I've traveled on trains in the US, Europe, and Australia, but Japan's bullet trains exceeded my wildest dreams. Here's what they're like.

Monica HumphriesJul 30, 2023, 17:19 IST

The author outside a bullet train.Monica Humphries/Insider

I've traveled on trains all around the world, but Japan's bullet trains exceeded my wildest dreams.
I rode the Hikari Shinkansen train between Tokyo and Kyoto.

I've had the luxury of sitting underneath glass-dome windows as my Rocky Mountaineer train barreled between Colorado's mountains.

I've peered into a rainforest as a commuter train headed out of Sydney, Australia, and into the bush.

But nothing could have prepared me for the excitement of riding my first bullet train between Tokyo and Kyoto.

I couldn't decide if I was more thrilled to visit Kyoto — the cultural capital of Japan — or to ride a bullet train to get there.

A bullet train at Tokyo Station in Japan.Monica Humphries/Insider

The country is known for its high-speed Shinkansen bullet trains. And as someone who has been on trains around the world, I was eager to finally take this iconic journey.

A Shinkansen bullet train.Monica Humphries/Insider

The country is known for its high-speed Shinkansen bullet trains. And as someone who has been on trains around the world, I was eager to finally take this iconic journey.

On a 12-day trip to Japan, I had planned an overnight stop in Kyoto, and the quickest way for me to get from Tokyo to Kyoto was by bullet train.

The author stands in front of a bullet train.Monica Humphries/Insider

A few days before heading to Kyoto, I stopped at a train station to pick up my Japan Rail Pass and book a seat on a bullet train.

A ticketing office for the Japan Rail Company.Monica Humphries/Insider

The pass, which allows tourists unlimited rides on the country's Japan Rail routes, can be bought for seven, 14, or 21-day windows. I opted for a seven-day pass, which cost about $250.

The author's ticket and JR Pass.Monica Humphries/Insider

The pass, which allows tourists unlimited rides on the country's Japan Rail routes, can be bought for seven, 14, or 21-day windows. I opted for a seven-day pass, which cost about $250.

When I picked up the pass, I also reserved my bullet train ticket to Kyoto.

Jishu Shrine in Kyoto, Japan.Monica Humphries/Insider

Most trains have three types of seating. First class, which has extra fees; reserved seats, which can be booked ahead without additional costs; and first-come, first-served seats.

A sign outlines the details of the JR Pass.Monica Humphries/Insider

Most trains have three types of seating. First class, which has extra fees; reserved seats, which can be booked ahead without additional costs; and first-come, first-served seats.

I wanted to guarantee that I'd have a window seat, so I booked my ticket to Kyoto a few days in advance.

A view through the author's window.Monica Humphries/Insider

Fast-forward to the day of departure, and I was heading to the train station to board my first bullet train. Like Japan's subways and buses, bullet trains are practically always on time, so I showed up at the train station early.

The interior of the train station.Monica Humphries/Insider

Fast-forward to the day of departure, and I was heading to the train station to board my first bullet train. Like Japan's subways and buses, bullet trains are practically always on time, so I showed up at the train station early.

That wasn't the only reason why I wanted to get there early. Dining on bullet trains is a huge part of the experience, a Japanese coworker told me.

Bento boxes at a food stall in the train station.Monica Humphries/Insider

So I stocked up on snacks, sushi, and dessert at the station before the ride.

An egg dish the author purchased at a train station.Monica Humphries/Insider

After picking up a few snacks and interpreting the station's timetable, I headed to track 14 to board my train.

A timetable for the bullet trains.Monica Humphries/Insider

At exactly 10:03 a.m., the train pulled up. I was riding on the Hikari Shinkansen, which would take me to Tokyo in two hours and 34 minutes.

Passengers wait to board a bullet train.Monica Humphries/Insider

If I was in a rush to get to Kyoto, I could've boarded the Nozomi train, which would've gotten me to the city 20 minutes faster. But since it wasn't included in the JR Pass, I opted for the slower ride.

A view of a bullet train at Tokyo Station.Monica Humphries/Insider

If I was in a rush to get to Kyoto, I could've boarded the Nozomi train, which would've gotten me to the city 20 minutes faster. But since it wasn't included in the JR Pass, I opted for the slower ride.

