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Yomiuri Shimbun
5 days ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan Tourism: West Japan Train Offers Overnight Travel for Casual Travelers
After the retirement of the cross-country long-distance sleeper trains known as 'Blue Trains,' the West Express Ginga limited express began operations in September 2020 as an overnight train for casual journeys. These days, tickets for scenic trains are usually sold as part of package tour products, and if they are treated as charter group trains, they often do not even appear on the Ginga, operated by West Japan Railway Co., is listed on timetables as a special train which you can ride without being charged a sleeper fee. Passengers are required only to pay a surcharge for a reserved seat express fare or Green Car first class seat. We can say this is a night train with a completely new concept. The Ginga train is a specially modified 6-car 117-series electric train that was manufactured before JR companies were privatized, and it is painted in a beautiful lapis lazuli blue. Car No. 1 is equipped with Green Car reserved seats, and Cars No. 2, 3 and 5 have normal reserved seats that include couchettes, reclining seats and family cabins. Car No. 6 has Green Car private rooms, and Car No. 4 consists entirely of free space. Passengers can choose their preferred seat for a long, comfortable Ginga operates on three main routes depending on the season in the Sanyo, Sanin and Kinan (Wakayama) regions. This year, the Sanyo route runs between Kyoto and Shimonoseki stations until Aug. 9, and the Kinan route between Kyoto and Shingu stations in Wakayama Prefecture from Aug. 25 to Oct. 29. One of the highlights of the West Express Ginga is its hospitality, which rivals that of package tour Sanyo route Ginga departs Kyoto at 9:15 p.m., heading west along the Tokaido and Sanyo lines as night falls. The train arrives at Himeji Station at 11:48 p.m. on Fridays only, and departs again at 12:42 a.m., giving passengers time to enjoy Himeji's famous soba noodles known as 'Maneki no Ekisoba' on the platform. The Seto Inland Sea glistens as the sun rises the next morning. The train stops for about 18 minutes at Yanai Station, where passengers can buy taimeshi, sea bream rice which is a local specialty in ekiben boxed meals, from a vendor on the information about the Yamaguchi cities of Yanai, Yamaguchi, Ube, Hagi, Iwakuni and Hofu is available in the train, and on specific days, local specialties are sold on board between Iwakuni and Shin-Shimonoseki stations. The eastbound train departs Shimonoseki at 7:43 p.m. There are no long stops, but the onboard service is excellent. Local specialties from Shimonoseki, Hofu, Shunan, Yamaguchi and Iwakuni cities are sold onboard on specific days. Passengers can also enjoy local sake, beer and other alcoholic beverages as one of the perks of the journey. Why not enjoy every part of the Sanyo Route while making the Ginga trip full of the excitement of an overnight train ride? West Express Ginga Sanyo RouteThe train runs on Mondays and Fridays from Kyoto to Shimonoseki, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Shimonoseki to Kyoto until Aug. 9, except for some dates. One-way fare is ¥12,950 for reclining seats or couchettes. Tickets are available through JR West's online reservation system and at JR ticket offices. ***Japan Tourism is presented in collaboration with Ryoko Yomiuri Publication, which publishes Ryoko Yomiuri, a monthly travel magazine. If you are interested in the original Japanese version of this story, click here.
Asahi Shimbun
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Asahi Shimbun
JR East pitches overnight service to Aomori from Tokyo in 2027
An artist's rendition of the first car of East Japan Railway Co.'s new overnight train, painted blue in tribute to classic sleeper 'Blue Trains' of the past (Provided by East Japan Railway Co.) East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) announced plans for a new overnight express train connecting Tokyo with the northeastern Tohoku region in spring 2027. The 10-car E657 series train currently operated on the JR Joban Line as the Hitachi express will be remodeled for the overnight service. The train will depart from Tokyo Station around 9 p.m. and arrive at Aomori Station about 12 hours later. With a capacity for 120 passengers, the service will feature reservation-only Green Car seats. Spaciously designed, cars No. 1 and 10 will feature one-person and two-person Premium Green Car compartments. Standard Green Car compartments will carry up to four passengers with fold-out flat beds. Passengers in other compartments will be able to recline their seats when they want to sleep. Car No. 5 will function as a lounge with vending machines for drinks and snacks. Pricing details have yet to be announced. However, fares for the Premium Green Car and Green Car compartments will be equivalent to those of upper-class Grand Class and standard Green Car seats on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line, respectively, JR East said. The exterior of the sleeper train will be painted bright blue in a nod to the classic long-distance sleeper express trains of the past that were nicknamed 'Blue Trains.'
