Japan’s Top 20 Most Visited Tourist Destinations Accessible by Train

1. Tokyo — Japan’s Essential First Stop

For most first-time visitors, Tokyo is the natural starting point for a Japan rail trip. The city combines historic neighbourhoods, shrines and gardens with enormous shopping districts, observation decks, museums, digital art, and some of Japan’s best food.

There is no single station for sightseeing Tokyo. Tokyo Station is the main long-distance rail hub and one of the best places to connect with the Shinkansen, while stations such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, and Ikebukuro are more useful for exploring different parts of the city.

Top Things to Do

• Experience the crowds and neon around Shibuya Crossing.
• Visit Meiji Jingu and explore nearby Harajuku.
• Explore Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple.
• Visit teamLab Planets in Toyosu.
• Walk through the gardens and historic areas around the Imperial Palace.
• Explore neighbourhoods such as Shinjuku, Ginza, Akihabara, Ueno, and Yanaka.

What to Eat

Tokyo is one of the easiest places in Japan to eat well at almost any budget. Look for sushi, ramen, tempura, yakitori, soba, tonkatsu, and traditional Japanese set meals, alongside food from every region of Japan.

Tokyo is also an excellent base for rail day trips to destinations such as Kamakura, Nikko, Yokohama, Hakone, and the Mt. Fuji area, several of which appear later in this guide.

2. Kyoto — Temples, Shrines, Gardens, and Traditional Japan

Kyoto is one of Japan’s essential destinations and deserves at least two or three full days on a first visit. The former imperial capital is home to famous temples, shrines, traditional neighbourhoods, gardens, markets, and some of the country’s most recognizable scenery.

Kyoto Station is the city’s main long-distance rail gateway and is served by the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo, Nagoya, and Shin-Osaka. From there, JR trains, subways, private railways, buses, and walking routes connect the major sightseeing areas.

Top Things to Do

• Walk through the thousands of vermilion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha.
• Explore Kiyomizu-dera and the historic streets of Higashiyama.
• Visit Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto’s famous Golden Pavilion.
• Walk through the bamboo groves and riverside area of Arashiyama.
• Explore Gion, Yasaka Shrine, and the traditional streets around Hanamikoji.
• Browse local food and specialties at Nishiki Market.

Easy Rail Access From Kyoto Station

Some of Kyoto’s most famous attractions are easier to reach by train than many visitors realize. The JR Nara Line takes about 9 minutes to Inari Station for Fushimi Inari Taisha, while the JR Sagano Line can reach Saga-Arashiyama Station in about 11 minutes on a rapid service.

What to Eat

Look for kaiseki cuisine, yudofu tofu dishes, Kyoto-style sushi, matcha sweets, obanzai home-style cooking, and seasonal wagashi. Kyoto Station itself also has a large selection of restaurants if you need an easy meal before or after a train journey.

3. Osaka — Food, Nightlife, and Big-City Energy

Osaka is one of Japan’s most enjoyable cities for food, nightlife, shopping, and easy-going urban sightseeing. It also makes an excellent rail base for day trips around Kansai.

If you arrive by Shinkansen, you will use Shin-Osaka Station. From there, local JR trains and the Osaka Metro connect you with central areas such as Umeda, Namba, Dotonbori, and Osaka Castle.

Top Things to Do

• See the neon signs and canal views around Dotonbori.
• Visit Osaka Castle and walk through the surrounding park.
• Explore the shopping and entertainment areas around Namba and Shinsaibashi.
• Visit Kuromon Market for seafood, snacks, and local specialties.
• Explore Shinsekai and see Tsutenkaku Tower.
• Spend a day at Universal Studios Japan or Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan if you are travelling with family.

Getting Around by Train

Dotonbori is immediately accessible from the Namba station area, while Osaka Castle Park can be reached using JR stations such as Osakajokoen or Morinomiya. The castle keep itself is roughly a 15–20 minute walk from the surrounding stations.

What to Eat

Osaka is famous for casual local food. Try takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu, yakiniku, udon, and street-food snacks. Dotonbori and Namba are particularly good areas for sampling several dishes in one evening.

4. Nara — Deer, Temples, and Ancient Japan

Nara is one of the easiest cultural day trips from Kyoto or Osaka. Japan’s first permanent capital is best known for Nara Park, its free-roaming deer, and some of the country’s most important early Buddhist temples.

