The Best Winter Views by Rail
Otoineppu
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Wintertime scenery on Japanese trains
Explore the incredible beauty of Japan in winter from the window of your Japan train. Order your Japan Rail Pass today.
Some parts of Japan can get pretty chilly over the winter months, but it's still an opportune season to travel the country. Japan has some of the world's best skiing, photogenic snow monkeys warming up in steamy hot springs, and so much more.
Soya Main Line - Hokkaido
This nothernmost train line runs through Hokkaido, from Asahikawa to Wakkanai, the last stop in Japan. View the vast expanses of snow from the warmth and comfort of your window seat!
Gono Line - Aomori
The Gono Line runs from Akita to Aomori, the northernmost prefecture on the main island oh Honshu. This line boasts stunning views of the Sea of Japan. It's also one of our top ten all time best train views!
Akita Airiku line - Akita
This line was recently featured in travel blogs for its scenic, winding journey through hills and valleys, crossing rivers, bridges, and mountains. They also have a special, monthly train during winter where you can sample local, home-cooked meals right from your seat!
Hokuetsu Express - Niigata
The Hokuetsu Express runs through Niigata Prefecture, where you can catch great views of the beautiful Mount Hakkai and the famous Shinano River, on your way to go skiing and snowboarding.
Yonesaka Line - Yamagata
The Yonesaka Line runs through eastern Japan, between Yamagata and Niigata Prefectures. Their red trains look beautiful against the white snow of the Tohoku Region.
Hida Limited Express- Gifu
The Hida Limited Express goes through a number of prefectures, including Aichi and Toyama, but a majority of its rail is in Gifu, which is rich with gorgeous mountains and rugged terrain that is gorgeous during winter. The Hida Limited Express is often used to get to Hida-Takayama.
Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen Line- Kanto to Kansai
The world's first Shinkansen bullet train line is a staple of the Japanese railway network, but it also is renowned for its view of Mount Fuji if going from Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka, Odawara, Nagoya, and Hiroshima, as well as trips like Kyoto to Odawara. On sunny days in winter, Mount Fuji illuminates with a stark blanket of white snow on top.