Japan Today
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Japan Today
Japan's bullet train upholstery chairs bring shinkansen style to your living room
By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24 Yes, the shinkansen is very, very fast. That's why they call it the 'bullet train,' after all. It's not just the speed that makes the shinkansen a joy to be on, though, but also the relaxing atmosphere, the smoothness of the ride, the soothing tones of the 'Welcome to the shinkansen' audio announcement, and the soft seats. Now Japanese furniture maker Emoor is offering the relaxing comfort of a shinkansen ride even if you're not going anywhere, with a pair of chairs inspired by those found on the high-speed trains. Specifically, these chairs take their inspiration from the chairs onboard JR East's E7-type carriages on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, which connects Tokyo and Kanazawa. Both use the same upholstery as the shinkansen's actual seats, with the red-and-gray pattern matching the material used in the standard-class cars and the blue fabric identical to that of the first-class Green Car seats. ▼ They also both feature those classy little headrest cover cloths. The frames aren't exact copies of the shinkansen seats, however. Instead the red chair is based on Emoor's 'Leon' chair model, and the blue on the company's 'Kanata' design. So while you're getting the authentic Shinkansen experience in terms of fabric feel and aesthetics, you also get an expanded range of reclining, height, and headrest angle options. ▼ Fittingly, the Green Car-inspired chair has more height adjustment options than the normal-class one. This is actually Emoor's second batch of Shinkansen-style chairs, as the original stock sold out. As of May 20, though, orders are once again open through JR East's JRE Mall online store here and the official Emoor e-store here, with the regular-class chair priced at 65,000 yen and the Green Car version 70,000 yen, with shipping slated for late July. Source, images: PR Times Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Shinkansen bullet trains adding semi-private booths on most popular travel route【Pics】 -- JR East announces awesomely cheap one-day all-you can ride pass, Shinkansen included -- What's the rule for where to put strollers on Japan's Shinkansen bullet trains? External Link © SoraNews24
SoraNews24
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- SoraNews24
Japan's bullet train-upholstery chairs bring Shinkansen style to your living room【Photos】
JR East Shinkansen-style seats are great even if they're not going anywhere. Yes, the Shinkansen is very, very fast. That's why they call it the 'bullet train,' after all. It's not just the speed that makes the Shinkansen a joy to be on, though, but also the relaxing atmosphere, the smoothness of the ride, the soothing tones of the 'Welcome to the Shinkansen' audio announcement, and the soft seats. Now Japanese furniture maker Emoor is offering the relaxing comfort of a Shinkansen ride even if you're not going anywhere, with a pair of chairs inspired by those found on the high-speed trains. Specifically, these chairs take their inspiration from the chairs onboard JR East's E7-type carriages on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, which connects Tokyo and Kanazawa. Both use the same upholstery as the Shinkansen's actual seats, with the red-and-gray pattern matching the material used in the standard-class cars and the blue fabric identical to that of the first-class Green Car seats. ▼ They also both feature those classy little headrest cover cloths. The frames aren't exact copies of the Shinkansen seats, however. Instead the red chair is based on Emoor's 'Leon' chair model, and the blue on the company's 'Kanata' design. So while you're getting the authentic Shinkansen experience in terms of fabric feel and aesthetics, you also get an expanded range of reclining, height, and headrest angle options. ▼ Fittingly, the Green Car-inspired chair has more height adjustment options than the normal-class one. This is actually Emoor's second batch of Shinkansen-style chairs, as the original stock sold out. As of May 20, though, orders are once again open through JR East's JRE Mall online store here and the official Emoor e-store here, with the regular-class chair priced at 65,000 yen (US$448) and the Green Car version 70,000 yen, with shipping slated for late July. Source, images: PR Times ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
The Irish Sun
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Top WWII general's Rolls Royce that was modified so Churchill could smoke cigars sells for eye-watering price
GENERAL Montgomery's wartime staff car that was modified at Winston Churchill's request so he could smoke his cigars has sold for more than £100,000. The 1936 Rolls Royce Phantom III Touring Limousine was requisitioned at the start of the war and Advertisement 5 Winston Churchill owned one of the very few Rolls-Royce Phantoms in existence Credit: Historics Auctioneers 5 Churchill had the car fitted with unique features Credit: Historics Auctioneers 5 The car is in an incredible British Racing green Credit: Historics Auctioneers As well as The wartime British prime minister insisted that a custom electric cigar lighter was fitted in the rear compartment for his personal use, which is still there today. The VIPs were driven in it to Southwick House near Portsmouth where the British Army supremo Monty's chauffeur-driven vehicle became known as the 'Green Car' due to its British Racing Green and black livery. Advertisement Read More on UK News After In the 1950s, during the Suez Crisis, the car was purchased by a rubber-planter in Malaya and shipped to Penang. The last owner bought the car, which is the only pre-war Rolls Royce powered by a V12 engine, at auction eight years ago. And has now sold it with auctioneers Historics, of Iver, Bucks, who described it as an 'extraordinary piece of history'. Advertisement Most read in Motors Latest The car sold to a UK buyer for over £100,000. A Historics spokesperson said: "It is an extraordinary piece of history, with direct connections to some of the most iconic figures of the Second World War, including Field Marshal Montgomery and Winston Churchill. "Montgomery used the Phantom III extensively, travelling between his homes in Virginia Water, Surrey, and London, as well as during his time at Southwick House near Portsmouth in the crucial months leading up to the "This car was part of the tight security and secrecy surrounding those meetings. Advertisement "A particularly fascinating detail is the custom electric cigar lighter fitted in the rear compartment for Churchill's personal use, still in place today." Mathew Priddy, Historics' Head of Auctions, said: "We were thrilled to bring this hugely historical motorcar to auction and delighted that it has found a new home here in the UK. "It's exceptional to offer for sale a car which has such unparalleled provenance connected with British royalty and military leaders, particularly at the time of the A total of 710 Phantom IIIs were built before production ceased due to the war, with fewer than 300 examples thought to exist today. Advertisement 5 The motor has been described as needing to be shown to the 'world' Credit: Historics Auctioneers 5 The car includes a vintage drinking tray Credit: Historics Auctioneers
