Interrail with Shinkansen in Japan

One thing not to miss while visiting Japan is to take the advantage as foreigner to interrail with a Japan Rail Pass. This pass must be arranged from home before entering Japan via a travel agency or similar. It's quite expensive but it's all worth it just after a single return trip Tokyo-Kyoto. It's such a great experience to interrail and without doubt the easiest way to get around in Japan. Even though the pass cover most of the different trains and areas operated by Japan Railways, the highlight is of course riding the Shinkansen high speed train.  
 

Japan Rail Pass
 

The experience starts already at the station where you have to be in good time and stand in line at your assigned car and seat location. It's all clearly marked in the air and on the platform how to stand queing. When the train arrives the process of deboarding and boarding of passengers are impressive and very efficient. After a short stop the train starts rolling exactly on the minute for an on time departure. 

The comfort and seat pitch onboard the Shinkansen is just great even in the economy section and before you know it, you travel in the speed of nearly 300 km/h! Still with great comfort and quiet atmosphere. 

In my opinion the Shinkansen is something more than just a train, it's an extraordinary experience which you can't miss when visiting Japan. Since it's such a great part of the japanese infrastructure and significantly for the country, it sure has to be a part of my travel photography when in Japan. The train and many stations for that matter are very photogenic and it's quite easy to get some interesting shots of the trains and the operation while spending some time at the platform before your own departure. 

Still dreaming of that perfect photo of a Shinkansen train on the japanese countryside with Mount Fuji as backdrop...until then enjoy these shots! 
 

Shinkansen at the platform, Kyoto Station
(Canon EOS 5D Mark III - ISO 100, 1/50 sec, f/4,5 @ 47 mm)
 

Female train crew awaiting the signal for departure
(Canon EOS 5D Mark III - ISO 125, 1/200 sec, f/5,0 @ 165 mm)
 

Shinkansen Nozomi train bound for Tokyo
(Canon EOS 5D Mark III - ISO 100, 1/50 sec, f/4,5 @ 47 mm)
 

Shinkansen train approaching the platform at Mishima Station
(Canon EOS 5D Mark III - ISO 320, 1/2000 sec, f/5,0 @ 165 mm)
 

Onboard Shinkansen with its comfortable 3+2 seating and great seat pitch
(Canon EOS 5D Mark III - ISO 100, 1/40 sec, f/4,0 @ 24 mm)
 

Shinkansen trains arriving and departing Kyoto Station
(Canon EOS 5D Mark III - ISO 100, 1/400 sec, f/6,3 @ 300 mm)
 

Punctuality is of great importance for the japanese railway
(Canon EOS 5D Mark III - ISO 200, 1/200 sec, f/5,0 @ 220 mm)
 

Older generation Shinkansen train arriving at Kyoto Station
(Canon EOS 5D Mark III - ISO 100, 1/400 sec, f/7,1 @ 300 mm)
 

Train crew overlooking the train from the rear station
(Canon EOS 5D Mark III - ISO 100, 1/250 sec, f/5,6 @ 300 mm)
 

Artistic shot of the train cab at Mishima Station
(Canon EOS 5D Mark III - ISO 100, 1/500 sec, f/8,0 @ 300 mm)
 

Train crew overlooking the boarding at Kyoto Station
(Canon EOS 5D Mark III - ISO 100, 1/160 sec, f/5,0 @ 160 mm)