DOCSLIB.ORG

One Year After Hokuriku Shinkansen Opening

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
One Year After Hokuriku Shinkansen Opening Development of Japanese High-speed Rail Network Shin-Aomori One Year After Hokuriku Shinkansen Opening West Japan Railway Company (JR West) Akita Shinkansen Akita Morioka Introduction first year of service greatly exceeded expectations. This article describes the results and efforts in the With the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen between first year of Hokuriku Shinkansen services and covers Nagano and Kanazawa on 14 March 2015, West expectations for the second year as well as the medium- Japan Railway Company (JR West) worked with local to-long term outlook and issues in anticipation of the line communities to further raise the attractiveness of the extension to Tsuruga (Figure 1). We hope this awareness Hokuriku area as a tourism destination and held the will lead to new efforts to increase use of the Hokuriku Hokuriku Destination Campaign (Hokuriku DC) to Shinkansen even further. promote use of the shinkansen for tourism from the Tokyo Shinjo metropolitan and Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe) region. Transport Volume Characteristics of To spur business demand, we introduced convenient Yamagata Hokuriku Shinkansen Shinkansen online reservation products with airline trends in mind and worked to raise the share for railway travel between Reflection on first year of service Yamagata Sendai the Tokyo metropolitan area and the Hokuriku cities of In its first year of service, usage of the Hokuriku Shinkansen Kanazawa and Toyama. The number of passengers in the remained at about three times that of railway use in the Niigata Fukushima Figure 1 Route of Hokuriku Shinkansen Joetsu Shinkansen Tohoku Shinkansen Joetsumyoko Itoigawa Kurobe- Shin-Takaoka Unazukionsen Toyama Nagano Kanazawa Hokuriku Shinkansen Takasaki Fukui Omiya Tokyo Tsuruga Tokaido Shinkansen Nagoya Kyoto Shin Osaka Japan Railway & Transport Review No. 68 • Oct 2016 26 Development of Japanese High-speed Rail Network previous year, exceeding expectations with a large number Looking at the number of passengers by quarter, usage of people using the new line. These good results are increased especially in Q1 in line with the extraordinary thought to be due to the success of various promotional demand that came from the start of shinkansen service and measures held in cooperation with local communities to public display of the Buddhist statue at Zenko-ji temple. attract visitors to the Hokuriku area (Ishikawa, Toyama, and Usage also increased greatly in Q3 during the Hokuriku DC Fukui Prefectures) based on reduced travel time due to the promotion (Table 1). opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen and advantage over air Looking at differences between weekdays and in terms of service frequency. weekends/holidays for the full year, weekday use was about The following describes the first year of service, taking 23,000 passengers per day and weekend/holiday use was into account items such as trend in transport volume, change about 30,000 per day. Weekend/holiday use was especially in share, usage on weekdays and weekends/holidays, and high and so was the increase. occupancy of individual train types. The high usage and increase on weekends/holidays Before the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, the suggests that many people use the Hokuriku Shinkansen Hakutaka and Hokuetsu limited express trains carried about 8000 passengers a day (between Itoigawa and Naoetsu). This Figure 2 Trend in Railway Passenger Volumes between Joetsumyoko and Itoigawa jumped about three-fold to 25,000 (Passengers/day) passengers a day after the start of 30,000 the Hokuriku Shinkansen (between Joetsumyoko and Itoigawa). 25,295 Although the goal was to double passenger volumes, the actual results were even better (Figure 2). 20,000 10,000 8,606 0 Before Service Start After Service Start 14 March 2014 to 13 March 2015 14 March 2015 to 13 March 2016 Table 1 Daily Passenger Volumes by Quarter on Weekdays and Weekends/Holidays (between Joetsumyoko and Itoigawa) (14 March 2015 to 13 March 2016) (Unit: Passengers/day) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total Result 22,874 24,552 24,237 18,680 22,903 Weekdays Change from previous year 323 278 308 239 288 Result 31,290 32,476 30,838 24,520 30,138 Weekends/Holidays Change from previous year 342 304 307 214 292 Result 25,649 27,136 26,389 20,680 25,295 Total Change from previous year 331 290 308 246 295 Note: Q4 figures are for 1 January to 13 March 27 Japan Railway & Transport Review No. 68 • Oct 2016 Table 2 Occupancy by Train Type and Seat