Zicasso has decided the best way to celebrate 60 years of Japan’s Shinkansen is with an exclusive trip on the famous bullet train.
The luxury travel company has created a 10-day “rail cruise” to highlight the engineering marvel and the country of Japan at large.
The Shinkansen system, which rolled out in November 1964, reshaped travel across Japan by drastically reducing transit times between cities. The trains, synonymous with speed, safety, and punctuality, soar at up to 200 mph on various routes from Tokyo. The network began with a 320-mile line between the capital and Osaka but has since expanded with tracks to cities such as Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Kagoshima.
The Meiji Jingu shrine in Tokyo.
Brian Tan/Zicasso
Zicasso’s new itinerary includes visits to those three destinations and Tokyo. Each stop has been meticulously curated to showcase the local cultural treasures. The itinerary can also be customized to each traveler, naturally. You can expect Zicasso’s signature personalized service, too.
The journey begins in Tokyo. A private transfer will take you from Narita Airport to a historic hotel near Tokyo Station. Over the next two days, you can explore a 200-year-old cedar forest near the Meiji Shrine, visit the picturesque Yoyogi Park, sample delicacies at Tsukiji Market’s seafood stalls, and walk the vibrant streets of Harajuku and Akihabara.
The Kinkaku-ji temple in Kyoto.
Brian Tan/Zicasso
The Shinkansen will then zoom past Mount Fuji and arrive in the breathtaking city of Kyoto. This three-day stint will include a visit to the Gion’s teahouses, a rickshaw ride through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, a meditation session at Ryōan-ji’s rock garden, and a wander through Fushimi Inari Shrine’s Torii gates. You’ll also have the opportunity to experience the Shinkansen simulator at the Kyoto Railway Museum.
The Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima.
Juliana Barquero/Unsplash
After another two hours on the bullet train, you’ll arrive in Hiroshima. Over the next two days, you can reflect at the Peace Memorial Museum, tuck into okonomiyaki, and explore Miyajima Island.
Sengan-en garden in Kagoshima.
Brian Tan/Zicasso
The final three days in Kagoshima include a trip aboard the iconic Hello Kitty Shinkansen, a kayak trip past the Sakurajima volcano, and a visit to a local a shōchū distillery. You’ll also be able to reflect on your journey at an onsen in Kirishima before flying back to Tokyo for your departure.
Priced at $6,995 per person, the 10-day tour of Japan includes premium accommodations, meals as listed, guided tours, train tickets, and all ground transfers (international airfare is not included). For more information about the itinerary, you can visit the Zicasso website.
