Riding the bullet train can be a fun and exciting experience, but maybe not so much when your trip is several hours long. I’m here to help!
Taking the Shinkansen or “bullet train” is one of the best ways to travel across Japan. These lightning-speed trains are likened to a bullet for a reason as they can cover some serious ground!
A bullet train ride is best described as a flight with no turbulence. Like an airplane, the Shinkansen can get you across the entire country in a matter of hours.
Depending on where you’re headed, you can expect your trip to take anywhere from under an hour to several hours (my longest trip was 4 hours!).
On such trips, you may start to get hungry, thirsty, or just plain old bored! Here are 5 ways you can pass the time on your next marathon bullet train trip!
1. Take A Nap!
Okay, this one might sound stupid, but hear me out first. The seats on the bullet train are far superior to the standard economy class rubbish you get on airplanes.
In fact, a standard bullet train ticket gets you a super comfortable seat with plenty of legroom, much like business class!
Not only that, but you can recline your seat back a fair deal, and the space between seats is enough to never have to worry about the person behind you.
Finally, the smoothness of the ride is on another level to your standard rocky trains or turbulent flights, allowing you to get a peaceful uninterrupted nap (just don’t miss your stop!).
2. Enjoy A Delicious Eki-Ben
Enjoying an eki-ben or “train station bento box” is an absolute tradition when it comes to riding the bullet train.
These can be purchased at any Shinkansen station at one of the many kiosks available.
Unlike Japan’s public commuter trains where eating onboard is generally frowned upon, bullet trains were designed for indulging!
Like an airplane, you get a folding table and cup holder that perfectly accommodates your meal, and the extra space means your table won’t ram into you if the person in front decides to recline.
In addition to the eki-ben experience, I’d recommend grabbing a few drinks and snacks to keep you nourished and hydrated along the way.
Fortunately, if you do happen to forget (or do not have time) to buy any snacks prior, you can always purchase from the food trolley lady that walks down the aisle periodically.
3. Get Some Laptop Work Done
If you’re a freelancer like me, then a long bullet train ride is the perfect opportunity to get some work done!
Whether you’re writing an article (again, like me), putting together some code, or emailing an important client, it can all be done on the Shinkansen!
The best part is you don’t have to waste any data hot-spotting yourself either.
Japan’s bullet trains all come with free Wi-Fi that can be accessed by all passengers, local and foreign.
Simply connect using your e-mail, Facebook, or Twitter account and enjoy unlimited Internet access!
Each session lasts for one hour, at which point you will need to reconnect.
The folding table provides more than enough space for a standard laptop (though my laptop is much bigger than average), allowing you to work quite comfortably.
4. Enjoy The Picturesque Views
It goes without saying, but enjoying the views of Japan’s brilliant countryside is one of the best ways to pass the time on the bullet train.
Admittedly, I hardly got any work done on my most recent trip (which was a total of 2 hours), simply because I found the view too distracting (in a good way)!
When you’re moving at over 300 km/h, the landscape changes fast, and you won’t want to miss a second of it!
It’s also quite a rare sight to ride alongside the countryside, as you’ll often be subject to nothing but concrete jungle views on standard commuter trains.
I’d recommend shooting a few videos and taking plenty of photos of the views from the Shinkansen window because much of the scenery can’t be captured anywhere else!
5. Charge Your Devices
Last but not least, you can charge your devices using the power socket located on your armrest.
Okay, this might not be a pass-time activity in and of itself, but it most certainly enables you to use your electronic devices to your heart’s content!
I highly advise charging your phone on long bullet train rides, because it’s easy to let your guard down and lose sight of a draining battery on these trips.
Trust me, the last thing you want as a foreigner in Japan is to be without your phone, after all, how else will you Google Map your way to the hotel?
As an honorable mention, I will also include going to the toilet as a pass-time activity.
That’s right, Japan’s bullet trains are equipped with toilets in-between carriages (and bins to toss your rubbish!),
So in that aspect, it really is like an airplane flight! Unfortunately, that also includes the loud suction sound when you flush…
Well, that about does it! 5 (or 6) things you can do on the bullet train for a blissful trip!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!