Type Train Type Seat Type Train Occupancy Seat Type Occupancy Kagayaki 53% GranClass 46% Hakutaka 41% Green Car (first class) 35% Tsurugi Ordinary Car Reserved 52% 19% (Between Toyama and Kanazawa) Ordinary Car Non-reserved 32% Table 3 Use of Hokuriku DC Travel Products From Kyoto/Osaka/Kobe From JR West Area Product Change from Change from Change from previous Change from previous Result Result previous year year, before previous year year, before campaign campaign Travel products 69,760 110% 109% 75,735 113% 111% Individual 31,807 113% 98% 33,977 116% 102% Group 37,953 108% 116% 41,758 110% 117% Products sold directly 25,507 212% 102% 27,281 219% 102% Special plans 15,124 172% 104% 16,030 181% 104% Stationmaster 10,383 323% 82% 11,251 309% 90% recommended trips Total 95,267 126% 109% 103,016 129% 111% for tourism, so there may be room to further increase Shinkansen, and provides snacks and drinks served by full- business use. time attendants in a high-quality and roomy space to give Looking at occupancy by train type, the Kagayaki passengers a premium experience. High occupancy rates services with shorter travel times had high usage in excess have been maintained since the service start, and a high of 50%. The Hakutaka services, which stop at all stations, interest level has been shown by many passengers. also had usage in excess of 40%. The Tsurugi services, Use of the Hokuriku Shinkansen was 321% that of railway which connect with the Thunderbird and Shirasagi limited use in the previous year during the period of the Hokuriku expresses to link the Hokuriku area with the Kansai region DC from 1 October to 31 December 2015 (tabulated from 1 and Chukyo (Nagoya, Gifu, and Mie) regions, had only October to 20 December to remove impact of use during the about 20% occupancy. All Hokuriku Shinkansen services peak New Year holiday period). Use of Thunderbird limited are 12-car trainsets, and this number of seats is considered express between Kyoto and Tsuruga too was 109% that of necessary due to usage changes at peak periods and the previous year, maintaining favourable results. Comparing weekends (Table 2). this with the increase in the first half-year after the start of Looking at occupancy by seat type, we see that the Hokuriku Shinkansen services (April to September), the GranClass has a high occupancy rate in excess of 50%. JR Hokuriku Shinkansen results were 13% higher and the West adopted GranClass for the first time on the Hokuriku Thunderbird were 4% higher. Japan Railway & Transport Review No. 68 • Oct 2016 28 Development of Japanese High-speed Rail Network Table 4 Passengers Boarding at Hokuriku Shinkansen Stations Kurobe- Kanazawa Shin-Takaoka Toyama Itoigawa Unazukionsen Passengers 22,999/day 1929/day 7901/day 967/day 482/day boarding Note: Including users boarding conventional trains Sales of products for trains run by members of the Creating buzz and improving recognition JR group of operators (travel products, stationmaster First, JR West worked to provide basic information about recommended trips, and special tickets) sold in JR West train schedules (frequency) and ticket prices and to create operations areas such as Kansai region and Chugoku a buzz from the perspective of telling customers about area (Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Yamaguchi the convenience and comfort of the Hokuriku Shinkansen prefectures) were up 129% year-on-year with demand and its attractions. We enhanced provision of information exceeding that of the first half-year. Moreover, the Nanao using websites by means such as expanding the content on Line Hanayome Noren sightseeing train and Johana Line/ fan sites and publishing the ‘MY FAVOURITE HOKURIKU’ Himi Line Belles montagnes et mer sightseeing train were web magazine. almost completely sold out. In the ‘Japanese Beauty Hokuriku’ campaign run from Sales by travel agencies of travel products using trains January, we set up travel products using regional foods—a run by members of the JR group of operators in the year from major feature of Hokuriku in the winter—as a hook and gave the start of service have remained good with totals for those away gifts. Television commercials featuring actress Yukie departing Hokuriku to the Tokyo metropolitan area of 211% Nakama were run to help spur demand for travel to Hokuriku of the previous year. Those departing Kansai for Hokuriku in the first winter after the start of shinkansen services. were 108% of the previous year, and those departing Kansai The Hokuriku Shinkansen was also picked-up by for Nagano and Niigata were 221% of the previous year, many media outlets, leading to more buzz and improved demonstrating a large increase. Sales by travel agents of