When two Shinkansens pass each other at speed (going in opposite directions), it’s really something. Also, like other Japanese trains they leave on time. If you’re 10 seconds late, they’ll have left the station.
Buy a Japan rail pass before you go. You get 7 days of rail travel for one price, which tends to be the same amount of money as one round trip fare on the Shinkansen (bullet train) between Tokyo and Kyoto (about 400 miles apart, a 3 hour trip). The train system in Japan is remarkable.
>There’s a good chance I’ll be visiting Japan this summer.One thing I plan to do is ride the bullet train.
Depending on your schedule there are JR 7/14/21 day rail passes at $300/$450/$600. Considering a trip from Tokyo to Osaka is like ~$150 one way, it’s a very good price.
I took my daughter backpacking and got the 14 day. We went from Tokyo to Nagoya, Nagoya to Osaka, stayed four nights in Shikoku and three in Kyushu, and then went all the way back to Tokyo. I probably spent $1000 worth of fare for $450.
Have fun!
“There’s a good chance I’ll be visiting Japan this summer.One thing I plan to do is ride the bullet train”
I did that back in 1989, great fun.