So you’ve checked off Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto – now, where to next? If you need a bit of travel inspo, Japan Rail Fair can help you plan your upcoming getaway in the region. This year’s edition, themed Journey into Culture, invites you to venture beyond the usual tourist hotspots and discover the country’s lesser-known destinations with a focus on East Japan. This includes places like Hakodate City, the San’in region, Sendai and wider Tohoku.
As you move through the fair and add destinations to your travel wishlist, don’t forget to stop by and sample the food and drinks. Look out for wasabi-flavoured snacks from Izu Peninsula, juicy Japanese pears from Arahama, fresh Hokkaido milk products, premium regional sake bottles and more. Feeling adventurous? Have a taste of fugu, a rare pufferfish dish prepared by certified chefs from Yamaguchi Prefecture. You can also join a lohei demonstration, where you can toss for happiness and prosperity.
Additionally, there will be a series of cultural and folk performances happening throughout, plus a chance for you to step behind the conductor’s operating station. The JR EAST Train Simulator features live footage, train sounds and a special controller interface to help recreate an authentic train driving experience.