recognition. stays at major hot springs in the Hokuriku area and visitors to major sightseeing spots also increased, suggesting an Creating tourism demand increase over a broad area and demonstrating widespread Next, I would like to mention demand through tourism. effects from the start of the shinkansen service (Table 3). JR West worked from the start of service to promote use Table 4 shows passengers boarding at the five Hokuriku of the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Japan’s three major Shinkansen stations in 2015. Management of conventional conurbations (Tokyo metropolitan area, Kansai area, and lines running parallel to the shinkansen has been spun-off to Chukyo area) by introducing attractive products and putting third-party operators, making simple evaluation difficult, but in place intermodal transport routes.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 2012 Annual Report Pursuing Our Unlimited Potential Annual Report 2012
    For the year ended March 31, 2012 Pursuing Our Unlimited Potential Annual Report 2012 Annual Report 2012 EAST JAPAN RAILWAY COMPANY JR East’s Strengths 1 AN OVERWHELMINGLY SOLID AND ADVANTAGEOUS RAILWAY NETWORK The railway business of the JR East Being based in the Tokyo metro- Group covers the eastern half of politan area is a major source of our Honshu island, which includes the strength. Routes originating in the Tokyo metropolitan area. We provide Kanto area (JR East Tokyo Branch transportation services via our Office, Yokohama Branch Office, Shinkansen network, which connects Hachioji Branch Office, Omiya Tokyo with regional cities in five Branch Office, Takasaki Branch directions, Kanto area network, and Office, Mito Branch Office, and intercity and regional networks. Our Chiba Branch Office) account for JR EAST’S SERVICE AREA networks combine to cover 7,512.6 68% of transportation revenue. kilometers and serve 17 million Japan’s total population may be people daily. We are the largest declining, but the population of the railway company in Japan and one of Tokyo metropolitan area (Tokyo, TOKYO the largest in the world. Kanagawa Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture, and Chiba On a daily basis, about 17million passengers travel a network of 70 train lines stretching 7,512.6 operating kilometers An Overwhelmingly Solid and Advantageous Railway Network Annual Report 2012 SECTION 1 OVERALL GROWTH STRATEGY Prefecture) continues to rise, mean- OPERATING REVENUES OPERATING INCOME ing our railway networks are sup- For the year ended March 31, 2012 For the year ended March 31, 2012 ported by an extremely sturdy Others 7.9% Transportation Others 6.1% Transportation operating foundation.
    [Show full text]
  • Mezinárodní Komparace Vysokorychlostních Tratí
    Masarykova univerzita Ekonomicko-správní fakulta Studijní obor: Hospodářská politika MEZINÁRODNÍ KOMPARACE VYSOKORYCHLOSTNÍCH TRATÍ International comparison of high-speed rails Diplomová práce Vedoucí diplomové práce: Autor: doc. Ing. Martin Kvizda, Ph.D. Bc. Barbora KUKLOVÁ Brno, 2018 MASARYKOVA UNIVERZITA Ekonomicko-správní fakulta ZADÁNÍ DIPLOMOVÉ PRÁCE Akademický rok: 2017/2018 Studentka: Bc. Barbora Kuklová Obor: Hospodářská politika Název práce: Mezinárodní komparace vysokorychlostích tratí Název práce anglicky: International comparison of high-speed rails Cíl práce, postup a použité metody: Cíl práce: Cílem práce je komparace systémů vysokorychlostní železniční dopravy ve vybra- ných zemích, následné určení, který z modelů se nejvíce blíží zamýšlené vysoko- rychlostní dopravě v České republice, a ze srovnání plynoucí soupis doporučení pro ČR. Pracovní postup: Předmětem práce bude vymezení, kategorizace a rozčlenění vysokorychlostních tratí dle jednotlivých zemí, ze kterých budou dle zadaných kritérií vybrány ty státy, kde model vysokorychlostních tratí alespoň částečně odpovídá zamýšlenému sys- tému v ČR. Následovat bude vlastní komparace vysokorychlostních tratí v těchto vybraných státech a aplikace na český dopravní systém. Struktura práce: 1. Úvod 2. Kategorizace a členění vysokorychlostních tratí a stanovení hodnotících kritérií 3. Výběr relevantních zemí 4. Komparace systémů ve vybraných zemích 5. Vyhodnocení výsledků a aplikace na Českou republiku 6. Závěr Rozsah grafických prací: Podle pokynů vedoucího práce Rozsah práce bez příloh: 60 – 80 stran Literatura: A handbook of transport economics / edited by André de Palma ... [et al.]. Edited by André De Palma. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 2011. xviii, 904. ISBN 9781847202031. Analytical studies in transport economics. Edited by Andrew F. Daughety. 1st ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1985. ix, 253. ISBN 9780521268103.
