Discover incredible Japan via bullet train

It has been more than half a century since Japan’s world-famous ‘bullet train’ made its first journey, a little over a week before the opening ceremony of the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. And there is still no better way to explore this endlessly fascinating country, especially if you want to see as much of Japan as possible in a limited time. 

From spying the snowy peaks of Mount Fuji to exploring Kyoto and learning about Geisha customs, our escorted tours to Japan are an experience like no other and taking a trip on the Shinkansen is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So read on to learn more about this astounding feat of engineering, as well as the destinations you could see on a Japan tour. 

How fast is a bullet train? 

Japan holds a world record that impresses train spotters and speed addicts alike, with the country’s sleek SCMaglev train able to travel at speeds of up to an astonishing 375mph. The track that serves the world’s fastest train stretches across the length of Honshu, Japan’s largest island, with extensions across more of the country.  

And while the maximum bullet train speed allowed is just 198mph, which may seem slow in comparison to its potential top speeds, it’s still impressive while travelling inside a spacious, steady carriage. 

You’d think it would be enough for trains to be able to do this heading from coast to coast, but not for the ambitious Japanese engineers! Hokkaido and Kyushu, the islands directly to the north and south of Honshu, also benefit from the superfast transportation, connected by underwater tunnels.  

If the numbers alone don’t help you appreciate quite how fast is a bullet train journey, compare it to one of the UK’s own longest routes. The whole journey across Japan, a distance of approximately 1,400 miles (over 60% longer than the journey from Land's End, Cornwall to John o' Groats, Caithness), can be done in under 12 hours, with two changes. By comparison, Penzance to Thurso by train can be done in about 26 hours, and that still leaves a few additional miles to navigate at each end. 

How much is the bullet train in Japan? 

The cost of tickets for the bullet train depends on whether you’re buying a pass or a single fare, with passes proving the best value for money. A seven-day pass currently costs around 50,000 Yen, or just over £250. A single journey from Tokyo to Hakata in Fukuoka to the south, or to Hakodate in northern Hokkaido costs around half this amount, approximately 25,000 yen (or around £125-£130). 

If you book one of Titan’s escorted tours, the price of the bullet train tour is included so you know exactly how much to budget. This is also a great option for people who’d love to get a taste of the impressive bullet train speed and experience but are unsure about travelling in Japan without a guide. Our Japanese Winter Wonderland tour features a bullet train tour from Tokyo to Hakodate, for an alternative experience if you’ve already ridden the bullet train Tokyo to Kyoto. 

What’s it like inside a Japanese bullet train? 

The bullet trains are renowned for their sleek design, high levels of comfort and their impressive punctuality; departures are timed to the second, and in the rare instance of a train being more than one minute late, it is announced as delayed.  

The ride is surprisingly smooth, given the speed at which you are travelling, and seats are relatively spacious, with room for luggage above your head and at the end of the carriages. 

In terms of facilities, there are plenty of toilets (including accessible toilets) but don’t expect to find a restaurant car. Wondering is there food on the Shinkansen at all? The short answer is rarely, unless you are in Green Class, the bullet train version of first class, where you can order via your phone. You may still find some services have drinks and snacks but since 2023, this is very limited, with trolley service on the busiest routes cancelled entirely. 

Happily, it’s easy to pick up a bento box or other takeaway food in one of Japan’s stations, as well as drinks and snacks to have on board. You can experience the thrill of speeding through the countryside on the bullet train for yourself on our 14-day Essence of Japan tour. 

Where does the bullet train go in Japan? 

Properly known as the Shinkansen, these high-speed trains link most of Japan’s main cities on the islands of Honshu and Kyushu, and in March 2016 the line was extended, via the undersea Seikan Tunnel, to the northern island of Hokkaido. 

There have also been smaller recent extensions, including to the Hokuriku region on the Sea of Japan coast, and West Kyushu, along with a plan to open new track to Sapporo in 2030. 

So, where will the Shinkansen take you? Read on to find out more... 

Tokyo 

Most visitors begin their exploration of Japan in the capital, Tokyo. A city of more than 13 million people, it’s the perfect introduction to the Land of the Rising Sun – and there is certainly no shortage of sights and things to do. The grand Imperial Palace makes a good starting point, while other highlights include the photogenic Meiji Shinto shrine complex and the Art Triangle Roppongi, a collection of three absorbing art museums.  

Reflecting the technological obsessions of modern Japan, the Miraikan National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation is definitely worth a visit, if only to see some of the world’s most advanced robots being put through their paces. Gaze down at the neon-lit streets of Shinjuku from one of Tokyo’s many viewpoints and rooftop bars, or join the throngs at Shibuya crossing, the busiest in the world. 

