Shinkansen Boasts Safety and Comfort

Above, the interior of a shinkansen car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan's shinkansen, or bullet trains, is still a marvel in high-speed transportation. It has both comfort and safety. There has never been a fatality on the shinkansen.

The Straits Times has an article on the shinkansen.

It begins with:

Writer Hiroshi Izumi still remembers a time without the high-speed rail that connects Tokyo and Osaka. 

The bullet train, or shinkansen, began service on this route in 1964 and has since expanded to cover most of Japan. 

"It was unbelievable how the shinkansen revolutionised travel and made day trips possible," said Mr Izumi, who was travelling to Kyoto for work last Friday. 

"I recall having to spend the night at the airport in the past so as not to miss an early morning domestic flight," added the 69-year- old, who now uses the shinkansen at least three times a month. 

Despite a slew of flights on the 552km Tokyo-Osaka route today, Mr Izumi still prefers the nearly 2½-hour train journey with stops in Nagoya and Kyoto.

Last October, we took the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka, with an overnight stop in Atami. It was a very enjoyable trip. While en route to Osaka, we were treated to a beautiful view of Mount Fuji.

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