The new “bullet train” is being launched all over Japan, offering faster and more comfortable service to those traveling than ever before.
The newest trains to Japan railways’ already impressive service – the Tohoku Shinkansen Hayabusa E5 series – will be introduced March 5. The trains have already completed vigorous test runs at 300 km per hour on stretches of track between Sendai, north of Tokyo, and Shin-Aomori Station, in the far north of Japan’s main island of Honshu.
If successful the trains being put through their paces in Japan could be seen all over the world. Japanese companies are currently in negotiations with a number of foreign countries for the provision of high-speed train services.
The new service will link Hakata on the northern coast of Japan’s most southerly main island of Kyushu, with the city of Kagoshima from March 12.
A huge increase in leisure travelers is obviously expected due to the high-speed links with Japan’s major cities. Kyushu Railway Co. is looking to take advantage of this extra tourism, introducing a new luxury cruise train. This will take travelers on a three-day tour around Kyushu, taking in the major sites of Nagasaki, Beppu and Fukuoka.
Comprising of six or seven carriages fitted out with sofas, dining tables and larger viewing windows.
Some will also include restaurant facilities and the number of travelers will be limited to an exclusive 30 or so on each trip.
The railway company aims to start the new service in early 2013 and tickets will cost around Y200,000 (€1,764) – although rail companies believe that travelers will be happy to pay a large amount for a luxury travel experience.
Luxury is key to the new Hayabusa train, with an extravagant 18-seat first class section that is akin to first class in an aircraft. With large leather reclining seats, wool carpets and wooden ceiling and personal attendants meeting your ever need, travelling GranClass really is the only way to travel.
