Apr 18, 2008 - JR KYUSHU AND JR EAST: IC ‘SMART CARDS’ TO BE COMPATIBLE BY SPRING 2010

In the spring of 2009, Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) will introduce its IC ‘smart card’ called SUGOCA and by the spring of 2010 the SUGOCA card will become compatible with East Japan Railway Company (JR East) ’s existing Suica card. This means that holders of either card will be able to use their cards for local JR transit in the JR East metropolitan areas of Tokyo, Sendai and Niigata and also in the Kyushu metropolitan area of Fukuoka and Kita Kyushu operated by JR Kyushu, Nishi-Nippon Railroad (Nishitetsu) and Fukuoka subway lines.

The existing Suica functions as both a prepaid transit card and also as an electronic money card for shopping; the new SUGOCA will have the same functions. The reciprocal use agreement will also cover some non-JR lines such as the Tokyo monorail to Haneda airport and the Fukuoka subway line to Fukuoka airport. Both companies hope that this cooperation will enhance the goal of ‘seamless travel’ for their passengers.

Apr 8, 2008 - JR EAST: ‘SUPER-GREEN’ FIRST CLASS CARS DUE IN 2011

In 2011, East Japan Railway Company (JR East) is planning to introduce a revolutionary idea in comfort on its Hayate trains operating between Tokyo and Aomori along the Tohoku Shinkansen line. The ‘Super Green’ cars, now in development as Series E5, will offer a new level of luxury for the first class rail traveler. There will be one ‘Super Green’ car on each Hayate train offering seating for only 18 pampered passengers, compared with the present Green car seating for 51 people. The following are some of the other proposed features of this new design:

• A seating arrangement of three seats across (one and two on each side of the aisle) will replace the present four-seat arrangement giving wider seats and more aisle space.
• The comfortable and restful seats will recline automatically a full 45 degrees. A movable partition can separate the two adjacent seats for greater privacy. Each seat will have its own reading light and foot rest.
• In addition to the seating, the overall ambience of the ‘Super Green’ car will feature soothing lighting and the latest technology for maintaining a quiet and well-ventilated space.
• The ‘Super-Green’ Car will have its own attendant to see to passengers’ needs including serving beverages and light snacks.

If you are traveling to northeastern Japan for business or pleasure, the ‘Super Green’ car will be your key to comfort.

> See details [PDF/1.35MB]

Mar 19, 2008 - JR HOKKAIDO: NEW FLEXIBLE 4-DAY HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS

In time to greet the arrival of spring on Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) will be introducing a new version of the Hokkaido Rail Pass. The new ‘Flexible 4-Day Hokkaido Rail Pass’ allows unlimited travel on any 4 days within a 10 day period. It costs 18,000 yen for Ordinary (coach) or 25,000 yen for Green (first class). As with the existing 3 and 5 consecutive-day passes, the Flexible 4-Day Pass covers all JR Hokkaido trains throughout this scenic island. Seat reservations in the appropriate class are included without additional charge. All JR Hokkaido passes can be purchased as an exchange voucher overseas, or after arrival in Hokkaido. This new pass will allow visitors greater flexibility to enjoy rail travel during a longer stay on the island.
> See details (JR Hokkaido page)

Mar 4, 2008 - JR EAST: NEW OVERSEAS RESERVATION SYSTEM TO BEGIN IN MARCH

On March 25, East Japan Railway Company (JR East) will open its new internet reservation system called JR-EAST Shinkansen Reservation. This system will allow visitors from overseas to make reservations on many JR East long-distance rail lines before coming to Japan. It will cover all JR East Shinkansen ‘bullet trains’ (Tohoku, Akita, Yamagata, Joetsu and Nagano Shinkansen Lines) from Tokyo to important cities such as　Sendai, Morioka, Akita, Yamagata, Niigata, Nagano etc. Travelers will also be able to reserve some JR East Limited Express trains to other popular spots such as the Izu Peninsula, the castle town of Matsumoto in the Japan Alps, and the corporate city of Hitachi.


When reserving on this system travelers will have to register, free of charge, with a credit card. They can then reserve full-price seats in Ordinary (coach) or Green (first class). Holders of the Japan Rail Pass or JR East Pass vouchers can also reserve on this site; seat reservations are free with these rail passes. Reservations can be made within one month to three days prior to the desired date of travel. The user will receive an e-mail confirmation and must pick up the reserved seat tickets by 9:00 p.m. (Japan Time) on the day prior to the reserved date.

Please note that this system will allow reservations only on trains operated by the East Japan Railway Company. The Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and beyond is not operated by JR East and cannot be reserved.

> See more information (JR East page)

Feb 27, 2008 - JR WEST & JR KYUSHU: DIRECT SHINKANSEN SERVICE BETWEEN OSAKA AND KAGOSHIMA SCHEDULED FOR 2011

West Japan Railway Company (JR West) has announced its plans to produce an eight-car prototype train set by this autumn, based on the Series N700. The new train set will run with maximum speed 300km/h on the Sanyo Shinkansen line and 260km/h on the Kyushu Shinkansen line.

JR West and Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) are planning through service for 2011 when the final Shinkansen link is completed between Fukuoka and Yatsushiro (130km) in Kyushu. Traveling time from Osaka to Kumamoto will be about 3 hours 20 minutes, and all the way to Kagoshima at the tip of southern Kyushu roughly 4 hours. At present it takes more than 5 hours from Osaka to Kagoshima with two changes of trains. The new service will also allow travel from Tokyo to Kagoshima in less than 7 hours with only one change of train at Shin-Osaka.

East Japan Railway Company (JR East) is presently researching and developing comfortable, safe, and environmentally friendly station space. Foremost consideration is being given to both the environment and the energy saving at stations. JR East is jointly working on the development of the “power-generating floor” together with ‘New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization’ and ‘JR East Consultants Company’.

Building on last year’s experiment, we are planning to conduct a demonstration experiment of the ”power-generating floor” (currently being developed) at Tokyo Station to confirm the increase in electrical production capability and the durability of the current floor. JR East will also continue with our research and development, aiming to achieve further energy-saving facilities for stations.

> See details [PDF/81KB]