Japan by Rail
Oigawa Steam Locomotive
It’s not hard to argue the merits of train travel, arguably the most civilized form of transport, but to find out how far the simple technology of steel wheel on iron rail has come in the last two centuries you need look no further than Japan. With one of the world’s most extensive and advanced railway networks for anyone interested in exploring this fascinating country Japan’s railway system is an excellent tool, renowned for speed, efficiency, and an enormous choice of destinations.
What is often surprising however is the variety of trains on offer, linking the cities and towns and weaving through the mountainous terrain en route to many of Japan’s iconic sites and historic landmarks. From the famous Shinkensen (bullet trains), and busy metro lines, through to vintage diesel railcars on quaint local branch-lines and a pleasing number of immaculately maintained heritage and steam railways, you can guarantee they’ll all be right on time.
On this, our second Great Railway Journey to Japan we will be exploring new territory by catching trains North to Hokkaido and West along the Sea of Japan coast while not overlooking some of the famous places we enjoyed so much last time like Kyoto and Tokyo. We have also been invited to look behind the scenes at one of Japan Railways’ state of the art Shinkensen factories and venture into the world’s longest undersea tunnel. Along with our own tramcar charter on the vintage Arakawa tram network in Tokyo and a number of heritage train trips on offer, Japan’s railway story will be well covered. Top this off with the legendary food, fine hotels, spectacular scenery and the fact that cherry blossom time will be upon us, we are in for a rare feast of what there is to see and do when coasting around Japan in all trains great and small.
Scott McGregor
ITINERARY
Friday 08 May 2009 - Depart Australia / Arrive Japan
Depart Australia on Japan Airlines. Evening arrival at Narita Airport and transfer to your hotel in Tokyo by coach.
Saturday 09 May - Tokyo
Start with a guided city tour of Tokyo including a visit to Meiji Shrine, the Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken, and the Harajuku District. Alternatively, those who are already familiar with Tokyo may like to visit the Japan National Railway Museum. Later, enjoy a special welcome lunch with Scott McGregor and your fellow group members. This afternoon, visit the beautiful East Garden of the Imperial Palace, which dates back to the 16th century, and its most famous landmark, the Nijubashi, a double-arched stone bridge built in 1888. Continue to Ginza, an important centre in Tokyo since the early 17th century. You will have some free time here to explore the district’s tiny shops selling traditional crafts, modern galleries and landmark department stores. This evening enjoy spectacular views of the Tokyo skyline from Tokyo City View Observatory, before dinner at a local restaurant. (LD)
Sunday 10 May - Tokyo to Gora
This morning you will take your first Shinkansen (‘bullet train’) journey, to Kumagaya. Here you board the Paleo Express, named after an extinct marine mammal and pulled by a C58-363 type steam locomotive built in 1944. Arrive Mitsumineguchi in time for a break for lunch, then continue by coach to the Yamanashi Maglev Exhibition Centre, which displays the work carried out on the Yamanashi maglev test line. The name Maglev is an abbreviation of ‘magnetic levitation’, the revolutionary train technology in which the cars float above the track with the assistance of magnets and electricity. At the end of the day, transfer to Gora, in the hills of central Honshu, for dinner and overnight in a traditional Japanese ryokan hotel. (BD)
Monday 11 May - Gora to Kyoto
A fabulous day’s journey by all manner of trains! Depart by Hakone Mountain Rail to Hakone Yumoto, then continue by Japan Rail National Line and Bullet Train to Kakegawa. Transfer to the Tokaido Express to Kanaya Station where you will board the steam operated Oigawa Railway, Japan's first heritage railway. It was first operated in 1927 to haul timber and carry materials for dam construction in central Shizuoka Prefecture. The single-track 3'6" gauge line starts at Kanaya and runs to Senzu, set in a magnificent national park in the northern part of Shizuoka. You will have some free time in these tranquil surroundings before returning to Kakegawa and continuing to Kyoto. (B)
Tuesday 12 - May Kyoto
A full day city tour of Kyoto starting with a visit to the Arashiyama region, in the north-west of the city. With its pockets of unspoilt natural beauty, Arashiyama has long held a special place in the hearts of the Japanese. Enjoy a walk through the area’s vast bamboo groves, take tea in a traditional tea house and visit Okochi Sanso, the private villa of silent-screen star Okochi Denjiro, where the grounds offer wonderful views over Kyoto. Later, board the Sagano Scenic Railway through the stunning Hozu River valley and return by boat along the Hozu River. After lunch, visit Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, built in 1397 as a villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and the 17th century Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The veranda of the temple’s main hall is a remarkable example of Japanese joinery, built entirely without nails. Finally, end the day with a walk through the famous Gion District, the domain of the famous Geisha and Maiko (apprentice geisha) of Kyoto. (BL)
