Shinkansen: An Introvert’s Delight
The best form of travel, by far, is the Shinkansen in Japan.
Quiet.
Clean.
Timely.
Convenient.
Whenever I’m in Japan, I can’t help but get excited about riding the Shinkansen. It’s the only time when I’m surrounding by people on public transit that is not just enjoyable, but a delight. The countryside flies past me and the trip often ends too soon, right as I’m getting into a good book. Sometimes, I even find myself not wanted to get off at my stop.
Quiet is an understatement; no Japanese person makes a peep, and they certainly don’t bother you as a tourist. As long as you are minding your own business and respecting their space, you will have a delightfully calm ride and feel like your seat is your own private capsule.
Cleanliness, and attention to every tiny detail, is a part of Japanese society that consistently amazes me. Most Japanese trains are pristinely clean, and the Shinkansen is no exception. There are groups of cleaners, often women dressed in pink uniforms, that come in to clean the train at specific stops. I’ll take a second here to extend my thanks to these teams who work tirelessly to keep the trains clean – thank you!
Timeliness holds a special place in my heart and mind. It’s hard to express just how soothing it is to know that a train will arrive and depart as it’s scheduled – every, single, time. It’s as if one of the invisible frequent traveler weights is lifted; I can breathe and think with ease to know that the train won’t have any issues. Like is said, absolutely delightful.
Frankly, I’m hard-pressed to think of a more convenient way to travel around an entire country than the Shinkansen. Mountains, ocean, rivers, cities – you name, it traverses it. I was lucky enough attend the Sapporo Yuki Matsuri the year it was Shinkansen-themed to celebrate the Shinkansen’s extension to Hokkaido. When I can now get to every major Japanese city (and plenty of lesser-known towns) in a quiet, clean, timely, and convenient train, I’m the happiest introverted traveler out there.
All that being said, there are a few pointers I’d like to note to make your trip more enjoyable:
The staff: per usual, the staff aboard the train exhibit the highest level of professionalism I’ve come to associate with most Japanese workers. They are courteous, detail-oriented, and dedicated to their jobs. As an English-speaking foreigner, the only issue lies in the fact that there is a language barrier as many train staff don’t speak English (with a few exceptions, but this is often the case). A few simple phrases go a long way and can ease any awkwardness with the staff or Japanese passengers sitting next to you. Be sure to practice how to say “thank you” and “excuse me” like you would for visits to other foreign countries. Also, the on-board train announcements (visual and audio) are in Japanese AND English on all lines – so you don’t have to worry that you will miss your stop. Sometimes there are also announcements in Korean and Chinese, depending on the line.
The seats: as a tall person, I can confirm that these seats have plenty of leg room and space for me to feel comfortable. If I have a carry-on suitcase with wheels, I often keep it on the ground next to my legs because there is room enough for it. The seats themselves, the armrests, and the foldable tray are always clean. There are even hooks in the window seat to hang your coats. Also, all seats recline regardless of the train car you are in. Note: if the person in the seat in front of me is going to recline their seat, I’ve often seen them motion with their head back towards me, slightly bow, and say “excuse me” in Japanese as a form of respect before lowering their seat – how kind!
Buying tickets: I’ve done this so many times and I always use the same, albeit antiquated, method. While there are lots of electronic ticketing machines within the stations and ways to buy tickets online, I have always bought my tickets in person at the ticket offices. There’s something quaint about going into the office, explaining where I’m going, and interacting with the staff. Also, most of the ticket sellers in the offices DO speak English, which comes in handy when there are station transfers or oddities that I need explained to me in detail. Nowadays, I can converse with them in Japanese and it’s a great opportunity to practice. I generally advise my friends to go into the ticket office to buy their tickets instead of trying to figure out the ticketing machines (which can be rather complicated). If you are traveling solo and at off-peak days/times, you likely will have no issue getting a ticket that departs within the hour. If you are traveling with others who you want to sit with and during peak times, I would choose to get tickets a few days (or weeks) in advance to ensure there are no issues.
Shinkansen bento (a must): besides the train ride itself, getting to the station early to pick out my train bento is a pleasure that I do not dare skip. Most large stations have an abundance of specialty food vendors that sell the most elegantly packaged bento boxes. It always feels like I’m buying myself a special present, not just lunch. I also make sure to pick up a drink and dessert to go along with it because…why not? If I don’t have time to get extra snacks, I sometimes buy more food from the trolleys that come through the aisles on the train as well. Riding the Shinkansen is a special experience that should be enjoyed, and I relish every moment of it.
Books: if you’ve made it this far, then you’ve probably started to envision yourself seated in your Shinkansen seat watching the Japanese countryside go by and cozying up to a good book. I always have a book with me and treasure the time I get to read it in absolute silence. I don’t even need noise-cancelling headphones. I repeat: I don’t need headphones even though the train is packed with people! That’s because it’s Japan, and Japanese people value quiet.
For introverts, riding the Shinkansen is one of those rare times where the journey really is the destination.