15 Train Experiences in Japan We Would Put a Day Against

1.Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26,383 reviews · from $163Our pick

This 11-hour coach tour links Mt. Fuji and Hakone with a professional English-speaking guide, buffet lunch, Ropeway ride, Lake Ashi cruise, and Shinkansen return to Tokyo. Guides such as Sora, Hiro, Momo, and Levin have earned praise for clear explanations and good humor. Expect a busy day, changing weather, and limited time at each stop.

“Our guide Momo was wonderful, and the tour was wonderful, especially since Mt Fuji was as clear as a bell. The variety of the bus ride, Fuji, the cable car ride, the Ninja restaurant, Lake Hakone, and the Bullet train back to Tokyo was very nice. The offered meal was very tasty, but the way it was served or buffeted was less than Japanese esthetic.”

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2.Mt Fuji & Hakone Cruise, Drum Show Bullet Train 1 Day from Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7,413 reviews · from $149

Spend nearly 12 hours touring Mt. Fuji and Hakone from Tokyo. Visit Fuji’s 5th Station, cruise Lake Ashi, ride the Komagatake Ropeway, enjoy a Japanese lunch and wadaiko drum show if selected, then return by Shinkansen. Guides such as Joy, Miko, Shige, and Heroaki have earned praise for clear commentary and helpful service.

“Mist shrouded view but otherwise it was a most enjoyable experience with plenary to see and take in over a well planned day.”

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3.Tokyo Mt Fuji 5th St & Hakone Cruise Bus Tour w/Bullet Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 5,024 reviews · 10 hours · from $154

Spend 10 hours visiting Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station and Hakone with an English-speaking guide such as Lisa, Yuta, Aya, or Kazu. The day includes a coach ride, Japanese buffet lunch, ropeway, Lake Ashi cruise, and one-way Shinkansen ride back to Tokyo. Weather may change the route.

“Great day we got lucky and had a clear view of Mt Fuji. Ange was a great guide very funny. Long day but great”

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4.Mt. Fuji & Hakone Tour w/ Return by Bullet Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,278 reviews · 11 hours · from $117

From Shinjuku, you’ll ride by coach to Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station, eat a Japanese hot pot lunch if selected, cross Owakudani by ropeway, cruise Lake Ashi, and return by non-reserved Shinkansen. English and Spanish guides, including well-liked leaders such as Happy, Ai, Yumi, and Hide, keep this packed day moving.

“Meeting point was easy to find, guide was excellent! Knowledgeable and helpful, and a nice person. Good value with lunch included for a full day trip!”

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5.From Tokyo 1-Day Kyoto English-guided Tour by Bullet Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 376 reviews · from $452

Take a guided day trip from Tokyo to Kyoto by round-trip Shinkansen. Staff help you board in Tokyo and meet you in Kyoto, where you enjoy a hotel lunch before visiting Fushimi Inari, Sanjusangen-do, and Kiyomizu-dera. Guides such as Tammy, Yumi, KC, Momo, and Nobu have led recent departures.

“An amazing trip to Kyoto! Loved riding on the bullet train to visit this beautiful city. The tour guides were nice and friendly. They shared a lot of interesting historical information. Totally worth it!”

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6.Mt. Fuji and Hakone Day Trip From Tokyo with Bullet Train Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 368 reviews · from $97

Spend about 11 hours visiting Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station, Owakudani, the Hakone Ropeway, and Lake Ashi from Tokyo. Choose a coach return or non-reserved Shinkansen ticket from Odawara. Guides such as Happy, Ai, Kenji, and Rino are praised for clear commentary and careful group management. Lunch is optional.

“We had a great time at the Mount Fuji and Hakone. The experience was amplified by Ai our tour guide. Ai-san was excellent, she was well informed, patient and empathetic. He effusive personality made our day great.”

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7.Sagano Train Ride and Kyoto Guided Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 180 reviews · from $66

Travel from Osaka to Kyoto with an English-speaking guide, visiting Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Kiyomizudera. The 25-minute Sagano Romantic Train ride follows the Hozugawa River through mountain scenery. Guides such as Masa, Haru, Hiro, and Natsuki have been praised for clear explanations and careful timekeeping. Lunch is optional.

“Everyone was treated VIP. .the tour guide was very informative and helpful. the bus was cozy and comfortable. 101 limon bus”

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8.Takachiho Gorge & Scenic Railway One Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 178 reviews · from $44

Travel from Fukuoka to Takachiho Gorge, see 80-meter Manai Waterfall, visit Amano Yasugawara, and ride the Amaterasu scenic train when operating. The $44 tour includes transport, a driver, and a multilingual guide. Boat tickets, train tickets, meals, and insurance cost extra.

