So now for the wrap-up...
After thousands of miles, wife gets back to Illinois, which is still having issues with getting a plane between Chicago and anywhere else in the state. After a weather delay of nearly six hours, American Airlines representatives at O'Hare simply disappear around midnight, leaving passengers to their own devices to get to their destination. Really poor customer service there, as well as quite the let-down after returning from a customer service-oriented culture like Japan.
There is a happy ending to our otherwise enjoyable travel tale, a small item that I treasure, as I'm a big fan of Land Cruisers as well as railroads.
This Tomy 70 series double-cab pickup is sweet, even if it is 1:71. But a little forced perspective by foregrounding it against a background of 1:87 items still makes it plausible.
Thanks for reading along.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Vacations draw to an end, as this shot of the interior of the train to Narita Airport portrays. My wife says she wishes the airline ride was as comfortable as the train ride, but as I remarked 1st class only comes close and is rather expensive.
I'm dreading the plane ride, but definitely looking forward to railfanning during my first trip to Japan. If the weather cooperates and the schedule holds, I'll be seeing her in about 16 hours.
Today's update pictures an Olympic/Paralympic theme train on the Yamanote transit line that circles Tokyo. The car features Olympic graphics on the outside (with a small, tasteful list of sponsors next to the door), but inside is filled with pictures and stories of Olympic and Paralympic athletes, instead of the usual ads.
This is a nice action shot of the Yamamoto train at the Harajuku platform.
Figured I'd throw in some travel tips, given the Olympics running in Brazil right now is probably getting some thinking about Tokyo, 2020 and doing some railfanning then. Here's a pic of the Shosen Grande book store building with 6th floor of train books and lots more technical books, like for buses, autos, etc.
The new subways are interesting, as the platforms are guarded by railings and automated gates.
For the average non-Japanese speaking railfan or just Olympics visitor, my wife emphasizes how easy the JapanRail "Suica" or IC card makes travel anywhere in or near Tokyo. It's also honored across the rail system in the rest of Japan. You have to get the card at a JR station. You can take the train from the airport (charging that ticket on your credit card there), then pick up the IC card at your destination station. Or if you take a taxi or bus from the airport, simply go to a JR station.
Once you have it, it's RFID equipped and you just wave it through the scanner as you enter any public transit as well as JR rail: buses, trains, subways, light rail, ferries. You can load additional value on it as you need it. The terminals in most JR stations now provide different common language options, including English. So long as there is some value on a card, you can get inside and start your trip, just adding value. But the card is also accepted at most vending machines and many other venuews, making it a truly flexible and easy option for the foreign treveler. There is no charge for the card itself and you manage how much value is on it.
There is also a kids card option (up to 12 years old) that automatically gives your child or grandchild the half-price option. A passport or other proof og age are required.
So you can take care of virtually all your local travel needs easily. And what a boon for railfans, as the IC card makes getting around so easy and painless, just jump aboard.
Confirmed it was the N700 Nozomi, apparently the top of the line in speed among Shinkansen currently in operation.
mlehmanOur Bear is only dangerous around cheesecake.
Particularly the Tollerbone flavored kind
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Mike,
I think the complete translated subject referred to dangerous bears. Our Bear is only dangerous around cheesecake.
NP01The train to Kyoto, was it N200 or the N700?
NP,
I'll have to ask her. She said it was new, so my guess is a N700?
Pretty cool to follow your wife's trip. Thanks.
The train to Kyoto, was it N200 or the N700? Looked to me like the 200 but too new ...
Also speaking of Japanese fascination with punctuality, I was once taking a bus from Tokyo-Narita to my hotel in town. I kid you not, the driver put the bus in gear, held the brake and kept watching the seconds tick away on the clock. When the second hand reached 12, at this second he let go of the brake and pulled out.
I was amazed.
NP
Don't most of the bears vacation in New Zealand this time of year?
