Latest news with #DoctorYellow
The Age
27-06-2025
- The Age
We nearly lost our bags in transit, due to Qantas' poor communication
Device squad II Ken Fraser's experience with retrieving his iPad left on a Virgin flight contrasted with the time silly and sleepy me left my camera bag on an Aerolineas Argentinas flight some years ago. I reported the loss at the lost property desk in Buenos Aires, and within one minute the bag had been presented by an employee to me at the desk. No outsourced packaging company, no fee, no delay. Kevin Egan, Ascot Vale, Vic Only in Japan I enjoyed Lee Tulloch's 'Doing it right' story (Traveller, June 14) with the accompanying photo of a Japanese bullet train being Doctor Yellow, a yellow shinkansen bullet train for maintenance and for the checking of the shinkansen lines. The photo brought back memories of our recent visit to the Kyoto Railway Museum. While there, a Doctor Yellow on the shinkansen line leaving Kyoto suddenly appeared with excited locals recording the passage of the train. In explanation, we were told that to see, let alone photograph, a Doctor Yellow, particularly in daylight hours, was considered good luck for the viewer. We hope that the photo of Doctor Yellow in Traveller will also bring good luck in the future. George Baias, Summer Hill, NSW Spin versus substance Kudos to Traveller and Lee Tulloch for asking the hard questions about sustainability in travel. Most of us know in our hearts that while travel deepens our humanity, it often comes at a steep environmental cost. Offsets are dubious and many green programs are more spin than substance. With ecological decline accelerating, small sustainable tweaks no longer cut it. As Ecotourism Australia's Elissa Keenan points out, slow, local travel is the way forward. Fortunately, Australia offers plenty of immersive, low-impact experiences with no passport required. Amy Hiller, Kew, Vic No sense I found Lee Tulloch's 'Doing it right' story, containing advice from travel experts about reducing our impact on the destinations we visit, to be troubling in parts. For example, the expert who provided advice on visiting Antarctica could only recommend 'a less harmful way' to see this fragile ecosystem which encourages 'respect and interest in caring for the planet'. If all the ways to visit are harmful, which seems to be conceded by the expert adviser, how on earth does it make any sense to do this harm to care more? Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown, NSW All exchange, please Nina Karnikowski's enjoyable Savvy Traveller column on taking an extended holiday (Traveller, June 14) missed two enormously savvy tips. First, sites like allowed us a month's free accommodation during the European summer: a week each in London, Madrid, Rome and Naples. You are out of town a bit, but we live like a local, and it's so good; Madrid even had a pool. Secondly, sites like have your house and pets looked after for the cost of amenities. We have used this many times with nothing but praise for our house minders who all come with references. Ron Thomas, Kalorama, Vic Tip of the week: Free and easy I've just returned from a fabulous tour of Sardinia, Italy, and Corsica, France, with Secret Italia Tours, a small-group tour company. Guide Paola and driver Sara were excellent and travelling with a small group of 16 was great. The itinerary was well thought-out – a mixture of cultural, historical, and artistic activities, from pasta-making to lunch in the vineyards, walking tours, visiting markets and museums. The meals that were included were of the highest quality. But the best thing was that every afternoon you were free to do whatever you wanted, or even to simply rest. There was no 'having to do something every minute of the day.' I would recommend this tour company if you are considering a tour to these two wonderful places. I had the best time. Susan Scully, Middle Cove, NSW Ready, settings, go To make your phone holiday ready, install an eSIM (electronic SIM, AIRALO), setup WhatsApp (to message home photos, videos and your whereabouts), learn to use Google LENS (to translate foreign language menus, signs and more) and Google Maps (to find places to visit/eat and navigate map-free). Install a banking app (to avoid using a hotel PC) for use with your travel money cards. Fully back-up/update your phone and set up the 'Find My' App on each iPhone/iPad and learn to use the iCloud. Tony Danino, Wheelers Hill, Vic Take a seat Regarding 'No reservations' (Traveller on Sunday, June 15), in addition to Paul Marshall's advice for snaring a restaurant reservation in Japan, I have another suggestion: the waiting chairs. You arrive about 30 minutes before you plan to eat, and write your name (and how many people) on a list at the front door. You may wish to go away and do something else while waiting if the wait is long, but it can be interesting and fun to sit on the waiting chairs and chat to your neighbour. You never know who you will meet; it's always an adventure, but be sure to learn some basic Japanese. This is a fair system that ensures you get your booking, and possibly a new local friend at the same