HeadYourWay
Japan by Rail

Japan by Rail

Bullet-train between Tokyo, temple-filled Kyoto and street-food Osaka.

Photo: Morio

The classic first-timer’s Japan: neon Tokyo, the shrines and gardens of Kyoto, and Osaka’s food scene, linked by the effortless shinkansen. No car required.

Why it works

The shinkansen turns Japan into one smooth journey, hyper-modern Tokyo, temple-quiet Kyoto, food-mad Osaka, with no driving and the whole country sliding past the window.

The route

1TokyoTrain2KyotoTrain3Osaka
Explore this journey — start at Tokyo →

Your itinerary

  1. 1Tokyo2–3 nights
    🧭 Tours & experiences via Klook🛏 Accommodation via Expedia✈ Flights via Aviasales
    🎟 Tickets🚆 Trains🚗 Car hire🚕 Transfer📶 eSIMinsurance
  2. 🚆 Train Tokyo → KyotoFind Tokyo → Kyoto train tickets via Omio
    2Kyoto2–3 nights
    🧭 Tours & experiences via Klook🛏 Accommodation via Expedia✈ Flights via Aviasales
    🎟 Tickets🚆 Trains🚗 Car hire🚕 Transfer📶 eSIMinsurance
  3. 🚆 Train Kyoto → OsakaFind Kyoto → Osaka train tickets via Omio
    3Osaka1–2 nights
    🧭 Tours & experiences via Klook🛏 Accommodation via Expedia✈ Flights via Aviasales
    🎟 Tickets🚆 Trains🚗 Car hire🚕 Transfer📶 eSIMinsurance

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Make it yours

Plan each destination

Tokyo travel guideKyoto travel guideOsaka travel guide

More trip inspiration

Rail journey · 8–12 days Western Japan by Shinkansen: Osaka, Hiroshima & Fukuoka Street food, the Peace Park and ramen country, bullet-train hops down the San’yō line. Osaka → Hiroshima → Fukuoka Rail journey · 8–12 days Thailand by Sleeper Train: Bangkok & Chiang Mai Temples and street food in the capital, then the overnight train north to the mountains. Bangkok → Chiang Mai Rail journey · 7–10 days Tuscany Without a Car Florence, Lucca, Pisa and Siena, all reachable by train and bus. Florence → Tuscany
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