Celebrating 50 Years of Japan's Iconic Shinkansen Bullet Train: Top Rail Adventures
Japan's Shinkansen, debuting in 1964, wasn't the world's first high-speed train, but its futuristic design and pinpoint punctuality earned it the nickname 'bullet train,' captivating global rail enthusiasts.
Five decades on, exploring Japan by rail is a delight, especially for international visitors using Japan Rail Passes (www.japanrailpass.net) and discount tickets. Mark the Shinkansen's 50th anniversary with these top 10 rail experiences in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Delve into History
E5 Series Shinkansen by Yuichi Kosio. CC BY 2.0.
Trains arrived in Japan in the 1870s amid rapid modernization post-isolation. The Railway Museum (www.railway-museum.jp) in Omiya, 25km north of Tokyo, showcases preserved locomotives from steam eras to Shinkansen innovations, complete with a driving simulator.
Glimpse the Future
The SCMAGLEV & Railway Park (museum.jr-central.co.jp/en) near Nagoya features vintage trains, a Shinkansen simulator, and a preview of maglev technology. SCMAGLEV—superconducting magnetic levitation—promises speeds over 580km/h, as demonstrated by the record-breaking maglev on display.
Gourmet Express
Ekiben by shirokazan. CC BY 2.0.
Ekiben—station bento boxes featuring regional specialties—are a traveler's favorite. Elevate the experience aboard the Tohoku Emotion (www.jreast.co.jp/tohokuemotion/index.html), with gourmet meals served in its elegant dining car along Northern Honshu's stunning coast.
Ride Through the Night on a Sleeper Service
Overnight sleepers like Cassiopeia and Hokutosei (www.jreast.co.jp/e/routemaps/cassiopeia_hokutosei.html) link Sapporo and Tokyo, while Twilight Express (www.jwfsn.com/twilight/concept.html) takes 23 hours from Sapporo to Osaka via the Sea of Japan. The luxurious Seven Stars (www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/index.html) evokes the Orient Express on Kyushu routes.
Indulge Nostalgia for the Steam Age
Steam locomotives offer timeless charm. The SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen-go (www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/train/tr022_01.html) runs late January to mid-March through Hokkaido's Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, ideal for spotting tancho cranes and swans. Weekends bring the Moka Railway (www.jnto.go.jp/eng/attractions/facilities/heart_art/traditional_tochigi.html) to pottery-famous Mashiko.
Take a Tram
Tram on the Toden-Arakawa Line by Norio Nakayama. CC BY-SA 2.0.
Trams persist in cities like Tokyo's Toden-Arakawa Line (www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/services/streetcar.html), offering intimate urban views. Ride 'ding ding' trams in Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Kochi, Matsuyama, and Hakodate too.
Ride a Funicular
In mountainous Japan, funiculars conquer steep inclines. The Hakone Tozan railway (www.odakyu.jp/english/destination/hakone/#link-01) zigzags to Hakone's lakes near Mt. Fuji. It links the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route (www.alpen-route.com) across the Japan Alps.
Take a Scenic Journey
Shinkansen prioritizes speed over scenery, but Tokyo-Nagano offers views, extending to Kanazawa in March 2015. For beauty, try the Kitakinki Tango Railway (backnumber.ktr-tetsudo.jp/English) to Amanohashidate, one of Japan's top sights.
Spot Snow Monkeys
Snow monkeys by sits GIRLS. CC BY 2.0.
From Nagano, the Snow Monkey Express (www.jreast.co.jp/e/shinshu/course/c_course.html) reaches Jigokudani Yaen-koen (www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp), home to bathing macaques. Visit nearby Obuse for chestnuts, sake, and Hokusai art.
Admire the Stations
Tokyo Station's restored 1914 red-brick facade rivals Amsterdam's. Nikko's Frank Lloyd Wright station (www.nikko-jp.org/english/shigai/jr-sta.html) charms, while Kyoto's futuristic hub blends sci-fi with tradition.
Simon Richmond, former Japan resident, Lonely Planet author, and photographer (@simonrichmond), shares these insights from extensive experience.