Wednesday 13 May - Kyoto
A full day at leisure to explore Kyoto. You may like to visit the Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum, which features a fan shaped locomotive house with an impressive array of steam locomotives and a steam locomotive in actual operation on the museum's own exhibition track. You may prefer to spend some time at the Saihoji Temple, with its stunning Moss Garden, set in a dark forest and designed for meditation. Here you can also try your hand at the ancient art of calligraphy. Alternatively, why not take a day trip to Hiroshima by Bullet Train? Here you can visit the Peace Memorial Museum and Peace Memorial Park and take a ferry ride to Miyajima Island, symbolised by a looming vermillion torii (Shinto gate) set in the sea, which signifies that the island is sacred. (Note: rail and ferry fares for the trip to Hiroshima are covered by the Japan Rail Pass which is included for all clients in the tour cost). (B)
Thursday 14 May - Kyoto to Kanazawa
Depart for Hikone by express train, arriving mid-morning. Here there will be a guided tour of the impressive Hikone Castle, which was built over a twenty-year period by the daimyo (feudal ruler) Ii Naomasa, beginning in 1602. The castle retains its original form to this day and the three-tiered donjon (the heavily fortified central tower) is listed as one of Japan’s National Treasures. Adjacent to the castle is the lovely Genkyuen Garden. Dating back to 1677, the garden is designed in Chisen-kaiyu-style (wet garden with promenade), dotted with islands, bridges and pavilions. Continue by rail to Kanazawa, a city with a strong cultural identity, somewhat shielded from outside influences by its location between the Shirayama Mountains and the Sea of Japan. (B)
Friday 15 May - Kanazawa
Morning guided tour of Kanazawa starting with Kenroku-en Garden. Established in the 17th century, ‘Kenroku-en’ means ‘garden of six qualities – spaciousness, seclusion, air of antiquity, ingenuity, flowing water and views. Continue to the Nagamachi Samurai Quarter and Nomura House, for an insight into the life of Japan’s legendary warriors, the Samurai. Finally, visit Myoryuji Temple - a fascinating blend of traditional temple architecture, hidden doors, passageways, and hidden escape routes. Local legend has it that the temple was intended as a secret refuge for the local rulers in the case of an external threat. After lunch at a local restaurant, the remainder of the day is free for your own explorations. (BL)
Saturday 16 May - Kanazawa to Niigata
Start the day with an excursion to the Historic Villages of Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the picturesque Shogawa river valley, these villages are renowned for their houses constructed in an architectural style known as ‘gasshō-zukuri’ or ‘prayer-hands’ construction style, characterised by a thatched and steeply slanting roof resembling two hands joined in prayer. The design is exceptionally strong and, in combination with the unique properties of the thatching, allows the houses to withstand and shed the weight of the region's heavy snowfalls in winter. You will also visit the Washi-Kogei-Kan paper-making centre to learn about this traditional craft. Return to Kanazawa in time for a lunch break, then board the express train to Niigata. (BD)
Sunday 17 May - Niigata to Yunishikawa-Onsen
Depart Niigata on board the Ban’etsu C57 180 Steam Locomotive for a journey from the Japan Sea coast to Aizu Wakamatsu. This wonderful locomotive was built in 1946, but lay idle from 1969, displayed outside an elementary school in Niigata. Locals appealed to Japan Railways East to restore the engine, which finally took place in 1998. On arrival at Aizu Wakamatsu, continue by Torokko Train to Yunokami-Onsen, then transfer by coach to the Owakaso Edo-period Village for a guided tour. This site tells the story of the fascinating Edo period (also referred to as the Tokugawa period) in Japanese history from 1603 to 1868. Return to Yunokami-Onsen for dinner and overnight at a traditional ryokan. (BD)
Monday 18 May - Yunishikawa-Onsen to Sendai
Take a leisurely drive to Nasu Shiobara, then continue by Bullet Train to Sendai via Koriyama. This afternoon there will be a special behind-the-scenes visit to the Shinkansen Repair Works in Sendai. Later, there will be a brief orientation tour of the city by coach en route to your hotel. (B)
Tuesday 19 May - Sendai to Sapporo
