Board the Shinkansen, the bullet trains that speed across the plains to reach Japan's major cities. Local railway lines, with their scenic trains that wind through stunning landscapes, will introduce you to a little-known rural Japan.
Halfway between a travelogue and a practical guide, these itineraries, specially designed for this book, are invitations to escape from a postcard Japan and let yourself be guided by the railway routes, from Hokkaido to Kyushu.
Each stop offers local flavors, hidden architecture, and encounters. And because the outskirts of Japan's major cities reveal unexplored facets of the country, getaways from Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka invite you to venture outside the city.
Thematic focuses complete this book of detailed step-by-step itineraries - from train to bath, the art of eating on board, or even how to start your collection of station stamps - as well as practical pages for organizing your trip and finding out everything about the different rail passes.