time. Margot Pope, Five Dock, NSW Casbah none Algeria offers remarkable variety: Mediterranean coastlines, the vast Sahara, green wheat fields with red poppies, ancient Roman ruins, Ottoman landmarks, French colonial architecture, and the winding Algiers Casbah. Everywhere we went, we were warmly welcomed as guests of the country. Roman archaeological sites and mosaics are especially impressive. The food blends French and local influences – baguettes, seafood, and excellent coffee are standouts. Roads, transport, and hotels are good and affordable. A visa is required but easy to obtain. Arabic, Berber, French, and English are widely spoken. I toured with BC Archaeology and the excellent local company Fancyellow Alger. Michel Hedley, Westgate, NSW Say cheese (and tomato) It was interesting to read Julietta Jameson's Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport Report review (Traveller on Sunday, June 15). I am now longing for a simple toasted cheese and tomato sandwich on brown bread and a milky coffee from the Wimpy. Rhoda Silber, Manly, NSW With regrets It's 30 years since I visited the UK and my one regret is I didn't visit Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (Port of call, June 15). My maternal grandparents migrated from County Durham to Newcastle (Upon-Hunter) with Mum born in Adamstown (a suburb). Regrettably, the Novocastrian line was broken upon my birth in Gosford. Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook, NSW
Sydney Morning Herald
27-06-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
We nearly lost our bags in transit, due to Qantas' poor communication
Device squad II Ken Fraser's experience with retrieving his iPad left on a Virgin flight contrasted with the time silly and sleepy me left my camera bag on an Aerolineas Argentinas flight some years ago. I reported the loss at the lost property desk in Buenos Aires, and within one minute the bag had been presented by an employee to me at the desk. No outsourced packaging company, no fee, no delay. Kevin Egan, Ascot Vale, Vic Only in Japan I enjoyed Lee Tulloch's 'Doing it right' story (Traveller, June 14) with the accompanying photo of a Japanese bullet train being Doctor Yellow, a yellow shinkansen bullet train for maintenance and for the checking of the shinkansen lines. The photo brought back memories of our recent visit to the Kyoto Railway Museum. While there, a Doctor Yellow on the shinkansen line leaving Kyoto suddenly appeared with excited locals recording the passage of the train. In explanation, we were told that to see, let alone photograph, a Doctor Yellow, particularly in daylight hours, was considered good luck for the viewer. We hope that the photo of Doctor Yellow in Traveller will also bring good luck in the future. George Baias, Summer Hill, NSW Spin versus substance Kudos to Traveller and Lee Tulloch for asking the hard questions about sustainability in travel. Most of us know in our hearts that while travel deepens our humanity, it often comes at a steep environmental cost. Offsets are dubious and many green programs are more spin than substance. With ecological decline accelerating, small sustainable tweaks no longer cut it. As Ecotourism Australia's Elissa Keenan points out, slow, local travel is the way forward. Fortunately, Australia offers plenty of immersive, low-impact experiences with no passport required. Amy Hiller, Kew, Vic No sense I found Lee Tulloch's 'Doing it right' story, containing advice from travel experts about reducing our impact on the destinations we visit, to be troubling in parts. For example, the expert who provided advice on visiting Antarctica could only recommend 'a less harmful way' to see this fragile ecosystem which encourages 'respect and interest in caring for the planet'. If all the ways to visit are harmful, which seems to be conceded by the expert adviser, how on earth does it make any sense to do this harm to care more? Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown, NSW All exchange, please Nina Karnikowski's enjoyable Savvy Traveller column on taking an extended holiday (Traveller, June 14) missed two enormously savvy tips. First, sites like allowed us a month's free accommodation during the European summer: a week each in London, Madrid, Rome and Naples. You are out of town a bit, but we live like a local, and it's so good; Madrid even had a pool. Secondly, sites like have your house and pets looked after for the cost of amenities. We have used this many times with nothing but praise for our house minders who all come with references. Ron Thomas, Kalorama, Vic Tip of the week: Free and easy I've just returned from a fabulous tour of Sardinia, Italy, and Corsica, France, with Secret Italia Tours, a small-group tour company. Guide Paola and driver Sara were excellent and travelling with a small group of 16 was great. The itinerary was well thought-out – a mixture of cultural, historical, and artistic activities, from pasta-making to lunch in the vineyards, walking tours, visiting markets and museums. The meals that were included were of the highest quality. But the best thing was that every afternoon you were free