“Really fun day trip! Takachiho Gorge was beautiful and definitely worth the visit – the cliffs and river were amazing. The scenic railway ride was a nice touch and super relaxing. It’s a long day, but everything was well-organized and stress-free. Great way to see Takachiho from Fukuoka without worrying about the travel.”

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9.Full Day Hiroshima and Miyajima Tour by Bullet Train from Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 120 reviews · from $399

Travel from Kyoto to Hiroshima by reserved Shinkansen, then visit Miyajima’s Itsukushima Shrine, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and the Peace Memorial Museum with a licensed English-speaking guide. Lunch is on your own. Expect a tightly planned 13-hour day, a group of up to 40, and a return to Kyoto around 9pm.

“This tour company did an excellent job organizing everything and even got us reserved seats on the bulletin trains to and back all included in the price of the tour. We greatly appreciated that! They walk you to and from the meeting point to thRead more”

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10.Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Trip by Bullet Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 83 reviews · 8 hours - 690 minutes · from $104

Travel from Osaka to Hiroshima by Shinkansen, then visit Miyajima’s Itsukushima Shrine, roaming deer, and floating torii gate with a bilingual guide. You’ll also explore Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and learn about the 1945 bombing. Guides may include Angeles, Cesar, Alex, or Astrid. Lunch is not included.

“Great experience! Ángeles (tour guide) was excellent!! She was very helpful and prepared regarding whole the aspects of the tour. Discovering about this city and it's history, has always been one of my deepest dreams, and And having had the opportunity to lived it in this way has been the best gift of this trip.”

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11.Kamakura & Enoshima Day Tour with Pickup & Train Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 61 reviews · 10 hours · from $13

Spend 10 hours visiting Enoshima, Kamakura High School, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Komachi Street, and the Great Buddha. Your driver handles the transport, while you explore each stop on your own. The small group can include up to nine people, and past departures have featured drivers and guides such as Allan Tan, Sun, Harry, and Wan. The Enoden train fare is included, but attraction tickets and food are extra.

“The tour stops were fantastic, great sights! And the ease of pick up/ drop off transport is definitely worth the money”

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12.Private Samurai Experience – Train with Sword Master

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 3 hours - 270 minutes · from $158

Meet your English, Japanese, or French-speaking guide at Minoh Station, then walk to a private temple training area with sword master Tatsuya Watanabe. You’ll tour the grounds, watch a special performance, practice with wooden swords, and learn the discipline behind classical Japanese swordsmanship.

“Was amazing experience learned a lot of skills in the space of 3 hours. Learned some more about myself and was a honour learning u see the grand master and about samurai and katana sword. Would definitely recommend this experience to anyone give it a try it is a great experience.”

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13.Wakayama Cat Train, Seafood market, Hot Springs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 24 reviews · 10 hours · from $83

From Nipponbashi, join guide Tiger or another English, Japanese, or Chinese-speaking guide for a full day in Wakayama. You’ll visit Tama’s cat station at Kishi, ride a themed train, watch a tuna-cutting show, eat at ToreTore Market, and see Shirahama’s Senjojiki and Sandanbeki cliffs. Hot spring entry and cave admission cost extra.

“we had a great Time with our guide "tiger". He's a really nice guy and always aware of where everyonenis and where to go next. He had precise explanations to every stop and what you can do there, at the end of our trip he even had some restaurant tipps for the night. 100% recommend”

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14.Kyoto Railway Museum Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 23 reviews · 1 day · from $9Best value

Spend a full day exploring Japan’s railway story at the Kyoto Railway Museum. See 53 real trains, including steam engines and Shinkansen, step inside historic carriages, try hands-on simulators, view railway dioramas, ride a working steam locomotive, and watch the roundhouse turntable rotate. Admission is wheelchair accessible and valid for one day.

“nice to see the history of the train in Japan and of course see the bullet train”

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15.Arashiyama Tour with optional Sagano Romantic Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 18 reviews · 3 - 4 hours · from $105

Spend 3 to 4 hours exploring Arashiyama with an English-speaking guide and no more than nine people. Choose the 30-minute Sagano Romantic Train ride, then visit Mikami Shrine, the bamboo forest, Tenryu Temple, local food stops, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Arashiyama Park. Guides such as Eloise, Shingo, Leo, and Arsushi add history, photo tips, and local suggestions.

“We had the most amazing day in Kyoto with our guide, Leo! 🌸 He was incredibly friendly and passionate about sharing the history and culture of his country. Thanks to him, we discovered hidden gems we would have never found on our own. The entire day was perfectly organized, yet felt relaxed and enjoyable. It truly was an unforgettable experience that made our trip to Kyoto so special. We can’t recommend Leo enough – if you’re visiting Kyoto, make sure to book a tour with him!”

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