Welcome to Japan Rail News!
A newsletter about travel by train in Japan: news, trip reports, and ticket specials.
Welcome to the first edition of Japan Rail News! My name is James Clark, and I’m the editor of this newsletter dedicated to train travel in Japan.
My interests are in travel and transport infrastructure in Asia, so this newsletter is a merging of two interests. I am subscribed to industry rail news sites, but they are not of interest for people who just want to travel. My goal of this newsletter is to present Japan rail news for passengers.
October 2022 seems to be an auspicious time to start this newsletter. On the 11th of October Japan fully reopened to foreigners after the pandemic lockout closed the borders in early 2020. The 14th of October was the 150th anniversary Japan’s first railway. And now on the 20th of October Japan Rail News begins!
What to expect from Japan Rail News
Japan Rail News will be a monthly newsletter, though it may change to fortnightly if I am finding more content of interest. With borders reopening there will be more trip reports that are published, so the newsletter will evolve to find the sweet spot for publishing.
I will highlight travel deals in this newsletter as well, so if there is a time-sensitive ticket deal I will send out a news alert so you have a chance to buy it.
The newsletter will be presented in sections:
Railway news: New lines (or soon-to-close lines) and news of interest to passengers. No industry news (you don’t need to know which company won a contract to supply electric cabling, for example).
Ticket news: Discount ticket and pass offers.
Travel articles: Trip reports on blogs, vlogs, articles on news sites, etc. If you have written an article about a trip in the last month, feel free to send it to me.
Station news: Relevant news for passengers, and articles about stations (some are destinations in themselves, even if you aren’t getting the train).
This month’s newsletter leads with a once-off category celebrating Japan’s railway anniversary.
You can comment on the newsltter by clicking out and leaving a message, or just hit reply to email me. I have also set up a Twitter account at @japanrailnews (and I am more active at @nomadicnotes).
150 years of Japan’s railways
• Japan's railway service marks 150th anniversary
“Japan's first train service started on October 14, 1872, linking Tokyo's Shimbashi and Yokohama in neighboring Kanagawa Prefecture.”
• Empire of steel: Where Japan’s railways stand after 150 years of evolution
“Much has changed since the country’s first railway line between Tokyo and Yokohama laid the foundation for a world-renowned network of trains to be created.”
• Tracing the history of railways in Japan through art
“To commemorate the 150th anniversary of trains in Japan, the Tokyo Station Gallery embarked on an ambitious journey themselves: a collection of roughly 150 items from all over Japan capturing the history of the rail.
“Art and Railway –150th Anniversary of Railway in Japan” is on display now through January 9, 2023 at the Tokyo Station Gallery. General admission is 1400 yen.”
Railway news
• Newest Shinkansen launches in western Kyushu
“The train’s trip marked the opening of the 66-kilometer-long Nishi-Kyushu line connecting Nagasaki and Takeo Onsen Station in Takeo City, Saga Prefecture.”
Ticket news
• JR East is offering an unlimited-ride train pass covering eastern Japan
This pass is for three consecutive days between October 14 and 27, so unless you are already in Japan it is not much use now. I’m posting this here for the record, and if there are deals like this in the future I will send out an email as soon as they become known.
• What is the ‘random trip’ craze and why is it so big in Japan?
“Japan’s railways are offering random trip tickets at big discounts.”
Travel articles
• These 7 scenic trains offer the best views of Japan
• All aboard one of Japan's most scenic train lines
“A local photographer’s passion for his hometown saves a disaster-wrought railway in Fukushima.”
• Meet the Squid Prince! Visit Miyako on the Scenic Sanriku Coast
“Miyako, a port city in Iwate, is famous for the scenic views that can be enjoyed from the train window when riding the Sanriku Railway Rias Line. The amazing local seafood is an additional reason to visit! We delve into the charms of Miyako as introduced by the Squid Prince!”
Station news
• Big is the operative word for Shinagawa redevelopment
• 150 Pokémon will be hiding in major Japanese train stations this fall, waiting for fans to find them
• Tokujin Yoshika’s new public sculpture glistens outside Tokyo Station