There are two main stations for visitors: Kintetsu-Nara Station and JR Nara Station. Kintetsu-Nara is the more convenient of the two for Nara Park, while JR Nara is useful if you are travelling on JR services.

Top Things to Do

• Walk through Nara Park and see the city’s famous free-roaming deer.
• Visit Todai-ji Temple and the Great Buddha Hall.
• Explore Kasuga Taisha and its lantern-lined approaches.
• See Kofuku-ji near the edge of Nara Park.
• Walk through the traditional streets of Naramachi.

What to Eat

Look for kakinoha sushi, mochi, somen noodles, and other regional specialties. Nara’s kakinoha sushi — pressed sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves — is especially easy to take with you on the train back to Kyoto or Osaka.

We also have a dedicated Nara guide with more detailed sightseeing and train information:

Read the Nara Travel Guide

5. Hakone — Mountains, Hot Springs, and Mt. Fuji Views

Hakone is one of the easiest mountain-and-onsen escapes from Tokyo. The area combines hot springs, art museums, Lake Ashi, volcanic scenery, and — on clear days — excellent views of Mt. Fuji.

The main rail gateway is Odawara Station, which is served by the Tokaido Shinkansen. From Odawara, continue on the Odakyu/Hakone Tozan Line to Hakone-Yumoto, then use mountain trains, buses, cable cars, ropeways, and boats to explore the wider Hakone area.

Top Things to Do

• Ride the Hakone Ropeway and visit Owakudani.
• Take a sightseeing cruise across Lake Ashi.
• Visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum.
• Walk around Hakone Shrine and the lakeside area.
• Stay overnight in a ryokan and enjoy a traditional onsen.

What to Eat

Popular local foods include Owakudani black eggs, soba noodles, tofu dishes, traditional ryokan meals, and sweets made with local ingredients.

For travellers with luggage, Hakone-Yumoto Station also offers a baggage delivery service that can send bags directly to participating hotels, making it easier to begin sightseeing immediately after arrival.

6. Hiroshima — Peace, History, and Miyajima

Hiroshima combines one of Japan’s most important modern historical sites with easy access to Miyajima, making it a natural stop on a western Japan rail itinerary.

Hiroshima Station is served by the Sanyo Shinkansen and is the main gateway for both city sightseeing and onward travel to Miyajima. From the station, streetcars and sightseeing buses connect with Peace Memorial Park, while JR trains run directly toward Miyajimaguchi.

Top Things to Do

• Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome.
• Spend time at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
• See the grounds and reconstructed structures at Hiroshima Castle.
• Take a day trip to Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine.
• Explore central Hiroshima by streetcar.

Important 2026 Hiroshima Castle Update

Hiroshima Castle’s reconstructed main keep closed permanently on March 22, 2026 because of deterioration and aging infrastructure. You can still view the exterior, castle grounds, moats, and restored Ninomaru buildings, but you can no longer enter the main keep.

Getting to Miyajima by Train

From Hiroshima Station, take the JR Sanyo Main Line to Miyajimaguchi Station. The train journey takes about 30 minutes, followed by a short walk to the ferry terminal and the crossing to Miyajima.

What to Eat

Hiroshima is famous for Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, oysters, anago meshi, and momiji manju. If you are visiting Miyajima, save room for local oysters and conger eel dishes on the island as well.

7. Fukuoka — Gateway to Kyushu

Fukuoka is one of Japan’s easiest major cities to navigate and an excellent starting point for exploring Kyushu. It combines a lively food scene, waterfront attractions, shopping, historic neighbourhoods, and excellent onward rail connections.

Hakata Station is the city’s main long-distance rail hub and the western terminus of the Sanyo Shinkansen from Hiroshima and Osaka. It is also the starting point for Kyushu Shinkansen and limited express services deeper into Kyushu.

Top Things to Do

• Explore the temples and traditional streets of Hakata Old Town.
• Visit Fukuoka Tower and the Momochi waterfront.
• Shop and eat around Canal City Hakata.
• Experience Fukuoka’s famous evening yatai food stalls.
• Take a day trip to Dazaifu Tenmangu and the Kyushu National Museum.

Easy Day Trip to Dazaifu

Dazaifu is one of the easiest cultural excursions from central Fukuoka. From Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station, the journey to Dazaifu takes about 35 minutes by Nishitetsu train. Dazaifu Tenmangu is then only a short walk from the station.