to do whatever you wanted, or even to simply rest. There was no 'having to do something every minute of the day.' I would recommend this tour company if you are considering a tour to these two wonderful places. I had the best time. Susan Scully, Middle Cove, NSW Ready, settings, go To make your phone holiday ready, install an eSIM (electronic SIM, AIRALO), setup WhatsApp (to message home photos, videos and your whereabouts), learn to use Google LENS (to translate foreign language menus, signs and more) and Google Maps (to find places to visit/eat and navigate map-free). Install a banking app (to avoid using a hotel PC) for use with your travel money cards. Fully back-up/update your phone and set up the 'Find My' App on each iPhone/iPad and learn to use the iCloud. Tony Danino, Wheelers Hill, Vic Take a seat Regarding 'No reservations' (Traveller on Sunday, June 15), in addition to Paul Marshall's advice for snaring a restaurant reservation in Japan, I have another suggestion: the waiting chairs. You arrive about 30 minutes before you plan to eat, and write your name (and how many people) on a list at the front door. You may wish to go away and do something else while waiting if the wait is long, but it can be interesting and fun to sit on the waiting chairs and chat to your neighbour. You never know who you will meet; it's always an adventure, but be sure to learn some basic Japanese. This is a fair system that ensures you get your booking, and possibly a new local friend at the same time. Margot Pope, Five Dock, NSW Casbah none Algeria offers remarkable variety: Mediterranean coastlines, the vast Sahara, green wheat fields with red poppies, ancient Roman ruins, Ottoman landmarks, French colonial architecture, and the winding Algiers Casbah. Everywhere we went, we were warmly welcomed as guests of the country. Roman archaeological sites and mosaics are especially impressive. The food blends French and local influences – baguettes, seafood, and excellent coffee are standouts. Roads, transport, and hotels are good and affordable. A visa is required but easy to obtain. Arabic, Berber, French, and English are widely spoken. I toured with BC Archaeology and the excellent local company Fancyellow Alger. Michel Hedley, Westgate, NSW Say cheese (and tomato) It was interesting to read Julietta Jameson's Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport Report review (Traveller on Sunday, June 15). I am now longing for a simple toasted cheese and tomato sandwich on brown bread and a milky coffee from the Wimpy. Rhoda Silber, Manly, NSW With regrets It's 30 years since I visited the UK and my one regret is I didn't visit Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (Port of call, June 15). My maternal grandparents migrated from County Durham to Newcastle (Upon-Hunter) with Mum born in Adamstown (a suburb). Regrettably, the Novocastrian line was broken upon my birth in Gosford. Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook, NSW
NHK
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NHK
'Doctor Yellow' Shinkansen draws fans at rail museum in central Japan
Railway fans have flocked to a museum in central Japan to see a retired "Doctor Yellow" Shinkansen bullet train that went on display on Saturday. The distinctive yellow-colored trains have been used to check the condition of tracks and other facilities while running. Their rarity has made them beloved by train enthusiasts. People applauded and cheered as the train was unveiled at the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park in the city of Nagoya. Some chosen by lottery were allowed to go into the driver's cabin. A man from western Japan says he was the first to enter. He said he was happy enough to cry and that he imagined being the train's driver by touching the lever. The Doctor Yellow on display is owned by Central Japan Railway Company, or JR Tokai. The company ended the use of the train for inspections in January due to aging and other factors.
NHK
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NHK
Nagoya museum holds ceremony for retired 'Doctor Yellow' shinkansen train
Japanese railway fans have helped with preparations for the planned display of the iconic "Doctor Yellow" Shinkansen train at a museum in Nagoya City, central Japan. The Doctor Yellow train is owned by Central Japan Railway Company, or JR Tokai. It had been used to inspect Shinkansen railway tracks until it was retired in January due to aging. The train was manually repainted at a factory to prepare to go on public display on June 14. A ceremony was held on Saturday at SCMAGLEV and Railway Park in Nagoya. Museum curator Okabe Hitoshi said that he is looking forward to creating new memories with the Doctor Yellow train. Thirty-eight railway fans chosen by lottery from around the country helped to move the train about 10 meters to its display location. The enthusiasts then enjoyed eating lunch boxes on board another Shinkansen train while they admired Doctor Yellow. One participant who came from Kanagawa Prefecture said the yellow train on display will be loved by many people who will be happy that it is fulfilling its second role.
