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Thank you to all the train fans who have followed me recently! Here’s a thread of all trains I’ve tweeted about so far. My personal favourite is the Romancecar, imo the nicest and easiest train to get from Tokyo. The seat fee from Shinjuku to Hakone is only ¥1200.

@MapZamurai Yes it definitely feels like it’s a tropical island even though it’s still technically part of Tokyo (though a 10hr ferry or 1hr flight away). Scenery is stunning but my favourite part was stargazing - there’s so much less light pollution out there and you can see the Milky Way

@sim_nagra Those photos make Hachijojima looks like another country entirely!! I found this video, is it accurate? Hard to believe this is Tokyo! What did you enjoy the most? mapzamurai.com/?contentId=y85…

Hachijojima is one of the lesser known Tokyo islands but definitely worth a visit - it’s especially known for whale watching in the winter months! Overnight ferry or easy one hour flight from Haneda. Try climbing “Hachijo Fuji” - a volcano where you can walk around the caldera

@pacificdiplomat From Takeshiba pier

@sim_nagra Cool tip… from where does ferry depart?

@nikbrainbuster Only the limited edition distillery Hakushu (around ¥3800, not particularly special), plus some umeshu. I’ve heard they sometimes have the 15y/18y/25y in the shop but they get sold out instantly in the morning

@sim_nagra Which bottles did they have for sale?

Kobuchizawa isn’t often talked about but it’s a super easy excursion from Shinjuku and home to the Hakushu Whisky Distillery- you usually have to book entry a month in advance but in the winter it’s quite easy to get a slot

@RamithGopinath It’s online on the official ticketing site

@sim_nagra You need to go in person for the general sale? Or it’s online?

The Nintendo museum in Kyoto is incredibly hard to get tickets to - there is a lottery but I’ve personally failed each time. However, there are “secret” general sales that open two months in advance on the second Wed at 2pm, and also cancellations for the same month on each hour.

Katsunuma in perfect autumn form this weekend - as always, my favourite day trip from Tokyo 🍁🍇

@DFZ6644 I did get a ticket from the general sale- hence I’m sharing that info 😅

@sim_nagra After a few rejections, I finally got a win and secured my ticket. Hope you get yours soon 🤞🏼

@RohanBhade Check out the Nagaden wine train that goes from Nagano to Yudanaka (where the snow monkeys are). It runs most weekends in December nagaden-net.co.jp/info/seatselec…

@sim_nagra been looking at any trains running during December. Seems like everything winds down for the new year.

Seibu is no stranger to restaurant trains with the already existing 52 Seats of Happiness (runs between Shinjuku or Ikebukuro and Chichibu) This is my all time favourite gourmet train because of its design and affordability, reservations open 3 months out.

In new Japan train news: Seibu railway announced a new restaurant train launching March 2028, designed by architect Kazuyo Sejima, and they plan to serve full course meals (pics are concepts only) Seibu railway actually makes some of my favourite trains for day trips from Tokyo

@netunu You use bug spray lol. But also plenty of mosquito coils

@sim_nagra How do you handle the mosquitos?

Highlighting some lesser known adventures in Japan - went glamping in Minami alps with a view of the Kofu basin - only 1.5 hours from Shinjuku and yet such a perfect paradise

@rjhintz Alps Laps with Tenar maps.app.goo.gl/Vm5yVafkJvhftt…

@sim_nagra Osotono Terrace? maps.app.goo.gl/fqLc5ZV4qhrdrZ…

@hellobeatrix Please tell me you copped a No Akabeko No Life tee

Ouchi-juku on a beautiful day… Fukushima is so gorgeous and fascinating.

Plenty of fireworks events for Obon this week but Hakone might be my favorite - extremely chill festival atmosphere with just the right number of people and the igniting of the daimonjiyaki. Super easy trip on my favourite train, the romancecar

Most people take the subway or bus to Osaka Expo but honestly the only way to do it is by boat

The hydrangea path at Hase-dera in Kamakura is fully in bloom now - absolutely stunning, but also extremely crowded. You need to get a reservation in advance to enter the path (though anyone can enter the temple). I’d recommend an early morning slot before the crowds hit!

@buuke27 Definitely better than standing the entire way in the crowded regular car! Yes it’s ¥1000 for the green car between Shinjuku and Kamakura

@sim_nagra Imo even though the setup is the same as the express, it doesn’t quite have the same feel. Still nicer than a regular seat though! Is it around ¥1,000 extra for the distance from Tokyo Sta. to Kamakura?

Once again extolling the virtues of the Green Car on the JR line - if you’re going to Kamakura or even just to Yokohama, it’s so comfortable, convenient and cheap (I wish this were an ad) The interior is just like a limited express, but you can’t reserve seats in advance.