Train travel in Japan is so much more than just a mode of transportation. Many train routes are highly scenic, offering unforgettable views of Japan’s natural landscapes.
In fact, Japan’s tourism board actively promotes scenic train journeys as a key attraction for visitors, and certain routes are reserved for specially designated sightseeing trains with themed interiors, panoramic windows, and perks such as local snacks on board.
If you’re planning to partake in multiple train journeys during your stay, you can maximise the number of train journeys by purchasing a Japan Rail Pass.
JR Passes entitle you to unlimited train rides on Japan’s rail network, and are available as national or regional passes for 7, 14, or 21 days. To make the most of the scenery, book a trip that takes place during the day, and make sure you secure a scenic train seat by the window for the best views.
Ready to discover how you can use the JR Pass for scenic travels around Japan? Here are some of the best scenic train rides with Japan’s JR Pass, presenting five breathtaking scenic routes to discover with your JR Rail Pass in your journey across Japan.
1) Tokyo to Osaka via the Tokaido Shinkansen
Enjoy iconic sights like Mount Fuji
The bullet train ride from Tokyo to Osaka via the Tokaido Shinkansen is one of the most well-known and best-loved rail journeys in Japan. The Tokaido line offers a quick way to visit Japan’s major cities, while at the same time enjoying some of the country’s most iconic views.
Opened in 1965, the Tokaido Shinkansen is the world’s first high-speed rail line, and is popular with first-time visitors as it connects Tokyo to another of Japan’s must-see cities, Osaka. On the way, it stops at other important cities, including Yokohama, Nagoya, and Kyoto, making it the perfect rail journey for travellers looking for a comprehensive introduction to Japan.
But convenience isn’t the only advantage of this rail line—the route offers scenic views of Japan’s countryside outside of Tokyo, as well as the iconic Mount Fuji.
The ride also offers views of Shizuoka, Japan’s green tea capital, with its rolling plantations, followed by the waters of Lake Hamana, Japan’s tenth-largest lake. As the train approaches Nagoya, Nagoya Castle can be spotted in the distance. Before arriving in Kyoto, passengers are treated to views of Japan’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Biwa.
The trip from Tokyo to Osaka takes about three hours on the Hikari and Kodama trains, which are covered by the JR Pass. When departing from Tokyo, sit on the right side of the train for the best views, and start looking out for Mount Fuji at the 40-minute mark.
2) Hiroshima to Onomichi via etSETOra
Seaside views the whole way
The Kure Line offers one of Japan’s most scenic train journeys, with stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea, the body of water separating the islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. The train line itself runs exclusively on Honshu, Japan’s biggest island.
This route is so scenic that it has its very own sightseeing train, dubbed the etSETOra, whose base fare is covered by the JR Rail Pass.
The train route runs along the coast throughout the ride, offering seaside views the entire time. Along the way, passengers can drink in the views of sandy beaches, blue sea, some of Japan’s 14,125 islands, and Mount Noro, a mountain located in the Setonaikai National Park.
The journey from Hiroshima to Onomichi takes about three hours, with stops at Kure, Akitsu, Takehara, Tadanoumi, and Mihara. Each of these towns has their own attractions, including the naval-themed Yamato Museum in Kure and the Mihara Castle ruins. If you wish, you can get off at any of the stops instead of taking the entire journey.
3) Toyama to Takayama via Hida Limited Express
Cruise through mountain ranges and river valleys
The Takayama Main Line is one of the most scenic yet underrated train routes in Japan. The line runs Southbound through the Toyama Prefecture, taking about 1 hour 40 minutes for this picturesque ride.
You can board the train at Toyama, which is home to sights such as the Toyama Folk Village and the mysterious Gohyaku-rakan or Hills of 500 Buddhas. With your JR Pass in hand, this forms a perfect start to your sightseeing itinerary.
The ride takes you through mountainous terrain, offering views of lush river valleys and the rugged terrain of the Tatemayama Mountain range. As you depart from Toyama, look out for the gaping Jinzu Gorge, with the fast-flowing Jinzu River cutting in between the mountains. As you approach Takayama, you will spot Mount Hotaka and Mount Yarigadake.
At the end of the ride, get off in Takayama, a popular tourist destination in Gifu Prefecture. The city’s well-preserved traditional architecture is a must-see and dates back to the feudal ages, making you feel like a time traveller.
4) Abashiri to Shiretoko-Shari via Ryuhyo Monogatari Train
Coastal winds, drift ice, and wintry landscapes in Hokkaido
Hokkaido sits at the northernmost part of Japan, a destination that rewards both locals and globetrotters alike with a scenic view that changes beautifully with the seasons. If you are visiting Hokkaido in late autumn, winter or early spring, a scenic train ride will be your ideal way to sightsee the island’s wintry landscapes without having to deal with driving.
The Ryuhyo Monogatari Train takes you along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk in Hokkaido. Ryuhyo Monotagari is translated as “Drift Ice Story”, and runs in January and February, when the Sea of Okhotsk is covered in drift ice. The train route runs along the Kushiro Main Line and is covered by the JR Pass.
You will get on in Abashiri, the home of the first maximum-security prison established in Japan, and continue onwards to Shiretoko-Shari, which is located in Shari, a town that serves as the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Shiretoko National Park. The entire train journey takes about an hour.
Along the way, you will see impressive panoramas of ice-covered sea, with views of the imposing snow-covered Shiretoko Mountain Range in the background. With how much mileage you can get out of your JR Rail Pass, it would be a waste not to book a seat on the Ryuhyo Monogatari Train.
5) Hakata to Yufuin via Yufuin no Mori
Mountains and waterfalls in the heart of Kyushu’s onsen country
Kyushu is often overlooked by first-time visitors to Japan, but is actually home to a generous selection of sightseeing trains, the most famous of which is dubbed Yufuin no Mori and is fully covered by the JR Rail Pass.
Yuin no Mori’s route runs from Hakata Station in Fukuoka to Yufuin, an idyllic hot spring town. Fukuoka, Kyushu’s biggest city, is well worth a visit for its iconic itinerant food stalls known as yatai, as well as its mix of ancient shrines and contemporary museums and shops. Meanwhile, Yufuin is a beguiling hot spring or onsen town nestled in the scenic Japanese countryside and peppered with traditional ryokan.
The train ride from Hakata Station to Yufuin takes about 2 hours 15 minutes to complete, and whizzes you past Kyushu’s rolling mountains, gaping valleys and lush rice fields. You will also witness Jion-no-taki, a magnificent waterfall that is illuminated at night. Sit on the right side of the train for the best views if you are departing from Fukuoka towards Yufuin.
Ready to start your rail adventure? Book tickets in advance to ensure you get a seat!
While you do not typically have to book in advance on Japanese trains, the popular scenic trains fill up fast, particularly during peak periods such as Japanese school holidays or cherry blossom viewing season.
So, it is highly advisable to buy your JR Pass online and book your train tickets as early as possible for these scenic routes and, wherever possible, to reserve a seat on the side of the train that would offer the best views. The journey is just as rewarding as the destination, and the planning is worth it for your Japan itinerary.
Malaysia
Hong Kong