Free Internet Access To Be Given On Tokaido Shinkansen Line

Above, a Tokaido Shinkansen train arrives at Atami Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those traveling on a shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, free Internet access will soon be given to those who would rather look at their laptop screens than viewing the passing countryside.

The Asahi Shimbun reported:

Free access to wireless local area networks (WLANs) will be available soon on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line. 

Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai), operator of the Tokaido Shinkansen Line, said Jan. 25 that it will start providing free WLAN access in trains and stations.
The new service will be introduced on N700A-series bullet trains in the summer and is scheduled to be available on all 2,096 cars of 131 trains by the end of fiscal 2019. 

West Japan Railway Co. (JR West), operator of the Sanyo Shinkansen Line, with which the Tokaido Shinkansen Line shares tracks, is positive about the plan, according to JR Tokai officials.

To read more, go here. 

A Brit's Eye View of Japan

Above, Senso-ji temple in Asakusa.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The United Kingdom's Daily Mail has posted an article on a Brit's recent visit to Japan.

Here's an excerpt:

I went to see how Japan was recovering, travelling overnight from London and arriving at breakfast time. My itinerary included the perfect jet-lag relief, the Bullet Train. I could relax and doze for three hours as this symbol of Japanese post-war renaissance zipped south to Kyoto. This train is sleek, comfortable, furiously fast and makes Japan one of the easiest places to visit.

It is an interesting read for anyone who is interested in Japan or visiting it.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2248942/Japan-holidays-My-exquisitely-polite-introduction-wonders-Japan.html#ixzz2FFRHn2rh
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Joetsu Shinkansen Celebrated 30th Anniversary

Above, a view from the Joetsu Shinkansen.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) celebrated the 30th anniversary of its Joetsu Shinkansen Line that runs between Tokyo and Niigata this past week.

According to Kyodo News:

The Joetsu section of the bullet train network opened Nov. 15, 1982, on a 303.6 kilometer stretch between Omiya and Niigata. For the 30.3 km sector between Omiya and Tokyo, it now shares the tracks with the Tohoku line. It links Tokyo and Niigata in slightly less than 100 minutes on its fastest service. 

The services on the Joetsu line run through one of the most heavily snow-covered regions in the country. In areas north of the Echigo-Yuzawa station, its tracks are equipped with hot water sprinklers, while trains are mounted with snow plow gear.

I rode the Joetsu Shinkansen in December 2010 when I visited Niigata, which is on the Sea of Japan side of Honshu.  It is a very scenic ride as the train's route goes through some mountain passes.

To read the full article, go here.

To Get Or Not To Get A JR Rail Pass?

Above, a Shinkansen train at Tokyo Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before deciding on whether or not to buy the JR (Japan Rail) Rail Pass or the JR East (or West) Rail Pass, a traveler has to determine how much use would it get and if it would save the traveler money.

If a traveler plans to take many trips on JR trains (including commuter trains and Shinkansens), they should check the fare prices on their planned trips (remember to include round-trip fares) and total them up. If the total cost of the fares exceed the cost of the Rail Passes, then it would be worth getting a Rail Pass.

In order to buy a Rail Pass, a traveler has to go to an authorized dealer and buy the voucher in their home country. Rail Passes cannot be purchased in Japan.

Upon arrival in Japan, take the voucher to any JR office to exchange it for the Rail Pass. You can choose the date the Rail Pass goes into effect. The most commonly purchased Rail Passes are the 7-day and 14-day Rail Passes.

I am planning an excursion to Niigata next month. The average price for a one-way ticket from Tokyo to Niigata is ¥5,460. The JR Rail Pass is around $340.00 (give or take, since it is tied to the foreign exchange rate). 5,460.00 JPY = 66.1727 USD at today's exchange rate. The total round-trip would be about $132.35, which is considerably cheaper than buying a Rail Pass. So I will not be purchasing a Rail Pass for this trip.

In 2007, I took many train trips in Japan (with Tokyo to Fukuoka and back being the main trip) including Shinkanens and local commuter trains in Kyushu. Having the JR Rail Pass during that trip made those train trips bargains.

Remember, before buying a JR Rail Pass of any kind and duration, be sure to check the fare costs first and total them up and compare to the current Rail Pass prices.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan has detailed information on the JR Rail Pass.