Train Journeys in Japan: 11 Rides Worth Booking

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

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

Spend nearly 12 hours linking Mt Fuji and Hakone by coach, boat, ropeway, and Shinkansen. Visit Fuji’s 5th Station, cruise Lake Ashi, see Hakone Shrine Mototsumiya, and watch a traditional wadaiko drum performance. Guides such as Joy, Miko, Shige, and Heroaki have been praised for clear commentary and hands-on help.

“There was quite a variety of activities and certainly a great price for everything that was included.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

This 10-hour tour combines Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station, a Japanese buffet, the Hakone Ropeway, a Lake Ashi cruise, and a Shinkansen ride back to Tokyo. An English-speaking guide such as Lisa, Yuta, Aya, or Kazu leads the day, with multilingual audio guides available. Weather can change the route, so pack warm layers and comfortable shoes.

“The trip was amazing. Beautiful weather, wonderful places, neatly organized tour. Sora was kind, helpful, funny and truly enthusiastic. She explained important facts and information, too. We are really grateful for this unforgettable experience and kindly recommend it to everyone.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Spend a full day outside Tokyo with an English-speaking guide such as Happy, Ai, or Yuka-san. Visit Mt. Fuji’s highest accessible station, Owakudani, ride the Hakone Ropeway, cruise Lake Ashi, and return by coach or non-reserved bullet train. Choose lunch at booking, and prepare for weather changes, crowds, and a long day.

“A full and fun day out with our guide happy who was lovely and have great learnings and interesting facts The day was perfectly planned and was very enjoyable”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Sagano Train Ride and Kyoto Guided Day Tour

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

From Osaka, join an English-speaking guide for a packed Kyoto day covering Arashiyama’s bamboo grove, Togetsukyo Bridge, the Sagano Romantic Train, Kiyomizudera, and Fushimi Inari Shrine. Guides such as Masa, Haru, Winnie, and Hiro have helped make the day easy to follow. The tour costs $66, with lunch optional.

“A big thanks to Masa for being our guide. He made the tour a lot of fun for our group”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Fukuoka: Takachiho Gorge & Scenic Railway One Day Tour

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

Travel from Fukuoka to Takachiho Gorge, the 80-meter Manai Waterfall, Amano Yasugawara, and a vintage scenic railway. Guides such as Daisy, Moon, Kevin, Johnny, and Riku provide multilingual commentary, but train and boat tickets cost extra. Expect a long day, many steps, no included meals, and winter train substitutions.

“well organized tour, beautiful, must see places in Kyushu.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

See Kyoto’s key sights in one long day with an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned bus, and mobile ticket. Walk beneath Fushimi Inari’s red torii gates, visit Arashiyama’s bamboo grove and Togetsukyo Bridge, explore Kiyomizudera, and ride the Sagano Romantic Train. Guides such as Hama, Masa, Jewel, Akira, and Maria have led this tour.

“The train ride itself is rather short and crowded but has beautiful scenery!! This tour is the best way to see all of the rural sights as they take you to them by bus all day long! Definitely worth the money to not have to use public transpiration to get to these. The hardest part iRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Hakone: Train Pass with Unlimited Rides & Activity Discounts

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 102 reviews · 2 days · from $45

Use one pass for the trip from Shinjuku to Odawara and transport around Hakone, including the Tozan railway, cable car, ropeway, sightseeing cruise, and selected buses. You can reach Owakudani, Lake Ashi, and the Open-Air Museum while receiving discounts at more than 70 facilities. Exchange your voucher in Shinjuku before setting out.

“Hakone is a splendid town about 100km from Tokyo, making it a perfect day trip in the area! The pass includes all transportation from Tokyo and at Hakone including a sightseeing cruise on a Pirate ship, it's really good value for money even for one day”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Snow Monkey Park and Miso Production Tour Bullet Train from Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 26 reviews · from $289

Take a 12-hour day trip from Tokyo to Nagano with round-trip shinkansen tickets, an English-speaking National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter, a miso production visit in Suzaka, free time in Obuse, and a 2.5-hour visit to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Expect a long, sometimes slippery walk to the monkeys.

“Oh my goodness - Everyone who goes to Japan should do this tour!!!! Great day out, great lunch, great tour guides and great monkeys!!!!! Not to be missed. Highly recommend this tour - thank you!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Kyoto Railway Museum Admission Ticket

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

Spend a full day at Kyoto Railway Museum with standard admission, exploring 53 real trains from steam engines to Shinkansen. Step inside historic carriages, try hands-on simulators, study railway dioramas, ride a working steam locomotive, and watch the roundhouse turntable rotate. The museum is wheelchair accessible and closed Wednesdays.

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

Check availability →Read our full review