OK, wife reports no bear sightings so far. She's using her transit card still, getting on a bus that takes her further into the (bear-infested) mountains near Tokyo...
And they think Zika will be bad in Brasil during the Olympics, wait until they hear about the bears in the hills of Tokyo for 2020! I am making a bit light of a serious subject, every once in awhile you get a rogue bear, mostly they behave and do bear stuff.
At least it's not Godzilla!
So my wife is safely in Tokyo -- or at least as safe as any place can be with volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and reactor meltdowns on tap, even if Godzilla and Mothra are out for the week -- and decides to go for a train ride to scenic Okutama station.
First thing she sees is this notice:
It's a notice warning of bears!
Haven't heard from her since...I'll let you know how this comes out.
Here's a pic of the outside of the bookstore with the 6th floor devoted to RR books.
The name suggests that the owner maybe, just might be a Rio Grande fan?
It's easy to see that interest in books and trains remains strong in Japan. The entire 6th floor of this bookstore is dedicated to train books.
Excellent, thanks for the link!
A friend of mine has said, "the　Rent-a-Layout is there in the Asakusa station of Tobu Railway."
Popondetta with Tobu Railway Gallary, Asakusa
Another view of this small display layout. Very impressive whatever scale it is.
I think this is HO scale, based on the materials on the shelves in the background.
She was headed to a bookstore that has train items and books to find a book on signals for a colleague who helps teach the signals course in railroad engineering at the big U here. This may be at that location or simply another place she noticed. Will update if I find out more.
Ralph,
You're correct, as my wife advises the same. It's a very embarassing thing if the schedule is not adhered to.
One thing I do remember being told by a supervisor before going, was that in Japan you really can not use the excuse that you were late to work because your train didn't arrive on time. If it was by any chance late for any reason the conductor would write you an excuse! The video of the country side sure brought back some good memories, thanks again. Also, yeah, the flight was a looooong one, but flying over the Alaskan coast and seeing the mountain range was unforgettable as well as the friendliness of the people of Japan, it's a wonderful country.
Ralph
Thanks, yeah the motion and the weird clipping effect seem to interact in the frames per second. It's an iPhone she's taking this all with, if that provides any insight.
It should be noted that at 3:55 in the 6 minutes video you're talking about, you see the Takata factory, where all those flaky airbags were sourced from. The parking lot looked full, although that may not last. And good jobs are hard to come by if you need one in Japan like in the US. They do seem to invest in the basic architecture and infrastructure of modern civilization, something to consider consdering how much we see crumbling around us.
Fascinating,Mike. That movie from on board is almost surreal...like something out of a video game.
Mike
The platform without the train arriving.
View outside the station.
Another short video of a Shinkansen train arriving in the station. Sorry it's sideways, but it's only 53 seconds
Don't know if the facebook link worked for anyone or not. I now have a Youtube link that should work. A 6 Minute Shinkansen ride, looking out the window.
Thanks to my wife, who enjoys such train videos herself.
A couple of more pics this morning...
Interior view of Kyoto station.
A typical railroad crossing.
Happy to share. My wife spent a lot of time in Japan when she was younger, then has visited regularly as an adult. I'm looking forward to my first trip -- well, except for that plane ride. But once you're there, it's train heaven.
I'm trying to get the video she sent up. I'm not on FB, but if you are, try this to see if it works for you: https://www.facebook.com/akibare.nanashi/videos/1130255287046341/
Wow Mike, I believe that is just like train my daugher rode when she was in Japan! We both work for the same company and I also was lucky enough to make a trip there. I did not get to ride a bullet train but I did ride a lot of the commuter and regular passenger trains which was still a great experience. I also purchased my very first Kato n scale locomotive while there, an ED75. Thanks for sharing!
And this was the train my wife took to Kyoto.
Chuck,
Are you talking about the digital news scroll in the coach?
EDIT: Nevermind, figured it out, but yeah probably cut by the spellchecker...