According to JapanTrains.com, the Japan rail system is among the most advanced in the world, with over 30,000 kilometers of train lines. Despite such an expansive network, the Japanese rail system is also efficient and easy to navigate, even for first time visitors. Perhaps the greatest challenge may be what type of ticket to buy and where to go. Today, we will speak with a man who recently explored Japan by rail and has agreed to come on Talk Travel Asia to share his experience with us.

Scott & Trevor Banter

Scott: I used the train a bit on my first trip to Japan in 1993, which was at the start of a one-year backpacking trip.

But since then I used the Shinkansen with a pass with BKK Podcast Greg J in about 2006 when we went to Hiroshima from Nagoya (think that was the flight) and to Kyoto. Worked so well and I remember you save quite a bit of money if you buy the Rail Pass before leaving your country of residence. You need to provide some ID and other elements. You do need to calculate to see if it’s worthwhile, but I feel like if you had 2.5 high speed journeys it’s worth it. 

Then in about 2016 my wife and I met friends in Osaka and we went to Nara and Kyoto and did not get the pass as most of the trains for that one were slower ones, but they still go at a decent speed, but it was more economical for us just to pay for those ones on the fly.

I’ve also taken trains up to Nagano for mountain biking and craft beer / art at Kusama Yaoyoi exhibition. That was impressive in that I left the mountains, took two trains and was at Narita about 4.5 hours later or so. Smooth smooth baby

Trevor: I have 2 experiences on trains in Japan: 1. Waiting for the Tokyo subway to open at 6am after clubbing all night and then almost missing a flight out of Narita because I couldn’t figure out how to get to the airport. 

Beyond that, I’ve read on Japanese Trains.com that, if you are interested in Japanese train travel, the first step is learning about the different options for train travel around Japan, including the Shinkansen high-speed trains, which are the best for intercity connections. Otherwise, there are slower commuter trains that stop more often to allow you to hop on and off,  stretch your legs,  or explore lesser-known destinations –perhaps if you accidentally get on the wrong one. Hopefully, today, we’ll get some first-hand experience from a seasoned traveler who has ridden the rails and can offer some tips for train travel in Japan.

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Guest Intro: Ryan Ver Berkmoes has authored over 130 guidebooks to destinations worldwide, including Lonely Planet guidebooks for Oahu, Hawaii, Indonesia, Crete, and Sri Lanka. Today he joins us from Greece.

Questions about Traveling Japan by Train with Ryan Ver Berkmoes:

  • Where are you from and what first brought you to Asia?
  • When was the first time you visited Japan, for what purpose, and what were your first impressions?
  • Before we take off on the trains in Japan, are you an experienced train traveler? Do you specifically look to travel on trains?
  • What inspired this trip? When did you go? And who joined you?
  • What kind of ticket did you get? Was it unlimited on and off over a specified time or some other package deal?
  • How do you figure out if it’s worth getting the rail pass?
  • How do you get this rail pass?
  • Where did you start and finish and did you have a strict plan for everything between A and B or did you wing it a bit?
  • Where did you go along the way?
  • What are the rooms like? What level sleeper did you get? Are there cheaper or swankier ones you could have opted for?
  • How is the food on the train?
  • How does train travel in Japan compare to other countries in Asia your the rest of the world that you may have used the train system to travel?
  • Any quirky things about train travel? Like Japanese customs that you have to be careful not to break?
  • What are some of your favorite things to do/see in each region?
  • Anything you didn’t bring that you wish you had?
  • Can you speak or read Japanese at all? Was that a  challenge for transportation, etc or was there English instructions here and there at stations? 
  • Was it as safe as I imagine?
  • What are some important things to consider while planning a Japanese train trip?
  • Any specific things to prepare yourself for or pack beforehand (some language guides, gifts, etc.)
  • Anything you didn’t get to do that you wish you had?

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