What to Eat

Fukuoka is famous for Hakata tonkotsu ramen, mentaiko spicy cod roe, motsunabe, mizutaki chicken hot pot, and fresh seafood. The city’s yatai stalls are also a fun way to experience casual local dining in the evening.

8. Kamakura — Temples, the Great Buddha, and Coastal Scenery

Kamakura is one of the best day trips from Tokyo if you want historic temples, traditional streets, beaches, and a more relaxed atmosphere without travelling far from the capital.

From Tokyo Station, the JR Yokosuka Line reaches Kamakura Station in about one hour without a transfer. From Shinagawa, the journey is about 50 minutes.

Top Things to Do

• See the famous Great Buddha of Kamakura at Kotoku-in.
• Visit Hasedera Temple and enjoy views toward the coast.
• Walk along Komachi-dori from Kamakura Station for shops, cafés, and snacks.
• Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Kamakura’s most important shrine.
• Ride the nostalgic Enoden railway toward Hase and Enoshima.
• Combine temples with a walk along Yuigahama or another nearby beach.

Getting to the Great Buddha

From Kamakura Station, take the Enoden to Hase Station. The train ride takes about 5 minutes, followed by roughly a 7-minute walk to Kotoku-in and the Great Buddha.

Current admission to Kotoku-in is ¥300 for junior-high-school students and older and ¥150 for elementary-school children. Entry inside the Great Buddha statue costs an additional ¥50.

What to Eat

Look for shirasu (small whitebait), seafood bowls, soba, matcha sweets, senbei rice crackers, and the many seasonal snacks sold around Komachi-dori.

9. Nikko — Shrines, Forests, and Mountain Scenery

Nikko is one of Tokyo’s best cultural and nature escapes. Its UNESCO-listed shrines and temples sit among towering cedar forests, while the wider Nikko area includes waterfalls, lakes, hiking trails, and hot springs.

The two main gateways are Tobu-Nikko Station and JR Nikko Station. Direct Tobu limited express trains from Asakusa reach Nikko in roughly two hours. If you are travelling with a Japan Rail Pass, you can instead take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo or Ueno to Utsunomiya and transfer to the JR Nikko Line.

Top Things to Do

• Visit the lavishly decorated Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
• See Shinkyo Bridge at the entrance to the World Heritage area.
• Explore Rinnoji Temple and Futarasan Shrine.
• Travel into Okunikko to see Kegon Falls.
• Walk around Lake Chuzenji and enjoy the mountain scenery.
• Stay overnight in Nikko or nearby Kinugawa Onsen for a slower trip.

Getting Around Nikko

Central Nikko’s World Heritage sites can be explored on foot and by local bus. For Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji, however, you will need to continue by bus into the mountain area of Okunikko.

Buses from Nikko and Tobu-Nikko stations also make it easy to reach the main shrine and temple area without walking the entire way uphill.

What to Eat

Nikko is particularly known for yuba, the delicate tofu skin traditionally associated with Buddhist cuisine. You will also find soba noodles, wagashi sweets, and seasonal mountain dishes.

10. Sapporo — Food, Snow, and the Gateway to Hokkaido

Sapporo is Hokkaido’s largest city and one of the best bases for exploring northern Japan by train. It is famous for winter snow, excellent food, wide boulevards, parks, and easy rail connections to destinations across Hokkaido.

Sapporo Station is the city’s main JR hub. One important point for train travellers is that the Hokkaido Shinkansen does not yet run all the way to Sapporo. From Honshu, the Shinkansen currently terminates at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, where you transfer to a limited express train for Sapporo.

Top Things to Do

• Walk through Odori Park in the heart of the city.
• Visit in winter for the famous Sapporo Snow Festival.
• See the historic Sapporo Clock Tower.
• Explore the restaurants and nightlife of Susukino.
• Ride the ropeway to Mt. Moiwa for panoramic city views.
• Use Sapporo as a base for rail trips to Otaru and other parts of Hokkaido.

What to Eat

Sapporo is one of Japan’s great food destinations. Try miso ramen, soup curry, jingisukan grilled lamb, fresh seafood, Hokkaido dairy desserts, and locally brewed beer.

Arriving From New Chitose Airport

JR trains make airport access particularly easy. Airport services connect New Chitose Airport Station directly with Sapporo Station, with the fastest services taking around 36–37 minutes.

