stops by Train
Discover three Kyushu stations with foot or hand baths that make a relaxing stop during your rail journey.
Explore Kyushu’s Onsen Station Guide →
Kyushu Sightseeing Trains
Compare scenic train experiences, including Yufuin no Mori, TWO STARS 4047 and Ibusuki no Tamatebako.
Explore Kyushu Sightseeing Trains →
Plan Your Kyushu Route
- 5-Day Kyushu Train Itinerary — connect Fukuoka, Yufuin, Beppu, Kumamoto and Kagoshima.
- 17-Day Tokyo to Kyushu Train Itinerary — include Kyushu in a longer journey across Japan.
Plan Your Japan Train Journey
Found somewhere you’d like to visit? Build your route with our train itineraries and compare regional rail passes for your journey.
Before You Buy a JR Pass
Compare the cost of your planned train journeys with the current JR Pass price. Depending on your route, individual tickets or a regional pass may offer better value.
Check Current JR Pass PricesAbout Train Travel Japan
Train Travel Japan is written from firsthand experience traveling throughout Japan by rail. I am a Japanese native based in Canada and have traveled to all 47 prefectures of Japan over more than 30 years.
My goal is to make Japan train travel easier to understand, especially for international visitors planning JR Pass trips, regional rail journeys and independent itineraries.