DOCSLIB.ORG

Japan by Rail for the COLOURS of AUTUMN

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Japan by Rail for the COLOURS of AUTUMN Japan by Rail for the COLOURS of AUTUMN HIGHLIGHTS of HONSHU 5 - 21 November 2019 with John Medcalf • TOKYO • SENDAI • NIIGATA • HAKONE • • KYOTO • HIROSHIMA • INUYAMA • OVERVIEW It’s not hard to argue the merits of train travel, but to truly HIGHLIGHTS discover how far rail technology has come in the last two centuries you simply have to visit Japan. Its excellent • Extensive rail travel using your JR Green Class (first class) Rail railway system is one of the world’s most extensive and Pass, including several journeys on the iconic bullet trains advanced, and train travel is unarguably the best way • Travel by steam train on the famous heritage railways of to explore this fascinating country. Speed, efficiency, Yamaguchi and the Banetsu lines comfort, convenience and a choice of spectacular destinations are hallmarks of travel by train in Japan. • Ride the Sagano Forest Railway, Tozan Mountain Railway, regional expresses, subways and a vintage tram charter in Tour summary Hiroshima • Cruise around the Matsushima Islands and Hiroshima Bay Join John Medcalf and discover the highlights of Japan’s main island Honshu on this exciting journey. to Miyajima It begins in the modern neon-lit capital of Tokyo, • Pay homage at Hiroshima Peace Park and visit the newly where the famous bullet train will take you north-west renovated museum to Niigata followed by a special steam train across • Explore historic temples, castles and cultural sites in Tokyo, the heart of Honshu. You’ll travel through mountains, Kyoto and Himeji valleys and forests full of deciduous trees ablaze with • Visit the unsurpassed modern railway museums in Tokyo autumn colours to Sendai where the story of Japan’s and Kyoto coast unfolds while exploring the Matsushima Islands. • Take a trip to Japan southern main Island Kyushu and attend a Sumo wrestling tournament The region around Mt Fuji is rich with natural beauty, volcanic drama and an extraordinary open-air art • Immerse yourself in Japan’s unique food culture at fine museum, all accessed by the historic Tozan mountain restaurants, including a traditional full-course Japanese railway. Iconic Kyoto is richly endowed with exquisite Ryokan dinner, and a night with The Singing Chef in Sendai gardens, extraordinary temples and enthralling cultural • Multiple nights in handpicked, centrally-located hotels – treasures. Visit prosperous Hiroshima, a city with a mostly 5-star and most with TripAdvisor™ Certificates of moving history and legacy like no other. Boat cruises, Excellence and ‘travellers choice’ or top ratings steam trains and local expresses will take you into • English speaking local guides and the services of your autumn-coloured hills. experienced Australian host throughout • Connections on major legs by luxury coach, with separate These journeys are designed for you to experience the huge diversity of trains, tracks and railway technology in luggage transport Japan. Along the way, excursions will be made to several amazing museums preserving Japan’s rich railway history and to research centres where the next generations of bullet trains are being developed. These fabulous tours combine exquisite food, fine hotels and spectacular scenery, so you are in for a thrilling immersion in the delights of Japan in trains large and small. MEET YOUR TOUR LEADER A true citizen of the World, John Medcalf has a wealth of travel experience. He began at an early age as an international flight attendant with Qantas progressing eventually to cabin crew line manager. After 26 years with Qantas John logged another 25 years as a Tour Manager leading tours in Australia and overseas. His list of countries visited now exceeds 70. The list continues to grow. John says “It’s hard to define a favourite destination, as I still get a buzz out of visiting new destinations. Travel has been my life and shall continue to be. I get great satisfaction being able to share my broad range of experience with my tour clients. Once John visits Taiwan, he can say he say he has been to every country in Asia. He has extensive knowledge of Japan, Vietnam and India. Born and raised in Sydney John settled in the Mudgee area and has resided there for 25 years. He and his wife live on a property near Kandos where for 12 years they ran a B&B located in the old homestead house, established circa 1845. They spent 4 years building their dream home, a stone yurt set on the edge of the escarpment at 820 mts. Here they enjoy the blissful serenity of the