11. Kobe — Harbor Views, Kobe Beef, and Mountain Scenery

Kobe is an easy and rewarding stop between Osaka and Himeji. Wedged between the Seto Inland Sea and Mt. Rokko, the city combines a cosmopolitan waterfront, historic Western-style neighbourhoods, mountain views, and one of Japan’s most famous food experiences.

Shin-Kobe Station is served by the Sanyo Shinkansen. From there, central Sannomiya is only about 2 minutes by subway, making Kobe very easy to add to a Kansai rail itinerary.

Top Things to Do

• Walk around Meriken Park and Kobe Harborland.
• Explore the historic Western-style houses of Kitano.
• Ride the Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway to the Herb Gardens for panoramic views.
• Visit Nankinmachi, Kobe’s lively Chinatown.
• Head up Mt. Rokko or Mt. Maya for spectacular city and bay views.
• Consider a side trip or overnight stay at Arima Onsen.

One of Japan’s Easiest Shinkansen Sightseeing Stops

Shin-Kobe is unusually convenient for sightseeing. Nunobiki Falls can be reached on foot from the Shinkansen station, while the lower station for the Nunobiki Ropeway is also nearby. The ropeway takes about 10 minutes to reach the upper gardens.

What to Eat

The obvious specialty is Kobe beef, but the city is also known for Western-influenced bakeries and sweets, Chinese food in Nankinmachi, sake from the Nada brewing district, and a strong café culture.

12. Nagoya — Castles, Railways, and Famous Local Food

Nagoya is often passed over on the journey between Tokyo and Kyoto, but it is one of Japan’s easiest cities to add to a Shinkansen itinerary. It combines samurai history, major railway and industrial museums, lively shopping districts, and a distinctive local food culture.

Nagoya Station is a major stop on the Tokaido Shinkansen, with direct trains from Tokyo, Kyoto, and Shin-Osaka. It is also an important gateway for trips toward Takayama, the Kiso Valley, Ise, and other parts of central Japan.

Top Things to Do

• Explore the grounds and restored Hommaru Palace at Nagoya Castle.
• Visit the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park, one of Japan’s best railway museums.
• Explore the shops, temples, cafés, and street food around Osu.
• Visit the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology.
• See the Tokugawa Art Museum and nearby Tokugawa Garden.

Important Nagoya Castle Update

Nagoya Castle itself remains open, but the reconstructed main tower keep is currently closed to visitors. You can still explore the castle grounds and visit the beautifully reconstructed Hommaru Palace.

From Nagoyajo Station on the Meijo Subway Line, the castle is about a 5-minute walk from Exit 7.

A Must for Train Fans

The SCMAGLEV and Railway Park traces the development of Japanese railways from conventional trains to the Tokaido Shinkansen and superconducting maglev technology. From Nagoya Station, take the Aonami Line to Kinjo-futo Station; the museum is about a 2-minute walk away.

What to Eat

Nagoya has its own distinctive food culture known as Nagoya meshi. Try hitsumabushi grilled eel, miso katsu, tebasaki chicken wings, kishimen noodles, miso nikomi udon, and ogura toast.

13. Kanazawa — Samurai Districts, Gardens, and Contemporary Art

Kanazawa is one of Japan’s best destinations for travellers who want traditional streets, samurai history, gardens, markets, and art without the scale of Tokyo or Kyoto.

Kanazawa Station is served directly by the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo. The journey takes about 2 hours 30 minutes, making Kanazawa an easy addition to a central Japan rail itinerary.

Top Things to Do

• Walk through Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s most celebrated landscape gardens.
• Explore the traditional streets of the Higashi Chaya District.
• Visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art.
• Browse fresh seafood and local specialties at Omicho Market.
• Walk through the preserved Nagamachi Samurai District.
• Explore Kanazawa Castle Park next to Kenrokuen.

Getting Around Kanazawa

Kanazawa’s major sightseeing areas are relatively compact. Many of the main attractions are concentrated within roughly 2 km of Kanazawa Castle Park, so you can combine walking with local buses or the Kanazawa Loop Bus.

What to Eat

Kanazawa is especially good for fresh seafood, sushi, kaisendon seafood bowls, nodoguro blackthroat seaperch, Kaga cuisine, and seasonal crab. Omicho Market is one of the easiest places to sample several local specialties in one visit.

You will also see plenty of gold-leaf sweets and desserts, reflecting Kanazawa’s long tradition of gold-leaf craftsmanship.

