But there’s another side to Japan’s railways, one that goes beyond simply getting from point A to point B. On these routes, the scenery, the atmosphere, and even what happens onboard become part of the experience. It’s the perfect representation of the phrase “when the journey becomes the destination.” While these scenic routes offer a different pace, they remain remarkably accessible for travelers using a JRail Pass.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up some of Japan’s most unique train trips. Expect sweeping views of the Sea of Japan, winding mountain passes, and rural landscapes shaped by tea fields and rice terraces. Some trains feature floor-to-ceiling windows, others offer overnight cabins or even onsen footbaths onboard.
You’ll also meet a few unexpected characters along the way, including feline stationmasters, and discover why in Japan, slowing down by train can be just as rewarding as arriving.
Resort Shirakami
Let's kick things off with the Resort Shirakami, and we're not exaggerating when we say it's one of Japan's most stunning train rides. This beauty runs between Akita and Aomori, hugging the coastline so closely that the sea often feels just an arm’s length away.
The train route traces the Sea of Japan coast through the Tohoku region, an area known for dramatic landscapes and a quieter pace of life. One of the route's natural highlights is Mount Shirakami-Sanchi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to ancient beech forests that are some of the most pristine in Japan.
Although the train runs along the coast, the whole journey has this wild, almost untouched quality. Dense forests press close to the tracks, mountains rise in the background, and the sea stretches endlessly beside the train.
Along the way, you'll stop at tiny coastal stations like Fukaura, where life still revolves around the rhythm of the ocean. On clear days, the water shifts from steel gray to brilliant turquoise, and you'll spot the occasional fishing boat, nets drying in the sun, and practically zero signs of big city life.
As the train approaches Aomori, the landscape softens and apple orchards begin to appear. The region is especially famous for its apples, and the cool northern air feels as fresh and crisp as biting into one.
The entire route takes approximately 5 hours, which makes it perfect for a half-day adventure. Some cars even have vending machines stocked with drinks, snacks, and train-themed souvenirs.
Pro tip: The train is covered by the JR Pass, but you'll need to make a reservation. Book ahead or risk missing out on this amazing adventure.
Ibusuki no Tamatebako
The Ibusuki no Tamatebako takes its name from a traditional Japanese fairy tale about Urashima Taro, a fisherman who found a magical box (tamatebako) and was warned never to open it. When he finally does, time catches up with him in an unexpected way.
That story isn’t just a reference — in fact, it’s built directly into the train’s design. One of the most delightful features is how elements of the fairy tale appear throughout the ride. For example, when passengers board, white steam rises from the chimney and creates the impression that the train is “opening” the legendary box.
Inside, the design plays with contrasting black and white, accented by wood and massive windows. You'll find standard seats, lounge areas, souvenir displays, and even little spaces for kids to play, making it perfect for both families and solo travelers.
The route runs through southern Kagoshima Prefecture, a part of Japan that’s noticeably different from the rest of the country. The climate is warmer, vegetation turns subtropical, palm trees line the coast, and the ocean stays in view for much of the ride. The highlight of the trip is Sakurajima, an active volcano that frequently releases small plumes of smoke.
The final stop is Ibusuki, a resort town famous for its sand onsen. Instead of soaking in hot water, visitors are buried in naturally-heated volcanic sand right on the beach. The surrounding area is filled with hot springs, tea fields, tropical plants, and quiet resorts, creating a laid-back atmosphere that’s worlds away from Japan’s fast-paced metropolitan centers.
Sunrise Izumo & Sunrise Seto
True to their name, the Sunrise Izumo and Sunrise Seto are Japan's last remaining overnight trains.While most of the country has long since switched to fast Shinkansen and daytime express trains, these trains continue to operate overnight, connecting Tokyo with the western part of the country via the Izumo and Seto routes.
Here's where it gets interesting: both trains travel together from Tokyo until they reach
Okayama, then they split. Sunrise Izumo heads northwest toward the Sea of Japan coast and the San'in region, while Sunrise Seto turns south toward the Seto Inland Sea.
So, what can you expect at your destination? Sunrise Izumo pulls into Izumo, a town with one of the most ancient and important Shinto shrines in Japan. Around the region, there are quiet towns, rice fields stretching toward the horizon, forested mountains, and a rugged coastline that still feels refreshingly untouristed.
Sunrise Seto, by contrast, heads south toward Takamatsu on Shikoku Island. This region is known for its calm pace of life, beautiful gardens, and excellent seafood. Wake up in the morning and you’ll be greeted by views of the Seto Inland Sea, where small islands drift past the window as the train glides toward its final stop.
Pro tip: Several seating options are available. The most affordable option is the nobi-nobi seat (included in the JR Pass), which are carpeted areas where you can lie down and spend the night. For an additional fee, you can reserve a single compartment, or splurge a bit and upgrade to the Single Deluxe (First Class), which is a private room with a washbasin.
Seven Stars Kyushu
If the idea of an overnight train appeals to you but you want to take it up a notch (or rather, several), then Seven Stars Kyushu is your answer. This isn't just a train, it's a boutique hotel on rails that completely redefines what train travel can be.With just a handful of cars and a maximum of 30 passengers, Seven Stars expertly combines Japanese aesthetics with European luxury. There's a restaurant car with an open kitchen, a lounge for socializing and admiring the scenery, and even an observation car at the tail end where you can really take it all in.
