All the information you need to enjoy your adventure across Japan by Rail in this fully revised and updated 5th edition.

Japan isn't as expensive as legend suggests — flights and stays are better value than ever, and this guide pairs with the Japan Rail Pass to help you explore it all by train.

Trailblazer's Japan guide has been refined across five editions into the definitive companion for rail travellers exploring the country.

Whether it's your first trip or you're returning to explore further afield, this guide puts the whole country within reach by train — from planning essentials to the routes themselves. It covers when to go, suggested itineraries, what to pack and which festivals to build a trip around, alongside detailed city guides packed with historical and cultural background, where to stay and where to eat.

At its core are 33 kilometre-by-kilometre route guides, tracing journeys from the coast into the mountains, from temple retreat to sprawling metropolis, and from sulphurous volcano to windswept desert — paired with full bullet train and mainline service schedules. A dedicated customs and etiquette section means you can simply point to the relevant Japanese phrase when asking for directions.

What You'll Discover:

• Practical Trip Planning – Covers when to go, suggested itineraries, packing essentials and festivals, so first-time visitors can plan with total confidence.
• City Guides & Maps – Detailed guides to accommodation, food and sights across 30 towns and cities, with historical and cultural context for every stop.
• Kilometre-by-Kilometre Route Guides – 33 detailed route maps carry you from coastal towns to mountain retreats and volcanic landscapes, so nothing gets missed.
• Rail Schedules & Expanded Tokyo Coverage – Bullet train and mainline timetables, plus new post-Olympic Tokyo mapping, keep you moving with ease.
• Language, Etiquette & New Discoveries – Point-and-ask Japanese phrases in kanji, hiragana and katakana, plus fresh additions like Kinosaki's hot springs and off-the-beaten-track Yanagawa.

Pack this guide and start planning your Japan rail adventure today.