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 ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Survey finds more than 70 percent of Japanese children have an online friend
New Pokémon Center to open in Kyoto with exclusive goods featuring adorable Maiko Pikachu
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
This gachapon capsule machine dispenses real Akoya pearls, with certificates of authenticity
Shinkansen bullet train tickets go half-off until spring of next year in east Japan travel push
Cup Noodle releases extremely modified versions of their original flavors【Taste test】
Naked Run takes a confused grasp of streaking, puts it in a video game【Review】
Enter the Upside Down from Tokyo — we visit the Stranger Things pop-up cafe in Shibuya
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
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
This gachapon capsule machine dispenses real Akoya pearls, with certificates of authenticity
Shinkansen bullet train tickets go half-off until spring of next year in east Japan travel push
Cup Noodle releases extremely modified versions of their original flavors【Taste test】
Naked Run takes a confused grasp of streaking, puts it in a video game【Review】
Enter the Upside Down from Tokyo — we visit the Stranger Things pop-up cafe in Shibuya
Turn cleaning into a Nintendo video game with Roomba covers!
Tokyo gubernatorial candidate strips naked in televised campaign speech
Japanese restaurant serves extra wide noodles next to Tokyo Station
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Maximum matcha! Tokyo sweet shop sells the strongest green tea chocolates physically possible
This is possibly the coziest train in all Japan thanks to onboard hot spring footbaths【Pics】