What are Japan's Greatest Train Journeys?

There are few countries so closely associated with trains as Japan. And few countries which do train travel quite so well. This is, after all, the land of the famous bullet train.

Japan’s high-speed trains are iconic and no visit is complete without at least one journey speeding along the shinkansen network at 300km per hour. You can step onto a train in Tokyo and step off again just a few short hours later on the other side of the country.

But sometimes it’s better to slow down and enjoy the view. Japan is blessed with some truly magnificent vistas, whether it’s the bright blue Pacific Ocean scenery or the mountains of Tohoku – when you’re surrounded by such beauty, it’s a shame to just blast through it at 200 miles per hour.

Fortunately, Japan’s railway companies know this better than anyone and have been providing travellers with some of the best experiences available on rails. Here are a few of our favourites:

Kurobe Gorge Railway

There are few more scenic railway lines in Japan than this much-loved stretch in the mountains of Toyama prefecture, a zig-zagging tangle of arched bridges spanning the dramatic ravine of the Kurobe River. Mix the epic scenery with the cutest miniature trolley trains you’ve ever seen, and the appeal of the Kurobe Gorge Railway is clear. The carriages are open to the elements, treating passengers to uninterrupted views across the valley during a journey that is both scenic and thrilling.

Shimakaze Premium Express

Though still relatively little known to outsiders, the Ise-Shima area is one of the most exclusive parts of Japan. Located on a beautiful peninsula jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, the region is famed for its pearl cultivation and boasts perhaps the most important Shinto shrine in the entire country. In more recent years, luxury seaside resorts have spread out along the rugged coastline to grab the best views of the beautiful sunrises – and, naturally, a premium resort such as this requires a premium rail service.

That’s where the Shimakaze comes in. Operated by private rail company Kintetsu, it rushes passengers to the remote Ise-Shima region from the population centres of Nagoya, Osaka and Kyoto in style. Panoramic windows show off the beautiful mountain scenery as it gives way to coastal rock formations, while even the basic seats are made of soft leather. Private compartments are also available, while the dining car (a rarity in Japan) serves delicious hot food and alcoholic drinks. A truly premium experience befitting of the region it serves.

Two Stars 4047

For fans of slow travel, Kyushu is a must-do. As well as the world-famous ‘Seven Stars’ sleeper service, Japan’s southern island boasts a wealth of unique sightseeing trains such as the sleek and stylish Yufuin no Mori, or the coastal Umisachi Yamasachi in southern Miyazaki. But perhaps my favourite is the Two Stars 4047, which winds its way through mountains and sleepy fishing villages between Takeo Onsen and Nagasaki.

Ordinarily just a 30-minute journey on one of the regular express trains that run the route, local villages that are little more than blur to most travellers are brought to life as the train makes several stops along the route for guests to disembark and meet locals, try local foods and sake.

The train itself is a thing of beauty, designed by renowned industrial designer Eiji Mitooka with elaborately patterned upholstery, wooden latticework detailing and gorgeous tiling. Yes, there are quicker ways to travel, but this is the best way to travel in style.

Koshino Shu*Kura

What could be better than a scenic train ride through the mountains of Niigata prefecture? How about a scenic ride through the mountains of Niigata, glass in hand, with a bottomless supply of sake for company?

As Japan’s leading rice-producing region and producer of delicious sake, it seems only natural that a sake-themed train would run through these hills. Passengers can sample a variety of local sake, feast on an exquisite bento of local food and – one final flourish – enjoy live jazz performances on the train.

Tohoku Emotion

The go-to option for foodies, the Tohoku Emotion is part sightseeing train, part fine dining experience. Running along a two-hour route between Hachinohe and Kuji in the northern region of Tohoku, passengers can enjoy some lovely views of the tranquil Sanriku coastline.

But that’s not the real focus of this unique service. JR East have collaborated with star chef Shinsuke Ishii to offer a gorgeous four-course dining experience. Watch your food being prepared in the open kitchen car before sitting down at an intimate window-side table to enjoy an exquisite meal that showcases the excellent fresh seafood the region is famed for, with the beautiful Pacific Ocean as your backdrop.

The views are incredible, the service impeccable and the food is guaranteed to be the best you’ll ever enjoy on a train.

Iyonada Monogatari

The island of Shikoku – the smallest of Japan’s four main islands – is a genuine hidden gem, an island of beautiful ocean scenery, austere temples and picture-perfect castles. It’s a land where the past truly still lives – and that applies to its railways too.

Dubbed a ‘retro-modern’ train, the Iyonada Monogatari is a charming three-carriage special train which trundles along the coastal route between historic Matsuyama and coastal Yawatahama, also calling in at the castle town of Ozu. Taking its design cues – both inside the train and out – from the golden era of train travel, the Iyonada Monogatari is considered by many to be the gold standard of sightseeing trains within Japan.

Panoramic windows reveal stunning coastal vistas around every corner, while the interiors are bright and luxurious. Guests are also treated to some exquisite local food on board, with beautiful bento boxes of local foods made from seasonal ingredients sourced in Shikoku. 

But what makes this stand out above all the other excellent sightseeing trains Japan has to offer is the warm hospitality, from the personal welcome extended by the conductor, to the local people you’ll encounter on the journey and a few special guests – no spoilers, you’ll just have to ride it and find out yourself.

Pokemon With You

Take a wander through any Japanese city and you’ll very quickly be surrounded by cute characters, from Anpanman to Kitty-chan to Doraemon. But there is no mascot character more beloved than Pikachu, the adorable symbol of the ubiquitous Pokemon franchise.

You’ll see his cute face adorning everything from lunchboxes to airliners, so of course it was inevitable that, in a land that loves its novelty locomotives, there would be a Pikachu train. And Pikachu really is the star of the show here: all passenger seats are specially designed in his characteristic vivid yellow colouring, his beaming face bedecks the front of the carriage and the Pikachu play carriage (yes, really) features Pikachu plushies galore – including a giant one that takes up much of the floor space.

If it all seems a bit cutesy, it’s worth bearing in mind that this novelty train exists for a very good reason. In the aftermath of the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake, JR East and the Pokemon Company teamed up to lift the spirits of the local children who had been affected and to boost tourism to a region desperately in need of a break. Since then, the bright yellow train has been a symbol of the region’s rejuvenation – and it’s also really cute.

Riding the Japanese train network is truly one of the greatest pleasures of visiting this wonderful region. Booking the train tickets, however, is sadly not. That's where we come in. Let us deal with the complexities of Japanese bureaucracy and save yourself the headache. Simply click here to get in contact or call us on 01242 242 505 to begin your Different Japan experience.