{"id":11292,"date":"2023-10-05T15:27:12","date_gmt":"2023-10-05T14:27:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/?p=11292"},"modified":"2023-10-25T15:46:55","modified_gmt":"2023-10-25T14:46:55","slug":"making-tracks-the-joys-of-travelling-by-train","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/japan\/making-tracks-the-joys-of-travelling-by-train\/","title":{"rendered":"Making Tracks: the Joys of Travelling by Train"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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There is an inherent romance to travelling by rail. A hangover from the lauded golden age in the early 20th<\/sup> century? Maybe, or perhaps there is just something about the meditative rhythmic sway and scenery flashing past the windows that taps right into that feeling that there are endless possibilities for adventures to be had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feelings aside, there are many advantages to travelling by train when compared to road and air. In logistical terms there is no waiting in long queues at security and, generally, you depart from one city centre and arrive in another. Trains are more comfortable, with space to move around and stretch your legs, which in turn also makes them more social, if you want them to be, with opportunities to chat with your fellow travellers. Train tracks can also traverse landscapes that other vehicles don\u2019t or can\u2019t, giving you the chance to glimpse countryside you wouldn\u2019t normally see, while at the same time, trains are much better for said scenery in terms of environmental impact. Train travel is also, generally, less complicated and more relaxed than other transport \u2013 it really does make the journey part of the adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our new rail tours to China<\/a>, India<\/a> and Japan<\/a> are our most ambitious yet, covering vast distances on some of the world\u2019s most famous train networks \u2013 we\u2019d love you to come along for the ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japan by Rail<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Fast Facts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

19,026 miles of train track<\/strong>
18.5 million passengers yearly
25,000 trains run a day
Longest rail journey: 419 miles (Tokyo to Aomori)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comfortable, reliable, efficient, punctual and fast, Japan\u2019s extensive rail network is world renowned for all the right reasons. This includes the famous bullet train, known as shinkansen locally, on which passengers can travel up to 320 kilometres an hour between major cities. With access to such an excellent transport option, it\u2019s only right to give our customers the option to make full use of Japan\u2019s trains, so we put together our Japan by rail tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All Aboard!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Travelling mostly by shinkansen, this tour takes in the highlights of three of Japan\u2019s islands \u2013 Kyushu, Honshu and Hokkaido.

Starting in Fukuoka on Kyushu, you\u2019ll take in the sights of Nagasaki before hopping on the train over to Honshu, where your explorations will begin in Hiroshima and the holy island of Miyajima. Over the coming days you\u2019ll visit the magnificent Himeji Castle, the vibrant city of Osaka and ancient Nara before pausing to soak up the timeless charms of Kyoto.

A sojourn into the countryside comes after Kanazawa with Shirakawado village, Takayama and a search for snow monkeys on the itinerary. Then, a trip highlight, the graceful sweep of Mount Fuji, which you\u2019ll spend the day up and around, admiring it from every angle.

Back on the train, you\u2019ll pull into the bright lights of Tokyo to discover this vivacious metropolis. Journey up north to Sendai and cross over to Hokkaido and the city of Hakodate, before terminating in the charming Sapporo.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cultural Experiences on Japan by Rail<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Alongside the joy of exploring Japan by rail, as with all Wendy Wu tours, this one is also packed with plenty of wonderful cultural experiences:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Momiji manju making in Miyajima<\/li>
  • Ink making and calligraphy in Nara<\/li>
  • Tea ceremony and fan painting in Kyoto<\/li>
  • Wooden sake cup making in Takayama<\/li>
  • Wasabi farm and miso house visit in Matsumoto<\/li>
  • Sushi making class in Tokyo<\/li>
  • Whisky tasting in Sendai<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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