Trains!

Trains of Japan!

As some wise man once said (probably), the journey is more important than the destination. So every time my mom bugs me on Skype about finally getting my driver's license, I say "moooom, I live in Japan, there are trains literally everywhere." And let's be honest, in some cases the train is cooler than whatever dinky little tourist trap it's taking you to. Here are just a few of the most famous modern Japanese trains:

1. The Narita Skyliner

Runs Between: Narita Airport and Ueno, Tokyo

If you've ever visited Tokyo, I hope you weren't conned into taking the lumbering, overpriced JR Narita Express. The stylish, hypermodern Keisei Skyliner pulls into central Ueno in about a half-hour at a much lower price! Bad news for smokers though: for the last few years the whole train has been non-smoking.

2. The Tokaido Shinkansen

Runs Between: Tokyo and Hakata (Fukuoka)

The bullet train has been a symbol of Japan ever since its construction in the 60's, and the ever-popular Tokaido line is the spine of Honshu, running from Tokyo through Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Hiroshima before arriving in Kyushu in Fukuoka. The line has recently been extended through Mizuho and Sakura trains to reach all the way to Kagoshima!

3. The Yufuin no Mori

Runs Between: Hakata (Fukuoka) and Yufuin

The Yufuin no Mori ("the forest of Yufuin") is one of many novelty trains that exist mainly to take tourists to certain out-of-way resorts: in this case Yufuin, a hot spring town on Kyushu deep in breathtaking, primeval hills and forests. The train features a saloon-like interior, a wine bar and cafeteria. On the way back, the attendant will give you a little train-man hat to wear while taking your picture holding an "I visited Yufuin" sign.

4. The Cassiopeia

Runs Between: Tokyo and Sapporo, Hokkaido

Unique on this list, the Cassiopeia is an old-timey sleeper train: you can rent a private cabin and slumber peacefully during the long journey to the northern island of Hokkaido! It also has classy lounge areas like this and a host of ammenities. It's also the only one of the trains I haven't been on. Someday...someday...

5. The Ibusuki no Tamatebako

Runs Between: Kagoshima and Ibusuki

Odds are you'll never find yourself in the smaller and more obscure hot spring town of Ibusuki, way down on the tip of Kyushu, but if you go you can go in style on another all seats reserved, novelty train! Just be warned it's hard to get off because everyone is standing there snapping pictures of the train they just got off of. I dunno, I guess is you live this far out in the sticks a train ride is a pretty big adventure.