    [Show full text]
  • Yamanaka Onsen Niigata Fukushima
    Tourist map of Yamanaka Onsen Niigata Fukushima and Hokuriku area Nagaoka Joetsumyoko Sta. Itoigawa Echigoyuzawa Sta. Shintakaoka Sta. Iiyama Kurobe Kanazawa Unazukionsen Sta. Nagano Toyama Tateyama/Kurobe Kaga Onsen Sta. Komatsu Annakaharuna Sta. Utsunomiya Kenrokuen Garden Ueda Tojinbo Takasaki Awaraonsen Sta. Shirakawago Sakudaira Sta. Karuizawa Fukui Yamanaka Onsen Omiya The aroma of the Onsen has been healing travelers Nanjo Eiheiji Temple Tokyo since its inauguration 1300 years ago. Tsuruga Maibara Tottori Nagoya Kyoto Shizuoka Kobe Okayama Shinosaka Sta. Access to Yamanaka Onsen Train To JR Line Kaga Onsen Station ◎ Tokyo – Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kagayaki or Hakutaka) – Kanazawa – Hokuriku line express (Shirasagi or underbird) – Kaga Onsen station Approx 2 hours 55 minutes ◎ Tokyo – Tokaido Shinkansen (Hikari) – Maibara – Hokuriku line express (Shirasagi) – Kaga Onsen station Approx 3 hours 50 minutes ◎ Kyoto – Hokuriku line express (underbird) – Kaga Onsen station Approx 1 hour 45 minutes ◎ Osaka – Hokuriku line express (underbird) – Kaga Onsen station Approx 2 hours 20 minutes ◎ Nagoya – Tokaido Shinkansen (Hikari) – Maibara – Hokuriku line express (Shirasagi) – Kaga Onsen station Approx 2 hours 10 minutes ◎ Kanazawa – Hokuriku line express (Shirasagi or underbird) – Kaga Onsen station Approx 25 minutes * Time calculated for the fastest trains available. * Transportation services available from Kaga Onsen Station. * 20 minutes from Kaga Onsen Station by taxi. Hokuriku Shinkansen running between Kanazawa and Tokyo was put into service on March 14th 2015. Hokuriku Shinkansen made it 1 hour and 20 minutes faster to travel from Tokyo to Kanazawa. Airplane To Komatsu airport ◎ From Haneda Approx 1 hour ◎ From Narita Approx 1 hour 20 minutes ◎ From Sapporo Approx 1 hour 45 minutes ◎ From Sendai Approx 1 hour 10 minutes ◎ From Fukuoka Approx 1 hour 30 minutes * Approx 30 minutes by Can Bus from Komatsu airport to Kaga Onsen.
