2023 - [WTM] Railway & Travel News

The first Shinkansen to reach Fukui on March 16 – Only less than 3 hours trip from Tokyo

September 5, 2023September 4, 2023 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

JR West and JR East set the opening date of the extension section of the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Kanazawa Station and Tsuruga Station on March 16, 2024 (Sat), and will reorganize the Shinkansen and limited express services such as operating section, train number and required time.

Goodbye to Tokaido Shinkansen sales wagon – Where can I buy coffee and ice creams?

August 25, 2023August 24, 2023 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

JR Central will end all in-car wagon sales on the Tokaido Shinkansen and introduce new formats of in-car hospitality service that responds to the spread of mobile devices such as smartphones.

Japan’s first native LRT “LIGHTLINE” launches – Entrusted the growth of Utsunomiya City

August 22, 2023August 22, 2023 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

A newly opened LRT (Light Rail Transit), Utsunomiya Haga Light Rail Line (commonly known as the “Light Line”) is operated by Utsunomiya Light Rail (Headquarters: Utsunomiya City, Tochigi), and they published the timetables and fares after the start of commercial operation.

JR Area Passes prices will be also raised – Following “JAPAN RAIL PASS” from October

August 18, 2023August 16, 2023 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

The JR Group will revise prices and improve the effectiveness of railway passes such as the “JAPAN RAIL PASS” for foreign tourists visiting Japan from Sunday, October 1, 2023 (Sun).

Improving transfer at the world’s busiest terminal – Keio starts Shinjuku renovation work

August 15, 2023August 14, 2023 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

Keio Corporation has decided to promote a large-scale redevelopment project planned in the Shinjuku area, their most important base, and at the same time proceed with the improvement work of Shinjuku Station in stages.

“Ninja Trains” Iga Railway will accept IC cards – A local railway runs at Ninja’s hometown

August 8, 2023August 8, 2023 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

Iga City, Mie Prefecture and Iga Railway have decided to introduce the transportation IC card “ICOCA” system developed by JR West, and the service is scheduled to start on the all of Iga Line between Iga-Ueno Station and Iga-Kambe Station in March 2024.

Can’t buy “Suica/PASMO” due to lack of stock – What’s happening to the Tokyo Railways?

August 4, 2023August 2, 2023 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

Because supply of IC cards is unstable due to the global shortage of semiconductors, most of the transportation IC cards “Suica” and “PASMO” have not been on sale in the Tokyo metropolitan and the eastern Japan area.

The first expedition around Shikoku, Setouchi – Luxe cruise train “THE ROYAL EXPRESS”

August 1, 2023July 31, 2023 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

JR Shikoku and Tokyu Corporation will operate the cruise train “THE ROYAL EXPRESS”, which is usually operating in the Izu area, specially for the first time in the Shikoku and Setouchi area, and sell it as a 3-night, 4-day travel plan that combines sightseeing, meals, and accommodation.

New model “SHINANO” promises comfortable – Next-generation “tilting train” coming up

July 27, 2023July 25, 2023 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

In anticipation of the replacement of the limited express “SHINANO” that connects Nagoya Station and Nagano Station, JR Central aims to further improve ride comfort by introducing a new model “385 series” EMU using next-generation tilting control technology.

Riding with credit cards is welcome in Fukuoka – JR Kyushu increases area by 10 times

July 24, 2023July 19, 2023 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

JR Kyushu, Fukuoka City Transportation Bureau and Nishi-Nippon Railroad, which have already introduced boarding services using contactless payments, have successively expanded the contents in order to further improve conveniencet, such as expanding the service area and discount measures.