
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
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
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 reacts to Donald Trump’s “Islamic Republic of Japan” remark
Japanese airport rebrands itself as “Sushi Airport” to attract foreign tourists
Studio Ghibli theme park’s new dessert is a drinkable version of Hayao Miyazaki’s pilot daydream
Solid gold Hedorah kaiju from the Godzilla series is now available to pre-order
McDonald’s Japan reveals new Pokémon collaboration range, covering McNuggets and lucky bags
Giant Mewtwo statue disappears from real-life Pokémon Center in Japan, may be headed to America
Hollywood live-action Naruto movie announces global search for its Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
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]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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