    [Show full text]
  • East Japan Railway Company Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto
    ANNUAL REPORT 2017 For the year ended March 31, 2017 Pursuing We have been pursuing initiatives in light of the Group Philosophy since 1987. Annual Report 2017 1 Tokyo 1988 2002 We have been pursuing our Eternal Mission while broadening our Unlimited Potential. 1988* 2002 Operating Revenues Operating Revenues ¥1,565.7 ¥2,543.3 billion billion Operating Revenues Operating Income Operating Income Operating Income ¥307.3 ¥316.3 billion billion Transportation (“Railway” in FY1988) 2017 Other Operations (in FY1988) Retail & Services (“Station Space Utilization” in FY2002–2017) Real Estate & Hotels * Fiscal 1988 figures are nonconsolidated. (“Shopping Centers & Office Buildings” in FY2002–2017) Others (in FY2002–2017) Further, other operations include bus services. April 1987 July 1992 March 1997 November 2001 February 2002 March 2004 Establishment of Launch of the Launch of the Akita Launch of Launch of the Station Start of Suica JR East Yamagata Shinkansen Shinkansen Suica Renaissance program with electronic money Tsubasa service Komachi service the opening of atré Ueno service 2 East Japan Railway Company Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Shin-Aomori 2017 Hachinohe Operating Revenues ¥2,880.8 billion Akita Morioka Operating Income ¥466.3 billion Shinjo Yamagata Sendai Niigata Fukushima Koriyama Joetsumyoko Shinkansen (JR East) Echigo-Yuzawa Conventional Lines (Kanto Area Network) Conventional Lines (Other Network) Toyama Nagano BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) Lines Kanazawa Utsunomiya Shinkansen (Other JR Companies) Takasaki Mito Shinkansen (Under Construction) (As of June 2017) Karuizawa Omiya Tokyo Narita Airport Hachioji Chiba 2017Yokohama Transportation Retail & Services Real Estate & Hotels Others Railway Business, Bus Services, Retail Sales, Restaurant Operations, Shopping Center Operations, IT & Suica business such as the Cleaning Services, Railcar Advertising & Publicity, etc.
    [Show full text]
  • Pioneering the Application of High Speed Rail Express Trainsets in the United States
    Parsons Brinckerhoff 2010 William Barclay Parsons Fellowship Monograph 26 Pioneering the Application of High Speed Rail Express Trainsets in the United States Fellow: Francis P. Banko Professional Associate Principal Project Manager Lead Investigator: Jackson H. Xue Rail Vehicle Engineer December 2012 136763_Cover.indd 1 3/22/13 7:38 AM 136763_Cover.indd 1 3/22/13 7:38 AM Parsons Brinckerhoff 2010 William Barclay Parsons Fellowship Monograph 26 Pioneering the Application of High Speed Rail Express Trainsets in the United States Fellow: Francis P. Banko Professional Associate Principal Project Manager Lead Investigator: Jackson H. Xue Rail Vehicle Engineer December 2012 First Printing 2013 Copyright © 2013, Parsons Brinckerhoff Group Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means—graphic, electronic, mechanical (including photocopying), recording, taping, or information or retrieval systems—without permission of the pub- lisher. Published by: Parsons Brinckerhoff Group Inc. One Penn Plaza New York, New York 10119 Graphics Database: V212 CONTENTS FOREWORD XV PREFACE XVII PART 1: INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE RESEARCH 3 1.1 Unprecedented Support for High Speed Rail in the U.S. ....................3 1.2 Pioneering the Application of High Speed Rail Express Trainsets in the U.S. .....4 1.3 Research Objectives . 6 1.4 William Barclay Parsons Fellowship Participants ...........................6 1.5 Host Manufacturers and Operators......................................7 1.6 A Snapshot in Time .................................................10 CHAPTER 2 HOST MANUFACTURERS AND OPERATORS, THEIR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES 11 2.1 Overview . 11 2.2 Introduction to Host HSR Manufacturers . 11 2.3 Introduction to Host HSR Operators and Regulatory Agencies .
    [Show full text]
  • Tuesday July 30, 1996
    7±30±96 Tuesday Vol. 61 No. 147 July 30, 1996 Pages 39555±39838 federal register 1 II Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 147 / Tuesday, July 30, 1996 SUBSCRIPTIONS AND COPIES PUBLIC Subscriptions: Paper or fiche 202±512±1800 FEDERAL REGISTER Published daily, Monday through Friday, Assistance with public subscriptions 512±1806 (not published on Saturdays, Sundays, or on official holidays), by General online information 202±512±1530 the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC 20408, under the Federal Register Single copies/back copies: Act (49 Stat. 500, as amended; 44 U.S.C. Ch. 15) and the Paper or fiche 512±1800 regulations of the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register Assistance with public single copies 512±1803 (1 CFR Ch. I). Distribution is made only by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC FEDERAL AGENCIES 20402. Subscriptions: The Federal Register provides a uniform system for making Paper or fiche 523±5243 available to the public regulations and legal notices issued by Assistance with Federal agency subscriptions 523±5243 Federal agencies. These include Presidential proclamations and For other telephone numbers, see the Reader Aids section Executive Orders and Federal agency documents having general applicability and legal effect, documents required to be published at the end of this issue. by act of Congress and other Federal agency documents of public interest. Documents are on file for public inspection in the Office of the Federal Register the day before they are published, unless earlier filing is requested by the issuing agency.
