As Japan celebrates 150 years of rail services why not ride both its modern & vintage trains during its famous cherry blossom season. 

On 14 October 2022 Japan will celebrate Railway Day - 150 years since commercial rail services began when, in 1872, the Emperor rode on the Shinbashi to Yokohama steam train after British engineer Edmund Morel was tasked at bringing UK technology to develop Japan's railway system.

Britain may have invented modern railways, but Japan has taken it to a completely new level following the introduction of the Shinkansen bullet train on 1 October 1964.  You can now reach speeds of up to 200mph on the fastest train in Japan, the Hayabusa, enabling you to travel from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori in just 189 minutes.

You can experience the old and the new in Ffestiniog Travel's new rail holiday to Japan. The rail tour specialist has created a comprehensive 19-day train tour that coincides with Japan's famous cherry blossom season and takes you on a journey around the country using steam engines, trams and bullet trains.

Japan – Trains & Cherry Blossom – Departs 28 March 2023 – 19 Days from £7,575pp

An ideal tour for lovers of train travel and culture. Journey on several bullet trains for the opportunity to explore Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto and Kanazawa. As well as high speed rail journeys, enjoy rides on the Yamaguchi and Oigawa steam railways, the narrow gauge Sangi Railway, Sagano Scenic Railway, the Hakone Tozan Train and local lines including the Eizan, Wakayama and Keihan Electric Railways.

To please the rail enthusiast further the tour visits several rail museums including the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park at Nagoya, Kyoto Railway Museum and the Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park at Annaka.

The rail holiday combines extensive rail travel with visits to some of Japan's UNESCO World Heritage landmarks including Himeji Castle –made all the more beautiful in cherry blossom season. Other stand-out sightseeing highlights include the Todaiji Temple, featuring the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), the Itsukushime Shrine with its iconic 'Torii Gate' in waters off the island of Miyajima, Hiroshima's Peace Park, Kinkakuji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion), the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto and the Shirakawa-go heritage site in Kanazawa.

This comprehensive escorted holiday also showcases the scenic beauty of Japan, from the mountain resort of Hakone and nearby Lake Ashi, a cable car ride up Mount Ikoma at Hozanji, and a visit to the stunning Kenroku-en Gardens in Kanazawa, ranked as one of the top three best gardens in Japan. To complete the Japanese experience travellers will overnight in a traditional Onsen (hot springs) hotel.

Ffestiniog Travel General Manager Maria Cook, comments; “The train is an ideal way to explore Japan and its railways offer an insight into the country's culture and psyche – spotless, punctual and efficient. While this tour admires its gold standard railways it also delivers an abundant array of scenic and cultural experiences.”

Priced from £7,575pp (based on two people sharing) the cost includes return flights, a first class 14-day Japan Rail Pass (allowing for some independent sightseeing), hotel B&B accommodation, private coach, all excursions, welcome dinner and three further dinners and the services of a tour leader throughout together with an English speaking local guide.