For my money, i can’t go past the Shinkansen for my means of long distance travel within Japan.
Not only is it a safer option, there’s much less stuffing around than with a plane, no security check, no carry-on luggage restrictions etc …
On my recent trip to Hiroshima and Kyoto i had the pleasure of riding the Shinkansen several times.
Although as a tourist there’s a JR Rail Pass you can get it’s not necessarily the best and easiest option.
Depending on the places you want to go the rail pass will only cover so much which and is limited to several trains not all of them.
I went from Tokyo > Hiroshima, then Hiroshima > Kyoto and lastly Kyoto > Tokyo.
All up the cost of the ticket for me was 40,000 yen, i doubt very much i could have got a plane any cheaper.
It’s so convenient too, all i had to do was get to Tokyo station to begin my journey.
Many of the trains are equipped with power these days and the one i caught had wireless internet from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka
If you get the chance when you visit Japan then i’d definitely recommend a ride on the Shinkansen.
If you plan on buying a rail pass be sure to check it will get you all the places you need to go.
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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Thought it would have been more than 40k, I’ll be doing the parental pilgramage sometime later this year so your advise on the travel pass is appreciated.
Well it was 40K per head all up. 3 single legs plus a bit of tax. Fire away with the questions when the time arises.
I’m a regular on the Hikari and _____ shinkansen. I love it but….the slow hum of high speed makes me scared i will nod off and miss my stop . Very relaxing like the low hum of an A/C or refrigerator
Very comfortable indeed Chris.
Have to admit the rail system here in the states really pales in comparison. There was an article I read awhile ago which mentioned it was actually cheaper for tourists to travel within Japan than Japanese people because of the JR pass, and that the JR companies were considering getting rid of it because of the complaints they were getting. Not sure if anything ever happened of it though..
It’s cheaper IF you have a substantial amount of travel to do and the trains you’re using all accept the JR Pass. As with everything the JR pass has some conditions that just didn’t suit my route. Also, doing the trip in 5 days with no additional travel didn’t benefit me buying a 7 day pass which i needed to pay extra for some legs anyway. I’m sure if you were doing many legs over 14 to 28 days the Rail pass would be VERY beneficial.
The shinkansen is really comfy and I have to agree on the rail pass – it’s really useful if you don’t want to spend the time to plan your route in advance to get the best prices, and there’re also some limitations within Tokyo (although you easily make it up by having to walk a bit more), but I found that I could have saved more by just getting per trip tickets (if just travelling within Tokyo, that is). Of course, just taking a return trip to Kyoto made the pass worthwhile lol
It was the Hiroshima leg that stuff me and the inability to use the Nozomi Shinkansen without having to pony up for some more …. i wanted to just be done with it and buy all the tickets from Shinjuku a week in advance and was happy to pay the premium. There’s a lot to be said for the stress of ushering a few foreigners through the train system over the course of 10 days.
It really is a relaxing experience for sure. I always enjoy a ride on the Shinkansen. I can have a beer and even smoke if I want; although just make sure to book a smoking car if you want to smoke.
The comforts do make it a great trip.
The ride from Tokyo to parts west on the N700 is amazing. Smooth as flying and almost as fast.
Can’t say I’ve been on it BW but i will at some stage.
I agree it’s cheaper and less hassle than flying – Japanese domestic flights are known for their steep prices!
Oh and, beautiful pictures of the Shinkansen’s
love to see a piece of metal converted into art!
Agreed …. no way i was getting 3 flights for 40,000 or even 2 with a train from Hiroshima to Kyoto. Nothing convenient about getting to airports either whereas the train stops right where i needed it to be for the accommodation i booked.
I can’t wait to ride on the Shinkansen when I visit Japan. I made a post recently about the bullet train which includes a video. Hope you don’t mind me linking to it.
http://www.jamaipanese.com/japans-shinkansen-the-bullet-train/
Sure is a great way to travel. Not at all Kirk …. link away.
ok we have the mile high club so what is the shinkansen club called????and has anyone joined????
hmmmm, the 250km/hr club i guess. I’m doubtful any locals would have joined …. they’re all asleep within minutes of departure.
Ok than hurry up and start one and i’ll continue it in june..
i’ve been on that train a few times and i get dizzy trying to look out the window so this would make a great activity to pass the time..
if they are sleeping than you can take some funny pics…. but than again your site is rated G…
what a slick and gorgeous peice of transportation. my buddy lives in japan and uses it quite often. he says it’s so efficient and safe, that i can’t even wrap my mind around that living in Central American countries.
The Travel Expert(a) and an Expat with a Twist
We have 2 Shinkasen rides scheduled on our visit to Japan, Tokyo > Kyoto and the return trip, and I cannot wait to experience it.
i always bring a camera when i travel not that i take pictures of the commuters but the view outside which i always get blurry images because of the train’s speed.
I never leave the house without a camera or 2 aswell ….. especially living here.
Sadly the JR passes are only for foreigners on “tourist” visas (the 90-day things you get when you land at Narita) and those of us on longer term stays have to pony up the full fare. Gets pretty pricy if you are heading all the way from Kanto to Kyushu. The airfare is actually cheaper if you get a discounted ticket; as far as I can tell Shinkansen tickets are almost never discounted.
I agree, any further north that Tokyo and you’d be better flying for time and $$$