There’s something magical about watching a country unfold slowly through a train window. I learned this firsthand during three weeks in Japan last spring, when I decided to get a JR Pass and see how much ground I could cover using only trains. What started as a practical transportation decision turned into one of the most immersive travel experiences I’ve ever had.
The photo above captures exactly what I mean. This is Tokyo Station at rush hour, but instead of feeling chaotic, there’s this incredible sense of order and purpose. Everyone knows where they’re going, the trains run exactly on time, and there’s a rhythm to it all that you can only appreciate when you’re part of the system rather than just passing through it.