Many visitors to Japan may not even think of taking a rail journey when they are in the country, but this is a great shame as there are a huge number of routes and amazing landscapes just waiting to be discovered.

The history of rail travel in Japan goes back a long way, but some would argue that it all started when the peerless shinkansen or high speed bullet train was unveiled in 1964, changing train travel in Japan, and the world, forever.

Nowadays the shinkansen are still one of the best ways to get round Japan, although there are a wealth of local lines to choose from as well that are arguably more exciting, thanks to their slower pace and more laid back approach to travel.

One of the other great aspects of travelling by train in the Land of the Rising Sun is the fact that most of the country is linked in some way by the railway system, so wherever you want to go, this is one of the best ways to explore. From the metropolis of Tokyo to cities like Osaka and Kyoto in only a few hours, to scenic little jaunts into the mountains that take a matter of minutes, there are a huge range of options to choose from depending on how much time you have and what you want to see.

Here are some of the top train journeys in Japan…

1. Kurobe Gorge Railway


The Kurobe Gorge Railway was actually first built not for travelers but to help with the construction of the Kurobe Dam in days gone by, carrying materials and personnel to the site. Nowadays the railway has become a key sightseeing spot and will take you through the beautiful Kurobe gorge where you will catch sight of the amazing mountain scenery that is part of the Northern Japan Alps. The journey on the railway takes around 80 minutes and you will get to cross over 20 bridges as you weave your way through the gorge. There are also 40 tunnels along the 20 kilometers of railway and you will be able to take in not only the gorge, but also the impressive surrounding mountains and river that snakes along the bottom of the rugged ravine.

2. Snow Monkey Express


The Snow Monkey Express is the name for the Nagano Electric Railway train that will take you to Nagano where you will find the well known hot springs. To get to the Nagano Electric railway you can take the Nagano Shinkansen from Tokyo before changing onto the Electric Railway. The hot springs, where you will end up, are famous as the place where snow monkeys like to bathe in the winter months, hence the name of this famous ride.

3. Sagano Scenic Railway


The Sagano Scenic Railway will take you past the picturesque Hozugawa River between Kameoka and Arashiyama, and is a great place to come if you want a relaxing sightseeing trip. The journey takes around 25 minutes and spans seven kilometers of track, and you can expect to see scenic ravines and colorful gorges, particularly in the autumn months. The pace of this train ride is slower than most, so if you want some unhurried travel in Japan then this is not to be missed.

4. Tokaido Shinkansen


If you want to say that you have travelled on the world’s busiest high speed rail line, then you need to head for the Tokaido Shinkansen which will take you between Tokyo and Kyoto and Osaka. The journey takes just over 2 hours to complete and an amazing 150 million people use this line every year. One of the highlights of the trip is whizzing past Mount Fuji as you travel, and at the end of the journey you will be able to explore the majesty of these famous destinations as part of the fun.

5. Hakone Tozen Railway

The Hakone Tozen Railway is known for being the oldest mountain railway in Japan and will take you on an unforgettable journey through rugged and magical terrain. The line runs along a narrow valley and you will cross over bridges and wind through tunnels and the routes is studded with wild flowers that grow along the sides of the tracks. This is an especially pretty line to choose if you happen to be travelling in the summer months when you can expect a riot of colour all around you.

6. Seven Stars in Kyushu

One of the newer train services around is the Seven Stars in Kyushu cruise train which is a luxury way to travel to Kyushu. The service is modeled on epic train journeys of days gone by such as the famous Orient Express, and the train is designed with opulence and comfort in mind. To that end you can expect wood paneling, etched glass, and rich cotton sheets on the beds, and there are features like private showers and a stylish dining car. You can also choose from a range of journeys here that take several days of leisurely travel as you wind through spectacular Kyushu.