There's tranquility to be found on the streets of Tokyo too, including in Yanaka, one of the few districts where you’ll still discover the city’s traditional rustic charm, as well as the Senso-ji temple and green space of Ueno Park. 

Kyoto 

It’s around 450km (280 miles) from Tokyo to Kyoto, one of the best places to learn about Japanese culture and traditions. By road, you could expect to spend around five to six hours travelling between the two cities, but it’s less than two and a half hours using the bullet train Tokyo to Kyoto route. The station is only 10 minutes from some of the key sights, including Nijo Castle, the former home of the Tokugawa shoguns. 

With the time saved, you could also explore some of the many Buddhist temples in the city, learn about traditional Japanese dress and how kimonos are produced or discover the etiquette behind a simple cup of tea. The drink has been sipped in Japan for over 1000 years, but the refined ceremonial rituals didn’t become popular until the 16th century.  

Learning the intricacies of this graceful discipline, considering simple details like holding the bowl so your friends can appreciate the beauty of its decoration, will change the way you serve tea at home. On our Essence of Japan tour, we’ll sit down for tea in Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district and birthplace of the traditional tea ceremony. 

Mount Fuji 

Standing out from its surroundings at 3,776m high, Japan’s tallest mountain has inspired countless artists and photographers. Clouds often linger around this active volcano, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed for you to catch sight of the iconic snow-capped peak of Fuji-San as you travel by Shinkansen from Kyoto to Hakone. 

Kanazawa 

Kanazawa isn’t as well-known as Tokyo and Kyoto, yet it rivals these cities in cultural achievements – and like Kyoto, the fastest way to reach this often-overlooked destination is by bullet train. A similar distance from Japan’s capital as Kyoto, it takes around two hours 30 minutes to travel from Tokyo, less than half of the six-hour journey you could expect by road. 

Lose yourself in the city’s traditional teahouse districts, Higashi Chaya, Nishi Chaya, and Kazue Machi, which are all but unchanged since the Edo period. With fewer tourists than Kyoto, it’s easy to soak up the charm of this historic area, stopping to listen to the strains of the shamisen, a Japanese stringed instrument, or discovering more about one of the city’s specialities, the manufacture of gold leaf. In the beautifully preserved Higashi Chaya, you can pick up gold leaf products in traditional wooden buildings to take home. 

The 15th century castle sits in the centre of the Nagamachi district, and the middle to high-ranking samurai lived around it. Some of the artefact-filled residences are open to the public. It’s also worth visiting Omicho market, a bustling network of covered streets full of shops selling local seafood specialities and more. 

Hiroshima 

If you’re visiting Hiroshima by bullet train, Japan rail has several different routes whether you go direct from Tokyo or travel from Kanazawa, as we do on our Japan holidays. Regardless of which itinerary you’re following, the bullet train speed means you’ll be whisked to your eventual destination in around three to four hours. 

One of the most prominent areas in Hiroshima isn’t its modern tower blocks, but the Peace Memorial Park, the original city centre and the target of the atomic bomb in 1945. The Children’s Peace Monument is particularly poignant. Over 1000 paper cranes flutter in the breeze, representing peace and hope, while the symbolic Flame of Peace is a tribute to the ongoing desire for worldwide unity. 

A visit to the Atomic Bomb Museum is a moving reminder of the human cost, or as a more uplifting alternative, it’s also worth catching a ferry over to Miyajima Island to admire the elaborate Itsukushima Shrine, rising majestically out of the sea. Look out for the iconic orange gate that appears to float at high tide. 

Can you travel by bullet train on a guided tour of Japan? 

There’s no reason to miss out on a journey on the Shinkansen if you’re joining a touring holiday of the country. A bullet train tour is a key part of Titan’s escorted tours, including the 14-day Essence of Japan tour, the 13-day Japanese Winter Wonderland tour and the 21-day Grand Tour of Japan. 

Whether you’ll be riding the bullet train Tokyo to Kyoto, Kanazawa or Hiroshima, as well as to the icy north in Hokkaido, you can make the most of the bullet train speed to pack as much into your trip as possible, as well as marvelling at the engineering and technology behind the bullet train Japan. 

There are few experiences where the journey is as exciting as the destination, but as you wonder how fast a bullet train is going while gazing out at the scenery speeding past, the Shinkansen is easily an unmissable part of any holiday to Japan. 

For more Japan holiday inspiration, download our Worldwide brochure or talk to one of our expert travel advisors

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