For train lovers, long rail journeys are a dream come true. Just another reason why Japan and its amazing rail network is such a dream destination.

Table of contents:
Intro
A Brief (Rather Than Long!) History of Japanese Trains
What Is The Longest Rail Journey In Japan?
Can You Travel From The Northernmost Station In Japan To The Furthest South?
Sleeper Trains and Luxury Rail Journeys
Bonus Recommendations

Intro

Train journeys rank as one of the most relaxing ways to travel - doubly so in Japan where the domestic rail network is state-of-the-art, clean, efficient, comfortable, and safe. Can there be anything better than getting settled in your seat and gazing at Japan’s beautiful and diverse landscape? Long train journeys can become a romantic, meditative escape from the day to day while also one of the best ways to get around and see this unforgettable country. But what is Japan’s longest train journey? Let’s take a look. 

A Brief (Rather Than Long!) History of Japanese Trains

The modern day history of Japanese trains begins after the end of the Second World War. Following the war, Japan’s rail network was rebuilt under the control of Japan National Railways (JNR) and over the next 20 years, new trains, including limited express, night trains, and new routes were introduced as well as a programme of electrification. However, it was the 1964 Tokyo Olympics that proved the catalyst for Japan’s revolution in rail travel that would see it become a world-leader in trains with the opening of the Shinkansen – the world’s first high speed train to coincide with the games. This ‘bullet train’ became synonymous with Japan and ushered in a golden age for the country’s trains over the course of the next decade. Today the Shinkansen carries more than 150 million passengers every year. Japan has continued to build on its legacy with new innovations and achievements year after year. These included the world’s longest undersea train tunnel (until 2016) and the world’s first maglev (magnetic levitation) metro train. The country’s trains are not just futuristic and technical marvels however, there are also hundreds of beautifully designed vintage trains, as well as quirky and colourful trains designed to look like Hello Kitty, Pokémon, Mickey Mouse, and more. For a longer history of Japanese trains going all the way back to 1800 read our guide to Trainspotting in Japan. 

What Is The Longest Rail Journey In Japan?

Interestingly, there isn’t necessarily a single answer to this, but several answers, and it has changed over time too, which means there are actually a number of super long train journeys for you to enjoy. The most common answer to the question is that the Tohoku Shinkansen route is the longest rail journey. This covers an impressive distance of 674.9 km between Tokyo and Aomori. It is the longest shinkansen line and by most metrics, the longest continuous train journey in Japan. The Tohoku Shinkansen gets its name from the Tohoku region, literally meaning ‘North East’ and encompasses the entire area north of Tokyo on the mainland of Japan. As well as the longest, it is among the fastest and most modern in Japan and fully covered by the JR Pass. 

Read our article, What Is The Tohoku Shinkansen, for a super detailed guide to this service. As we explained above however (and as you’ll see above), this isn’t the only train journey with a claim on being the longest in Japan. 

Can You Travel From The Northernmost Station In Japan To The Furthest South?

Yes. If you want to embark on an epic 3,100km journey from north to south by rail, from the northernmost island in Japan to the most southerly, the country’s domestic rail network - which efficiently criss-crosses all of Japan’s islands - makes it achievable. This is yet another reason why Japan is such a paradise for train lovers - the incredible connectivity. The northernmost train station in Japan is in Wakkanai. Located in Hokkaido, this is also Japan’s northernmost city and contains the country’s northernmost point, Cape Sōya, from where the Russian island of Sakhalin can be seen. It’s so far north that even a trip to Sapporo - the capital of Hokkaido - takes five hours by train on the JR Soya Main Line. Wakkanai is also the gateway to Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park. Japan’s northernmost national park is blessed with rugged mountains, beautiful alpine flowers, and stunning coastal views along Rishiri Island and Rebun Island. It is ideal for hiking, nature photography and geology lovers. To visit, take the Heart Land Ferry to Rishiri and Rebun. In order to get to Wakkanai, depending on where you’re coming from, you can start with Japan’s longest train journey, the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori, then take the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Sapporo, and finally a limited express train to Wakkanai on the JR Soya Main Line.

At the opposite end of Japan, you’ll find Ibusuki - an onsen town with the most southerly railway station in the country. Located on the southern tip of Kyushu, Ibusuki is famous for its dark sandy beaches, unspoiled nature and onsen. In addition to the scenic train ride to Ibusuki itself. Ibusuki is a popular day trip from Kagoshima city but can easily be visited from anywhere in Kyushu using the JR Pass. It is famous for its sand baths and for the 500 onsen in the area. Getting to Ibusuki is also part of the experience using a special train known as the ‘Limited Express Ibusuki no Tamatebako’. This specially designed train is painted black on the land facing side and white on the sea facing side. The interior, meanwhile, has an industrial wooden design, with turnable seats that can directly turn to face seaside windows to enjoy the ocean view. The ride takes little under two hours with three return trips each day. Prior reservations are required and can be made for free at any JR Ticket window. We suggest making reservations a couple of days in advance, to secure your seating. For more information, check out our Itinerary Tip: Ibusuki. 

Of course, travelling from Wakkanai to Ibusuki isn’t a single train journey but multiple train journeys strung together to create an incredible ‘bucket list’ style adventure. Thankfully with a Japan Rail Pass - one ticket for unlimited travel on the JR network - it is definitely possible and arguably an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience from train enthusiasts and travellers alike.

Sleeper Trains and Luxury Rail Journeys

Technically, Japan’s sleeper and luxury train journeys offer even longer routes than the Tohoku Shinkansen, at least they used to. Today it is with a few caveats. For instance, you will need to travel overnight, it will depend on the service and route, and they aren’t always a single continuous journey. Prior to the Shinkansen, it was normal to travel long distances in Japan on the famous ‘Blue sleeper trains’, unfortunately none of these lines service today. One of the last long distance sleeper trains in service was the original Twilight Express, which ran from Osaka to Sapporo. Although it was discontinued in 2015, it covered an incredible distance of 1,500 km (930 mi) - far outstripping the Tohoku Shinkansen. Today, the closest sleeper trains are the luxury Twilight Express Mizukaze and the Train Suite Shiki-Shima, both of which offer long overnight routes of varying lengths (from one and two nights to several nights onboard). For a detailed guide to travelling on one of these trains, read our feature on the Twilight Express Mizukaze - the most luxurious of excursion trains.

Bonus Recommendations

• For practical help getting around Japan via train, read our Visitors Guide to Japanese Trains and Railways.
• For Japan’s amazing trains, read our Top 10 Facts about Japan’s Trains.
• And for lovers of train stations (we know you’re out there too) check out Japan’s Biggest and Busiest Train Stations. 
• Discover the best train food you’ve ever had. Our guide to Ekiben lunch boxes will tell you everything you need to know. 
• We also have a number of guides about specific trains and services, from sightseeing trains such as the Ametsuchi, steam trains like the SI Hitoyoshi, luxury trains like the Saphir Odoriko, and of course, the famous Shinkansen bullet trains.
• And of course, there’s the Japan Rail Pass too. Why is it the best and most affordable way to travel across Japan? Read our guide to Why The JR Pass Is Worth It for a great list of reasons.