wildlife and bushland that surrounds them. WHY TRAVEL WITH US The joy of travelling is no longer confined to the destination—the mode of travel is a large part of the experience. Railway Adventures offers a truly unique perspective TOUR MAP on some of the world’s most spectacular holiday destinations, with the assurance that the journey is just as magical and unforgettable as what is discovered at the end of the line. With us, you can confidently expect: • Small group sizes — a small number of passengers per trip guarantees an intimate experience, with less time spent queuing, more time with your guide, and better access to sightseeing destinations. • Unique itineraries — every itinerary has been meticulously developed by a team of expert travellers with many years’ experience, an intimate knowledge of the destination, and with great cultural awareness. You are guaranteed to experience the best that each destination has to offer. • Authentic local experiences — whether it’s a little-known yet impressive steam railway, a small boutique hotel or an authentic restaurant, know that you will experience something special on our tours. • Expert local guides and operators — we employ local guides to share their passion and knowledge of the place they call home, while our partners on the ground provide the best possible support and backup all the way. • Customer satisfaction — our testimonials speak for themselves. Thousands have travelled with us over the years and many come back year after year, often bringing friends along. On our customer satisfaction ratings, over 97% would recommend us to others and/or travel with us again. • Fully escorted — our team of tour leaders is experienced and capable, entertaining and considerate, and together with our local guides, has your needs well covered. They will help with everything along the way, providing peace of mind, and allowing you to relax and enjoy the journey. And you’ll Niigata find them jolly good company to boot! 2 1 Sendai 4 Tokyo Train Himeji Kyoto 1 Coach Tsuwano 3 Hakone Boat 4 Fukuoka Hiroshima HOW YOU WILL TRAVEL Being rail enthusiasts we know that the journey itself is often more important than the destination. Wherever possible we have sourced interesting and nostalgic rail journeys and other noteworthy modes of transport. Here is an example of what you will experience: Sagano Forest Railway Banetsu Monogatari steam train Shinkansen ‘Bullet’ Train Day 1: Tue 05 November • ARRIVE TOKYO Most flights arrive in the early morning so we are catering for this with the option of a hearty breakfast at the hotel and a morning tour of a few of the iconic sites of Tokyo before your early afternoon check-in to the hotel for the next three nights. Your hotel is located three minutes from the station and makes an easy first port of call from your early morning flight. You can drop your bag off for later check-in, freshen up and enjoy a hearty breakfast in the hotel’s signature restaurant. Our morning coach tour will take us to Tokyo’s most significant Shinto monument. The Meiji Shrine displays the dignified grandeur of Japanese history, dedicated to the memory of the Emperor Meiji who ruled during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Right next door, and in stark contrast to the majestic Meiji Shrine, lies Harajuku, Tokyo’s fashion crucible and the home to some of the world’s wackiest fashion trends. Lady Gaga and Gwen Stefani are among those who find fashion inspiration here. In addition to the back-street boutiques, venture onto the wide avenue where many of the world’s most famous brands are at hand. Relax over a lovely tempura lunch just a short walk from the hotel where you can relax for the afternoon. We will re-group in the evening for a Wagyu Steak celebratory welcome dinner just a short walk from the hotel. Overnight: Strings Intercontinental Hotel, Shinagawa (B, L, D) Day 2: Wed 06 November • TOKYO Our exploration of Tokyo today will contrast the old and new city, and to see it all we will be using the city’s incomparable rail network. We’ll start by visiting the 634m Tokyo Sky Tree, recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s tallest tower. After a high-speed elevator ride to the observation platform, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking panorama and a clear view of the sheer scale of the city of Tokyo. We will then jump straight into this city’s roots by visiting Asakusa, the original village of Edo from which modern-day Tokyo has grown over the past 400-plus years. Then, a visit to Sensoji, the city’s oldest Buddhist Temple, followed by a stroll along Nakamise Arcade, the market street connecting the temple to its famed Kaminari Gate. After a Sumo wrestler’s-style lunch, we continue the immersion in Japan’s unique culture with an afternoon visit to the illuminating Edo Museum, returning to the hotel on the subway for an evening at leisure. Overnight: Strings Intercontinental Hotel, Shinagawa (B, L) Day 3: Thu 07 November • TOKYO Today there is a choice of activities. Stay in Tokyo for a mix of culture and technology, starting with a morning in Ueno, Tokyo’s cultural cradle, where most of the city’s major museums can be found around the boundaries of the famous Ueno Park.