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.
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!