Depending on the route and season, Seven Stars operates two-day and four-day journeys, each carefully curated to showcase different sides of Kyushu. Service is based on a hotel-like concept: staff accompany passengers throughout the entire route, assist with excursions, and adapt the program to the season.
Most people choose Seven Stars not as transportation, but as a way to experience Kyushu, its volcanic landscapes, hot springs, coastlines, and mountain villages.
The entire journey is designed to immerse passengers in the region: fine dining includes local ingredients, evening sake tastings from areas the train passes through, and stops in small towns and villages that regular tourists rarely reach. Along each of these stops, you’ll be treated to the finest craft workshops, traditional performances, and cultural experiences that you won't find anywhere else.
Oigawa Railway SL
Want to see what trains were like before the Shinkansen era? Head to Shizuoka and take the Oigawa Railway line, where authentic steam locomotives still chug along.
The carriages are decorated in a neat retro style and are slightly reminiscent of European trains of the early 20th century, leading them to be compared to the Orient Express (albeit in a more modest Japanese design).
The Oigawa Railway line passes through parts of Shizuoka Prefecture, an area most people only associate with Mount Fuji. However, this is one of Japan's most "slow travel" areas, remarkably authentic and unchanged for centuries.
The scenery along the route is incredibly varied, with rivers winding between cliffs, wooded slopes looming over the water, and, higher up in the hills, neat tea plantations (the hallmark of Shizuoka). This region is considered Japan's main tea center, and the train passes through the areas where the leaves for sencha and matcha are grown and processed.
The train moves deliberately slowly, giving you time to see the river below, the tea plantations on the slopes, the forests, and the small stations where it seems as if time has stood still.
Wakayama Electric Railway
The Wakayama Electric Railway is one of Japan's most charming railways, but it has a little secret. It’s not famous for its speed, location, or views, but because of its stationmaster. Who also happens to be a cat.
More specifically, the line is known for its tradition of feline stationmasters, a concept that helped transform a struggling regional railway into an international curiosity.
The story began in 2007 with Tama, the first stationmaster cat at Kishi Station. After her appointment, visitors began coming here just to meet her, and ridership increased almost immediately. According to estimates, the attention surrounding Tama contributed more than 1.1 billion yen to the local economy.
Although Tama eventually retired, the tradition continued. Successors like Nitama, Yontama, Gotama, and others appeared, each becoming a local celebrity in their own way. Today, the feline theme is integrated into everything from the train design to station decorations, souvenirs, and even staff uniforms.
The trains on the line are small and themed. The most famous is the Tama Densha, which is decorated with a cat face, cute stickers, and chic interior. Despite the playful look, this isn’t just a children’s attraction. Japanese passengers of all ages ride the line with genuine affection and respect for its history and role in the community.
The route ends at Kishi station, which has become a destination in its own right. The station building was designed to look like a cat's face, and next to it is a small cafe and a shop selling local souvenirs.
Kintetsu Railway Footbath Train
We’ve talked about some unique and unusual trains in this list, but this one might be the most unexpected of all.
Kintetsu’s footbath train is a rare example of onsen culture quite literally moving onto the tracks. Operating as a sightseeing service on the Kintetsu network, it runs toward Yunoyama Onsen, a small hot spring resort town not far from Nagoya.
Inside one of the carriages, you’ll find real footbaths filled with hot spring water sourced from a local town. Passengers remove their shoes, settle in, and soak their feet while the countryside rolls past the windows.
The journey ends in Yunoyama Onsen, a traditional hot spring town known for its calm atmosphere and long history as a retreat for nearby city dwellers. Arriving by train feels like a gentle transition into onsen mode, easing passengers out of the travel mindset and into something relaxing and more restorative before they even check in.
Pro tip: The footbath car operates on select sightseeing services and typically runs on weekends or holidays, so checking schedules in advance is recommended.
Echigo TOKImeki Resort Setsugekka
The Echigo TOKImeki Resort Setsugekka takes a very different approach to train travel, focusing almost entirely on atmosphere, scenery, and time. This is not a train designed to get you somewhere quickly, but rather to help you slow down.
The route takes you through Niigata Prefecture, an area best known for heavy snowfall, mountain landscapes, and vast rice-growing areas. Niigata often flies under the radar for international travelers, but it plays a huge role in Japanese food culture thanks to its high-quality rice, clean water, and long tradition of sake brewing.
That strong local identity is at the heart of Setsugekka’s concept, which is “all made in Niigata.” The interior of the train is built using carefully selected materials from the region, and the cuisine served onboard highlights local ingredients as well. Food isn’t an add-on here. Seasonal dishes and beautifully prepared bento boxes are a central part of the experience, meant to be enjoyed while the scenery unfolds outside the window.
Inside, the train feels like a moving ryokan, or traditional inn. Warm wood finishes, large panoramic windows, and a calm, uncluttered design create an atmosphere that’s immediately relaxing.
To reinforce that mood, the train travels at an unhurried pace, often slowing down in particularly scenic sections that give passengers time to fully take in the landscape.
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