What does the future hold for Japan’s railways after 150 years of service? The luxury train with a traditional tea room, sightseeing train of lit-up Kyoto foliage, and more.
Welcome to the December edition of Japan Rail News – a newsletter about travel by train in Japan: news, trip reports, and ticket specials.
Here are the top stories about Japan train travel over the last month.
Railway news
What does the future hold for Japan’s railways after 150 years of service?
JR West unveils plans for a new sightseeing train set to run in ’24
“A new train sightseeing service operating in a different area each season in western Japan will start in the fall of 2024, West Japan Railway Co. (JR West) announced.”
Pressure grows for talks on future of Japan’s struggling regional railways
Japan’s oldest steam locomotive celebrates 100 years old anniversary
The death and privatization of Japanese National Railways (Part 1, 1949-1982)
“How does a train agency rack titanic amounts of debt?” By S.Y. Lee at S(ubstack)-Bahn.
Amazing time-lapse-style video shows 150-year history of the growth of train stations in Japan
Tokyo to build new subway line from city center to waterfront
JR East launches JAPAN RAIL CLUB for the avid Japan traveller
“Launching in Singapore and Taiwan in December 2022”.
Ticket news
JR East mulls seats for dogs on some special Shinkansen rides
Travel articles
See inside Japan’s stunning luxury train with a traditional tea room on board
9 whimsical and wonderful train journeys through Japan
Riders enjoy pro wrestling spectacle on special train in Chiba Prefecture
You can now ride a real Thomas the Tank Engine train in Japan
Sightseeing train offers gorgeous views of lit-up Kyoto foliage
‘Stove train’ signals start of winter in Japan’s Aomori Prefecture
Japanese train becomes a restaurant at this sleepy countryside station
Japan’s solar-powered green train: ‘The Leo Liner’
Donald Keene’s Japan (Pt. 19): Taking an overnight train ride to Kyoto and its magical days
Hop off train, onto bike for simple solo traveling
“I had heard there was a new trend of traveling to a destination by train with one’s folding bike and pedaling around. So I asked an expert on the subject if I could ride along with him.”
Videos
Weird! Riding Japan’s spaceship-like train in Tokyo | Laview Express [YouTube]
I’m the voice of the Tokaido Shinkansen – Donna Burke [YouTube]
Japanese bento on the bullet train [Instagram]
Tokyo train announcement [Instagram]
Station news
Retro Japan: Arched entrance, windows of old train station modeled after famous bridge
We travel to Gohoro Station, a tiny, remote station between tunnels in the mountains of Hokkaido
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