Another Japan travel thread - June 2025

[tridentalx]

Hello all,

 

I got some useful tips last time I posted a trip plan here (Kyushu about 3 years ago) so I'm having another go. I can see there are lots of other trips going on this year. So here we go.

 

Day 1 Land at Haneda and take a leisurely trip to Shinano Omachi to get an early start for ....

Day 2 Kurobe Alpine Route (Watching for when tickets become available).

Day 3 Toyama and Kurobe Gorge Railway (still not 100% on the Gorge yet; I really want to do it but it's quite a diversion from the direction I'm heading)

Day 4 Nagoya + museum. Hopefully stop along the way. End in Osaka.

Day 5 Lake Biwa and Osaka (and Joshin Super Kids etc.). I spent time in Kyoto previously but would like to fit in a trip to Nara.

Day 6 Osaka and onwards to Shikoku (Takamatsu)

Day 7 A long day heading from Takamatsu to Kochi and continuing round the coast to end in Matsuyama. I really wanted to fit some of Shikoku in on this trip. 

Day 8 Morning in Matsuyama and fly back to Haneda. Head into Akihabara if I have any money and/or space left for train shopping

Day 9 Home to UK 

 

It is a lot of travelling but I am going solo and I don't mind early starts (quick breakfast then at the station by 7.30 ish)

 

Question about the railway museum in Nagoya - is there a trip on the MAGLEV or is it just an exhibition section?

 

Comments or observations welcome.

[miyakoji]

I don't think there's any way to ride a Maglev at the JR Central museum.  I believe they have occasionally allowed journalists or maybe members of the public to ride the existing part of the Chuo Shinkansen that they have for testing purposes.  Also, in eastern Nagoya there is the Linimo line, from Fujigaoka (municipal subway system) to Yakusa (Aichi Loop Railway).  That's an operational maglev line.  Wikipedia says it's 8.9 km/5.5 miles long and operates at maximum 100kmh/62mph.  Maybe you're thinking of one of those.

 

On day 4 what time will you leave for Osaka?  If I were looking to stop somewhere along that route, it would be at Kyoto to visit that museum :).

 

For day 7, do you have definite info about the connections from Kochi > Uwajima > Matsuyama?  I assume this is the route you mean.  It's been a lot of years now, but I wanted to do that on the Seishun 18 ticket, but thought I couldn't.  Maybe it was because I wouldn't be able to use limited express services with that ticket.  Just wondering.

Edited Sunday at 05:51 PM by miyakoji

[Kingmeow]

5 hours ago, tridentalx said:

Question about the railway museum in Nagoya - is there a trip on the MAGLEV or is it just an exhibition section?

 

 

I was there last October.

 

The future MAGLEV train is just a simulation.  You sit in a room with seats and the windows to the left/right are screens that simulate what you would see if you are in a true MAGLEV.  There's also a front big screen that gives you the details.

 

If you do go, make sure you get there early to get a ticket for the Shinkansen driving simulation.  It's very cool!  Forgot already, but I think it's ¥600 for about 15 minutes.  The screen is 30 meters by 10 meters high.  The guide book said to get there early to snag a ticket.  we got there 30 minutes before the museum opened and got on line.  But in the mid afternoon when we left there were still slots available.  Maybe it was not a busy day so YMMV.

[katoftw]

I really don't think your itinerary is realistic.  You've acknowledged it will be fast moving.  But this is a step beyond that.

 

You're trying to cover a lot in 8 full days.

 

Maybe fly into Osaka instead and save some time travelling also.

Edited Sunday at 11:43 PM by katoftw

[Tony Galiani]

We did Osaka to Takamatsu - it's a nice ride, especially on the Marine Liner.  In that direction, try to get seats on the right side of the train for the best views.

Tony

[Gunzel]

That’s a lot of travelling. 

If you like old electrics the Chitetsu is fun, I especially enjoyed the last grind up the hill into Tateyama, so if you have a chance to reverse course for a bit and do that as well I’d recommend it. Probably a long day already though. 
 

I enjoyed the Kurobe Gorge Railway but it is very much a tourist experience. The Chitetsu run out to Unazakionsen is good too. 
 

Travelling to Nagoya from Toyama I’d prefer catching a Hida through the middle on the Takayama line, but you may prefer the new Shinkansen to Tsuruga then on from there. If you’re not using a pass the Hida is about Y3000 cheaper as well. Not sure you have a lot of time to do something else on this day.
 