    [Show full text]
  • China Russia
    1 1 1 1 Acheng 3 Lesozavodsk 3 4 4 0 Didao Jixi 5 0 5 Shuangcheng Shangzhi Link? ou ? ? ? ? Hengshan ? 5 SEA OF 5 4 4 Yushu Wuchang OKHOTSK Dehui Mudanjiang Shulan Dalnegorsk Nongan Hailin Jiutai Jishu CHINA Kavalerovo Jilin Jiaohe Changchun RUSSIA Dunhua Uglekamensk HOKKAIDOO Panshi Huadian Tumen Partizansk Sapporo Hunchun Vladivostok Liaoyuan Chaoyang Longjing Yanji Nahodka Meihekou Helong Hunjiang Najin Badaojiang Tong Hua Hyesan Kanggye Aomori Kimchaek AOMORI ? ? 0 AKITA 0 4 DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S 4 REPUBLIC OF KOREA Akita Morioka IWATE SEA O F Pyongyang GULF OF KOREA JAPAN Nampo YAMAJGATAA PAN Yamagata MIYAGI Sendai Haeju Niigata Euijeongbu Chuncheon Bucheon Seoul NIIGATA Weonju Incheon Anyang ISIKAWA ChechonREPUBLIC OF HUKUSIMA Suweon KOREA TOTIGI Cheonan Chungju Toyama Cheongju Kanazawa GUNMA IBARAKI TOYAMA PACIFIC OCEAN Nagano Mito Andong Maebashi Daejeon Fukui NAGANO Kunsan Daegu Pohang HUKUI SAITAMA Taegu YAMANASI TOOKYOO YELLOW Ulsan Tottori GIFU Tokyo Matsue Gifu Kofu Chiba SEA TOTTORI Kawasaki KANAGAWA Kwangju Masan KYOOTO Yokohama Pusan SIMANE Nagoya KANAGAWA TIBA ? HYOOGO Kyoto SIGA SIZUOKA ? 5 Suncheon Chinhae 5 3 Otsu AITI 3 OKAYAMA Kobe Nara Shizuoka Yeosu HIROSIMA Okayama Tsu KAGAWA HYOOGO Hiroshima OOSAKA Osaka MIE YAMAGUTI OOSAKA Yamaguchi Takamatsu WAKAYAMA NARA JAPAN Tokushima Wakayama TOKUSIMA Matsuyama National Capital Fukuoka HUKUOKA WAKAYAMA Jeju EHIME Provincial Capital Cheju Oita Kochi SAGA KOOTI City, town EAST CHINA Saga OOITA Major Airport SEA NAGASAKI Kumamoto Roads Nagasaki KUMAMOTO Railroad Lake MIYAZAKI River, lake JAPAN KAGOSIMA Miyazaki International Boundary Provincial Boundary Kagoshima 0 12.5 25 50 75 100 Kilometers Miles 0 10 20 40 60 80 ? ? ? ? 0 5 0 5 3 3 4 4 1 1 1 1 The boundaries and names show n and t he designations us ed on this map do not imply of ficial endors ement or acceptance by the United N at ions.
