Sim

Tokyo-based actuary. Train journeys across Japan, sharing food and onsen along the way

[Sim @sim_nagra]

Thank you to all the train fans who have followed me recently!

Here’s a thread of all trains I’ve tweeted about so far.

My personal favourite is the Romancecar, imo the nicest and easiest train to get from Tokyo. The seat fee from Shinjuku to Hakone is only ¥1200.

[Sim @sim_nagra]

@bobacola They do, and then they panic because there are no seats but they’re in a hurry to the airport. It’s always best to book in advance online on the JR East reservation site - don’t leave it to chance on the platform these days.

[Sim @sim_nagra]

I see a lot of tourists playing musical chairs on the Narita Express because they weren’t able to get a seat reservation. Please understand that even if you have a JR pass, you still need to reserve your seat in advance and the train often gets fully booked. Book early online!

[Sim @sim_nagra]

@MapZamurai Yes it definitely feels like it’s a tropical island even though it’s still technically part of Tokyo (though a 10hr ferry or 1hr flight away). Scenery is stunning but my favourite part was stargazing - there’s so much less light pollution out there and you can see the Milky Way

[Sim @sim_nagra]

Hachijojima is one of the lesser known Tokyo islands but definitely worth a visit - it’s especially known for whale watching in the winter months! Overnight ferry or easy one hour flight from Haneda.
Try climbing “Hachijo Fuji” - a volcano where you can walk around the caldera

[Sim @sim_nagra]

@pacificdiplomat From Takeshiba pier

[Sim @sim_nagra]

@nikbrainbuster Only the limited edition distillery Hakushu (around ¥3800, not particularly special), plus some umeshu. I’ve heard they sometimes have the 15y/18y/25y in the shop but they get sold out instantly in the morning

[Sim @sim_nagra]

Kobuchizawa isn’t often talked about but it’s a super easy excursion from Shinjuku and home to the Hakushu Whisky Distillery- you usually have to book entry a month in advance but in the winter it’s quite easy to get a slot

[Sim @sim_nagra]

@RamithGopinath It’s online on the official ticketing site

[Sim @sim_nagra]

The Nintendo museum in Kyoto is incredibly hard to get tickets to - there is a lottery but I’ve personally failed each time. However, there are “secret” general sales that open two months in advance on the second Wed at 2pm, and also cancellations for the same month on each hour.

[Sim @sim_nagra]

Katsunuma in perfect autumn form this weekend - as always, my favourite day trip from Tokyo 🍁🍇

[Sim @sim_nagra]

@DFZ6644 I did get a ticket from the general sale- hence I’m sharing that info 😅

[Sim @sim_nagra]

@RohanBhade Check out the Nagaden wine train that goes from Nagano to Yudanaka (where the snow monkeys are). It runs most weekends in December

https://t.co/sTSdIf1fc7

[Sim @sim_nagra]

Seibu is no stranger to restaurant trains with the already existing 52 Seats of Happiness (runs between Shinjuku or Ikebukuro and Chichibu)
This is my all time favourite gourmet train because of its design and affordability, reservations open 3 months out.

[Sim @sim_nagra]

In new Japan train news: Seibu railway announced a new restaurant train launching March 2028, designed by architect Kazuyo Sejima, and they plan to serve full course meals (pics are concepts only)

Seibu railway actually makes some of my favourite trains for day trips from Tokyo

[Sim @sim_nagra]

@netunu You use bug spray lol.
But also plenty of mosquito coils

[Sim @sim_nagra]

Highlighting some lesser known adventures in Japan - went glamping in Minami alps with a view of the Kofu basin - only 1.5 hours from Shinjuku and yet such a perfect paradise

[Sim @sim_nagra]

@rjhintz Alps Laps with Tenar

https://t.co/3MM9xb5uHB

[Sim @sim_nagra]

@hellobeatrix Please tell me you copped a No Akabeko No Life tee

[Sim @sim_nagra]

Plenty of fireworks events for Obon this week but Hakone might be my favorite - extremely chill festival atmosphere with just the right number of people and the igniting of the daimonjiyaki. Super easy trip on my favourite train, the romancecar

[Sim @sim_nagra]

Most people take the subway or bus to Osaka Expo but honestly the only way to do it is by boat