Tokyo Weekender
29-05-2025
- Tokyo Weekender
A Kyoto Itinerary That Skips the Crowds, Not the Culture
This article appeared in Tokyo Weekender Vol. 2, 2025. To read the entire issue, click here . The buzzword of 2024, overtourism is a major issue in Japan these days, and nowhere is it more apparent than in Kyoto. Known for its delicate balance of ancient traditions and modern artistry, Japan's old capital is a widely favored destination for travelers hoping for a tranquil experience during their stay here. What many find when they arrive, however, is a city struggling to cope with the sheer number of people. Avoiding large crowds in Kyoto is difficult but not impossible. On the outskirts of the city, you'll find calmer districts that are well worth exploring. For those who only have a short time in the area, though, heading out too far may not be a viable option. Fortunately, there are several charming spots toward the center of the city that don't feel overbearing, as I found out during a recent trip. Below, find recommendations for a short jaunt to Kyoto that will allow you to stay centrally located and enjoy the best of the city's culture without sacrificing tranquility and calm. List of Contents: Stay: The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Umekoji Dine: Kyoto Wagyu Ryori Issekisancho See: Museums and Temples Where You Can Avoid the Crowds Related Posts Stay: The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Umekoji The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Umekoji is located just one stop on the train from Kyoto Station, or a relatively short walk through the picturesque Umekoji Park. As it was cherry blossom season when I visited, I opted for the latter. Located near the Kyoto Railway Museum, the hotel is popular with train enthusiasts and even has a special railway-themed room, featuring bedding decorated with images of trains and shinkansen-shaped pillows, as well as pictures of the N700 and 500 series bullet trains alongside Doctor Yellow, the iconic diagnostic train. My room didn't have any of that, but it did come with a delightful view of the iconic five-storied pagoda of To-ji Temple. Other amenities include a large public bath, ideal for a soothing soak before taking advantage of the hotel's impressive obanzai Kyoto breakfast buffet, which features a variety of dishes, including its signature beef curry. Dine: Kyoto Wagyu Ryori Issekisancho Kyoto Wagyu Ryori Issekisancho is the newest branch of the renowned Tokyo-based Issekisancho restaurant group. All of the hospitality group's eateries are designed with a distinctive concept tailored to their location — and having eaten at the group's impressive sushi and yakitori establishments in Tokyo, I was eager to see what its Kyoto restaurant was like. It didn't disappoint. A 10-minute walk from the Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Umekoji, this wagyu restaurant is located on a nondescript street, yet the entrance projects a sense of luxury. Heading inside, I was enthusiastically greeted by a kimono-clad server who ushered me past the elegant private dining rooms to a huge counter in front of an open kitchen. The setting was intimate and inviting, with the interplay of light and shadow adding to the warm yet sophisticated atmosphere. The restaurant offers a variety of courses to choose from, including a 'Welcome to Japan' set for international guests. Included in it are several succulent wagyu dishes with beef sourced from renowned producers nationwide. The standout from my meal was the pure Tajima Usunaga beef, an ultra-exclusive wagyu brand from Kobe. It's acclaimed for its exceptional glossy marbling that gives the meat its soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Along with the beef, the course also included an assortment of appetizers as well as snow crab, lobster, udon and shaved ice. Everything was prepared immaculately, and the service was first-rate. I decided to finish the evening with a gentle stroll toward To-ji Temple's pagoda to get a closer look at Japan's tallest wooden tower, which looks magnificent when illuminated at night. See: Museums and Temples Where You Can Avoid the Crowds First on our list: The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto . A 25-minute train journey from Kyoto Station, it's located across from a giant torii gate that marks the approach to Heian Jingu Shrine, which famously featured in Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation . Despite being situated next to an extremely popular tourist site, the museum itself has a peaceful feel to it. Its collection of around 13,000 works includes paintings, sculptures and crafts, with the museum's main focus being on artwork from the Kansai region. It also boasts some terrific views of the torii gate and the Okazaki Canal. The best place to enjoy the latter is from the terrace of the museum's eatery, Cafe de 505. Enjoying a light pasta lunch in front of the cherry blossoms as canal boats passed below was one of the highlights of my trip. From the museum, it's less than 10 minutes on foot to a perfectly manicured oasis of peace hidden behind a high wall. Murin-an Garden is a classical Japanese promenade garden created by prominent landscape designer Ogawa Jihei VII in the 1890s; it adjoins Murin-an, the former garden villa of two-time Japanese prime minister Aritomo Yamagata. Featuring gentle streams and waterfalls, it makes for an idyllic saunter. Guests can also enjoy matcha and Japanese sweets in the main house while overlooking the garden. The epitome of serenity, it's a delightful place to avoid the crowds, as it requires a reservation in advance and there's a limit to the number of visitors per hour. From the peace and quiet of Murin-an Garden, it's another roughly 10-minute walk to Nanzen-ji Temple, one of Kyoto's most famous tourist spots that's usually bustling with people. Rather than following everyone up the steps to the temple, though, I recommend veering to the side to the entrance of Tenjuan , a subtemple of Nanzen-ji. Inside are two small, idyllic gardens: a karesansui (dry landscape garden) with paving stones crossing a stretch of raked gravel and a pond garden with a mossy pathway and stepping stones lined up in the water. With no one else around, one feels a million miles from the hustle and bustle of city life. Cherish that feeling while you can, before it's time to head back to the crowds at Kyoto Station. Related Posts The Best 70 Things To Do in Kyoto, Tried and Tested Alternative, Less Crowded Temples and Shrines in Kyoto Secret Kyoto: A Guide to the Area's Countryside and Lesser Known Attractions
