I Saw Mount Fuji on Japan’s Shinkansen Bullet Train
What It’s Really Like Riding Japan’s Legendary Bullet Train
I boarded Japan’s famous Shinkansen bullet train expecting a smooth, efficient ride across the country. A simple travel day. But somewhere between Hiroshima and Tokyo, the clouds opened for a moment — and Mount Fuji appeared perfectly framed outside my window.
It became one of the most memorable moments of my entire Japan trip.
This is the full experience: boarding before sunrise, navigating tickets, choosing the right seat, riding the bullet train at 200 mph, and catching that rare Mount Fuji view.
Starting Before Sunrise in Hiroshima
At 4:35 a.m., I left my hotel in Hiroshima for a long travel day:
Hiroshima → Tokyo by Shinkansen, then Tokyo → Mount Fuji by bus.
A complicated route, but a necessary one for my Mount Fuji itinerary.
By 5:10 a.m., I arrived at Hiroshima Station — quiet, calm, and cold. I had purchased my Shinkansen ticket through Klook and pulled up my QR code, ready to see how the system actually worked.
How Shinkansen Tickets Work (Especially with Klook)
Here’s the important part most people don’t realize:
Your Klook QR code IS your ticket.
No exchange needed. No kiosk. No machine.
Just scan at the gate.
After scanning, the gate prints a tiny paper slip that becomes your physical boarding ticket. It confused me for a second — but that slip is what you use going forward.
My assignment:
Nozomi 74 → Track 14 → Car 5 → Seat E3 (Mount Fuji side)
If you ever want the Fuji view:
Choose a right-side window seat heading northbound from Osaka/Hiroshima toward Tokyo.
Seeing the Shinkansen Up Close
The Shinkansen looks unreal in person — long, sleek, futuristic. I walked all the way to the front to take the classic bullet-train-nose picture. And yes… so was everyone else.
Inside the train, the first surprise hit me immediately:
It’s silent.
People barely talk. The ride is smooth. The seats are spacious.
No security checks. No seatbelts. Just sit and fly across the country.
By 6:00 a.m. sharp, the train pulled out — right on schedule.
The Shinkansen Experience
As the train picked up speed outside Hiroshima, I realized just how different the Shinkansen is from any train I’ve ever taken.
• The Silence
Even at high speeds, the cabin stays unbelievably quiet.
• The Space
Wide seats, huge legroom, and room for your bag without feeling cramped.
• The Scenery
The ride becomes a rhythm: tunnels → towns → forests → suburbs → more tunnels.
You start to understand why train travel is such a huge part of Japanese culture.
The Moment Everything Changed
Somewhere near Shizuoka, I looked out the window — and froze.
The sky cracked open.
Clouds drifted apart.
And suddenly…
Mount Fuji appeared.
Perfect. Massive. Snow-capped.
A still moment against a moving train.
It lasted maybe two minutes. Then the clouds swallowed it again. But those two minutes were unforgettable — the kind of moment that hits you harder than you expect.
I’ve seen Fuji before, but never like this — framed in motion at 200 mph.
Arriving at Tokyo Station
The train slowed and entered Tokyo — and instantly, everything changed.
Hiroshima at dawn was peaceful.
Tokyo at rush hour is a tidal wave.
Crowds everywhere. Signs everywhere. People flowing like a river in every direction. The contrast is overwhelming, but in a weird way, exciting too.
After stepping off, I fought my way upstream toward the station exit and prepared for part two of the journey: a long-distance bus to Mount Fuji.
The Shinkansen Is a Destination by Itself
This wasn’t just a travel day.
It became one of my favorite experiences in Japan.
Riding the Shinkansen isn’t just transportation — it’s part of the trip. And when you catch Mount Fuji through the window, even for a moment, it feels like the country is giving you a gift.
If you’re visiting Japan:
Take at least one Shinkansen ride. Even if it’s out of the way. Even if it’s just for fun.
And sit on the Fuji side.
📍 Locations Mentioned (Google Maps Links)
🎥 Watch the Full Vlog on YouTube
Want to see the real-time Mount Fuji reveal, the train interior, and the full journey from Hiroshima to Tokyo?
It’s one of my favorite travel vlog moments I've ever filmed.