Doesn’t really make sense to go all the way to Osaka if you’re going back to Lake Biwa the next day. and I’m not sure how you fit Nara in as well. Depends how much you want to do outside the station I guess. 
 

Make sure you get across the Seto-Ohashi bridge while the sun is still up, would be a pity to miss that view. Unless you have a specific reason to go to Takamatsu you could probably go to Kochi instead. It’s not all that much further. 
 

On the Yodo line the morning train from Kubokawa is the Shikoku Shinkansen and the one after midday is the Shimanto Torocco, although the Torocco is only attached on weekends. You can make either of these from Takamatsu if you leave early enough (0604). 
 

On the topic of passes from a quick calculation if you use the Hida and Shinkansen otherwise you’re in the high 40s, without any extra travel around Osaka. I’d go for a 7 day Japan Railway pass to have more flexibility if there are any issues, even though there are a couple of days you probably won’t use JR. The impact of not being able to use Nozomi shouldn’t be too much. Worth doing a proper evaluation when you’ve locked in the itinerary. 
 

@miyakojiyou can do Kochi-Matsuyama via the Yodo line on Seishun 18. It’s just an early start from Kochi (0539).

 

[tridentalx]

17 hours ago, miyakoji said:

I don't think there's any way to ride a Maglev at the JR Central museum.  I believe they have occasionally allowed journalists or maybe members of the public to ride the existing part of the Chuo Shinkansen that they have for testing purposes.  Also, in eastern Nagoya there is the Linimo line, from Fujigaoka (municipal subway system) to Yakusa (Aichi Loop Railway).  That's an operational maglev line.  Wikipedia says it's 8.9 km/5.5 miles long and operates at maximum 100kmh/62mph.  Maybe you're thinking of one of those.

 

On day 4 what time will you leave for Osaka?  If I were looking to stop somewhere along that route, it would be at Kyoto to visit that museum :).

 

For day 7, do you have definite info about the connections from Kochi > Uwajima > Matsuyama?  I assume this is the route you mean.  It's been a lot of years now, but I wanted to do that on the Seishun 18 ticket, but thought I couldn't.  Maybe it was because I wouldn't be able to use limited express services with that ticket.  Just wondering.

 

Thanks for the feedback. The Linimo line sounds interesting. May well add that to the itinerary.

 

Day 4 - not sure yet. Which museum are you suggesting.

 

Day 7. Yes that's the route. There is a connecting service at a couple of specific times a day.  I was planning to use the Shikoku 3 day pass for this.

[tridentalx]

11 hours ago, katoftw said:

I really don't think your itinerary is realistic.  You've acknowledged it will be fast moving.  But this is a step beyond that.

 

You're trying to cover a lot in 8 full days.

 

Maybe fly into Osaka instead and save some time travelling also.

Thank you. Yes it is certainly a challenging itinerary. Will be working through timings to see if all is possible. I have flexible hotel bookings so I can make some changes.

 

I'm on British Airways so would have to get a separate ticket for Osaka now and that would make it difficult to get to Kurobe Alpine route which is a key part of the itinerary.

[tridentalx]

6 hours ago, Gunzel said:

That’s a lot of travelling. 

If you like old electrics the Chitetsu is fun, I especially enjoyed the last grind up the hill into Tateyama, so if you have a chance to reverse course for a bit and do that as well I’d recommend it. Probably a long day already though. 
 

I enjoyed the Kurobe Gorge Railway but it is very much a tourist experience. The Chitetsu run out to Unazakionsen is good too. 
 

Travelling to Nagoya from Toyama I’d prefer catching a Hida through the middle on the Takayama line, but you may prefer the new Shinkansen to Tsuruga then on from there. If you’re not using a pass the Hida is about Y3000 cheaper as well. Not sure you have a lot of time to do something else on this day.
 

Doesn’t really make sense to go all the way to Osaka if you’re going back to Lake Biwa the next day. and I’m not sure how you fit Nara in as well. Depends how much you want to do outside the station I guess. 
 

Make sure you get across the Seto-Ohashi bridge while the sun is still up, would be a pity to miss that view. Unless you have a specific reason to go to Takamatsu you could probably go to Kochi instead. It’s not all that much further. 
 

