Explore Japan

Japan is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean with high-rise-filled cities, imperial palaces, mountainous national parks and thousands of shrines and temples. Tokyo, the crowded capital, is known for its neon skyscrapers and pop culture. In contrast, Kyoto offers Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, gardens and cherry blossoms. From the majestic cone of Mt Fuji, to the pine islets of Matsushima, Japan has a natural grandeur, both subtle and dramatic. The island nation has active and dormant volcanoes. The lakes, seas and the nature of changing seasons all draw visitors to these natural attractions.

Quick Facts

  • Capital: Tokyo
  • Language: Japanese
  • Currency: Japanese Yen

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Japanese bullet trains, known locally as Shinkansen, are among the fastest in the world and routinely reach speeds of close to 200mph (320 km/h), easily linking major cities throughout Japan with one another.

Japan Rail Pass 

1) Tōkaidō Shinkansen (Bullet train)  is a Japanese high-speed train  between Tokyo and Shin-Ōsaka.

2) Snow Monkey Express
The Nagano Shinkansen  (Bullet train )  connects Tokyo with Nagano from where one can take the  “Snow Monkey Express”, which ends within walking distance of the hot water pools where (in season) Japan’s famous snow monkeys bathe.

3) The Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen connects Tokyo with Hiroshima

4) Seven Stars  train is more like a luxury cruise on rails, operating  between Hakata in Fukuoka and Kagoshima on the southwestern tip of Japan’s Kyushu island. It aims to replicate the romance and glamour of the Orient Express with its wood-panelled and lavishly upholstered carriages, and features such as showers lined with aromatic cypress wood and Satsuma porcelain.

5) The Hakone Tozan Railway
This amazing train ride takes you  through mountains to the lakeside resort of Hakone close to Mt Fuji. and the scenes from the train windows are stunning, with cherry blossoms blooming beside the track in spring, and red and yellow leaves carpeting the mountains in autumn.

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Explore Japan