If you’re traveling around Japan and you haven’t ridden the shinkansen yet, let me say this plainly: you’re missing half the adventure. Japan’s famous bullet train isn’t just transportation—it’s an experience in itself. Sleek, fast, efficient, and almost unbelievably punctual, the shinkansen is one of the most impressive train systems in the world. On my recent trip to Japan, I had the chance to travel from the vibrant city of Fukuoka to the energetic metropolis of Osaka using the shinkansen, and it quickly became one of the highlights of my entire journey. I had heard countless stories about how smooth and fast the shinkansen was, but nothing really prepares you…