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Railway Museum As Science, Industry and History Museum —Past, Present, and Future— Ichiro Tsutsumi
    World Railway Museums (part 2) The Railway Museum as Science, Industry and History Museum —Past, Present, and Future— Ichiro Tsutsumi Introduction Great Kanto Earthquake, but reopened in 1925 in the same location with more collections. This article presents a short history of railway museums in A new reinforced-concrete building was constructed Japan, their current state, and perceptions on their future as on the site of the former Manseibashi Station on the Chuo industrial technology history museums. Line in 1936 to be used as the new Railway Museum, and the collections were transferred there. The museum was Brief History of Railway Museums in Japan renamed the Transportation Museum after World War II, and was administered and operated by the Transportation Culture The first systematic efforts to preserve railway-related Promotion Foundation. It became a general transportation materials (documents and artefacts) for posterity in Japan museum handling materials related to ships, aircraft, and were made by the Railway Agency (1908–20). The project automobiles in addition to railways, and was visited by many was started by Shimpei Goto (1857–1929), the first president people. The Transportation Museum closed in that location of the Railway Agency, who established the Railway in 2006 for relocation to Saitama City in Saitama Prefecture. Museum Trust in 1911. The following year, the trust took It reopened as The Railway Museum of East Japan Railway custody of the first and second Imperial carriages, along Culture Foundation (EJRCF) in 2007. The same foundation with 121 other items (called reference items at the time) also administers and operates Ome Railway Park in including an Imperial funeral carriage to be archived in a suburban Tokyo.
    [Show full text]
  • IEEE P1904.1 SIEPON Working Group Meeting Information for October2011 Kamakura, Japan
    IEEE P1904.1 SIEPON Working Group Meeting Information for October2011 Kamakura, Japan 1. Meeting Dates October 11, 2011 (Tuesday) – October 13, 2011 (Thursday) 2. Meeting Location 2.1. Venue KAMAKURA PRINCE HOTEL 1-2-18 Shichirigahama - higashi, Kamakura, Kanagawa, 248-0025 Japan Tel: +81-(0)467-32-1111 Fax: +81-(0) 467-32-9290 http://www.princehotels.com/en/kamakura/ Meeting Room Kamakura Prince Hotel (Banquet Hall in the hotel) 2.2. Meeting Room Shichirigahama Banquet Hall 1 The spectacular view out to Enoshima and Mt. Fuji. Kamakura Prince Hotel Shichirigahama Banquet Hall, blessed by verdant and peaceful surroundings. 2.3. Location Hotel Location: http://www.princehotels.com/en/kamakura/access/ Tokyo Station Narita Airport Haneda Airport Kamakura Prince Hotel Yokohama Station Kamakura Station Local Area Map: http://www.princehotels.com/en/kamakura/access/ Kamakura Station The Great Buddha Tsurugaoka Hachiman Gu Shrine Kamakura Prince Hotel Shichirigahama Station 3. Transportation 3.1. From Narita Airport Train (JR) For details: http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/access/train/index.html From Narita International Airport, take the Narita Express train bound for Yokohama or Ofuna station. Narita Airport (JR Narita Express) → Yokohama (about 90 min) / Ofuna (about 105min) Yokohama (JR Yokosuka line) → Kamakura (about 24 min) Narita Express is a limited express train with all reserved seating. Both a fare ticket and a limited express ticket are required for boarding. Limousine bus For details: http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/access/bus/index.html From Narita International Airport take the Limousine bus to Yokohama station. Narita Airport → Yokohama Station (about 90min / 3,500 yen) Yokohama (JR Yokosuka line) → Kamakura (about 24 min / 330 yen) Yokohama (JR Tokaido or Yokosuka line) → Ofuna (about 15 min / 290 yen) At Kamakura station and Ofuna station, we recommend you should take a taxi to the Kamakura Prince Hotel.
