The 14 Best Rail Experiences in Japan

1.Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26,383 reviews · from $163Our pick

Review the Mt Fuji and Hakone day tour from Tokyo, with Fuji views, ropeway, Lake Ashi cruise, buffet lunch, and bullet train return.

“The tour and tour guide was great But disappointing as the photo used to advertise booking is not what we expected as it was completely different The photo showed a pirate looking ship with Mt Fuji in the background, what we got was a short ride on the ferry with no view of Mt Fuji We took our grandchildren on this trip and the most they were looking forward to was seeing Mt Fuji as a backdrop from the ship Needless to say my grandchildren, especially my granddaughter, were extremely upset I’ll finish up saying that our tour guide, Youi, was amazing Beautiful English and easy to understand Knowledge was…”

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2.Mt Fuji & Hakone Cruise, Drum Show Bullet Train 1 Day from Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7,413 reviews · from $149

Review of a full-day Mt Fuji and Hakone tour from Tokyo with Lake Ashi cruise, ropeway, drum show, lunch, and bullet train return.

“The bus ride to 5th station was smooth & safe. Our tour guide, Shige, was a wealth of information for our particular destinations as well as glimpses of life in Japan. Figured at the start that we won’t be seeing Mt. Fuji due to inclement weather, and it’s ok. All in all, the tour was a great start for us in Japan.”

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3.Tokyo Mt Fuji 5th St & Hakone Cruise Bus Tour w/Bullet Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 5,024 reviews · 10 hours · from $154

Review of a 10-hour Mt. Fuji and Hakone tour from Tokyo, with the 5th Station, ropeway, Lake Ashi cruise, lunch, and bullet train return.

“Our guide Ayu was excellent she was well informed and presented in a very friendly and personable way. In addition to information about the tour she introduced us to a lot of info about Japanese language and dress. We were very fortunate to have a perfect sunny day so could see Mount Fuji very clearly. Highly recommend.”

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4.Mt. Fuji & Hakone Tour w/ Return by Bullet Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,278 reviews · 11 hours · from $117

Visit Mt. Fuji and Hakone from Tokyo, ride the ropeway and Lake Ashi cruise, then return by Japan’s famous bullet train.

“Meeting point was easy to find, guide was excellent! Knowledgeable and helpful, and a nice person. Good value with lunch included for a full day trip!”

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5.From Tokyo 1-Day Kyoto English-guided Tour by Bullet Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 376 reviews · from $452

Review of Tokyo to Kyoto by bullet train, with lunch, three famous temples, English guides, practical tips, costs, crowds, and value.

“I did not get tyo go on this trip as the location of the tourist company was hard to locate. I would not reccomend this one unless you can speak Japanese. The company and Viator is reluctant to give me a refund.”

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6.Mt. Fuji and Hakone Day Trip From Tokyo with Bullet Train Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 368 reviews · from $97

Review of the Mt. Fuji and Hakone day trip from Tokyo, with ropeway, Lake Ashi cruise, lunch, coach travel, and optional bullet train return.

“This was an exceptionally well-organized tour that covered all the must-see highlights of the Mt. Fuji and Hakone area. The views of Mt. Fuji from the Subaru Line 4th Station and from Lake Ashi were absolutely breathtaking. The Hakone Ropeway and the pirate ship cruise on Lake Ashi were unforgettable experiences and true highlights of the trip.”

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7.Sagano Train Ride and Kyoto Guided Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 180 reviews · from $66

Ride the Sagano train, walk Kyoto’s bamboo grove, and visit Kiyomizudera and Fushimi Inari on a full-day tour from Osaka.

“Everyone was treated VIP. .the tour guide was very informative and helpful. the bus was cozy and comfortable. 101 limon bus”

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8.Takachiho Gorge & Scenic Railway One Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 178 reviews · from $44

Explore Takachiho Gorge, ride a nostalgic train, and visit Amano Yasugawara on a practical Kyushu day trip from Fukuoka.

“Really fun day trip! Takachiho Gorge was beautiful and definitely worth the visit – the cliffs and river were amazing. The scenic railway ride was a nice touch and super relaxing. It’s a long day, but everything was well-organized and stress-free. Great way to see Takachiho from Fukuoka without worrying about the travel.”

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9.Sagano Romantic Train & Arashiyama, Kiyomizudera, Fushimi Inari Taisha Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 171 reviews · from $82

Review of a 9-hour Kyoto day trip from Osaka with Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, Kiyomizudera, bamboo forest, and a scenic train ride.

“Overall service is very good. On time, good and helpful tour leader, and well arrangement. The lunch also very nice.”

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10.Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Trip by Bullet Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 83 reviews · 8 hours - 690 minutes · from $104

Travel from Osaka to Hiroshima and Miyajima by bullet train, visiting the Peace Memorial, floating torii gate, shrines, deer, and local food.

“Great experience! Ángeles (tour guide) was excellent!! She was very helpful and prepared regarding whole the aspects of the tour. Discovering about this city and it's history, has always been one of my deepest dreams, and And having had the opportunity to lived it in this way has been the best gift of this trip.”

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11.Private Samurai Experience – Train with Sword Master

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 3 hours - 270 minutes · from $158

Train with sword master Tatsuya Watanabe at a private Osaka temple, learn samurai techniques, watch a rare performance, and explore Minoh.

“We loved this!! This was an absolutely amazing experience and a must do! My son and I both said this was the best thing we have done in Japan:). We cannot thank both Benoit and Watanabe enough for everything and we highly suggest this instruction as we could not have been happier with this experience:).”

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12.Wakayama Cat Train, Seafood market, Hot Springs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 24 reviews · 10 hours · from $83

Review of Osaka’s Wakayama cat train, tuna market, Shirahama hot springs, and coastal cliffs, with practical advice on value and timing.

“The day trip with TIGER our guide was FANTASTIC! Easy to meet location, Tiger was constantly updating us via What’sApp in English & Chinese, a comfortable and spacious coach for us to travel in, a cat station master delight, delicious & fresh seafood lunch at the open air seafood market, perfect views from the cliffs the perfect way to walk off your lunch! TIGER made us feel welcome and shared with us fascinating information & stories of each place we visited. A fantastic tour with scenes of the port and small city living - only 2 hours from Osaka City. Highly recommended to anyone of all ages and mobility. Thank…”

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13.Kyoto Railway Museum Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 23 reviews · 1 day · from $9Best value

Explore 53 Japanese trains, ride a steam locomotive, try simulators, and watch the Kyoto Railway Museum turntable in action.

“Really good. Quiet. Cool inside. A lot to see and interact with.”

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14.Arashiyama Tour with optional Sagano Romantic Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 18 reviews · 3 - 4 hours · from $105

Explore Arashiyama’s bamboo forest, Tenryu Temple, local snacks, and optional Sagano Romantic Train with a small English-speaking group.

“The tour with Eloise was incredible. The historical commentary on the area was very interesting, as was the description of the iconic sites. It was also excellent that she guided me to the best locations to take good photos and try amazing local food.”

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