But don't get me wrong — the Hikari train is still fast. According to Kyuhoshi, it hits a maximum speed of 186 miles per hour, which is similar to the Nozomi train's max speed. The Hikari just makes a few more stops.

A bullet train pulls into a train station.Monica Humphries/Insider

But don't get me wrong — the Hikari train is still fast. According to Kyuhoshi, it hits a maximum speed of 186 miles per hour, which is similar to the Nozomi train's max speed. The Hikari just makes a few more stops.

But before I could go that fast, I needed to get on the train. People were standing in single-file lines to board, and once the doors opened, we all piled on.

A train worker stands outside a bullet train as it pulls into the station.Monica Humphries/Insider

I navigated to seat 12E, and to my surprise, it was comfier and roomier than some of the trains I'd been on before.

The interior of a train car.Monica Humphries/Insider

I had a tray table, which had information for the train's bathrooms, emergency phones, and trash cans posted. Below the seat was a small net storage compartment.

The tray table at the author's seat.Monica Humphries/Insider

Above the seats was room for small luggage, and each row also had a hook for storing jackets, bags, and hats. For larger luggage, there was more storage at the front of the car.

The train had storage for both suitcases and jackets.Monica Humphries/Insider

Above the seats was room for small luggage, and each row also had a hook for storing jackets, bags, and hats. For larger luggage, there was more storage at the front of the car.

About a third of the way through the trip, a person and a cart full of food stopped at every row. She reminded me of a flight attendant on a plane.

A person sold food to passengers on the bullet train.Monica Humphries/Insider

I purchased an onigiri bento box and a black, iced coffee. Together, the price was less than $5.

A bento box the author ordered on the train.Monica Humphries/Insider

After lunch, I headed to the bathrooms and explored the rest of the train.

The back of a train car where bathrooms were located.Monica Humphries/Insider

Some cars had expansive bathrooms for wheelchair users and other people with physical disabilities. These bathrooms were far larger than any train, plane, or bus bathroom I've ever seen.

A bathroom on the bullet train.Monica Humphries/Insider

Some cars had expansive bathrooms for wheelchair users and other people with physical disabilities. These bathrooms were far larger than any train, plane, or bus bathroom I've ever seen.

There were also bathrooms similar in size to a plane bathroom.

A smaller bathroom on the bullet train.Monica Humphries/Insider

I wandered into the first-class car. Here, the main differences I spotted were larger seats and a footrest.

A first-class car on the bullet train.Monica Humphries/Insider

Some cars also had rooms where passengers could take phone calls or smoke.

A room all passengers could access on the train.Monica Humphries/Insider

As I headed back to my seat, I almost felt like I was flying instead of riding a train, and the little hills on the journey felt similar to the stomach-dropping experience of a plane taking off.

A blurry image of a train passing by while the author rides a bullet train.Monica Humphries/Insider

As I headed back to my seat, I almost felt like I was flying instead of riding a train, and the little hills on the journey felt similar to the stomach-dropping experience of a plane taking off.

My 280-mile journey took exactly two hours and 34 minutes, and I was in Kyoto faster than any car could've driven. In fact, Google Maps predicts it would take nearly 6 hours to drive between the cities.

A screenshot of the drive between Kyoto and Tokyo.Google Maps

My 280-mile journey took exactly two hours and 34 minutes, and I was in Kyoto faster than any car could've driven. In fact, Google Maps predicts it would take nearly 6 hours to drive between the cities.

Overall, the experience outshined my past train trips.

The author at Kyoto Station.Monica Humphries/Insider

Views of Mount Fuji and Japan's countryside surpassed any previous views from train windows.

A view of a mountain from the bullet train.Monica Humphries/Insider

The train was cleaner than public trains I've taken in the past.

The interior of the bullet train.Monica Humphries/Insider

The food was delicious. My rice balls were fresh, and the baked goods I packed were quickly consumed.

The onigiri bento box Insider's author purchased on a bullet train.Monica Humphries/Insider

And it was easily the fastest train I've ever traveled on.

