Adam Shaw picks the best spots on the route Brad Pitt and co take in Bullet Train
Explore history and culture in iconic cities Tokyo and Kyoto
The train in the film starts in Tokyo, before speeding at 300km/h towards Japan’s former capital, Kyoto – just over two hours away by shinkansen bullet train. Kyoto’s historic districts are filled with ancient shrines and temples, while Tokyo has everything you’d expect in a modern capital – from world-class art galleries to iconic sights such as the Shibuya Crossing and the towering Tokyo Skytree.
Try wasabi in Shizuoka prefecture
If clients are stopping off at Shizuoka station for its breathtaking views of Mount Fuji, suggest that they try some of the fiery wasabi produced in the region. It pairs well with fresh sashimi: head to Shimizuko Minami, which is right next to the station, for some standout cuts of tuna. Shizuoka prefecture is also home to tea fields, giving visitors the chance to sample some of the country’s finest green tea right where it’s grown.
Explore Lake Biwa by bike
Minutes away from Hikone and Maibara stations is Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. One of the best ways to see the lake’s floating torii gates and explore its abandoned islands and untouched villages is by renting a bike from one of the shops along its perimeter or inside Maibara station. Be sure to head into Hikone’s old town, home to several retro shopping arcades and a well-preserved 17th-century castle that offers stunning views of the lake below.
Stay in traditional Japanese style at Hoshinoya Kyoto
The tranquil Hoshinoya Kyoto offers visitors the chance to experience traditional Japanese hospitality, while escaping the city crowds. Guests travel through enchanting woodland on the edge of Kyoto to get to the property, which overlooks the river. Individually designed bedrooms combine traditional decor with contemporary elements, while deep wooden baths are perfect for a restorative soak. TVs are deliberately absent, with guests encouraged to try their hand at other activities, including calligraphy and yoga.
hoshinoya.com
New bullet train routes in Japan
Japan is celebrating 150 years of rail travel this year, while 2022 also marks 30 years since the Tokyo-Kyoto-Fukuoka Nozomi bullet train first took to the tracks. The shinkansen network continues to grow, with the new Nishi Kyushu train, which opens this month and will connect the hot-spring town of Takeo Onsen with Nagasaki. Bullet trains are now equipped to be safer during earthquakes and tests are under way to make them travel even faster.
Book it
Audley Travel offers a 14-day ‘Classic Japan tour by train’, which is a round-trip from Tokyo to Hiroshima, stopping in Kyoto, with plenty of opportunities to ride bullet trains. Prices start from £5,995 per person including flights and accommodation.
audleytravel.com
PICTURES: Shutterstock/norikko/beeboys; Japan National Tourism Organization; Hoshinoya Kyoto
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