14. Takayama — Edo-Era Streets in the Japanese Alps

Takayama is one of central Japan’s most atmospheric historic towns. Surrounded by the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, it is known for beautifully preserved Edo-period streets, morning markets, traditional sake breweries, festivals, and Hida beef.

The main gateway is JR Takayama Station on the Takayama Main Line. From Nagoya, the Limited Express Hida reaches Takayama in roughly 2 hours 20 minutes, providing one of the most scenic rail journeys into the Japanese Alps.

Top Things to Do

• Walk through the preserved streets of Sanmachi Suji.
• Browse the Miyagawa Morning Market.
• Visit Takayama Jinya, the former government headquarters from the Edo period.
• Sample sake at traditional breweries in the old town.
• Visit Hida Folk Village to see traditional thatched-roof houses.
• Time your visit for the famous Takayama Festival if your itinerary allows.

Takayama and Shirakawa-go

Takayama is one of the most popular gateways to the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawa-go. However, an important point for rail travellers is that Shirakawa-go does not have a train station. You need to continue from Takayama by highway bus.

This makes Takayama a particularly good overnight stop: explore the old town on your first day, then travel to Shirakawa-go the following morning before continuing toward Kanazawa or Toyama.

What to Eat

Takayama is famous for Hida beef, which you will find as steak, yakiniku, sushi, croquettes, and small street-food snacks. Also look for Hoba miso, Takayama ramen, mountain vegetables, local sake, and traditional Japanese sweets.

15. Hikone — An Original Castle Beside Lake Biwa

Hikone is an excellent historic stop between Kyoto and Nagoya. Its highlight is Hikone Castle, one of Japan’s surviving original feudal-era castles and one of only five castle keeps designated as National Treasures.

JR Hikone Station is on the Biwako Line. From Kyoto, the journey takes about 46 minutes by Special Rapid service. If you are travelling by Shinkansen, change at Maibara Station; Hikone is only about 5 minutes farther by local JR train.

Top Things to Do

• Climb through the original wooden interior of Hikone Castle.
• Walk through Genkyu-en Garden below the castle.
• Visit the Hikone Castle Museum to learn about the Ii clan.
• Explore the traditional shops and restaurants around Yume Kyobashi Castle Road.
• Look out for Hikonyan, Hikone’s extremely popular samurai-cat mascot.
• Enjoy views toward Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake.

Hikone Castle Admission

Hikone Castle and Genkyu-en Garden are currently open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with admission ending at 4:30 PM. Standard admission is ¥1,000 for adults and ¥300 for elementary and junior-high-school students.

What to Eat

The best-known local specialty is Omi beef, one of Japan’s historic wagyu brands. Shiga is also known for freshwater cuisine from Lake Biwa, including the highly traditional fermented sushi called funazushi.

For a more detailed visit plan, see our dedicated Hikone guide:

Read the Hikone Castle Travel Guide

16. Yokohama — Waterfront Views and an Easy Escape From Tokyo

Yokohama is Japan’s second-largest city, yet it feels noticeably more relaxed than central Tokyo. Its waterfront combines modern architecture, museums, parks, historic port buildings, Chinatown, and excellent evening views.

From Tokyo Station, JR trains reach Yokohama Station in about 25 minutes. For sightseeing around Minato Mirai, Sakuragicho Station is often an even more convenient starting point.

Top Things to Do

• Walk along the waterfront through Minato Mirai.
• Visit the interactive Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama.
• Explore the historic Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse area.
• Eat your way through Yokohama Chinatown, one of the largest Chinatowns in Japan.
• Stroll through Yamashita Park along Yokohama Harbour.
• Stay until evening to see the illuminated skyline around the waterfront.

Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama

The Cup Noodles Museum is one of Yokohama’s most popular family attractions. It includes exhibits about instant-noodle inventor Momofuku Ando and hands-on activities where you can create your own customized Cup Noodles.

The museum is about an 8-minute walk from Minatomirai Station or approximately 12 minutes from Sakuragicho Station. General admission is currently ¥500 for adults, while high-school-age visitors and younger enter free; some activities cost extra.

What to Eat

Yokohama is particularly well known for Chinese cuisine, shumai dumplings, ramen, and international food. Chinatown is ideal for trying several small dishes, while Yokohama also has a strong connection with the development of ramen culture in Japan.

17. Mt. Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi — Japan’s Most Iconic View

Mt. Fuji is Japan’s most recognizable landmark, but you do not need to climb the mountain to enjoy it. The Fuji Five Lakes area around Lake Kawaguchi offers some of the best accessible viewpoints, along with temples, museums, hot springs, and amusement parks.

