The Train Ride Offering The Best Views Of Japan's Scenic Countryside

When it comes to visiting Japan, most people's first instinct is to explore the large city of Tokyo. There are so many restaurants, bars, cafes, stores, and parks to visit, why wouldn't this be your first stop? However, some people tend to forget just how beautiful Japan's countryside is and end up missing out on viewing some of the most magical sites. According to Japan Wonder Travel, this East Asian country is full of mountains, bamboo forests, waterfalls, and sandy beaches. 

However, some travelers have a tight itinerary to follow and can't travel to every location they'd like to explore. Luckily, there are trains specifically meant for sightseeing, where tourists can spend time taking in the beauty of a country as they quickly pass by. We believe it's an efficient method of viewing everything you'd like before traveling back home, and have found the perfect sightseeing train for travelers who are soon visiting Japan.

If you enjoy beautiful sites and drinking sake (an alcoholic Japanese beverage), we urge you to take a look at the Koshino Shu*Kura train, which goes through the Niigata prefecture, according to JRPass. This is known as a joyful train, and we can see why. It stops at several locations so passengers can taste different types of sake, and on the train they can also enjoy music, folk dancing, and educational material about the process of brewing sake.

According to Live Japan, tourists can expect to see beautiful mountains and rice fields in Niigata. This prefecture also sits on the Sea of Japan, so passengers on the Koshino Shu*Kura train are sure to also have a stunning view of the water during their ride. This area is also known to experience plenty of snowfall during the winter, so this train is a great option for those who love the image of a winter wonderland.

If sake isn't your thing, there's also the FruiTea Fukushima train, according to the East Japan Railway Company. It travels through the Fukushima prefecture, commonly known as the orchard of Japan, and here travelers can try various desserts and beverages, such as iced tea, coffee, and fruit juice. These snacks and beverages are all made from fruit picked in the local area. Aside from the delicious snacks that are offered, the location that the train travels through is quite the sight to see.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, Fukushima is known for the scenic views of nature that change throughout the seasons. During the spring, cherry blossoms bloom to reveal their beautiful pink color. In the summer, plump peaches and cherries are seen hanging from trees. In the fall you can watch as the leaves change colors to gold and red. If you're there during the winter, you can watch as the abundant snowfall brightens up the landscape.