Japan Rail News: November 2022
The stunning Tadami Line train, the sake train, the train that runs on ramen oil, staying inside the 'sleep pods' at a Tokyo train station, and more...
Welcome to the second 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.
Train travel news
• The stunning Tadami Line train from Fukushima to Niigata is back in service
“This is the first time in over a decade that the incredibly scenic 135km-long railway is in full operation.”
• Travel by train to superb sakura viewing spots
• There’s a sake train running through Japan — And it’s just as cool as you think
• Young American determined to save SL train line in Kumamoto
• Running a luxury tourist train in Hokkaido - Japan Railway Journal [Video]
• Real-life Spirited Away train line found in Japan
• Traveling trainspotter shares passion for hometown
“Armed with a camera and a love of rail, one student finds joy in his Shizuoka home.”
• Tonkotsu Express: Japanese train runs on ramen oil [Video]
• Hot coffee finally returns to Tohoku, Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet trains
Ticket news
• JR to introduce peak express fares for bullet trains
• We took a chance on a die-roll ticket to Amarube and had a nice little adventure
“West Japan Rail’s new mystery travel service, the Saikoro Ticket, is an amazingly cheap way to travel on express trains to the western and southwestern parts of Japan. For just 5,000 yen (US$30.31), you could get a round-trip ticket to one of seven destinations, but the catch is that where you get to go is determined by the roll of a die.”
Railway news
• JR West releases design of new Yakumo train cars
Station news
• Artist adds colorful touch to countryside station in western Japan
• Here's what it's like staying inside the 'sleep pods' at a Tokyo train station
• Nagasaki: Unique Kamome products going fast
“Products associated with a new Shinkansen bullet train, the Kamome, have enjoyed brisk sales at souvenir stores at stations along the line in Saga and Nagasaki prefectures since the train’s inauguration on Sept. 23.”
• Going underground to explore one of Japan’s most dystopian stations
• Secret staff cafeteria at this Japanese train station is still open…for those in the know
• Ueno Station has signs that show ambient sounds as onomatopoeia for deaf passengers