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Transport in Japan
Your first taste of Japan's superb transport network will probably be the ride into Tokyo or Osaka from the airport. And from then on it is not difficult to see why Japan's transport network is envied across the globe.
Public transport in Japan is probably the most efficient in the world. Trains never run late and are never cancelled! Buses turn up to timetable and, apart from in exceptional circumstances, arrive when scheduled. In short, it is a breath of fresh air.
The 'Bullet' train, or shinkansen (lit. new branch line), was for many years the world's fastest passenger train (a title now held by France's TGV) and still holds the more significant accolade of fastest average journey speeds. The Nozomi 500 series train (meaning 'Desire') is the fastest train in the fleet and today races between Osaka and Tokyo at speeds approaching 200mph.
The Shinkansen is still probably the best way of travelling between Japan's two biggest cities and at peak times as many as 15 trains will depart in one hour. Platform guards stand dutifully to attention, their perfectly synchronised hand and arm movements guiding the trains into into place as they pull up each and every time to exactly the same position on the platform making finding your carriage and your seat a doddle! And having boarded the train, just sit back, relax, and enjoy the silky smooth ride.
Travel in Japan is not only about efficiency however. It provides a great way to view the countryside and see the contrasts of the urban and rural, mountains and sea. If you take a trip up to the Japan Alps, the Hida Limited Express to Takayama is the way to travel. Luxurious, wide view windows offer stunning views as you wind you way up into the mountains. Once up in the Alps, the alpine bus service scales mountain peaks and burrows through mountain tunnels to give you the chance see traditional rural life.
For those of you who like to travel in old fashioned luxury, Japan's sleeper trains provide the perfect opportunity. The 'Cassiopeia' runs three times a week between Ueno Station in Tokyo and Sapporo, the main city in Hokkaido some 1300 miles to the north, and is considered to be the most luxurious passenger train in regular service in the World. The journey takes 17 hours but it will seem too short with suite rooms available and and 5 star French restaurant onboard - a true throw back to the glory days of the railways.
Japan's major cities are also blessed with excellent subway systems. Tokyo's may be famous for its overcrowding, but this only applies during the mad rush of the morning and evening commutes. Station attendants with white gloves aide passengers (ie.give them a good shove), onto the seemingly full-to-breaking-point trains. If this isn't your idea of fun, best to avoid the rush hour.
During the rest of the day, however, the subway is an excellent and cheap way of finding your way around. In short, using public transport is the best way to get the most out of any visit to Japan.
In short, using public transport is the best way to get the most out of any visit to Japan and for any package we provide, we can arrange and reserve all transport be it a full Japan Rail pass, internal flight tickets, bus tickets or a booking on the smooth-as-silk Nozomi Shinkansen.
Rail Holidays
For those of you with a special interest in the railways we would be delighted to put together a package that brings to you some of the finest and most unusual transport in Japan. Combine the fantastic Shinkansen with luxurious sleeper trains and quirky funicular and mountain railways. You can even check out the 'Mag-lev' test track where prototype vehicles have been clocked at a staggering 330 MPH. Just contact us to begin planning a fantastic rail and transport focused trip whilst being sure to include all the best sights along the way.
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