    [Show full text]
  • Faith and Power in Japanese Buddhist Art, 1600-2005
    japanese art | religions graham FAITH AND POWER IN JAPANESE BUDDHIST ART, 1600–2005 Faith and Power in Japanese Buddhist Art explores the transformation of Buddhism from the premodern to the contemporary era in Japan and the central role its visual culture has played in this transformation. The chapters elucidate the thread of change over time in the practice of Bud- dhism as revealed in sites of devotion and in imagery representing the FAITH AND POWER religion’s most popular deities and religious practices. It also introduces the work of modern and contemporary artists who are not generally as- sociated with institutional Buddhism but whose faith inspires their art. IN JAPANESE BUDDHIST ART The author makes a persuasive argument that the neglect of these ma- terials by scholars results from erroneous presumptions about the aes- thetic superiority of early Japanese Buddhist artifacts and an asserted 160 0 – 20 05 decline in the institutional power of the religion after the sixteenth century. She demonstrates that recent works constitute a significant contribution to the history of Japanese art and architecture, providing evidence of Buddhism’s persistent and compelling presence at all levels of Japanese society. The book is divided into two chronological sections. The first explores Buddhism in an earlier period of Japanese art (1600–1868), emphasiz- ing the production of Buddhist temples and imagery within the larger political, social, and economic concerns of the time. The second section addresses Buddhism’s visual culture in modern Japan (1868–2005), specifically the relationship between Buddhist institutions prior to World War II and the increasingly militaristic national government that had initially persecuted them.
    [Show full text]
  • Jclettersno Heading
    .HERITAGE RAILWAY ASSOCIATION. Mark Garnier MP (2nd left) presents the HRA Annual Award (Large Groups) to members of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and the Severn Valley Railway, joint winners of the award. (Photo. Gwynn Jones) SIDELINES 143 FEBRUARY 2016 WOLVERHAMPTON LOW LEVEL STATION COMES BACK TO LIFE FOR HRA AWARDS NIGHT. The Grand Station banqueting centre, once the GWR’s most northerly broad gauge station, came back to life as a busy passenger station when it hosted the Heritage Railway Association 2015 Awards Night. The HRA Awards recognise a wide range of achievements and distinctions across the entire heritage railway industry, and the awards acknowledge individuals and institutions as well as railways. The February 6th event saw the presentation of awards in eight categories. The National Railway Museum and York Theatre Royal won the Morton’s Media (Heritage Railways) Interpretation Award, for an innovative collaboration that joined theatre with live heritage steam, when the Museum acted as a temporary home for the theatre company. The Railway Magazine Annual Award for Services to Railway Preservation was won by David Woodhouse, MBE, in recognition of his remarkable 60-year heritage railways career, which began as a volunteer on the Talyllyn Railway, and took him to senior roles across the heritage railways and tourism industry. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway won the Morton’s Media (Rail Express) Modern Traction Award, for their diesel locomotive operation, which included 160 days working for their Crompton Class 25. There were two winners of the Steam Railway Magazine Award. The Great Little Trains of North Wales was the name used by the judges to describe the Bala Lake Railway, Corris Railway, Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway, Talyllyn Railway, Vale of Rheidol Railway and the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway.
