Japan by Rail
Tokyo - Kyoto - Kanazawa - Niigata - Sendai - SapporoWith over 20,000 kilometres of track and 26,000 departures per day there is surely no better way to explore Japan than by rail. Epitomised by the famous Shinkansen (‘bullet trains’) and busy metro lines, the Japanese rail story also comprises numerous private railways, vintage diesel railcars on scenic local branch-lines and a number of immaculately maintained heritage and steam railways, such as the ‘Paleo Express’ and the Ban’etsu C57 180 Steam Locomotive.
In addition to Tokyo and Kyoto, this tour will reveal many of Japan’s less visited cities such as Hikone, Kanazawa and Sendai. For a change of pace, we have arranged overnights in a ‘ryokan’ in the foothills of Mount Fuji and at a resort overlooking Hakodate Bay. For many, the highlight of the tour may well be the three days in Sapporo, your base for exploring the natural beauty of Hokkaido.
To expedite your train travel, your luggage will be transferred between the major cities by separate luggage truck, leaving you free to enjoy the ride. Whether you are a rail enthusiast or just love travelling by train, this tour entirely by rail will reveal one of the most fascinating countries in the world.
At a glance ...
• visit Honshu Island from south to north, using trains only plus 3 days in lesser-visited Sapporo, on Hokkaido Island
• More than 20 railway experiences on the Shinkansen, bullet and limited express trains, steam trains, mountain railways and cable cars
• No luggage to be carried on and off the trains – suitcases will be transferred separately
• 1 night in a traditional ryokan in Hakone
• 2 full days in Kyoto and its UNESCO listed monuments
Shinkansen passing by the Mount Fuji
ITINERARY ...
Thu 11 Oct 2012 / Australia – Tokyo
Morning departure from SYD/MEL on Cathay Pacific flights via Hong Kong. Arrival in Tokyo Haneda Airport at 9:35 pm on CX542 and transfer to your hotel. If travelling from PER/ADL/BNE on other flights, airport transfers can be organised on request (at own cost).
Fri 12 Oct / Tokyo
After a welcome breakfast and briefing with Scott McGregor and fellow travellers, begin your exploration of Tokyo with a walk in 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.
After lunch, visit Sensoji, also known as the Asakusa Kannon Temple. The Buddhist temple in honour of ‘Kannon’, the goddess of mercy, was completed in 645 CE, making it Tokyo's oldest temple. The Nakamise shopping street leads from the outer gate to the temple's second gate, the Hozomon. Here you can purchase local arts and crafts as well as local snacks. Finish with a visit to the Akihabara electronics shopping district. (BL)
Sat 13 Oct / Tokyo
This morning you will visit the Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress ShÅken, and the Harajuku District. Continue to the beautiful East Garden of the Imperial Palace, which dates back to the 16th century, and its famous landmark, the Nijubashi, a double-arched stone bridge built in 1888.
After lunch you have the option of an afternoon at leisure to further explore Tokyo on your own. Or begin your experience of the Japanese railway system with a journey by shinkansen (‘bullet train’) outside Tokyo to Omiya (25 min) to visit the National Railway Museum. Japan’s oldest and largest railway museum reopened in 2007 after extensive renovations. Return to Tokyo in the evening. (BL)
Sun 14 Oct / Tokyo – Gora
A short journey by shinkansen (40 min) brings you to Kumagaya. Here you board the Paleo Express, pulled by a C58-363 type steam locomotive. Constructed in 1944, the Paleo Express runs the 57 km between Kumagaya Station and Mitsumineguchi Station in 2hr 40min. The inspiration for the train's name came from an ancient marine dinosaur, the Paleo Paradoxia, which was discovered to have lived in the Chichibu area more than 20 million years ago.
Arrive in Mitsumineguchi in time for a break for lunch, before continuing by coach to the Yamanashi Prefectural Maglev Exhibition Centre, which displays the work carried out on the Yamanashi maglev test line. Afterwards transfer to Gora, in the hills of central Honshu, for dinner and overnight in a traditional Japanese inn (‘ryokan’). (BD)
Mon 15 Oct / Gora – Kyoto
After breakfast at the ryokan, walk to Gora station and take the cable car, followed by ropeway, to Togendai, a port at the northern end of Lake Ashi. You will have some free time in these tranquil surroundings before returning to Gora.
From Gora, transfer on the Hakone Tozan Railway, Japan's oldest mountain railway. The spectacular upper section of the mountain railway – from Gora to Hakone-Yumoto – is served by the small mountain trains, which wind through a narrow, densely wooded valley over many bridges and tunnels, stopping at small stations along the way and changing directions at three switchbacks. Disembark the train for a visit to the Hakone Open Air Museum. Constantly changing with the seasons, the spectacular grounds are the permanent home for approximately 120 works by well-known modern and contemporary sculptors. Continue on the Hakone Tozan Railway to the end of the line in Odawara. Here you board a shinkansen for Kyoto (approx. 2 hr). Dinner at your hotel. (BD)
Tue 16 Oct / Kyoto
Today enjoy a full day tour of Kyoto, starting with a visit to Nijo Castle, one of Kyoto's many UNESCO world heritage sites. Continue to the famous Golden Pavilion, followed by the 17th century Kiyomizu Temple. Finally, end the day with a walk through the Gion District, the domain of the famous geisha and maiko (apprentice geisha) of Kyoto. (BL)
Wed 17 Oct / Kyoto
This morning you have the option of a half-day at leisure to further explore Kyoto on your own. Or join Scott for a visit to the Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum. The museum features a fan shaped locomotive house with an impressive array of steam locomotives, including one in operation on the museum's own exhibition track.