On the Yodo line the morning train from Kubokawa is the Shikoku Shinkansen and the one after midday is the Shimanto Torocco, although the Torocco is only attached on weekends. You can make either of these from Takamatsu if you leave early enough (0604). 
 

On the topic of passes from a quick calculation if you use the Hida and Shinkansen otherwise you’re in the high 40s, without any extra travel around Osaka. I’d go for a 7 day Japan Railway pass to have more flexibility if there are any issues, even though there are a couple of days you probably won’t use JR. The impact of not being able to use Nozomi shouldn’t be too much. Worth doing a proper evaluation when you’ve locked in the itinerary. 
 

@miyakojiyou can do Kochi-Matsuyama via the Yodo line on Seishun 18. It’s just an early start from Kochi (0539).

 

Thank you for your comprehensive feedback. 

 

• Will look at Chitetsu. 
• Hida line was my intention if I have time. I try and avoid Shinkansen unless essential.
• Agreed re Osaka / Biwa - trying to rework that bit.
• Seto-Otashi - agreed. Trying to get there early afternoon. Takamatsu I wanted to see the castle and gardens. Will have a look at heading straight to Kochi though but I want to do the trip to Kochi in daylight.
• Thanks re Yodo line. I was trying to find details of the rolling stock. But I'm there on a weekday so will miss the Torocco I think. I'm up for early starts but 0604 is early even for me. 0700 is my target most days.
• Pass - yes I'd got to c40,000 too. I don't believe the JR Pass is valid on the Kurobe Alpine route so that's quite a chunk of cost. Looking at the Kansai passes too.

[Kingmeow]

22 hours ago, tridentalx said:

Day 4 Nagoya + museum. Hopefully stop along the way. End in Osaka.

 

Nagoya also has the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology.  No trains but it's pretty cool to see how Toyota became what it is today.

[SwallowAngel]

On 3/23/2025 at 5:16 PM, tridentalx said:

Question about the railway museum in Nagoya - is there a trip on the MAGLEV or is it just an exhibition section?

 

The name of the SC Maglev Park is very confusing to be honest, it should just be called JR Central Railway Museum IMO.

 

Riding a Maglev is not possible in Nagoya. There is a Maglev exhibit (including two actual statically preserved trains) showcasing the technology in interactive ways, but the main attraction really is the "Great Rolling Stock Hall" with all the Tokaido Shinkansen and other odds and ends. Very much worthwhile seeing and visiting, just a bit of a confusing name.

 

If you want to see a Maglev train operating (like in those viral videos) you will have to head to Tsuru, Yamanashi to the "Yamanashi Prefectural Maglev Exhibition Center". They have an dedicated exhibit along the actual Maglev Test Track they use for testing. Additionally it should be noted that riding the train is not possible for non-JP residents, so you could "only" see it wooshing by (which is plenty cool I'd imagine). They announce their running times and days on a weekly basis though, so planning ahead is difficult.

 

I'll also vouch for @miyakoji's recommendation for the Kyoto Railway Museum. If I had to recommend one museum to visit it would be that one. It is downright ginormous, features almost all must-know locomotives and being in the roundhouse alongside the SL's was literally one of (if not the) highlight of my trip back in 2023. Not too much if you're more into EMU's/DMU's, but still a MUST visit in my book.

 

Otherwise I do have to agree with some others here, your plans look great on paper, but I am somewhat doubtful as to realistic they really are. You might be solo and you might not mind now, but you never know how hard jet lag will hit you and what not.

Edited Tuesday at 12:40 AM by SwallowAngel
Corrected dumb error

[chadbag]

22 minutes ago, SwallowAngel said:

Osaka Railway Museum.

I think you mean Kyoto Railway Museum.   I’ve never seen on in Osaka and the posting railway museums doesn’t list one there but Kyoto has a very large one with open roundhouse. 

[miyakoji]

There used to be the Modern Transportation Museum in Osaka, maybe that’s what @SwallowAngel is thinking of.  It closed in 2014, I guess they were preparing the exhibits to be moved to the Kyoto museum which then opened in 2016.  Can’t believe it’s been that long.

 

Kyoto Railway Museum is 1.6 km west of Kyoto Station, you could either walk it @tridentalx or take the San’in/Sagano line one stop to Umekoji-Kyotonishi which was built to serve the museum.

