I visited Fukuoka for the first time since my first trip to Japan in 2006. On my first visit I took the Shinkansen directly after a trans-pacific flight to Nagoya and spoke next to no Japanese. This time things were different.This time I rode the Nozomi Shinkansen from Shin-Yokohama. This is the fastest bullet train service in Japan and the trip took about 6 hours from Shin-Yokohama to Hakata. I clocked us running at 276km/h (171 mph) on my iPhone. Fast.
Comfort is a top priority when riding the bullet train. The ride is already incredibly smooth. How could it be made better? How about spacious bathrooms. Done. And did I mention legroom? There’s excess Legroom on the bullet train. Cart ladies even come through the cabin every so often with reasonably priced goodies, including: Bento, Snacks, and Beer. It makes an already comfortable trip that much more relaxing.
Beer can work well for about an hour, but what is one to do for the rest of the trip? Next to every window seat that is a handy power outlet. Not those weird DC power adapters you might find in airplanes, but standard power adapters. Perfect for powering things like, I don’t know, my laptop. There’s also an in-train Wifi service available, but some enterprising people (read cheapskates frugal) like myself bring their own 3G internet connection.
So let’s summarize.
Traveling at insanely fast speeds. Check. On the ground. Check. Legroom. Check. Regular power supply for electronic goodies. Check. Beer. Check.
Ladies and gentlemen I may have found it. I have seen the future of travel! And I’m happy to report it looks nothing like the flying sardine we have grudgingly come to accept.
More to follow.
Nice…no pics of the inside of the train to prove your leg room statement!?!
The thought didn’t occur to me oddly enough. Next time