By train is by far the most convenient way to get around Japan. With bullet-trains servicing the major corridors and linking up with other express and local trains, it’s quite easy to travel from one end of the country to the other. Pick up some timetables from any major station. Reading the shinkansen schedule is actually quite straighforward, it is logically arranged into the various names for the shinkansen that service that route.

Look at Tokyo today and you will see what the Tokyo- jin (meaning Tokyo people in japanese) have that we don’t have in our cities- bustling streets with thousands of people waiting to cross the roads, giantic television screens on the sides of buildings, high school students roaming the streets of shibuya after school and fashion statements made everywhere you go! It never cease to amaze travellers in Tokyo at the amount of things all happening all the same time, and most are often left dazzled by everything they see.

So, what can you do in Tokyo when you are there? (provided you are not “paralysed”, dazed and standing in the middle of the street).

What can you do there: Many things..

But before you have fun getting lost in a foreign land without no knowledge, how about learning how the train works for a start? That’s a good start, if you are intending to use public transport, and you can probably pick up the rest from there.

Some quick points..

1) Trains are called JR (Japan Rail) and there are many trains stations all over japan. The whole system of train routes and stops is a massive spider web and it takes some understanding of the sytem to get from point A to point B in Tokyo.

2) To get to most tourist spots in Tokyo, you only need to know about Yamanote train travel. Learn to get on to Yamanote train travel from your local train station and the rest is easy.

3) If you are going to travel intensively by train, it’s advisable to get a unlimited JR train ticket from major state train stations like Tokyo and Osaka train stations- costs savings overall.

Things to do:

Using JR trains, you can just about get to anywhere you want in Japan. There’s also a shinkansen (bullet-train) to get from state to state but it’s rather expensive for a ride. Places like Ueno, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Akihabara, Ikebukuro, Ginza and Harajyuku are places you should look out for as they are the main tourists spots with heaps of Japanese culture and attractions.

Ueno (pronounced as “ooo-a-no”) - famous park and zoo

Shibuya- hotspot for young people, high school kids and accessories

Shinjuku- business center but lots of shopping and interesting things about

Akihabara- computer, electronics and gadgets town

Ikebukuro- accessories, trendy clothes and more shopping

Harajuku- fashion, large variety of shops and roppon-ni (bars)

Ginza- trendy and expensive shopping area

There are so many things and places that you see in Tokyo; entertainment, traditional, cultural, food, shopping and tourist spots, and I will only spoil the fun of adventure to tell you about everything in Japan or Tokyo like guide books do.
You easily find help and tourist information along your way, if you get lost in the bubbly Tokyo. Now that you know how to get around Tokyo using trains, why not take up the challenge and explore Tokyo on your own?

Author: Adrian Curtin works full-time as a webmaster at http://www.travelwalk.net Travel recommendations, travel forums and resources. His interests lie predominantly in travel and creating his travel stories in his laptop while travelling.

For travelers of Japan who intend to cover any distance, trains are the best way to get around. And nothing is quicker than the famous Bullet Train. If tickets are purchased per journey instead, these Shinkansen trips can cost almost the same as the equivalent airfare - but the range of destinations is not limited to cities that only have airports. Shinkansen simply means ‘New Trunk Line’ in English, however it’s more commonly referred to as the Bullet Train.

The other convenience factor of the Japanese bullet train is probably not immediately apparent. For example, imagine catching a plane. You’d need to get yourself right out of town to the airport, check in early, go through the screening and boarding procedures and then do it all again at the other end! It could add many hours to a journey that may only entail 1 or 2 hours flying time. With the Shinkansen bullet trains, assuming you have an un-reserved seat, all you need to do is turn up at the station, wait about 15-20 mins for the next train and jump aboard.

The Shinkansen schedule is very regular and but I recommend picking up a Shinkansen timetable as the services do stop overnight. That way you won’t get caught out. Stash your luggage out of the way and relax! There are even food & beverage carts that are wheeled through the train just like in the air! You can purchase snacks, hot meals and even alcohol, and the seats have fold down tray tables too! When you arrive at your destination simply grab your bags and alight. Most Shinkansen bullet trains run from stations fairly central in the cities so are easy to get to.