A bullet train pulls into a train station.Monica Humphries/Insider

Luckily for me, I got to make the journey again just two days later to head back to Tokyo.

The author at her seat on a bullet train.Monica Humphries/Insider

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I've traveled on trains in the US, Europe, and Australia, but Japan's bullet trains exceeded my wildest dreams. Here's what they're like.

I couldn't decide if I was more thrilled to visit Kyoto — the cultural capital of Japan — or to ride a bullet train to get there.

The country is known for its high-speed Shinkansen bullet trains. And as someone who has been on trains around the world, I was eager to finally take this iconic journey.

On a 12-day trip to Japan, I had planned an overnight stop in Kyoto, and the quickest way for me to get from Tokyo to Kyoto was by bullet train.

A few days before heading to Kyoto, I stopped at a train station to pick up my Japan Rail Pass and book a seat on a bullet train.

The pass, which allows tourists unlimited rides on the country's Japan Rail routes, can be bought for seven, 14, or 21-day windows. I opted for a seven-day pass, which cost about $250.

When I picked up the pass, I also reserved my bullet train ticket to Kyoto.

Most trains have three types of seating. First class, which has extra fees; reserved seats, which can be booked ahead without additional costs; and first-come, first-served seats.

I wanted to guarantee that I'd have a window seat, so I booked my ticket to Kyoto a few days in advance.

Fast-forward to the day of departure, and I was heading to the train station to board my first bullet train. Like Japan's subways and buses, bullet trains are practically always on time, so I showed up at the train station early.

That wasn't the only reason why I wanted to get there early. Dining on bullet trains is a huge part of the experience, a Japanese coworker told me.

So I stocked up on snacks, sushi, and dessert at the station before the ride.

After picking up a few snacks and interpreting the station's timetable, I headed to track 14 to board my train.

At exactly 10:03 a.m., the train pulled up. I was riding on the Hikari Shinkansen, which would take me to Tokyo in two hours and 34 minutes.

If I was in a rush to get to Kyoto, I could've boarded the Nozomi train, which would've gotten me to the city 20 minutes faster. But since it wasn't included in the JR Pass, I opted for the slower ride.

But don't get me wrong — the Hikari train is still fast. According to Kyuhoshi, it hits a maximum speed of 186 miles per hour, which is similar to the Nozomi train's max speed. The Hikari just makes a few more stops.

But before I could go that fast, I needed to get on the train. People were standing in single-file lines to board, and once the doors opened, we all piled on.

I navigated to seat 12E, and to my surprise, it was comfier and roomier than some of the trains I'd been on before.

I had a tray table, which had information for the train's bathrooms, emergency phones, and trash cans posted. Below the seat was a small net storage compartment.

Above the seats was room for small luggage, and each row also had a hook for storing jackets, bags, and hats. For larger luggage, there was more storage at the front of the car.

About a third of the way through the trip, a person and a cart full of food stopped at every row. She reminded me of a flight attendant on a plane.

I purchased an onigiri bento box and a black, iced coffee. Together, the price was less than $5.

After lunch, I headed to the bathrooms and explored the rest of the train.

Some cars had expansive bathrooms for wheelchair users and other people with physical disabilities. These bathrooms were far larger than any train, plane, or bus bathroom I've ever seen.

There were also bathrooms similar in size to a plane bathroom.

I wandered into the first-class car. Here, the main differences I spotted were larger seats and a footrest.

Some cars also had rooms where passengers could take phone calls or smoke.

As I headed back to my seat, I almost felt like I was flying instead of riding a train, and the little hills on the journey felt similar to the stomach-dropping experience of a plane taking off.

My 280-mile journey took exactly two hours and 34 minutes, and I was in Kyoto faster than any car could've driven. In fact, Google Maps predicts it would take nearly 6 hours to drive between the cities.

Overall, the experience outshined my past train trips.

Views of Mount Fuji and Japan's countryside surpassed any previous views from train windows.

The train was cleaner than public trains I've taken in the past.

The food was delicious. My rice balls were fresh, and the baked goods I packed were quickly consumed.

And it was easily the fastest train I've ever traveled on.

Luckily for me, I got to make the journey again just two days later to head back to Tokyo.