The 15 Rail Experiences in Japan That Need Booking Ahead

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

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

See Mt Fuji, Hakone Ropeway, Lake Ashi, lunch, and return to Tokyo by bullet train on this packed 11-hour day tour.

“Really great tour and we saw some amazing sights in a packed day. Spectacular views of Mount Fuji, luckily with clear weather this day. Only wish we could have stayed a little bit longer at some places, but there's a lot to fit into the day so the itinerary moves swiftly. Our tour guide spoke fluent English, was very knowledgeable, and took great care of everyone. Highly recommend this day trip!”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7,413 reviews · from $150

Review of the Mt Fuji and Hakone day tour from Tokyo, with Fuji 5th Station, Lake Ashi cruise, ropeway, drum show, lunch, and Shinkansen return.

“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

Review of a 10-hour Mt. Fuji and Hakone tour from Tokyo, with lunch, ropeway, Lake Ashi cruise, guide, and bullet train return.

“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

See Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Lake Ashi, Owakudani, and return to Tokyo by bullet train on this full-day tour from Shinjuku.

“Great day, weather was absolutely rubbish! Tour was still an experience, just misty and foggy but thats mother nature! top tip would be when getting the bullet train, dont get on the first one. experience the trains flying in and out of the station first. that was the best bit as the actual train was like the LNER”

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

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

Ride Japan’s bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto for temples, shrine gates, lunch, English guidance, and a tightly timed day of sightseeing.

“Amazing tour ! The guides escorted us to the train and received us on the way back . The afternoon in Kyoto was very well organized. We saw three amazing shrines . Despite the crowds the guide kept us together. Lunch was nice at the hotel restaurant.”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 368 reviews · from $98

Review of the Mt. Fuji and Hakone day trip from Tokyo, covering sights, transport, lunch, ropeway, Lake Ashi, weather risks, and value.

“Gives you a little bit of everything Happy San our guide was funny and keep us informed. Very organized and efficient.”

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7.Sagano Train Ride and Kyoto Guided Day Tour

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

Review the Osaka to Kyoto day tour featuring Arashiyama, the Sagano train, Kiyomizudera, Fushimi Inari, and practical booking advice.

“Good trip needed more time in the towns as the shops looked really nice”

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8.Takachiho Gorge & Scenic Railway One Day Tour

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

Review of Fukuoka’s Takachiho Gorge day tour, with waterfall views, shrine myths, vintage railway, costs, access tips, and honest drawbacks.

“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.Sagano Romantic Train & Arashiyama, Kiyomizudera, Fushimi Inari Taisha Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 171 reviews · from $83

Review of a 9-hour Kyoto day tour from Osaka, featuring Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, Kiyomizudera, and the Sagano Romantic Train.

“Excellent tour of Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi with breathtaking and panoramic views Eric the tour guide is very knowledgeable, informative and helpful. It was a great experience . We would highly recommend this tour”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 120 reviews · from $400

Review of the Kyoto to Hiroshima and Miyajima bullet train tour, with shrine, Peace Museum, costs, timing, guides, and practical tips.

“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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11.Full Day Hiroshima and Miyajima Tour by Bullet Train from Osaka

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 117 reviews · from $398

Review of a full-day Hiroshima and Miyajima tour from Osaka, with Shinkansen travel, Itsukushima Shrine, the Peace Museum, and practical tips.

“Amazing experience. Our tour guide Mayumi was excellent. She is a daughter of Atomic bomb survivor and the stories she told us were very moving. Would recommend this tour!!”

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12.Mt. Fuji & Hakone Bus Tour Bullet Train Return & 28-Hotel Pick-up

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 107 reviews · from $145

Review of the Mt. Fuji and Hakone day tour from Tokyo, with 5th Station, ropeway, Lake Ashi cruise, lunch, and bullet train return.

“Our experience was wonderful and outstanding, our tour guide Yuki was very knowledgeable of the sites we visited. She made an effort to assist us with all our needs and answered all Our questions.”

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13.Hiroshima & Miyajima 1 Day Bus Tour with Bullet Train Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 105 reviews · from $271

Review of the Hiroshima and Miyajima day tour from Osaka, Kyoto, or Fukuoka, with bullet train travel, lunch, guides, costs, and practical tips.

“Very thorough and detailed explanation of both cities. Guide was well informed and very good at explaining the history!”

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14.Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Trip by Bullet Train

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

Review of the Osaka to Hiroshima and Miyajima day trip by bullet train, covering sights, timing, guides, value, food, and practical tips.

“We had a fantastic time on this tour visiting Miyajima Island and the beautiful Itsukushima Shrine. We also saw wild deer and had free time to explore the island and enjoy lunch. It was also very moving visiting Hiroshima and the museum to learn more about its history. We highly recommend this tour!”

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

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

See Enoshima, Kamakura, the Great Buddha, and Slam Dunk sites on a small-group day trip with an Enoden train ride.

“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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