You will find that your Japanese trip is much more pleasurable by train, and you can take in the sights too, albeit at pretty high speed. If you plan on traveling by train a lot in Japan, a Japan Rail Pass is definitely recommended and allows you unlimited travel on JR (Japan Rail) trains for 7, 14 or 21 days depending on the pass purchased. But be carefuly, since many other train companies other than Japan Rail and the Japan Rail Pass is not valid for all train services. You will find the JR Pass saves you an absolute bundle especially since you can have unlimited Shinkansen bullet train travel using it.

The Japan Rail Pass lets you use all Shinkansen services apart from the Nozomi class, which are the current fastest bullet trains. Since usually the Nozomi shinkansen will be a full express service to the destination, you are probably going to want to take the other Shinkansen service anyway to get off along the way for your sightseeing in Japan. A trip on the bullet train is a must-do for the total Japan experience!

Mount Fuji, or as the Japanese call it – Fujisan, is a dormant volcano and the highest peak in Japan. Sometimes referred to incorrectly in the West as Fujiyama, Mount Fuji is Japan’s most famous mountain and a cultural icon. Throughout Japanese history Mt Fuji features heavily and one of the most famous depictions of the almost sacred mountain is the “36 Views of Mount Fuji” series of ukiyo-e woodblock prints by Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849).

Some quick facts about Mt Fuji include that it is 3776 metres (12290 feet) high, approximately 161km (100 miles) south-west of Tokyo and that the last eruption of Mount Fuji was about 300 years ago, in 1707.

The busiest time to visit the mountain is July, when with Japanese schools have their holidays, however about a third of all climbers are foreigners. The snow capped pinnacle can quite treacherous outside of these months with freezing temperatures, avalanches and strong winds. When the snow melts in warmer weather it more resembles a lunar landscape covered with black volcanic rock.

Although many people have seen the well known photograph of Mount Fuji with the shinkansen bullet train barrelling through the fields in the foreground, perhaps the easiest and best way to get to Mt Fuji from Tokyo is by bus which only takes a few hours. The highway bus departs from Shinjuku station, however you may need to change buses at Kawaguchiko station. The official climbing season runs from July to August and crowds of young and old make the ascent each day. During this period there are around 15 buses each day leaving from Shinjuku in Tokyo. At other times transport can be limited and climbing Mt Fuji is not recommended anyway.

Even in the summer high season it is important you prepare for climbing Mt Fuji properly. Climbing experience is not required and you will see many small children and elderly folk along the way. Good study shoes, some water and energy snacks are a must, along with a raincoat, torch, hat and warm clothing if you intend to hike at night. Even in the warmer months the temperatures at the top can drop to around 6°C (43°F). If you are unsure about heights you may want to consider picking up some altitude sickness tablets and even some ‘canned’ oxygen which is available for purchase on the mountain or beforehand from stores in Tokyo like Shinjuku’s Tokyu Hands.

The way up is divided into 10 stations or checkpoints. Generally visitors elect to start climbing about halfway up Mount Fuji on the Kawaguchiko trail at station 5. They arrive by bus or car and the climb takes around 7 hours to reach the summit and then another 4 to get back down again. The round trip can be completed in a very long day. Many people choose to begin their trek at nightfall and time it so they and arrive at the peak at dawn.

During July and August there are huts, toilet facilities and food stops open on the mountain in case you need to rest or take some time-out. But be warned, they can be rather pricy and a bit primitive so make sure to take a bit of cash with you too.

There is a famous Japanese saying that goes — “You are a fool if you don’t climb Mount Fuji, you are also a fool if you climb it twice.”

On a clear day seeing the sunrise from this highest point in Japan is quite a breathtaking spectacle and is sure to be the highlight of your sightseeing in Japan. It’s definitely a worthy side trip from Tokyo and the view from the top of Mount Fuji will be forever be etched in you mind. This is one experience that you do not want to miss on your visit to the land of the Rising Sun.

Mount Fuji is an inactive volcano perhaps Japan’s highest natural feature. Most people have seen the famous postcard view of the high speed ullet train speeding past the snow capped peak.

When the snow melts in warmer weather crowds of young and old make the ascent each day. The climbing season runs from July to August and The busiest time is July, coinciding with Japanese school vacations however about one third of climbers are visitors from outside of Japan. In the of-season the mountain can very dangerous with sub-zero temperatures and wild weather.

The climbing trackes consist of 10 checkpoints or stations and most drive or bus up to station 5 to begin there. Only a few hours from Tokyo, the climb takes around 7 hours up and 4 coming down and can be completed in a very long day. It’s quite common to set off in the evening and arrive at the summit in the early morning.