    [Show full text]
  • Shinkansen Bullet Train
    Jōetsu Shinkansen (333.9 km) Train Names: TOKI, TANIGAWA Max-TOKI, Max-TANIGAWA JAPAN RAIL PASS Can also be Used for Shinkansen Jōetsu Shinkansen "Max-TOKI"etc. “bullet train” Travel Akita Shinkansen "KOMACHI" Akita Shinkansen (662.6 km) Train Name: KOMACHI Akita Shin-Aomori Yamagata Shinkansen "TSUBASA" Hokuriku Shinkansen (450.5 km) Yamagata Shinkansen Train Names: KAGAYAKI, HAKUTAKA, (421.4 km) Shinjo¯ Morioka TSURUGI, ASAMA Train Name: TSUBASA Niigata Yamagata Sendai Kanazawa Toyama Nagano Hokuriku Shinkansen "KAGAYAKI"etc. Fukushima Takasaki Omiya¯ Sanyō & Kyūshū Shinkansen "SAKURA" Sanyō Shinkansen (622.3 km) Train Names: NOZOMI*, MIZUHO*, Tōhoku Shinkansen "HAYABUSA "etc. Tōkaidō & Sanyō Shinkansen "HIKARI" HIKARI (incl. HIKARI Rail Star), SAKURA, KODAMA Tōkaidō Shinkansen (552.6 km) (Tōkyō thru Hakata, 1,174.9km) Train Names: NOZOMI*, HIKARI, KODAMA Hakata Kokura Hiroshima Okayama Shin-Osaka¯ Kyōto Nagoya Shin-Yokohama Shinagawa Tokyo¯ ¯ * There are six types of train services, “NOZOMI,” “MIZUHO,” “HIKARI,” “SAKURA,” “KODAMA” and “TSUBAME” trains on the Tōkaidō, Sanyō and Kyūshū Shinkansen, and the stations at which trains stop vary with train types. The JAPAN RAIL PASS is only valid for “HIKARI,” “SAKURA,” “KODAMA” Tōhoku Shinkansen "HAYATE," "YAMABIKO,"etc. and “TSUBAME” trains, and not valid for any seats, reserved or non-reserved, on “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains. To travel on the Tōkaidō, Sanyō and Kyūshū Shinkansen, the pass holders must take Tōhoku Shinkansen (713.7 km) “HIKARI,” “SAKURA,” “KODAMA” or “TSUBAME” trains, or
    [Show full text]
  • Plan for Opening the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line Between Nagano and Kanazawa
    East Japan Railway Company West Japan Railway Company August 27, 2014 Plan for Opening the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line between Nagano and Kanazawa East Japan Railway Company and West Japan Railway Company hereby announce that they have finalized the outline for a plan to open the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line between Nagano and Kanazawa. Details are as follows. ■Opening the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line to Kanazawa ◇Opening date : Saturday, March 14, 2015 ◇Types/Trips : ・Kagayaki (The fastest operation between Tōkyō and Kanazawa) 10 round trips/day ・Hakutaka (Stopping at most stations between Tōkyō and Kanazawa) 14 round trips/day (Stopping at most stations between Nagano and Kanazawa) 1 round trip /day ・Tsurugi (Shuttle service between Toyama and Kanazawa) 18 round trips/day ・Asama (Current Nagano Shinkansen service between Tōkyō and Nagano) 16 round trips/day T U Ō K H T A K S U N I J I U K T S K ō e m u o a n a a e a i ō t n u o h a k n i m n k n r k d g y e o a r y i n y o y a j a a u u a a a t i z o a n a ō a g ō s k i d n m s g u b m ‐ z a w a a z a o a u a k e a T a y a k h a i m w i ‐ a w a s i a w r y a o k a a e r a a ō n d u k s o a n ō e k a n a Kagayaki ● ■ ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ● ■ ● ● ● ● ● ● Hakutaka ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Tsurugi ● ● ● Asama ● ● ● ■ ■ ● ■ ● ● ● ● ● Stopped at by all services, ■ Passed by some services ◇Configuration : Series E7 and W7: 12 car trains * Some Asama services operated with Series E2: 8 car trains ◇Fastest travel times : ・Tōkyō-Kanazawa: 2 hours 28 minutes ・Tōkyō-Toyama: 2 hours 08 minutes ■Subsequent Termination of Limited Express and Other Services on Conventional Lines ◇The following train services will be terminated subsequent to the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line to Kanazawa.
    [Show full text]
  • The Rail Pass for Foreign Tourists Visiting Japan, JR EAST PASS and Other Passes, Are Getting Even Easier to Use!
