Japan Rail
For the Nozomi Shinkansen’s 30th birthday, you could win the gift of a free high-speed trip tailored to your desires!
Join us for a journey to the countryside to find the forest giant from Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro.
Get to know three of the people behind the “sexy” English-language voice announcements you’ll hear on public transport in Japan.
Now you can take a budget trip to Korea and enjoy all the sights, smells and sounds; without breaking the bank to get there!
Having a face like the back-end of a bus is less than desirable, but how about a face like the front of a train?
The difference between this man’s appearance and the sound of his voice has everyone talking.
Tokyo’s Yamanote Line was suspended for hours in both directions today due to the incident.
East Japan Railway Company today released images of new building designs planned for three stations on two of the city’s popular train lines.
Japan is well-known for its packed commuter trains. For decades, smartly dressed men and women have shuffled wordlessly into train cars each morning, all painfully aware that they will soon be getting up-close and personal with total strangers and have nowhere to run, hide, or even breathe freely until their stop. Glove-wearing station staff pack passengers in as tightly as they’ll go without them popping out the other side, each firm shove accompanied by a polite word or phrase thanking passengers for moving all the way inside the car or warning them to keep their various appendages clear of the (just barely) closing doors.
But earlier today, Japan was given a glimpse of a much more civilised, luxuriant commuting experience that may soon put an end to these sardine-can shenanigans. Better yet, this logistical revolution is coming soon: not twelve months from now, commuters will be able to zip into Tokyo in style, lying back in comfortable faux-leather chairs inside sleek, aerodynamic private pods that resemble something out of Minority Report.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is the next generation of luxury travel, and its name is Kosoku.

















Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
Should you drive through a red traffic light like this in Japan? Confusing road rule explained
McDonald’s Japan has free smiles on its delivery menu, but does asking for one make a difference?
The Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations
Poké Ball cakes here for limited but long time to celebrate Pokémon franchise’s 30th anniversary
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Should you drive through a red traffic light like this in Japan? Confusing road rule explained
McDonald’s Japan has free smiles on its delivery menu, but does asking for one make a difference?
The Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations
Poké Ball cakes here for limited but long time to celebrate Pokémon franchise’s 30th anniversary
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Naked Run takes a confused grasp of streaking, puts it in a video game【Review】
Six non-traditional osechi New Year’s meals in Japan
Immersive ukiyoe exhibition in Osaka adds some scented flair
New anime Gate entertains, tries to recruit you to the Japan Self-Defense Forces at the same time
Family Mart opens first clothing store in Tokyo
Starbucks Ginza House opens in Japan, with exclusive matcha drinks you can’t get anywhere else
New Shinkansen design unveiled, bullet train exterior includes cherry blossom Easter egg