A Culinary Train Tour Could Be Japan's Best-Kept Secret

Japan is such an incredible country to visit, full of stunning scenery and diverse cultures. The blend of high-tech modern cities with traditional countryside locales can really blow you away. Trying to fit everything into one trip is hard, though, which is why we recommend seeing the place by train. Not just any train, though.

For over a century now, the country has had dining trains that offer incredible culinary experiences alongside the wonderful sights that make up Japan. Traveling on one of these can allow you to get a taste of the culture, history, views, and, of course, food that makes this place one of the most incredible destinations in the world. If you’re not sure which train to journey on, though, there are plenty to take your fancy.

The Kairi train offers a taste of Niigata and Shonai cuisine

One of the best Japanese culinary trains to travel on is the Kairi Train, where you can enjoy delicacies from Niigata and Shonai cuisine. As you journey along the sea of Japan, you can enjoy food from the Niigata Furumachi Hanamachi district’s notable ryotei restaurant. Ayumi Utagawa, who works as the deputy director of tourism for the company that operates the Kairi train, also highlights the “edible jewel of Shonai Italian cuisine.” Featuring ingredients sourced from local producers in the Shonai region, you’ll have a wonderful taste of your surroundings as you make your way across the country.

The Belle Montagne et Mer changes up its sushi menu every day

One food that people typically associate with Japan is sushi. Of course, sushi encompasses so many different flavors and ingredients that it’s hard to say you’ve truly experienced it after just one meal. That’s why the Belle Montagne et Mer is so great because it apparently changes its sushi menu every day. What you get as you journey along Toyama Bay reportedly depends on what’s been freshly caught. Regardless, though, the food - which may also include various snacks from the cities the train passes through - is bound to be delicious.

Seven Stars regularly mixes things up with its luxury dining experience

Anyone searching for a luxury dining experience in Japan needs to look no further than Kyushu island’s Seven Stars train service. Ideal for anyone who feels that five stars simply isn’t enough, you can make your way from Kyushu’s prefectures as you try out a host of foods. The chefs like to keep things seasonal and maintain variety in the styles of meals they produce. So, you can expect to enjoy dishes influenced by places outside of Japan, too. Whether you travel for one night or three, though, you still get to enjoy foods native to local regions like Hakata, Unzen, and Shippoku.

The Koshino Shu*Kura offers a five-course sake-tasting session

It takes more than one dish to get a feel for the local flavor. That’s why the Koshino Shu*Kura apparently offers a five-course tasting session during the journey. Here, though, the focus is more on sake than the food, although you’re not going to go hungry on your travels. Apparently, guests are provided with bento boxes filled with snacks to enjoy alongside their various sake tasters. By the time you get off the train, you should feel as though you’ve really gotten a feel for what Niigata Prefecture has to offer, at least when it comes to food and drink.

The FruiTea train offers fresh fruit desserts for those with a sweet tooth

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, the FruiTea train is bound to be for you. Traveling through the Fukushima Prefecture, it goes hard on desserts, with chefs cooking up all sorts of wonderful treats using fresh fruit. What the fruit is largely depends on when you visit Japan, as certain foods are more prevalent in specific seasons. Whatever time of year you’re in the area, though, you’re bound to find that the creative concoctions of the FruiTea train should satisfy your appetite perfectly.

If you’ve never thought about seeing Japan via rail, hopefully, this has opened your eyes to new possibilities. A culinary train tour could really help you to see more of the country in a short space of time. Plus, it may well be the best way to enjoy the many foods this place has to offer.