
It seems so easy to plan an entire Japan vacation around a single tour of the Tokyo metropolitan area. The mega city has just about everything a tourist could possibly want to see, from Akihabara’s blinding neon to the breathtaking skyline of Yokohama, to the quiet, old-world charm (and weird poop sculpture) of Asakusa.
But to not venture away from Tokyo, to Japan’s more far-flung and lesser-known destinations is to rob yourself of the grander Japan experience, and Japan Rail (JR) has long sought to encourage visitors, both domestic and foreign, to wander off the beaten path with the Seishun 18 unlimited rail pass. And, if the idea of unlimited access to JR’s vast and far-reaching network of tracks isn’t enough to inspire your sense of adventure on your next Japan visit, perhaps these ads for the Seishun 18 rail pass, which depict the isolated beauty of some of Japan’s most remote train stations, will be.
These brilliant posters, which have adorned train stations throughout Japan for a few years now in a long-running campaign promoting the Seishun 18 ticket, celebrate the breathtaking vistas of remote locations as far north as Aomori at the northernmost tip of the main island of Honshu, as close to Tokyo as the beaches Kamakura, and all sorts of spectacular places in between. It’s hard for us to pick out the exact location of some of these, but they’re all amazing nonetheless:
Each poster is accompanied by some brilliantly simple copy that’s hard to do justice in English, but those studying Japanese are sure to be moved by some of the heart string-tugging tag lines.
And, while we’re on the topic of travel posters depicting gorgeous Japanese locales, here are a few Kyoto-specific ads from a campaign that’s also been running a few years concurrent. Just because we love you!
You can get information about the Seishun 18 ticket (in English!) here.
Source and photos: Himajin Sokuhou

















One of Japan’s most awesome rail passes, the Seishun 18 Ticket, just got a lot less awesome
Changes to Japan rail pass make it fall out of favour with travellers
New unlimited-ride JR Japan rail pass is perfect for a laid-back trip in east and northeast Japan
How to travel from Tokyo to Hiroshima by train for 500 yen
We use the Seishun 18 Ticket to travel from Japan to Korea by ferry
Starbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
7-Eleven Japan adds new cold soup smoothies to its convenience store drinks range
New Studio Ghibli washi tape adds anime flair to Japanese stationery
Japan’s foreign resident population hits record high as Japanese population hits record low
New service lets Tokyo tourists display their faces on giant screen at Japan’s busiest intersection
Godiva Japan gets into the shaved ice scene with two luxurious frozen desserts this summer
Studio Ghibli releases new Spirited Away earrings featuring mysterious anime bathhouse character
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move
Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
Family Mart’s new Famima flagship in Tokyo has a hidden gem that most visitors miss
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
From Tokyo to Tohoku for less than 25 bucks? Our epic Seishun 18 Ticket Japanese train voyage
Japan’s Moonlight Nagara train service ends, leaving a hole in overnight rail travel
New JR Shinkansen-inclusive rail pass is a huge bargain, great way to help out a region in need
How to travel from one end of Japan to the other by train for less than 25 bucks
From Tokyo to Hokkaido for under 50 bucks in train tickets–Part 2 of our Japanese rail voyage
New Japan rail pass gives you a week of free rides in a huge space to chase the cherry blossoms
Japan’s best train pass, the Japan Rail Pass, finally being made available for purchase online
New Japan Rail Pass for non-Japanese passport holders coming soon
These are Osaka’s three best digital rail passes for travelers
JR East announces awesomely cheap one-day all-you can ride pass, Shinkansen included
Massive price increase announced for Japan Rail Pass, cost to jump by up to 77 percent
Huge price hike for Japan Rail Pass triggers huge drop in foreign travelers who’ll buy it【Survey】
JR East to introduce numbering system at all stations in Tokyo
Tokyo airport’s new train line to make getting into, out of the city easier for JR pass holders
Last chance coming up for amazing east Japan for all-you-can-ride Shinkansen-inclusive train pass