Japanese Rail

The railway system in Japan is so well developed, punctual, extensive and diverse that you can simply assume that wherever you plan to go – there is a train that will take you there. Railroads are the primary mode of passenger transportation, and they have been ever since the first passenger steam locomotives debuted in Japan during the Meiji Restoration in 1872.

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Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto, once the capital of Japan, is a city on the island of Honshu. It’s famous for its numerous classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. It’s also known for formal traditions such as kaiseki dining, consisting of multiple courses of precise dishes, and geisha, female entertainers often found in the Gion district of Kyoto.

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Takayama, Japan

Takayama and the surrounding area boast traditional architecture, opulent festivals and a range of the best mountains and onsen in Japan. Widely considered Gifu’s crown jewel, Takayama is a fantastic destination surrounded by the scenic alpine countryside of the Japanese Alps. A destination in itself, Takayama is also an excellent base for one to explore the Japanese Alps and the surrounding Hida area.

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Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo offers an impossible amount to take in with its barrage of sights and sensations – the Imperial Palace, Hie Shrine, Meiji Shrine, Asakusa Shrine, Tsukiji Fish Market, Kabuki-cho Theater, Akihabara Electric Town, the bright lights, bars and karaoke boxes of Roppongi, the shopping streets of Omotesando and Aoyama, the hipster kids of Harajuku , the funky design stores of Shibuya and at least 100,000 restaurants.

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Viking Cruises

Join me on Viking Cruises ‘Homeland Cruise’ departing 11 May 2026 Sail the clear waters of Scandinavia and the Baltic on this 15-day cruise. Explore more with overnights in cosmopolitan Stockholm, vibrant Oslo and scenic Bergen. Discover the charming historic center of Tallinn and marvel at the Gothic brick cathedrals in Gdańsk. Immerse yourself in Norwegian culture in Stavanger and Eidfjord.

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