Japan Transportation Guide
JR East have announced that they will develop a new Shinkansen inspection train to be introduced in 2029, which will be called the E927. The new train will be used to inspect all five Shinkansen lines that run north from Tokyo: the Tohoku, Joetsu, Hokuriku, Yamagata, and Akita Shinkansen networks.
The current East-i (E926) inspection train on the left, and an initial design image of the new E927 on the right
Keio Corporation has announced that it will introduce a new #2000 series commuter train in early 2026. The new train will run on the Keio Line that connects Shinjuku in Tokyo with the western suburb of Hachioji.
A design image of the Keio #2000 series train
The company plans to introduce a total of four 10-car trains by March 2027, with one 10-car train set to make its commercial debut in early 2026. [Read more…]
Passengers traveling between Narita Airport and central Tokyo now have a new option with the addition of a direct airport bus service for Ginza Station. The new service which runs directly to and from Ginza Station has been added to the TYO-NRT airport bus service that previously ran only to Ginza Station via Tokyo Station.
Keisei Bus at Narita Airport
A bright pink train-themed entertainment restaurant built on a disused railway line is to open in Kyoto this month.
All aboard the Future Train in Kyoto!
‘Future Train Kyoto Diner & Cafe’ has been built on a disused elevated railway line in the Umekoji Park area, which is already home to Kyoto Railway Museum.
The Future Train restaurant is actually located inside the cars of a decommissioned Thunderbird limited express train (#681 series), which once ran between Kyoto and the Hokuriku region. According to the designers, this train has now been converted into a “train to the future that runs on the imagination.” [Read more…]
For 25 years JR Shikoku has been running special Anpanman Trains that celebrate the popular children’s manga and anime character Anpanman, a superhero with a head made of anpan — a bun filled with sweet red bean paste.
The #8000 series Anpanman train on the Yosan Line
Encouraged by the success of Utsunomiya’s light rail system, Kyoto and Gifu are exploring the possibility of developing their own light rail transit networks.
Light rail transit (LRT) systems are similar in appearance to the trams of traditional streetcar systems but can carry more passengers at greater speeds. They can operate along streets like trams or along their own exclusive routes.
Utsunomiya Light Rail began operating in August 2023, becoming the first Japanese city in 75 years to introduce a new streetcar system.
Utsunomiya Light Rail
JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo will open at Takanawa Gateway Station on October 2nd, and is already taking advanced reservations.
JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo at Takanawa Gateway City
The luxury sightseeing train, the Royal Express, will expand its operating area to include Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Aichi, and Gifu prefectures this fall in a four-day, three-night “Tokaido-Fuji Cruise” trip.
The Royal Express Cruise Train
Sagami Railway has announced that its new #13000 series train will enter commercial service in spring 2026.
Sagami Railway (also called “Sotetsu”) is a private railway company operating three lines in Kanagawa Prefecture, with through services that travel as far as Tokyo and Saitama. In an effort to reduce the environmental impact of its services, Sagami Railway is introducing a train using an energy-saving inverter control device that reduces energy consumption by up to 39% per car.
The new Sotetsu #13000 series train
Nagoya Railroad (also known as Meitetsu) has released details of a major redevelopment of the Meitetsu Nagoya Station area covering 520,000 square meters, with construction due to begin in 2027.
New mixed-use skyscrapers planned for Meitetsu Nagoya Station
At the heart of the plans is the redevelopment of Meitetsu Nagoya Station, which will increase the number of its tracks from the current two to four. The two new tracks will increase the station’s capacity and also enable the station to have dedicated platforms for trains bound for Chubu Centrair Airport. [Read more…]
