The Most Impressive Train on Earth: Japan’s Bullet Train!

Japan’s famous Shinkansen is not just any train; it’s a high-speed marvel that can reach speeds comparable to an F1 car. Today, I’m embarking on a journey from Osaka to Nagoya, and before we dive into the experience, let’s talk about how to get our tickets.

For just $60 each, we secured our tickets for the 12:57 Shinkansen. It’s a quick 50-minute ride with a reserved seat in the first-class car. Although we should have opted for tickets that accommodate oversized luggage, we decided to take a chance since those tickets were sold out. After scanning our tickets, we headed to platform 27.

The first Shinkansen hit the tracks in 1964, and today, there are nearly 3,000 kilometers of lines crisscrossing Japan. One of the coolest features? If you prefer to sit facing the rear, it’s as easy as flipping your seat around!

As we pulled into Kyoto, our second stop, I couldn’t help but appreciate the comfort of the seats, which come with footrests and decent recline. Despite its speed, Japan isn’t resting on its laurels; they’re developing a 600 km/h train that will connect Tokyo to Osaka in the near future. I love train travel because it eliminates the hassle of airports—no long security lines or worrying about checked luggage. You can arrive just five minutes before departure, and if the train is scheduled to leave at 1:01, it leaves at 1:01!

On this trip, we’ll reach speeds of up to 320 km/h. It’s fascinating to think that at this moment, we’re cruising at around 200 km/h, with some stops that add a few minutes to our journey. Instead of a food trolley, we now have a scannable menu. I opted for a Suntory highball—a refreshing Scotch and soda—for $2.20, and soda water for $1.10.

With a few hours to spare in Osaka, we visited Yodobashi, one of my favorite electronics stores. If you’re a photographer, this place is a treasure trove with an extensive selection of gear, including around 150 monopods and tripods—something you won’t find easily elsewhere.

After shopping, we enjoyed a delightful lunch featuring Wagyu beef, a culinary experience that’s almost addictive. Just a heads up: many places in Japan don’t accept Apple Pay, so always carry your physical card.

After lunch, we decided to buy our return Shinkansen tickets for Sunday night, post-race. It took us about 31 minutes to get them sorted, but it was worth it to avoid getting stranded in Nagoya.

Next, we caught a local train to Shiroko Station, which was quite comfortable but lacked the amenities of the Shinkansen. Unfortunately, we ran into a snag while booking our return tickets; there were no available options back to Nagoya in time for our Shinkansen. Just another travel hiccup to navigate.

After all the excitement, I checked into my hotel—the smallest room I stay in all year, measuring just 4.5 meters by 2.5 meters. It’s a quirky setup, but I’m grateful for any accommodation near the circuit.

My journey started with a flight from Perth, where I noticed the new duty-free store looks much better than before. Onboard Singapore Airlines, I experienced a decent business class seat, but if I had to choose, I’d always opt for the wider seat from 2013.

One of the best features of flying Singapore is the “Book the Cook” service, allowing you to order your meal days in advance. I went for a black Angus steak with mac and cheese, which ended up being a solid 7.1 out of 10.

Upon landing ahead of schedule, I headed to the business class lounge, which isn’t their best, but it’s decent enough. The last leg of my journey involved a 787 flight, where I shifted seats for a bit more comfort.

Upon arrival in Japan, I completed my customs and immigration forms online, which saved me some time. With an APEC card, I breezed through immigration and had my bags in no time.

Getting to the train station was straightforward, though I did get a bit lost at one point. Buying my ticket was a breeze, costing 2,500 yen, about $19 USD.

My adventure in Japan is a whirlwind of experiences—from the high-speed Shinkansen to delightful meals, and the quirks of travel. Each moment adds to the excitement of this incredible journey!