For most train travellers, Kawaguchiko Station is the main gateway. It sits on the Fujikyu Railway and can be reached from Tokyo either with a direct Fuji Excursion limited express from Shinjuku or by travelling to Otsuki on the JR Chuo Line and changing to the Fujikyu Railway.

Top Things to Do

• Enjoy views of Mt. Fuji from around Lake Kawaguchi.
• Visit Chureito Pagoda at Arakurayama Sengen Park.
• Ride the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway above Lake Kawaguchi.
• Visit Fuji-Q Highland for roller coasters and family attractions.
• Stay overnight at a hotel or ryokan with a Mt. Fuji view and onsen.
• Explore the wider Fuji Five Lakes area if you have more than one day.

Getting to Chureito Pagoda by Train

For the classic view of Mt. Fuji behind Chureito Pagoda, get off the Fujikyu Railway at Shimoyoshida Station rather than continuing to Kawaguchiko. From the station, allow roughly 30 minutes on foot to reach the pagoda viewpoint.

Direct Fuji Excursion From Shinjuku

The Fuji Excursion provides direct limited express service between Shinjuku and Kawaguchiko without requiring a transfer at Otsuki. The regular 2026 timetable includes four round trips per day, with additional services on selected busy dates.

The current one-way fare from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko is ¥4,200, including the base fare and limited express charge.

What to Eat

The best-known local dish is hoto, a hearty Yamanashi specialty of thick flat noodles cooked with vegetables in a miso-based broth. It is particularly satisfying on a cold or rainy day.

18. Beppu — One of Japan’s Great Onsen Cities

Beppu is one of Japan’s most famous hot-spring destinations and one of the easiest onsen cities to reach entirely by train. Located on the east coast of Kyushu, it combines traditional public baths, modern resorts, geothermal landscapes, sand bathing, and distinctive hot-spring cuisine.

JR Beppu Station is the main gateway. Limited express trains connect Beppu with Hakata, Kokura, Oita, and other destinations, making the city particularly easy to include in a wider Kyushu rail itinerary.

Top Things to Do

• Explore the colourful geothermal pools of the Beppu Hells (Jigoku Meguri).
• Experience a traditional public bath at Takegawara Onsen.
• Try a geothermal sand bath.
• Explore the atmospheric Kannawa hot-spring district.
• Try jigoku mushi, food steamed using natural geothermal heat.
• Stay overnight at a ryokan or hotel with its own onsen.

Try a Sand Bath

Sand bathing is one of Beppu’s most distinctive experiences. At historic Takegawara Onsen, visitors wearing a special yukata lie down while attendants cover them with hot-spring-heated sand.

Another option is the newer seaside Beppu Kaihin Sunayu “Sand SPA”, where naturally heated wet sand is used beside the coast.

A Free Onsen Experience at Beppu Station

Immediately outside Beppu Station’s East Exit is a small natural hot-spring hand bath, or teyu. It is currently available 24 hours a day and free of charge, making it an easy introduction to Beppu’s onsen culture as soon as you step off the train.

What to Eat

Beppu specialties include jigoku mushi geothermal-steamed dishes, toriten chicken tempura, seafood, and traditional Japanese ryokan meals. Jigoku mushi is particularly memorable because ingredients are cooked using steam rising naturally from the hot-spring ground.

19. Matsumoto — Castle Town and Gateway to the Japanese Alps

Matsumoto combines one of Japan’s finest original castles with a compact historic centre and easy access to the mountains of Nagano Prefecture. It is an excellent alternative for travellers who want history and alpine scenery without the crowds of Japan’s largest cities.

JR Matsumoto Station is the main gateway. Direct Limited Express Azusa trains connect Shinjuku with Matsumoto in roughly 2 hours 30 minutes, while rail connections from Nagoya take about 2 hours.

Top Things to Do

• Explore the original wooden interior of Matsumoto Castle.
• Walk along the traditional merchant buildings of Nakamachi Street.
• Browse shops and cafés along pedestrian-friendly Nawate Street.
• Visit the Matsumoto City Museum of Art.
• Use Matsumoto as a gateway for trips into the Japanese Alps, including Kamikochi.
• Enjoy mountain views from around Matsumoto Station and the surrounding city.

Visit Matsumoto Castle

Matsumoto Castle is one of Japan’s surviving original castle keeps and is designated a National Treasure. Its distinctive black exterior has earned it the nickname “Crow Castle.”

