Train Japan: Navigating the Rail Mosaic, from Quirky Commutes to High-Speed Shinkansen

See the land of the rising sun from the rails in Train Japan, the perfect guide to travelling Japan by locomotive. Seasoned Japan lovers Steve Wide and Michelle Mackintosh bring you their expert advice on the best way to get around this country, including day trips, multi-day train journeys and even themed itineraries for crafty folk, foodies or pop culture fanatics on ’joyful’ trains.

Platform-hop around Tokyo and Kyoto cities or whiz along on the shinkansen bullet train to get to where you need to go - fast! Do a lap of the islands, Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku or Kyushu, to get a feel for all this country has to offer, and then do it again in cherry blossom season or when the mountains are blanketed in snow. Whatever the time of year, this guide will help you experience Japan in a way you never have before.

Including carefully curated advice, stunning photography and useful tips, Train Japanhas everything you need to experience Japan by rail.

Steve Wide and Michelle Mackintosh have been obsessed with Japan since their first visit over 20 years ago. Based in Melbourne, Australia, they now call Japan their ’home away from home’, spending at least three months of the year there. Together Steve and Michelle have written, designed and illustrated 11 books on Japan which have been translated into multiple languages. Michelle is an award-winning book designer and illustrator. She has also written four books: Snail Mail, Care Packages, Sustainable Gifting and Pretend You’re in Tokyo. Her work has been exhibited in Tokyo, and she has a wrapping paper range sold in Japan. Steve is a music obsessed travel and pop culture writer with a master’s degree in creative writing. He has written 10 books on music genres and icons including Bowie, Prince and Grace Jones. He also hosts a long running indie radio show on Melbourne’s 3RRR FM and has interviewed and DJed with some of the indie scene’s most influential bands.