Japan's speedy, spotless bullet trains turn 60

We've got a trip planned to Yokohama later this month. Looking forward to riding the Shinkansen again. It's been almost 7 years since my last Shinkansen ride. Maybe we'll do the Green Car this time. I've always wanted to do that. Gonna miss the snack cart ladies. (For my first Shinkansen ride, they still had a restaurant car. I had a steak dinner!)

A transfer at Shin-Yokohama requires lugging baggage up and down stairs to a local commuter line, usually followed by another change at to what used to be called the Toyoko Line (now I think it's called Minato Mirai Line) at Kikuna. So many Shinkansen travelers are required to go from heaven to hell in order to get to their destinations.

Love the Shinkansen such an integral part of Japan and Japanese culture!

The user experience is great, much better than internal flights. The seats are more generous and way nicer, there is no messing about security or check in, and even stations that are located away from city centers, like Shin Osaka, are better located than airports.

The main minus is that many sections of the Shinkansen are on elevated concrete bridges, which at best aren't nice, and at worse look terrible. The Hokuriku line passes over central Itoigawa way up in the air above people's houses. It looks awful.

I remember, in 5th grade, in rural East Tennessee, Ms. White, our social studies teacher, telling us about Japanese bullet trains and showing us pictures of them. What a dream. Fast forward decades and I am taking my picture in front of that very same engine at the Kyoto Railway Museum. Trains are cool. I love them, especially in Japan. Here's to another 60 years of safe rail travels at speed for Japan, and with hope that the USA realize the usefulness and value of it.

Whenever I go to a concert, I take the train. Mostly Austria and Germany from Slovenia. And yes, the Shinkansen is really special. In August I even had the honor of seeing Doctor Yellow pass me at the station. Off guard (to slow for video take) :))

Japan’s train system is fantastic and reliable, but it comes at a steep human cost, with workers facing enormous pressure to keep things spotless and punctual. The expectations can be both inhuman and inhumane, and while we all value these services, it’s worth questioning whether this cost is really necessary. I’d much rather see standards loosened in line with other developed countries to give Japanese staff a little less stress and a more reasonable work life balance.

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Japan’s train system is fantastic and reliable, but it comes at a steep human cost, with workers facing enormous pressure to keep things spotless and punctual. The expectations can be both inhuman and inhumane, and while we all value these services, it’s worth questioning whether this cost is really necessary. I’d much rather see standards loosened in line with other developed countries to give Japanese staff a little less stress and a more reasonable work life balance.

From where does this nonsense is coming? Are you working from JR? What human cost?

I wouldn't be surprised if these bullet trains are in the same condition 50 years from now. The standards are very high in Japan.

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Oh dear, look who just got off the boat. Look up 'Japanese work culture', 'Japan's work life balances' or nd 'karoshi' for starters.

I am not "your dear" but I would like to ask, have you any experience working in a Japanese company?

Also, you were speaking about the JR working condition... your key words are not relevant.

I am not "your dear" 

He was not inferring that you are. To native English speakers, Oh dear is an expression of consternation or disappointment that is not directed at any listener in particular.

I had a Green carriage card for 3 weeks when visiting Japan and used it 6 or 7 times up to Niigata and as far down as Osaka. Loved each ride it was such a pleasure. One integral part was the purchase of ekiben's for the journey with so many delicious offerings it would take quite a while to settle on a choice.

Great scenery of Japans cities and smaller towns and countryside along the way. All the things you miss if you fly rather than ride the shinkansen.

So sad to see the large price hikes for the travel cards. Glad I did it when I did.

HalkToday  02:59 pm JST

Japan’s train system is fantastic and reliable, but it comes at a steep human cost, with workers facing enormous pressure to keep things spotless and punctual. The expectations can be both inhuman and inhumane, and while we all value these services, it’s worth questioning whether this cost is really necessary. I’d much rather see standards loosened in line with other developed countries to give Japanese staff a little less stress and a more reasonable work life balance.

Give it up Halk, too high-brow bud for most JT commenters

You're right that all the great service we enjoy on the Shinkansen and anywhere else in Japan comes at a human cost but most on here have a limited at best understanding of Japanese work culture.

The super speedy trains always give me chills.

Nothing anywhere comes close to Japan's rail precision, execution and reliability, safety.

But I still smile at a Yellow One Man diesel.

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luthierinseattleSep. 30  01:08 pm JST

I remember, in 5th grade, in rural East Tennessee, Ms. White, our social studies teacher, telling us about Japanese bullet trains and showing us pictures of them. What a dream. Fast forward decades and I am taking my picture in front of that very same engine at the Kyoto Railway Museum. Trains are cool. I love them, especially in Japan. Here's to another 60 years of safe rail travels at speed for Japan, and with hope that the USA realize the usefulness and value of it.

The San Francisco Bay Area has the famous BART system. Boston has a similar one too. And in Canada the metro systems for Toronto and Montreal are quiet, fast and clean.