    December 17, 2020 East Japan Railway Company The Rail Pass for Foreign Tourists Visiting Japan, JR EAST PASS and Other Passes, are Getting Even Easier to Use! East Japan Railway Company (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, President: Yuji Fukasawa, hereinafter "JR East") has offered a number of rail passes for various areas of Japan to meet the needs of foreign tourists visiting Japan, but there have been some inconveniences to use as the customers have to show rail passes to the station staff at the ticket office or the staff attended gate. To provide an even more seamless service, JR East will introduce a service that enables customers to use the automatic ticket gates, and purchase passes and reserve seats at the Reserved Seat Ticket Vending Machines that is compatible with all rail passes offered by JR East. Therefore, there will been some changes to the validity and price of the rail passes offered by JR East. We are striving to provide an even higher quality service to foreign tourists visiting Japan by offering a stress-free service that allows the purchase of tickets and reservation of seats without having to wait in line at the ticket counter. １. Expanding seamless services (1) Use of automatic ticket gates for both Shinkansen and local train lines Pass holders will be able to use the automatic ticket gates within the areas that rail passes are valid. Until now Tickets sold from April 2021 Passes have to be shown to Customers will be able to use the automatic the station staff before ticket gate.
    [Show full text]
  • Improving Efficiency Through Privatisation of Railways
    European Conference of Ministers Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Transport Japanese Government 2-3 March 2005 Akasaka Prince Hotel, Tokyo Improving Efficiency Through Privatisation of Railways Masayuki SATOMI Corporate Planning Headquarters Management Administration Department East Japan Railway Company (JR East) Japan Split and Privatization of JNR (Japanese National Railways) Causes of JNR’s Failure 1 ○Unconsolidated long-term debts (In trillion yen) 6.00 25.00 5.00 20.00 l balance oflong-termdebts i long- term o b n debt s n income a c 4.00 income g l o t 15.00 a m cost e n ・ e r 3.00 c cost ・ m e c 10.00 o d o s 2.00 e f t b t 5.00 1.00 s 0.00 0.00 ‘63 ‘65 ‘70 ‘75 ‘80 ‘85 ‘86 （year） Causes of JNR’s Failure 2 Problems related to the public Problems related to the unified corporation system organization covering the entire nation (1) Interference from the government and (1) Beyond the scope of managerial control administrative bodies (2) Uniform operations (2) Loss of self-reliance in management (3) Unreasonable relationship of (3) Abnormal labor-management relations interdependence (4) Restrictions on the scope of operations (4) Lack of competitive spirit Incapable of accurately responding to changes in circumstances surrounding the corporation Managerial failure JNR Reform Scheme 1 JNR Passenger Railway Companies JR Hokkaido JR West Transformation in April 1987 JR East JR Shikoku JNR Settlement Corporation JR Central JR Kyushu ‘98.10 Japan Freight Railway Company Japan Railway Construction Public Corporation – Railway
    [Show full text]
  • Recent Developments in Local Railways in Japan Kiyohito Utsunomiya
    Special Feature Recent Developments in Local Railways in Japan Kiyohito Utsunomiya Introduction National Railways (JNR) and its successor group of railway operators (the so-called JRs) in the late 1980s often became Japan has well-developed inter-city railway transport, as quasi-public railways funded in part by local government, exemplified by the shinkansen, as well as many commuter and those railways also faced management issues. As a railways in major urban areas. For these reasons, the overall result, approximately 670 km of track was closed between number of railway passengers is large and many railway 2000 and 2013. companies are managed as private-sector businesses However, a change in this trend has occurred in recent integrated with infrastructure. However, it will be no easy task years. Many lines still face closure, but the number of cases for private-sector operators to continue to run local railways where public support has rejuvenated local railways is sustainably into the future. rising and the drop in local railway users too is coming to a Outside major urban areas, the number of railway halt (Fig. 1). users is steadily decreasing in Japan amidst structural The next part of this article explains the system and changes, such as accelerating private vehicle ownership recent policy changes in Japan’s local railways, while and accompanying suburbanization, declining population, the third part introduces specific railways where new and declining birth rate. Local lines spun off from Japanese developments are being seen; the fourth part is a summary. Figure 1 Change in Local Railway Passenger Volumes (Unit: 10 Million Passengers) 55 50 45 Number of Passengers 40 35 30 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Fiscal Year Note: 70 companies excluding operators starting after FY1988 Source: Annual Report of Railway Statistics and Investigation by Railway Bureau Japan Railway & Transport Review No.
    [Show full text]