Travel by bullet train and express train via Hachinohe to Tappi-Kaitei Station. Here you will take a cable car to the fascinating Seikan Tunnel Memorial Museum, dedicated to this remarkable feat of engineering. At 53.85 km, the Seikan undersea tunnel is the longest of its kind in the world. After lunch and a guided tour, take the cable car back to Tappi-Kaitei and continue by express train via the Seikan Tunnel to Sapporo, the capital of Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido. (BL)
Wednesday 20 May - Sapporo
A full day excursion by coach to Otaru and Niseko. Start by taking the Tengu Ropeway - an aerial lift line which climbs Mount Tengu - to the Otaru Observation Platform to enjoy commanding views across Otaru and its sparkling bay, then visit the Tengukan Japanese Goblin Hall with its collection of over 700 traditional goblin masks from all over Japan. Continue with a guided tour of Otaru Railway Museum, situated at the starting point of the first railway line (1880) in Hokkaido. The museum exhibits many interesting pieces such as an American wooden-frame first-class carriage built in 1892 and noteworthy for its double bogies, and Japan’s oldest surviving locomotive shed which dates from 1884 and is listed as a railway heritage building. Later, take a city tour including Otaru’s famous Canal Zone and the remains of the Temiya Freight narrow gauge line, which was originally established in the late 19th century to transport coal and marine products and ceased operation in 1985. After a sushi lunch at the famous Sushiya Street, return to Sapporo where the remainder of the day is free. (BL)
Thursday 21 May - Sapporo
An excursion by express train and coach to Daisetsuzan, Hokkaido's largest national park. The park preserves a densely forested, mountainous area of virtually unspoiled wilderness, covering an area more than ten times the size of Osaka City. You will explore the national park by road and scenic railway and take the Mt. Asahidake Ropeway up Hokkaido's highest mountain. From the mountain slopes you will have some free time to wander along a scenic promenade to enjoy breathtaking views over the Daisetsu Mountain Range. (BL)
Friday 22 May - Cassiopeia Sleeper to Tokyo
Morning tour of Sapporo including the Odori Park which lies at the heart of the city, the Botanic Gardens featuring a beautiful array of Hokkaido’s flora, and the fine Ainu Museum dedicated to the intriguing culture of Japan’s Ainu ethnic minority. You will also make a stop at the Sapporo Beer Garden and Museum before taking a break for lunch. Later this afternoon, transfer to Sapporo Railway Station and board Japan’s finest sleeper train, ‘Cassiopeia’. You will be accommodated in twin-share cabins and dinner will be served on board. (BD)
Saturday 23 May - Tokyo
After breakfast on the train, arrive in Tokyo, mid-morning. On arrival, take a tour of the city beginning with a walk in the famous Ueno Park and a visit to Tokyo National Museum where more than 90,000 items make up a collection considered to be the finest assembly of Japanese art in the world. Continue with a tour of Asakusa, Tokyo’s historic district. Visit the Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s most sacred and spectacular temple, the oldest part of which dates back to the 7th century. Spending time here affords the visitor an interesting insight into the daily life of the local people. You can also wander through Nakamise-dori market, within the complex - a treasure trove of traditional wares such as obi sashes, haircombs, fans, dolls and kimonos. Finally see more of historic Tokyo by rickshaw, Japan’s oldest wheeled transport. After a break for lunch, board a privately chartered tram for an hour’s ride along Tokyo’s only functioning tram line, the Arakawa Line, terminating near the famous Waseda University Campus. There will be some free time in the Akihabara shopping district before transferring to your hotel to freshen up before dinner. This evening you will enjoy a special private farewell dinner cruise on the Sumida River with members of the Japan Rail Fan Club! (BD)
Sunday 24 May - Return
Morning free at leisure. Check out of your hotel at midday and depart on a short afternoon excursion to Odaiba Island in Tokyo Bay where you can either visit the excellent Maritime Museum or enjoy some last-minute shopping. Return to Tokyo by local train, then board the Narita Express to Narita Airport (your luggage will be transferred to the airport by coach). Your return overnight flight to Australia with Japan Airlines will depart at approximately 8pm and arrive in the morning of the following day. (B)
NOTE: When travelling by train from one overnight stop to the next, your luggage will be transported between your hotels by coach.
YOUR HOTELS
Tokyo - Shin-Takanawa Prince * * * *
Gora - Setsugetsuka Ryokan* * * *
Kyoto - Granvia Hotel* * * *
Kanazawa - Ana Crowne Plaza Hotel* * * *
Niigata - Tokyu Inn* * *
Yunishikawa-Onsen - Honke Bankyu Ryokan* * * *
Sendai - Metropolitan* * * *
Sapporo - Hotel Clubby* * * *
Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted and tour routing may be altered for operational reasons.
