Thank you to all the train fans who have followed me recently! Here’s a thread of all trains I’ve tweeted about so far. My personal favourite is the Romancecar, imo the nicest and easiest train to get from Tokyo. The seat fee from Shinjuku to Hakone is only ¥1200.

I see a lot of tourists playing musical chairs on the Narita Express because they weren’t able to get a seat reservation. Please understand that even if you have a JR pass, you still need to reserve your seat in advance and the train often gets fully booked. Book early online!

Hachijojima is one of the lesser known Tokyo islands but definitely worth a visit - it’s especially known for whale watching in the winter months! Overnight ferry or easy one hour flight from Haneda. Try climbing “Hachijo Fuji” - a volcano where you can walk around the caldera

Kobuchizawa isn’t often talked about but it’s a super easy excursion from Shinjuku and home to the Hakushu Whisky Distillery- you usually have to book entry a month in advance but in the winter it’s quite easy to get a slot

Katsunuma in perfect autumn form this weekend - as always, my favourite day trip from Tokyo 🍁🍇

The Nintendo museum in Kyoto is incredibly hard to get tickets to - there is a lottery but I’ve personally failed each time. However, there are “secret” general sales that open two months in advance on the second Wed at 2pm, and also cancellations for the same month on each hour.

Highlighting some lesser known adventures in Japan - went glamping in Minami alps with a view of the Kofu basin - only 1.5 hours from Shinjuku and yet such a perfect paradise

Plenty of fireworks events for Obon this week but Hakone might be my favorite - extremely chill festival atmosphere with just the right number of people and the igniting of the daimonjiyaki. Super easy trip on my favourite train, the romancecar

Most people take the subway or bus to Osaka Expo but honestly the only way to do it is by boat

The hydrangea path at Hase-dera in Kamakura is fully in bloom now - absolutely stunning, but also extremely crowded. You need to get a reservation in advance to enter the path (though anyone can enter the temple). I’d recommend an early morning slot before the crowds hit!

Once again extolling the virtues of the Green Car on the JR line - if you’re going to Kamakura or even just to Yokohama, it’s so comfortable, convenient and cheap (I wish this were an ad) The interior is just like a limited express, but you can’t reserve seats in advance.

Some exciting Japan train news: a new overnight train from Tokyo to the Tohoku region is launching in spring 2027! nippon.com/en/news/yjj202506…

Kawazu sakura in full bloom now (by Kawazu station), the festival ended this weekend but the blooms should hopefully be around for about another week 🌸

Blooms in Tokyo have been really late this year because of the cold, but it’s finally plum blossom season 🌸 If you’re traveling for sakura, aim for final week of march and first week of April

JR green car is honestly the only way to go on the Shonan Shinjuku on the weekends. Interestingly compared to green cars on limited expresses, there are no seat reservations. You buy a green car ticket on Suica and then tap in above the seat when you board.

Good Fuji viewing day today, can see the details of the Yoshida trail zigzagging up

Yamanakano ice candle festival today, thousands of candles literally made of ice were lit up celebrating the end of Diamond Fuji weeks. February is the perfect time for clear views of Fuji

Took a day trip to Katsunuma, even in the winter it’s such a stunning place to visit and super easy to get to from Shinjuku.