Blog posts

Ride Nankai's Rapi:t from Kansai Airport to Namba or take the Koyasan line to the mountain temples. Fares, travel times, and why the JR Pass doesn't cover it.

Where to take the famous Tadami Line bridge photo, how to ride around its sparse timetable, and which rail passes cover this scenic Fukushima line.

The Sanriku Railway came back after the 2011 tsunami. See how to reach the Rias Line, what the kotatsu train costs, and whether the JR Pass covers it.

The Spacia X isn't covered by the JR Pass. See seat classes from ¥3,340, the Cockpit Lounge and Suite, how to book, and how it compares with the JR route.

Toritetsu are Japan's train photographers. Meet the other -tetsu fan types, where they gather, and how to join in respectfully.

Buying N-gauge or Plarail in Japan? See yen prices, Akihabara and KATO store tips, rental layouts, tax-free refunds, and how to get trains home safely.

Doai's downbound platform sits 70 metres inside a mountain, reached only by a 486-step staircase. Meet Japan's 'mole station' and its strange siblings.

A calico cat named Tama became stationmaster of a struggling rural railway and turned it into a phenomenon. Discover her remarkable story and how to visit Kishi Station today.

Japan's stations are famously spotless, yet finding a bin can feel like a treasure hunt. Here's why trash cans are limited, and what to do with your rubbish.

The Joetsu Shinkansen links Tokyo with Niigata through Japan's legendary snow country. Discover the Toki and Tanigawa trains, key stops, ski access and JR Pass coverage.