Month: April 2026

March–April: Peak Season for Shinkansen Business Travel

Due to the nature of my work, business trips increase between March and April, which means more opportunities to ride the Tokaido Shinkansen N700S. Car 7 is my go-to choice for business travel — but during this season, there’s a hidden bonus even for railway enthusiasts!

Want to See Mount Fuji? Go for Seat “E”!

Seat selection is everything when it comes to spotting Mount Fuji from the Shinkansen.

If you’re traveling from Tokyo, book a window seat on the left side of the train — Seat “E”. As the train passes through Shizuoka Prefecture, you may be treated to a breathtaking view of Mount Fuji right outside your window.

Best spot to see Mount Fuji: The stretch between Shin-Fuji Station and Shizuoka Station offers the best views. Winter through early spring, when the air is clear, gives you the best chance of a stunning, unobstructed view.

A Special Announcement Interrupted My Work!

During one recent business trip, I was heads-down working when suddenly an announcement came over the speakers:

“Mount Fuji can be seen beautifully on the left side of the train.”

I immediately grabbed my camera and snapped a shot — totally worth the interruption! (laughs)

This announcement only plays when conditions are just right, so the moment you hear it, don’t hesitate — point your camera to the left!

Why Car 7 is Perfect for Business Travelers

Car 7 has a calm, professional atmosphere that’s popular among business travelers. With power outlets at every seat and extra-wide tray tables, it’s perfectly set up for getting work done on the go. Book Seat E and you’ll have the best of both worlds — a productive workspace and a front-row seat for Mount Fuji!

About the N700S: Debuting in 2020, the N700S is the latest Tokaido Shinkansen model. Every seat has a power outlet, Wi-Fi is available throughout, and the ride quality has been significantly improved — making even long business trips comfortable.

Quick Guide: Tips for Spotting Mount Fuji from the Shinkansen

Tip	Details
Best seat	Seat E (left window seat, Tokyo → Osaka direction)
Best section	Between Shin-Fuji Station and Shizuoka Station
Best season	Winter to early spring (clearest air)
Best time of day	Morning (clouds tend to build up in the afternoon)

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Summary | Don’t Forget to Enjoy the Journey, Even on a Business Trip!

Simply booking Seat E could reward you with a stunning view of Mount Fuji — even on a busy work trip. Keep this in mind for your next Shinkansen reservation!

What You’ll Learn in This Article

• Gran Class service details (drinks, desserts, and attendant service)
• How to buy Jajamen noodles as a souvenir in Morioka
• Recommended souvenir bread at Tokyo Station

Komachi from Kakunodate to Morioka: Enjoying the Tohoku Scenery

The final leg of our journey began at Kakunodate Station, boarding the Komachi train bound for Morioka. Gazing at the beautiful summer scenery of Tohoku through the window, we found ourselves dreaming about our next destination — Jajamen noodles in Morioka!

The Akita Shinkansen is unique among bullet train lines, running on conventional rail tracks for part of the route. This gives it a rare combination of high-speed travel and a local, countryside feel — a must-ride for any railway enthusiast.

Morioka’s Famous Jajamen — Too Crowded! Souvenir Noodles to the Rescue

In Morioka, Jajamen noodles are an absolute must-try. We rushed to a restaurant, but the line was too long to wait during our transfer time. As it turned out, buying the souvenir Jajamen set at the station was the perfect solution!

With the take-home version, you can enjoy the flavors of Morioka back at home and relive the memories of your trip.

Hayabusa Gran Class | Two Hours of Pure Luxury

Now for the highlight of the journey — Gran Class! Having previously experienced Gran Class for just 10 minutes, this 2-hour ride was a dream come true.

The Seats and Cabin

The electric reclining seats can lean back to nearly flat, with generous space between rows — reminiscent of a first-class airline cabin. The fatigue of a long journey simply melts away.

Attentive Service from the Attendant

The Gran Class attendant provided the following services during the journey:

• Drink service (alcoholic and soft drinks)
• Dessert service

With a full 2 hours to enjoy the amenities, this was a completely different experience from the 10-minute ride — absolutely worth every yen!

How much does Gran Class cost? Gran Class requires an additional surcharge on top of the regular reserved seat fare. Booking early through travel sites can sometimes get you a better deal. Comparison shopping is recommended!

30-Minute Delay at Tokyo Station → Time to Hunt for the Famous “Toyo-ken Black Curry Pan”!

Heavy rain caused a delay of over 30 minutes — which turned out to be a blessing in disguise! It gave us just enough time to track down the legendary Toyo-ken Black Curry Pan at Tokyo Station.

With its crispy pastry shell and spicy black curry filling, this bread is the perfect companion for the Tokaido Shinkansen journey home. Make sure to stop by if you have time at Tokyo Station!

Toyo-ken Black Curry Pan is available at Gransta inside Tokyo Station. It tends to sell out, so we recommend picking one up in the morning!

Final Leg: Tokaido Shinkansen N700S

By the time we boarded the Tokaido Shinkansen, our Mascots had already drifted off to sleep — the perfect sign of a fully satisfying journey!

As a bonus, the train turned out to be a West Japan N700S — the latest model. A wonderful final treat for any railway fan!

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Summary | Gran Class on the Tohoku Shinkansen — The Best Way to Refresh After a Long Trip

Section	Train
Kakunodate → Morioka	Komachi
Morioka → Tokyo	Hayabusa (Gran Class)
Tokyo → Home	Tokaido Shinkansen N700S

Gran Class may sound extravagant, but for journeys of 2 hours or more, the full service experience makes it outstanding value. We especially recommend it for the return leg of a trip when you’re tired and want to travel in style!