    [Show full text]
  • Prudent Stable
    Stable PrudentStable. Well positioned. Prudent. Well positioned Annual Report 2008 About Parkway Life REIT Parkway Life REIT is Asia’s largest listed healthcare REIT. It invests in income-producing real estate and real estate-related assets used primarily for healthcare and healthcare-related purposes. As at 31 December 2008, Parkway Life REIT’s total portfolio size stands at 13 properties totaling approximately S$1.05 billion. OUR MISSION We aim to deliver regular and stable distributions and achieve long term growth for our Unitholders. CONTENTS Our Reach 01 Financial Highlights 02 Significant Events 04 Message to Unitholders 08 Board of Directors 10 Management Team 12 Our Portfolio in Focus 16 Our Growth Strategy 36 Market Review and Outlook 40 Financial Review 43 Corporate Governance 45 Our Reach A MORE DIVERSIFIED PORTFOLIO In line with our aim of geographical and asset diversification, Parkway Life REIT (“PLife REIT”) significantly boosted its portfolio in 2008 with the completion of the acquisition of 10 healthcare properties in Japan. This brings our asset size to 13 properties from the initial portfolio of three hospital properties in Singapore, representing a 26% expansion in total portfolio size, from S$831.6 million in December 2007 to S$1.05 billion in December 2008. Leveraging on the strong growth of the Asia-Pacific healthcare industry, we will continue to source for opportunities to acquire high quality healthcare assets in the region to enhance our portfolio mix and yield-generating capability. PortFoLio Key StatiStiCS
    [Show full text]
  • Shinkansen - Wikipedia 7/3/20, 1048 AM
    Shinkansen - Wikipedia 7/3/20, 10)48 AM Shinkansen The Shinkansen (Japanese: 新幹線, pronounced [ɕiŋkaꜜɰ̃ seɴ], lit. ''new trunk line''), colloquially known in English as the bullet train, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan. Initially, it was built to connect distant Japanese regions with Tokyo, the capital, in order to aid economic growth and development. Beyond long-distance travel, some sections around the largest metropolitan areas are used as a commuter rail network.[1][2] It is operated by five Japan Railways Group companies. A lineup of JR East Shinkansen trains in October Over the Shinkansen's 50-plus year history, carrying 2012 over 10 billion passengers, there has been not a single passenger fatality or injury due to train accidents.[3] Starting with the Tōkaidō Shinkansen (515.4 km, 320.3 mi) in 1964,[4] the network has expanded to currently consist of 2,764.6 km (1,717.8 mi) of lines with maximum speeds of 240–320 km/h (150– 200 mph), 283.5 km (176.2 mi) of Mini-Shinkansen lines with a maximum speed of 130 km/h (80 mph), and 10.3 km (6.4 mi) of spur lines with Shinkansen services.[5] The network presently links most major A lineup of JR West Shinkansen trains in October cities on the islands of Honshu and Kyushu, and 2008 Hakodate on northern island of Hokkaido, with an extension to Sapporo under construction and scheduled to commence in March 2031.[6] The maximum operating speed is 320 km/h (200 mph) (on a 387.5 km section of the Tōhoku Shinkansen).[7] Test runs have reached 443 km/h (275 mph) for conventional rail in 1996, and up to a world record 603 km/h (375 mph) for SCMaglev trains in April 2015.[8] The original Tōkaidō Shinkansen, connecting Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, three of Japan's largest cities, is one of the world's busiest high-speed rail lines.
    [Show full text]
  • Railways As World Heritage Sites
    Occasional Papers for the World Heritage Convention RAILWAYS AS WORLD HERITAGE SITES Anthony Coulls with contributions by Colin Divall and Robert Lee International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) 1999 Notes • Anthony Coulls was employed at the Institute of Railway Studies, National Railway Museum, York YO26 4XJ, UK, to prepare this study. • ICOMOS is deeply grateful to the Government of Austria for the generous grant that made this study possible. Published by: ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) 49-51 Rue de la Fédération F-75015 Paris France Telephone + 33 1 45 67 67 70 Fax + 33 1 45 66 06 22 e-mail [email protected] © ICOMOS 1999 Contents Railways – an historical introduction 1 Railways as World Heritage sites – some theoretical and practical considerations 5 The proposed criteria for internationally significant railways 8 The criteria in practice – some railways of note 12 Case 1: The Moscow Underground 12 Case 2: The Semmering Pass, Austria 13 Case 3: The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, United States of America 14 Case 4: The Great Zig Zag, Australia 15 Case 5: The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, India 17 Case 6: The Liverpool & Manchester Railway, United Kingdom 19 Case 7: The Great Western Railway, United Kingdom 22 Case 8: The Shinkansen, Japan 23 Conclusion 24 Acknowledgements 25 Select bibliography 26 Appendix – Members of the Advisory Committee and Correspondents 29 Railways – an historical introduction he possibility of designating industrial places as World Heritage Sites has always been Timplicit in the World Heritage Convention but it is only recently that systematic attention has been given to the task of identifying worthy locations.
