Wishes come true… Sometimes!

Cut to 27 years later and I’m at Shinagawa Station waiting guess what: the SHINKANSEN! I was excitedly waiting with my wife and son hoping to see the train for the first time. My son was even more excited waiting for the “zupp” (you have to say it with a forward movement of the hand to indicate the speed), the train that goes so fast.

I looked at the clock and it was almost time. I turned around and there it was, with its long streamlined nose and gleaming white exterior. He had managed to sneak up behind me and I saw him standing on the platform waiting for passengers to board. We boarded the bucolic train and opened our mouths in amazement at this marvelous work of engineering.

With speeds reaching 320 km/h, the Shinkansen is known for its punctuality, comfort, safety and efficiency. Trains leave and arrive punctual to the second. The importance attached to safety is highlighted by the fact that there have been no fatal accidents in its history.

inside the bullet train

The interiors of the Shinkansen resemble an airplane with comfortable reclining seats. The seats were 2×2 and roomy with plenty of room on the top shelves for luggage. The seats were all forward facing and very comfortable. Well, what else do you expect from the Japanese. It has to be the best in its class!

Soon the train started moving and we were pumped with excitement. What caught my attention the most was the silence and smoothness of the ride. Not a pull, a movement. It was as if the train was floating! My son was a bit disappointed because he still thought the train was stopped. It was only when I made him look out the window that he realized how fast we were moving.

Amenities and Comfort

The train has both reserved and unreserved compartments. There are toilets at both ends of each compartment with a sink right next to it. The toilets have those multiple buttons like a typical Japanese toilet. Typical of everything in Japan, they have made it foolproof and even indicated the correct way to sit on the toilet! The bathrooms are spacious and have enough space for wheelchair users.

Some trains also have food and drink vending machines. In addition, public phone facility is also available on the train. At one end of the compartment is a surprise: a smoking room! The Japanese know how to do things with style. The compartments are interconnected and one can move within the train from one end to the other easily. They even have the instructions in braille for visually impaired passengers! Where else would you find such consideration for people with special needs but in Japan?

japanese hospitality

We also witnessed Japanese hospitality and courtesy. Every half hour a lady came with a car, she greeted us with a bow and crossed the compartment. She would leave again bowing politely. The same thing happened with the driver of the ticket. Perhaps the only words we heard were “arigatou gozaimas” (thank you in Japanese)

basic facts

The bullet train fare ranges from 320 to 720 yen depending on the season. If you are going to be in Japan for a long time, the rail pass can make your trip really cheap. There are two categories of seats: Ordinary and Green Car. Some of the new trains have “Gran Class”, which is super comfortable and luxurious. There are reserved and unreserved car categories indicated in them. Reservations can be made online or at the station ticket offices and vending machines. Each traveler can take only two pieces of luggage, plus small bags (details in the following sections). The train can reach a speed of 320 km/h but inside, you won’t feel a thing!

Important tips to keep in mind

• There is a train every 8 minutes to Kyoto, so you don’t have to worry about booking

• It is recommended that you write down your relevant details on a piece of paper to make your ticketing process easy. The required details are:

o Number of travelers

or date of travel

or departure station

or destination station

o Ordinary or green car

o Reserved or unreserved seat

• Talking on the phone on the train is not appreciated, so refrain from doing so or keep your voice very low.

• A good book, and a headset is definitely recommended

• A soft toy or any game to keep the children entertained is also a good idea.

• Queue at the station at the designated location to facilitate boarding and disembarkation

• Each traveler is allowed up to two pieces of luggage on a train, excluding small bags with a maximum weight of each piece of luggage not exceeding 30 kilos and dimensions not exceeding 250 cm when adding width, height and depth.

But the most important fact about the Shinkansen is that despite being the fastest, the Shinkansen never broke down or was late, ever!

So if you have ever been on this beautiful beast, share your experience with us and tell us about the most exciting moments. If you’re planning on getting on one of these and have any queries, please contact us and we’ll help!