Japan is famous for its bullet train (known as the Shinkansen, in Japanese) but it also has a well-connected series of subways, local trains, limited express trains, express trains, super express trains... Japan also has cheaper bus alternatives which are comfortable and efficient. Before our trip, we researched the Japan Rail pass but calculated that it would be more cost-effective to take buses and single train journeys for our itinerary. As a result, we had the chance to experience various forms of transportation.
We left Mt Fuji from Kawaguchiko Station and took the local Fujikyu train to Otsuki. It was charmingly slow and scenic, with a several-minute-long stop at Tsurushi in order to let the coming train pass on the single track. Small boys and train enthusiasts may be interested to know that there is a Thomas train - sadly I didn't get a good picture of it.
At Otsuki, we transferred to the next train bound for Kofu, a limited express.
By comparison to the Fujikyu, it felt like a rocket ship - and we discovered that our local train tickets were also not up to speed. We had to pay an extra ¥500 each. We rectified our mistake by taking the s.l.o.w. train to Kobuchizawa, where we had a 30 minute wait for the next train to Matsumoto.
In Matsumoto, we were greeted by the 'Town Sneaker.' Despite its funny name, it took us straight to our hotel.
Leaving Matsumoto several days later, we went to Nagoya, where we transferred to our first Shinkansen.
The subways in Kyoto were nicely decorated.
Finally, we took the Shinkansen back to Tokyo.
After riding the Yurikamome monorail to Odaiba, we found the Tokyo Teleport.
Sadly it did not take us into another dimension as the name would suggest, but only back to Shinjuku. Still, if there is any public transport system that seems likely to conquer limitations like physical space and time, Japan Rail is a good bet.
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