How to Experience Off-the-Beaten-Track Japan by Bullet Train
Hop on the bullet train to discover Shizuoka prefecture for tea, hot springs and Mount Fuji in an authentic part of Japan that remains overlooked by the majority travellers
Hop onboard our Japan by Train: The Grand Tour for the ultimate Japan experience, courtesy of its incredible rail network, which allows us to visit Osaka, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Hakone, Kyoto and much more in just 12 days.
Under the constant watchful eye of Mount Fuji, on the Pacific coast, lies a prefecture unspoiled by hordes of tourists, where ancient meets contemporary; science meets nature. And best of all, Shizuoka, known for its for tea production, being the global origin of wasabi production and for abounding in Shōgun history, is only an hour on the bullet train from Tokyo.
‘Off the beaten track’ and bullet train may seem oxymoronic: how can somewhere be off-the-beaten track if it’s on the route followed by one of the fastest, most efficient and most famous train lines in the world? Disembarking the train and strolling through the streets of Mishima, one of the cities in the prefecture with a station, and you quickly notice how few Westerners there are.
“It is, however,” he adds, “extremely popular for domestic tourism because Japanese people want to come and experience their country’s history and culture for themselves. To escape the busy cities for a night in a traditional ryokan and focus on health and wellbeing ”
If that isn’t a seal of approval for a truly authentic Japanese experience, I don’t know what is. Here are the reasons why you need to visit Shizuoka on your next trip to Japan.
Getting there
Shizuoka is just a stone’s throw from Tokyo, 45 minutes by bullet train to Atami on the eastern edge of the Prefecture, and one hour from Tokyo to the prefectural capital of Shizuoka City. There are four other bullet train stations within the prefecture on the same Tokaido Shinkansen line (Japan’s main line connecting Tokyo with Kyoto and Osaka), so with Japan Rail Pass in-hand, visitors can hop on/hop off and experience as much as they desire with ease.
Things to do
Off-the-beaten path Mount Fuji experiences are everywhere in the prefecture. You’ve got cycling (Shizuoka was the recent Tokyo Olympics’ cycling venue), hiking, paragliding, surfing, sailing, fishing and much more. For visitors who are more focussed on unwinding, they can refresh body and soul through green tea tasting and farm stays (Shizuoka is a leading green tea region), natural hot spring relaxation, and even zen meditation and mindfulness activities.
History
Being located between the new capital, Tokyo, and the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Osaka, Shizuoka was the strategic centre in centuries past as the nation developed. Much of the action in James Clavell’s epic novel Shōgun(1975), for example, takes place in Shizuoka and visitors can enjoy castles, temples, and preserved feudal-period foot-highways that bring to life this rich heritage. Check out the Shizuoka Prefecture Official Tourism website for a host of local activities.
Tony’s favourites
“My highlights in the area include glamping and eco-tours at the foot of Mount Fuji, traditional night spear fishing on Lake Hamana, and a green tea farm stay in Kakegawa.”
Planning a trip to Japan? Book your flight today with Japan Airlines.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.