Japan

The Shinkansen glides swiftly along the rails that crisscross Japan. The high-speed bullet trains that whisk travelers from one side of Japan to the other are an icon of the country and a model for high-speed rail.

The regular commuter train from Tokyo to Japan is slow, to say the least — especially compared to the high-speed bullet trains that speed across the countryside.

Places like Hiroshima are in the history books for one reason. Traveling to places that made history isn’t always a joyous occasion. But, I’ve found, that traveling to places like Hiroshima makes for a more meaningful experience.