The name “Hana Akari” for new gracious train – Various journeys around western Japan

JR West has decided to name the new sightseeing train that will begin operating in October 2024 as “Hana Akari,” and has unveiled train designs such as the “Superior Green Car,” a new seat type that is higher grade than exting Green Cars.

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Hankyu’s new model trains preserve tradition – Seat reservation will start on Kyoto Line

Inheriting “maroon car body” & “olive-colored seats” The universal style of Hankyu Railway with the maroon car body, wood-grain decorative panels, and golden-olive-colored seats won the Good Design Long Life Design Award in 2022. It has been recognized as an entity that shapes the image of areas along the railway line throughout the ages. The development concept of the 2300 series and 2000 series is “a new Hankyu style that is safe, comfortable, and environmentally friendly,” which are the first model-changed vehicles in 11 years since 2013. While inheriting the image of the traditional Hankyu Railway, barrier-free facilities, safety, and energy-saving performance will be refined to a level that is…

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To end cable car and lift service near Osaka – Nose Railway withdraws from Mt. Myoken

Nose Electric Railway (Noseden)Regarding the cable car operating under the Railway Business Act, Noseden submitted a notification of abolition to the Kinki District Transport Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) on June 23, 2023 (Fri). has decided to terminate the “Myoken no Mori related business” that has been developed since 1960 on Mt. Myoken on the border of Hyogo and Osaka Prefectures.

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New tourist train creates “a special journey” – JR West will start in 2024 from Hokuriku

JR West will introduce a new tourist train, which is a remodeled KIHA 189 series express diesel railcar, and will operate on routes that change line sections according to the season from the fall of 2024.

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Japan finally relaxed COVID-19 border measures – No testing, but vaccination required

In order to resume international traffic of people, the Japanese government has relaxed border measures related to COVID-19 and started operation from Tuesday, October 11, 2022.

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“Business Booth” allows meeting on the train – Trial on Tokaido & San-yo Shinkansen

JR Central and JR West will introduce the “business booth” on a trial basis inside the Tokaido & San-yo Shinkansen to further enhance the telework environment before and after moving by trains.

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Hankyu & Noseden do not operate all night on New Year’s Eve – Extra trains until 2 am

Hankyu Kyoto Line 9300 series trains passing each other

Hankyu Railway and Nose Electric Railway announced that they will not operate all night from December 31, 2020 (Thursday) New Year’s Eve to January 1, 2021 (Friday / holiday) New Year’s morning, and will operate extra trains until around 2:00 midnight.

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“ICOCA commuter pass” will be released between Osaka Metro and JR West

"ICOCA commuter pass" will be released between Osaka Metro and JR West

Osaka Metro and JR West will release the “ICOCA commuter pass” from Tuesday, December 8, 2020. So far, both companies have not sold mutually usable commuter passes and had to have two separate passes. From that day, people can get on with one IC card “ICOCA”, so it seems that the convenience of commuting to work or school will increase. It will be sold between all Osaka Metro lines and the JR West urban area including Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. 19 connecting points are defined, such as JR Osaka Station – Subway Umeda, Higashi-Umeda, and Nishi-Umeda Stations. In addition to purchasing a new “ICOCA commuter pass”, you can also purchase…

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