The castle is currently open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with last admission at 4:30 PM. Standard admission is ¥1,300 for adults when buying a paper ticket or ¥1,200 with an electronic ticket. Elementary and junior-high-school students pay ¥400.

What to Eat

Nagano Prefecture is famous for Shinshu soba, and Matsumoto has many excellent soba restaurants. Also look for oyaki dumplings, wasabi dishes, mountain vegetables, Shinshu salmon, local apples, and regional sake.

20. Himeji — Japan’s Most Spectacular Original Castle

Himeji is the perfect final destination on this list. Its magnificent white castle is one of Japan’s most important surviving feudal structures and one of the easiest major historical sites to visit directly from the Shinkansen.

JR Himeji Station is served by the Sanyo Shinkansen. From the station’s north exit, Himeji Castle is approximately 1 km away, or about a 15–20 minute walk straight along Otemae-dori.

Top Things to Do

• Explore the original wooden interior of Himeji Castle.
• Walk through the beautiful Koko-en Garden beside the castle.
• Photograph the castle from different viewpoints around the surrounding park and moats.
• Travel to Mt. Shosha and visit atmospheric Engyo-ji Temple.
• Explore the shopping streets between Himeji Station and the castle.

Himeji Castle Admission in 2026

A major pricing change took effect on March 1, 2026. Standard admission for non-resident adults aged 18 and over is now ¥2,500, while visitors under 18 can enter free.

A combined Himeji Castle + Koko-en Garden ticket costs ¥2,600, making it excellent value if you plan to visit both attractions.

Himeji Castle opens at 9:00 AM. Closing times vary by season, so check the official castle website before your visit, especially if you are arriving later in the afternoon.

Don’t Miss Koko-en Garden

Located immediately beside the castle, Koko-en contains nine separate Japanese gardens designed in different traditional styles. It is especially beautiful during cherry blossom season and autumn foliage.

What to Eat

Local specialties include Himeji oden, traditionally eaten with ginger soy sauce, along with conger eel dishes, seafood, and regional sweets.

For more detailed access, sightseeing, and castle information, see our dedicated guide:

Read the Himeji Castle Guide

Can you visit most of Japan without renting a car?

Yes. Most destinations in this guide are easy to reach by train, and many major sightseeing areas can then be explored on foot, by local bus, subway, tram, or private railway. A rental car is more useful for remote countryside and mountain areas than for Japan’s major tourist cities.

Which destinations are easiest for a first trip to Japan?

A classic first itinerary usually includes Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, with side trips such as Nara, Kamakura, Hakone, Himeji, or Miyajima depending on your interests and available time.

Do I need a Japan Rail Pass to visit these places?

No. A nationwide Japan Rail Pass is only worthwhile when the value of your eligible JR journeys exceeds the cost of the pass. Individual tickets or regional JR passes can often be better value, especially if you are concentrating on one part of Japan.

Which destinations are directly served by the Shinkansen?

Major destinations in this guide with direct Shinkansen access include Tokyo, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakata, Shin-Kobe, Nagoya, Kanazawa, and Himeji. Other destinations require a connection to a conventional JR, private railway, bus, or local transport service.

How many destinations should I include in a two-week Japan trip?

For most travellers, around 4–6 main bases works well. You can then add nearby destinations as day trips. This usually gives you a better experience than changing hotels every day simply to visit more places.

Should I book Japanese trains in advance?

For ordinary local trains, advance booking is usually unnecessary. Reservations are more useful for Shinkansen and limited express trains during busy travel periods, and they are strongly recommended for popular sightseeing trains and services with limited seating.

What is the best way to plan a rail itinerary around Japan?

Start with a few major bases, group nearby destinations together, and avoid unnecessary backtracking. Then compare the cost of individual tickets with nationwide and regional rail passes before buying a pass.

Japan Rail Pass Guide

Planning a multi-city trip across Japan? See what the nationwide JR Pass covers, how much it costs, and when it can still be good value.

Read the Japan Rail Pass Guide

JR Regional Passes

If your trip focuses on one part of Japan, a regional JR pass may be cheaper and more practical than the nationwide pass.

Compare JR Regional Passes

Sightseeing Trains in Japan

Make the journey part of the experience with scenic and special trains operating across Hokkaido, Kyushu, Kansai, and other regions.

Explore Sightseeing Trains

About 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.