10 Scenic Shinkansen Routes to Experience Japan
Japan is a country composed of thousands of islands, with each prefecture offering unique travel experiences. Contrary to popular belief, touring around the country is very convenient with its advanced land transpo system. Not only is it the world’s best, it offers an exquisite ride that will surely make you appreciate nature, Japanese culture, and landscapes even more.
If you are planning to visit different prefectures by bullet trains, also known as Shinkansen, check out the 10 scenic Shinkansen routes to experience Japan.
Top 10 Scenic Routes to Experience Japan on the Shinkansen Bullet Train
Travelling across Japan has been made easier with Shinkansen bullet trains. Aside from it being comfortable and accessible, you can go on a beautiful trip even with cheap transportation.
1. Tokyo to Kyoto
One of the most scenic Shinkansen trips is definitely the Tokyo-Kyoto route and for one good reason. Tokaido Shinkansen is famous among foreign visitors because you’ll get to enjoy the majestic view of Mount Fuji on this trip.
The world’s most perfect-cone volcano is visible in Fuji City and Shizuoka, especially on days when the sky is clear. It’s a 2-hour ride but the stunning view makes it worthwhile, especially if you are someone who loves nature.
2. Tokyo to Kanazawa
Kanazawa is the capital of Ishikawa prefecture, located in central Japan, known for its cultural history and majestic nature. The Tokyo-Kanazawa route gives you a delightful view of the Japanese alps, especially during the cold season when snow caps are most visible.
The train also passes through Toyama prefecture, where the famous Toyama bay is located. You’ll surely love the view of the stunning bay on one side of the road and the beautiful alps on the other side. How lovely is that?
3. Osaka to Hiroshima
The Osaka to Hiroshima route is for those who love urban landscapes and nature landmarks. You will never get tired of the beautiful sights on this trip like the Seto Inland Sea with calm waters that shimmer in the sunlight.
While passing Hiroshima, you’ll also have a pleasing glimpse of Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island. One of its highlights is the beautiful torii gate that adds a spiritual touch to the trip.
4. Tokyo to Aomori
If you think the urban landscapes of Japan are already a feast for the eyes, try visiting its countryside. The Tokyo to Aomori route gives you a timeless experience of Japan’s serene rural beauty no matter which season you choose to travel.
It feels like a scene straight out of a movie with its lush fields of grass in summer, fields enveloped with snow in winter, and leaves that resemble a golden sea during autumn. But my personal favorite is when the train passes by Kitakami river filled with cherry blossoms during spring.
5. Morioka to Akita
Akita Shinkansen trips make you feel like you are time-travelling to the past. You will pass by dense forests and by the crystal clear streams of Japan. If you love a heavenly trip to nature, you will surely love to onboard in this route.
The best time to secure this trip is during the autumn season when the trees are painted with fiery red tint. And the small villages with their traditional wooden houses and the sight of locals tending rice paddies make this route feel like stepping back in time.
6. Hokkaido Shinkansen
Hokkaido is situated in the northernmost of Japan, and is famous for its cold temperature and snow-covered mountains. Shin-Hokadate-Hokuto to Sapporo trip feels like an entrance to winter wonderland.
The trip will let you experience the beauty of Hokaido’s frozen lakes and quaint villages. While it’s beautiful all throughout the year, the best time to visit is during the Sapporo Snow Festival celebrated in February. It’s when the skyline shimmers under the winter sky.
7. Fukuoka to Kagoshima
Japan really is a diverse country with diverse terrains. Among the list of best train routes in the country is the Fukuoka to Kagoshima trip because of its rugged volcanic landscape and vivid green fields.
If you are a nature lover, you might have to add this to your bucket list. The train goes through deep valleys and hills, while steaming hot springs are visible from afar.
8. Tokyo to Yamagata
This Shinkansen route is a feast for the senses, especially in spring when Zao Mountain is blanketed in cherry blossoms. In winter, the mountain transforms into a wonderland of “snow monsters,” where frost-covered trees create an ethereal landscape.
The train also passes through orchards bursting with fruit, making the journey feel like a celebration of nature’s bounty. At the endpoint, the region’s famed Zao Onsen offers a rejuvenating soak with views of the surrounding peaks.
9. Takeo to Nagasaki
This is actually a new route, which passes by the great Ariake Sea. If you love the beach, it’s the perfect trip for you. You will be captured by the picturesque beauty of landscapes surrounded by pristine waters.
It also passes through historic small towns and lush valleys. And once you arrive in Nagasaki, you will be welcomed by the perfect blend of nature and history, especially at night when stars are visible.
10. Tokyo to Niigata
Leaving the city behind, the Joetsu Shinkansen takes you into a tranquil world of towering mountains and expansive rice fields. In winter, the snow-covered Tanigawa Mountain Range sparkles in the sunlight, creating postcard-perfect scenery.
Niigata, the endpoint, is surrounded by some of Japan’s most beautiful landscapes, from terraced rice paddies to the shimmering waters of the Sea of Japan. This route is especially stunning during the snowy months.
Conclusion: 10 Scenic Shinkansen Routes
If you are planning to explore Japan and its beautiful prefectures, the best way to have a complete experience of the Japanese environment is through Shinkansen or bullet trains.
Not only is it cheaper, but the experience is nothing less than riding an airplane. It will make you appreciate the natural beauty of Japan even more.