In the afternoon, visit the Arashiyama region, in the north-west of the city. Enjoy a walk through the area’s vast bamboo groves, take tea in Okochi Sanso, a private villa. Later, board the Sagano Scenic Railway through the stunning Hozu River valley to Kameoka, before returning to Kyoto by train. (B)
Thu 18 Oct / Kyoto – Kanazawa
Depart Kyoto for Hikone by express train (1 hr). Enjoy a guided tour of the impressive Hikone Castle, which retains its original form. Adjacent to the castle is the lovely Genkyuen Garden, dotted with islands, bridges and pavilions.
After lunch continue by local trains (2hr 30min) 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. (BL)
Fri 19 Oct / Kanazawa
Morning guided tour of Kanazawa starting with Kenrokuen Garden. 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.
After lunch at a local restaurant, the remainder of the day is at leisure. (BL)
Sat 20 Oct / Kanazawa – Niigata
After a morning at leisure, depart Kanazawa by limited express train along the Sea of Japan to Niigata (3hr 45min). (B)
Sun 21 Oct / Niigata – Sendai
Depart Niigata on board the Ban’etsu C57-180 steam locomotive for a journey of 126 km to Aizu Wakamatsu (approx 3hr 45min). This steam locomotive was in service from 1946 to 1969. After restoration it recommenced operations as a heritage tourist train in 1999. The interior of the train and the uniform of the crew are designed in a style unique to the Taisho era (1912-26) when the Ban'etsu line was opened.
On arrival at Aizu Wakamatsu, commence a city tour with a visit to Tsurugajo Castle, followed by the Byakkotai Memorial Hall, one of the two museums devoted to the Byakkotai (White Tiger Corps), a unit of young Aizu soldiers who committed seppuku when they saw their castle engulfed in flames. Late afternoon departure by train to Sendai (2hr 20min). Evening at leisure. (B)
Mon 22 Oct / Sendai
Full day city tour of Sendai, a large and modern city whose coastal areas were devastated by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami on 11 March 2011. Sendai has made an impressively fast recovery and is working hard to regain its reputation as ‘the city of trees’. In the morning visit the ruins of the once impenetrable Sendai Castle which offer magnificent views over the city and ocean. Continue to Zuihoden Hall, the impressive mausoleum of the Date family who controlled northern Japan in the late 16th century and into the Edo period.
In the afternoon, there will be a special behind-the-scenes visit to the Shinkansen Repair Works in Sendai. (BL)
Tue 23 Oct / Sendai – Hakodate
Today travel from the island of Honshu to the island of Hokkaido via the Seikan Tunnel, the longest undersea tunnel in the world (approx. 54 km, of which 23 are under the seabed). First, travel by shinkansen and express train (2hr 20min) via Shin-Aomori to Tappi-Kaitei Station, one of two railway stations located within the tunnel. Here you will take a cable car to the fascinating Seikan Tunnel Memorial Museum. After a guided tour, take the cable car back to Tappi-Kaitei and continue by express train (1hr 10min) via the Seikan Tunnel to Hakodate on the island of Hokkaido. (BL)
Wed 24 Oct / Hakodate – Sapporo
Morning at leisure to enjoy the leisure facilities and excellent views of La Vista Hakodate Bay Resort. In the afternoon, depart Hakodate for Sapporo by express train (3hr 30min). (B)
Thu 25 Oct / Sapporo
Journey out of Sapporo by express train and coach to Daisetsuzan, Hokkaido's largest national park (approx. 2hr 15min, one-way). The park preserves a densely forested, mountainous area of virtually unspoilt wilderness. You will explore the national park by road and also take the Mount Kurodake Ropeway to admire the view from 1,984 metres above sea level. (BL)
Fri 26 Oct / Sapporo
Enjoy a morning excursion by coach to Otaru. Start with a guided tour of Otaru Railway Museum and its rail yard which exhibits several full size trains. Then, take a city tour including Otaru’s 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. After lunch, the afternoon is free to further explore Sapporo on your own.
This evening, celebrate the conclusion of the tour with a special farewell dinner. (BLD)
Sat 27 Oct / Depart Sapporo
Morning at leisure. Transfer to Sapporo Airport for afternoon departure on Cathay Pacific flight CX581 to Hong Kong, connecting with overnight flights to Australia (overnight in Hong Kong required for passengers from PER). (B)
Sun 28 Oct / Arrive Australia
Early afternoon arrival in SYD/MEL/BNE/ADL. Evening arrival in PER.