 

Also have you been to the JR East museum in Omiya?  That might be bigger than Kyoto, not sure.

 

 

[Kamome]

13 hours ago, tridentalx said:

I try and avoid Shinkansen unless essential

Each to their own. Shame there's not a blue train you can take.

Looking at your initial itinerary, I think just getting around is going to eat into a lot of your time and what you can expect to do.  I'd recommend the Alpen route. The Toyama Chihou is a nice little railway and the scenery is beautiful. If you won't have much time to appreciate it, not sure it is necessary to go.

While shopping outlets will be open later than the UK, a lot of museums and other attractions will close their doors to new admittance from mid afternoon in many cases. Places like Nara will likely take up most of a day rather than be bolted on to Lake Biwa and Osaka, unless it's a box ticking exercise to say you've been there. You have a nice balance of rural and city but I would probably suggest a few less destinations to give you time to explore and discover the nuances Japan can offer.

 

[SwallowAngel]

56 minutes ago, chadbag said:

I think you mean Kyoto Railway Museum.

Yes, sorry, it's quite late when I was typing this together and got mixed up 😅

[tridentalx]

Hello all,

 

Thank you @SwallowAngel, @Kingmeow, @Kamomeand others for the further comments.

 

Thanks for confirmation re the MAGLEV and suggestions of alternatives.

 

Yes, I've been to the JR Museum at Omiya. Will add Kyoto Railway museum to the itinerary if there's time. Last trip I had the Omiya museum already planned so didn't want to do two museums on the same trip.

 

Re Shinkansens - I try to use more local trains where possible so I can at least see the scenery I'm passing through. 

 

I'm starting to add train times to the itinerary now. I've dropped Kurobe Gorge because, as far as I can see, the line is still not fully re-opened. That gives me half a day or so to  explore the Hida line en route to Nagoya.  I'll pass Lake Biwa en route to Osaka now and give me a bit more time in Osaka; I've never visited previously. The only really long day now is Shikoku. 

 

Day 1 Land at Haneda and take a leisurely trip to Shinano Omachi to get an early start for ....

Day 2 Kurobe Alpine Route (Watching for when tickets become available).

Day 3 Toyama and Hida line en route to Nagoya

Day 4 Nagoya + museum. Onwards to Osaka via Lake Biwa

Day 5 Osaka (and Joshin Super Kids etc.). Possibly Nara and/or Kyoto Railway Museum (Kyoto temples visited on previous trip).

Day 6 Osaka and onwards to Shikoku (Takamatsu)

Day 7 A long day heading from Takamatsu to Kochi and continuing round the coast to end in Matsuyama. I really wanted to fit some of Shikoku in on this trip. 

Day 8 Morning in Matsuyama and fly back to Haneda. Head into Akihabara if I have any money and/or space left for train shopping

Day 9 Home to UK 

 

At the moment I can't make the value add up for a Japan Rail Pass although I may get it anyway just for ease of use. Otherwise it will be pay as I go + probably a Kansai area pass and a 3 day Shikoku pass.

[katoftw]

No way a JRP would pay off. Not even close.

[Kingmeow]

4 hours ago, tridentalx said:

I'll pass Lake Biwa en route to Osaka now and give me a bit more time in Osaka; I've never visited previously.

.

.

.

At the moment I can't make the value add up for a Japan Rail Pass although I may get it anyway just for ease of use. Otherwise it will be pay as I go + probably a Kansai area pass and a 3 day Shikoku pass.

 

When in Osaka, be sure to visit Joshin Super Kids Land.  WARNING: make sure you have room in your luggage!  The selection and prices will make you want to throw out all your clothes and load up on model railroad items.  You have been forewarned!  🤣

 

Ever since they raised the Japan Rail Pass (40% or was it 70%), it's not really a bargain at all.  In 2023 we purchased and used it for a week and it was well worth it.  In 2024, it was not worth it by our calculations and we even we planned on using more JR trains.

 

It is really NOT inconvenient to use the ticket machines once you try them.  In 2023 we avoided the ticket machines, feeling intimated and fearful of holding up the line as we fumble through the screen options.  In 2024 we tried one and after the first purchase it was so easy.  You can chose the language on the first screen.  After that it was very intuitive.

Edited Tuesday at 12:34 PM by Kingmeow