Bullet train (Japan): Difference between revisions
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{{Image|Two-bullet-trains-japan.jpg|right|350px|[[Japan]]ese bullet [[train (transport)|train]]s come in a variety of desigsn, such as these ones in [[Tokyo]].}} | {{Image|Two-bullet-trains-japan.jpg|right|350px|[[Japan]]ese bullet [[train (transport)|train]]s come in a variety of desigsn, such as these ones in [[Tokyo]].}} | ||
The '''bullet train''', officially the '''Shinkansen''' (新幹線) is [[Japan]]'s fastest [[train (transport)|train]], with a network stretching from northern [[Hachinohe]] in [[Honshu]] to [[Fukuoka]]<ref>Fukuoka's railway station is named 'Hakata'.</ref> in southern [[Kyushu]], with construction of an extra line | The '''bullet train''', officially the '''Shinkansen''' (新幹線) is [[Japan]]'s fastest [[train (transport)|train]], with a network stretching from northern [[Hachinohe]] in [[Honshu]] to [[Fukuoka]]<ref>Fukuoka's railway station is named 'Hakata'.</ref> in southern [[Kyushu]], with construction of an extra line under way to extend the link down to [[Kagoshima]] at the southern tip of the main islands. The Japanese bullet train was the world's first high-speed rail service, inaugurated in 1964 and run by [[Japan Railways]] (JR). Coming into service at the time that [[Tokyo]] hosted the [[1964 Summer Olympics]], the trains were used to carry spectators, athletes and the media to events in [[Osaka]] to showcase Japan's emergence from its post-[[World War II|war]] malaise. As of March 2010, there has never been a fatal accident, despite trains regularly reaching speeds of 180mph (300km/h) and [[earthquake]]s in the region; the trains are also notoriously punctual, with delays averaging under a minute.<ref>Hood (2006: 1-2).</ref> | ||
The network is divided into subsections, meaning that passengers travelling between the northern and southern regions of Honshu island must change at [[Tokyo]]. One of the notable services is the ''Nozomi'' (のぞみ) Super Express, which travels between Tokyo and Fukuoka, and non-stop between [[Yokohama]] and [[Nagoya]]. The ''Nozomi'' commands higher fares due to the limited number of stops. | The network is divided into subsections, meaning that passengers travelling between the northern and southern regions of Honshu island must change at [[Tokyo]]. One of the notable services is the ''Nozomi'' (のぞみ) Super Express, which travels between Tokyo and Fukuoka, and non-stop between [[Yokohama]] and [[Nagoya]]. The ''Nozomi'' commands higher fares due to the limited number of stops. | ||
==Travelling on the bullet train== | ==Travelling on the bullet train== | ||
[[Image:Yellow-bullet-train.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Test trains are painted yellow and carry equipment to analyse the overhead | [[Image:Yellow-bullet-train.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Test trains are painted yellow and carry equipment to analyse the rails and overhead cables. Each train is [[nickname]]d '[[Bullet train (Japan)/Catalogs/Dr. Yellow|Dr. Yellow]]' and [[train spotting|train spotter]] lore has it that a sighting brings good luck.<ref>''Japan Times'': '[http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20100311f1.html 'Dr. Yellow' train keeps line safe, elates spotters].' 11th March 2010.</ref>]] | ||
Travelling by bullet train requires that an extra supplementary fare be paid on top of the regular fare used for slower train services. Such fees are incorporated into the total ticket price, paid when a passenger purchases a bullet train ticket either from a multilingual machine or a JR representative. Machines always take cash but may not accept cards, particularly foreign ones. Machines also reserve seats if the passenger desires. | Travelling by bullet train requires that an extra supplementary fare be paid on top of the regular fare used for slower train services. Such fees are incorporated into the total ticket price, paid when a passenger purchases a bullet train ticket either from a multilingual machine or a JR representative. Machines always take cash but may not accept cards, particularly foreign ones. Machines also reserve seats if the passenger desires. | ||
Revision as of 02:43, 13 March 2010
The bullet train, officially the Shinkansen (新幹線) is Japan's fastest train, with a network stretching from northern Hachinohe in Honshu to Fukuoka[1] in southern Kyushu, with construction of an extra line under way to extend the link down to Kagoshima at the southern tip of the main islands. The Japanese bullet train was the world's first high-speed rail service, inaugurated in 1964 and run by Japan Railways (JR). Coming into service at the time that Tokyo hosted the 1964 Summer Olympics, the trains were used to carry spectators, athletes and the media to events in Osaka to showcase Japan's emergence from its post-war malaise. As of March 2010, there has never been a fatal accident, despite trains regularly reaching speeds of 180mph (300km/h) and earthquakes in the region; the trains are also notoriously punctual, with delays averaging under a minute.[2]
The network is divided into subsections, meaning that passengers travelling between the northern and southern regions of Honshu island must change at Tokyo. One of the notable services is the Nozomi (のぞみ) Super Express, which travels between Tokyo and Fukuoka, and non-stop between Yokohama and Nagoya. The Nozomi commands higher fares due to the limited number of stops.
Travelling on the bullet train
Travelling by bullet train requires that an extra supplementary fare be paid on top of the regular fare used for slower train services. Such fees are incorporated into the total ticket price, paid when a passenger purchases a bullet train ticket either from a multilingual machine or a JR representative. Machines always take cash but may not accept cards, particularly foreign ones. Machines also reserve seats if the passenger desires.
Passengers reach the platforms by going through ticket barriers ('wickets') which require any seat reservation tickets to be inserted at the same time as the ticket itself. Bullet train services are separated from both slower JR and non-JR services, so passengers may find themselves going through several sets of barriers in order to reach their train. Platforms are marked with carriage numbers and show exactly where passengers should queue; trains will halt exactly where the platform indicates, and usually only briefly stop at each station.
Most carriages are for reserved-seat ticket holders only; usually, there are a few non-reserved carriages, which become crowded at peak times. All tickets and seat reservation receipts are inspected on board and passengers sitting in the wrong seat or carriage will often be asked to move, or face a fine. Carriages are also divided between standard class and 'green car' (first class) status, and are also designated smoking or non-smoking. Standard class carriages accommodate rows of five seats, three on one side and two on the other, all forward-facing. Luggage space is limited (Japanese travellers often make use of courier services to send bags on to their destination separately). 'Green cars' are more spacious, though there are no complimentary services. Trains are equipped with vending machines, smoking rooms, private rooms for baby-changing, etc., washbasins with mirrors, and a range of toilets including 'Japanese-style', 'Western-style', and even urinals.
Footnotes
- ↑ Fukuoka's railway station is named 'Hakata'.
- ↑ Hood (2006: 1-2).
- ↑ Japan Times: ''Dr. Yellow' train keeps line safe, elates spotters.' 11th March 2010.