blue and brown train at Nagano Station

5 Shinkansen Trains in Japan That Need a Seat Reservation

Catching a bullet train in Japan can be as simple as turning up at the station, buying your ticket and jumping on the next service – but not always. Some popular trains become reservation-only at some times of the year, and a few others operate reservation-only seating year-round. Here’s what you need to know to ensure you don’t get caught out.

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The Aoniyoshi train on the platform in Nara. It is painted maroom with gold details on the front. Flowers are drawn on the side

Is the Aoniyoshi Train Worth It?

You’ve probably seen it on social media—a train with luxurious green seats facing beautiful windows, pretty purple cakes, and an equally pretty purple livery. This is the Aoniyoshi train that runs between Kyoto and Osaka, but the pretty train also comes with a pretty price tag. So is it worth paying the extra money?

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Aiport limousine bus going to Narita airport picks up passengers. A row of brightly coloured luggage sits on the pavement next to it.

The Simple Guide to Using the Airport Limousine Bus in Tokyo

The Airport Limousine Bus is one of the most convenient ways to get from Tokyo’s two airports to many destinations in Tokyo – and, very helpfully for tourists, it drops off at the door of hotels all over the city. Using the bus is easy, but finding all the information that helps you plan to do so in one place can be tricky. So, here’s what you need to know.

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