Iconic trips: Zoom across Japan on the iconic bullet train

60 years of the Tokaido Shinkansen

When the Shinkansen, Japan’s renowned bullet train, first took to the tracks ahead of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the world had never seen anything like it. The first Hikari 1 Super Express to take to the Tokaido Line took just four hours to travel the route from Tokyo to Osaka, with a top speed of 130mph.

Named after the road that connected Kyoto and Tokyo, the Tokaido Line soon became a byword for Japanese speed and efficiency. Today, it can reach speeds of up to 200mph, shuttling passengers from the capital to Osaka in just two and a half hours over a distance of 319 miles.

Green or Gran class?

There are three different classes available on Shinkansen trains. The The Ordinary Car is found on all trains, allowing you to take an unreserved seat between major cities. Comfortable and with plenty of legroom, seats are spun around to face the direction of travel. Green Cars are more akin to business class on an aircraft, with wider seats, more space, and food delivered to your seat.

On select Shinkansen, you can travel in Gran Class. This first-class offering has even more spacious seating and seasonal dishes, but it’s only available on trains heading towards Kanazawa in the west and Hokkaido to the north.

Japan’s luxury boom

Japan’s enduring popularity has seen a boom in luxury tours, trips, and hotels, as travellers look to experience the country’s modern cities and traditional countryside in comfort and style. Demand for private tours has tripled since June 2023, with a 42% jump in wildlife and nature tours, meaning more chances than ever to see a beguiling and underexplored side of Japan.

There has also been a spate of new five-star hotels across the country, including the striking Banyan Tree in Kyoto, Aman’s light-filled Janu Tokyo, and Osaka’s stunning Conrad. For those who want an indulgent holiday, Japan is very much the place to be right now.

Take to the skies above Tokyo

Rising high above the seemingly endless expanse of the world’s largest city is the best way to comprehend Tokyo's sheer scale. Its twisting, ancient alleyways meet its teeming highways, its vast port, and its towering skyscrapers.

On a private 30-minute helicopter ride, you'll gain a memorable impression of its sprawling metropolitan area, home to 37 million people, a third of Japan’s entire population. You'll be amazed by its size and beauty, with Mount Fuji rising in the distance and the Pacific Ocean sparkling towards the horizon.

Kyoto’s luxurious city resort

Kyoto’s spiritual side is encapsulated perfectly at the Banyan Tree Higashiyama, the latest luxury brand to emerge in Honshu's largest city, joining the ranks of Six Senses and Aman. A short walk from the renowned Kiyomizu-dera temple, and surrounded by swaying bamboo, the views across the city alone make this one of the best places to stay in Japan’s former capital.

The rooms follow classic Japanese design principles, with sliding doors and tatami across the floor, paired with comfortable beds. With natural hot springs, you can take the opportunity to soak in the hotel’s dedicated baths or opt for a room with its private onsen. A resort rather than a hotel, the Banyan Tree Higashiyama is all about escaping from the everyday in understated luxury.

A wild escape in Okinawa

Having spent time exploring the urban pleasures of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, we recommend a change of pace. Flying into Okinawa, a group of tropical islands southwest of Japan’s mainland, you can opt to stay at the cliff-top resort of Halekulani Okinawa, replete with a curving infinity pool that looks out across the forest and the Pacific Ocean. Everything is focused around the water here, and the panoramic views – and local beaches – are spectacular.

Suggested itinerary

This 12-day Japanese odyssey will take you to Tokyo, Kyoto, Ise-Shima, Osaka, and Okinawa. You’ll stay at the very best hotels across Japan, and enjoy an upgraded ride on Japan’s famous bullet train. We’ve included private tours en route so you can experience a traditional tea ceremony in a local home and learn from a guide who can bring the history of beautiful temples and shrines to life. You’ll also slow the pace down with time at a traditional mountain spa resort, staying in a luxurious room with a Japanese courtyard garden and private onsen. Along the way, there’s the chance to add more experiences, such as the helicopter flight over Tokyo.

Travel style

Nothing compares to boarding a bullet train in Tokyo and settling in for the ride of your life. On this trip, you’ll travel Green Class, with wider, more comfortable seats, expansive legroom, and delicious Japanese bento boxes for lunch. Sip a green tea and look out of the larger Green Class windows as Mount Fuji passes by, making sure to ask for a seat on the right-hand side of the carriage for that famous view. For the rest of the tour, we’ll arrange private transfers, private tours, and internal flights to maximise your time in Japan.