    [Show full text]
  • Presentation [PDF/383KB]
    FY2010.3 Second Quarter Financial Results Presentation October 29, 2009 East Japan Railway Company Contents I. FY2010.3 Second Quarter Financial Results (summary) II. JR East 2020 Vision - idomu - FY2010.3 Second Quarter Financial Results (summary) 4 Progress of JR East 2020 Vision (Transportation) 30 FY2010.3 Business Results Forecast 5 Progress of JR East 2020 Vision (Life-style Business) 31 Main Points of Business Results Forecast Revision 6 Progress of JR East 2020 Vision (Others) 32 Traffic Volume 7 Uses of Consolidated Cash Flows 33 Passenger Revenues 8 Numerical Targets 34 Passenger Revenues- Positive and Negative Factors 9 III. Reference Material Topics: Shinkansen Traffic Volume Segment Breakdown 36 and Passenger Revenues by Line 10 Development of ecute 37 Passenger Revenues - Progress toward Target 11 Hotel Operations - Overview 38 Topics: Second-Half Target for Passenger Revenues 12 Suica 39 Nonconsolidated Operating Expenses - Breakdown 13 Suica Electronic Money - Transactions and Compatible Stores 40 Nonconsolidated Operating Expenses - Main Positive Major Subsidiaries - Business Results 41 and Negative Factors 14 Breakdown of Operating Income 42 Nonconsolidated Financial Results 15 Key Financial Indicators 43 Transportation 16 Sales of Fixed Assets 44 Station Space Utilization 17 Breakdown of Long-term Debt 45 Shopping Centers & Office Buildings 18 Outlook of Debt Maturity 46 Tokyo Station City 19 Outlook of Bond Maturity 47 Other Services 20 Bond Issuances since FY2009.3 48 Summary of Non-Operating Income/Expenses and Total Long-term Debt - Credit Ratings 49 Extraordinary Gains/Losses (consolidated) 21 Cash Flows Summary (consolidated) 22 Consolidated Financial Results 23 Capital Expenditures (consolidated) 24 Nonconsolidated Capital Expenditures Plan 25 Total Long-term Debt (consolidated) 26 Forecast for FY2010.3 (consolidated) 27 * Items within dotted line are additional information for bond investors Forecast for FY2010.3 (nonconsolidated) 28 I.
    [Show full text]
  • The Colours We Bring to Life Annual Report 2012 the Colours We Bring to Life
    The COLOURS We Bring to Life annual report 2012 The COLOURS We Bring to Life In FY2012, ParkwayLife REIT (“PLife REIT”) continued to steadily enhance and grow its portfolio of healthcare properties in the region, catering to a broad spectrum of end users. Amidst the challenges of 2012, PLife REIT turned in a sterling performance and continued to give its best to all Unitholders. Driven by its strategies of proactive asset management, selective and strategic acquisitions, and dynamic financial management, PLife REIT remains steadfast in its commitment towards achieving long-term sustainable growth and stable distributions for its Unitholders. CONTENTS 02 Corporate Profile GreeninG Realising 03 Trust Structure our pastures 19 Portfolio in Focus Golden opportunities 51 Financial Review 25 Our Properties In the pink of health 53 Corporate Governance 05 Our Reach 67 Financial Contents 06 Financial Highlights Laying the 08 Significant Events yellow brick road 45 Our Growth Strategy Like well-polished silver 47 Investor Relations 10 Message to Unitholders 48 Market Review and Outlook 12 Board of Directors 16 Management Team ParkwayLife REIT Annual Report FY2012 CORPORATE PROFILE PLife REIT is one of Asia’s largest listed healthcare REITs. It invests in income-producing real estate and real estate-related assets used primarily for healthcare and healthcare-related purposes. As at 31 December 2012, PLife REIT’s total portfolio size stands at 37 properties totaling approximately S$1.4 billion. Mission Statement We aim to deliver regular and stable
    [Show full text]
  • Joint Frequency-Setting and Pricing Optimization on Multi-Modal Transit Networks at Scale
    Submitted to Transportation Science manuscript (Please, provide the mansucript number!) Authors are encouraged to submit new papers to INFORMS journals by means of a style file template, which includes the journal title. However, use of a template does not certify that the paper has been accepted for publication in the named jour- nal. INFORMS journal templates are for the exclusive purpose of submitting to an INFORMS journal and should not be used to distribute the papers in print or online or to submit the papers to another publication. Joint Frequency-Setting and Pricing Optimization on Multi-Modal Transit Networks at Scale Dimitris Bertsimas Sloan School of Management and Operations Research Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, [email protected] Yee Sian Ng Operations Research Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, [email protected] Julia Yan Operations Research Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, [email protected] Modern public transportation systems are increasingly complex: they are operated at a large scale, must support booming urban populations, and run under tight budget constraints. Additionally, passengers are able to make choices between a variety of commuting options. We develop formulations for minimizing system wait time in multi-modal networks, while accounting for operator budget constraints, capacity constraints, and passenger preferences. Furthermore, our algorithms run to near-optimality in minutes for city-sized networks. We demonstrate the benefit of setting schedule frequencies and prices jointly through case studies on real data from Boston and Tokyo. To our knowledge, ours is the first paper that addresses joint frequency- setting and pricing optimization for public transit networks and at scale.
