Study Abroad in Japan

With KCP International, you can earn more Japanese credit than you would in an entire year at your university. Plus, you can pick your start date!

Find out more

Learn Japanese Online

Immerse yourself in the heart of Tokyo with a wide variety of courses, flexible schedules and convenient packages you keep your experience easy!

Apply Now

Join Our Newsletter

Read all about Japanese immersion learning and studying abroad. Check out our eZasshi archives for more articles!

Mt Fuji and Tokaido Shinkansen

Fasten your Seatbelts for the Hayabusa Train

The E5 series Hayabusa (はやぶさ, or Peregrine Falcon), is Japan’s latest, super fast, cutting-edge train between Tokyo and Aomori. The green and silver Hayabusa’s top speed is a whopping 320 kmh (202 mph; but maximum operating speed is 300 kmh until 2013).

The Hayabusa, making a 675 kilometer trip in just 3 hours and 10 minutes, is one of Japan’s fastest trains. There are three daily trips from the nation’s capital to Aomori.

Japan’s Bullet Trains

Japan is known for its network of state of the art Shinkansen train lines, a.k.a. Bullet Trains, because of their speed. High speed trains have been shuttling the Japanese since the 1960s.  The Hayabusa made its debut in March 2011 and is operated by East Japan Railway Company (JP East).

Style and Luxury Onboard the Hayabusa

Comfort and style are two of the main features of the E5 series Hayabusa. It costs about 26,360 yen around ($320) for the ‘Gran Class’ car. You’ll be pampered like royalty by a cabin attendant, get to stretch your weary legs in reclining leather seats, and walk on thick wool carpets. Riding coach won’t cramp your style either; it’s just as comfortable. It’s also a great way to see Aomori’s famous apple orchards, plus scenic spots such as Lake Towada, Mount Osore, and the Hakkōda Mountains.

Bullet train

Many Japanese choose bullet trains over air travel ever since the very first Shinkansen was introduced in 1964 in the Tokyo Olympics.Japan also has a strong record of  safety and punctuality in train travel.The country is earthquake-prone, yet no casualties have been caused by a Shinkansen collision or derailment.

With all of Japan’s amazing progress in bullet trains, you may wonder what’s in the future for their railway system.

Japan is working on a magnetic levitation or Maglev train that has reached speeds of 581 kilometers per hour on a test track in Tsuru, Yamanashi. It’s expected to be launched in 2027!

 

Sign-up for our newsletter

Read all about Japanese immersion learning and studying abroad. Check out our eZasshi archives for more articles!