    [Show full text]
  • Japan's Railway Legacy
    Feature From Meiji to the Present: Looking Back on 150 Years of Progress JAPAN’S RAILWAY LEGACY 1 Japan’s railways have made massive technological advances since the first line opened during the early Meiji Period. The superb rail network that TAMAKI KAWASAKI now extends across the country—with shinkansen (bullet trains) running as frequently as commuter trains—offers a treasure trove of technology and know-how that is also being exported overseas. AIL technology first reached day. The advent of the shinkansen cables were being laid, and the Japanese shores in 1853, in 1964 cut that time radically, and country feared being left behind R when Japanese people is now under two and a half hours— by accelerating markets and the were astounded by the technical spawning technology, techniques globalization of information sophistication of a model of a and know-how that Japan exports the transport and information Russian steam locomotive brought overseas. revolutions had enabled. When on a ship that landed in Nagasaki. Naofumi Nakamura, professor competition intensified in the Japan’s first train line opened nearly at The University of Tokyo’s global market, railway materials two decades later in 1872—twenty- Institute of Social Science, explains became cheaper and more nine kilometers of rail connecting that international factors greatly available, which boosted Japan’s Shimbashi in Tokyo with Yokohama. influenced the railway’s quick ability to purchase them. Many The railway became a symbol spread during the Meiji Period. leading overseas manufacturers of Japan’s efforts to Westernize, Japan’s drive to construct a railway from countries like England, and was even depicted in ukiyo-e began in earnest in 1869, the same the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Transportation Museum in Tokyo and Railway Heritage Conservation Michio Sato
    Feature World Railway Museums Transportation Museum in Tokyo and Railway Heritage Conservation Michio Sato Brief History of directly by the Secretariat’s Research old Manseibashi Station, but today’s Transportation Museum Institute of the Ministry of Railways and structure was built on the foundation of admission was free. This Secretariat’s the old station. However, a museum staff The history of the Transportation Museum Research Institute was a predecessor of member in charge of construction already at Tokyo dates back to 1911 when the current Railway Technical Institute recorded that the new building was Shimpei Goto (1857–1929), the Director- (RTRI). Soon after opening, the Museum imperfect as a museum facility owing to General of the Railway Agency (the was damaged by the 1923 Great Kanto budget limitations and location predecessor of Ministry of Railways and Earthquake, but it reopened about 2 years restrictions. During WWII, despite its Japanese National Railways), established later on 8 April 1925. Since space was central location, the Museum was the post of ‘officer in charge of railway limited because it was built under the miraculously lucky not be hit by bombs museum affairs’ with a view to elevated tracks, there were soon voices and its building and collections remained establishing a railway museum. What in favour of constructing a new building intact. However, it was closed prompted Goto to entertain such an idea elsewhere and moving the museum. At temporarily in March 1945 as air raids is unknown. However, the new post was about the same time, the size of became more intense. established just after many private Manseibashi Station in Kanda Suda-cho The Museum reopened on 25 January railways in Japan were nationalized and was cut and the freed grounds were 1946, soon after the war’s end when it new uniforms and badges had been made selected for the new museum site; this is was renamed the Museum of to give a sense of unity to the employees.
    [Show full text]