Bullet train offers surprises galore

THE Shinkansen — the Japanese bullet train — is much more than a mode of public transport. A trip on this train is a must for many tourists visiting the country.

It is hard to say whether I was more thrilled to visit Kyoto — the cultural capital of Japan — or to ride a bullet train to get there. At 6.15 am, the train pulled up. I was riding the Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi 3, which was set to take me to Kyoto in two hours and nine minutes. I anticipated an exhilarating ride on the ‘fastest bullet train’ — and I wasn’t disappointed.

As I clutched my ticket, I was awed by the sleek design and efficiency that this marvel of engineering represented. With its reputation for unmatched speed and impeccable punctuality, I was ready to be whisked away at a lightning speed on a journey that would take me through stunning landscapes and bustling cities.

This was my first encounter with a mode of transportation that seemed like a futuristic dream. The interior was immaculate, with spacious seating that offered ample legroom and large windows that invited me to gaze at the scenery. As the train picked up speed, it felt similar to the stomach-dropping experience of a plane taking off. We zoomed past Tokyo’s skyline and into the countryside before I could even say ‘sushi!’

At one of the train stops, I got a nudge from my mother to look outside the window. There was a bright pink bullet train adorned with playful designs on the parallel track. I realised that it was none other than the ‘Hello Kitty’ bullet train. Seeing the cartoon character that I’ve grown up watching come to life in a grand manner left me spellbound.

Not long after, we began departing the train station and soon we were cruising at a speed of 320 km/hour. This might sound scary, but despite carrying millions of passengers each year, the Shinkansen is also famous for its excellent safety record.

It uses superconducting maglev (magnetic levitation) to achieve these incredible speeds. It was fascinating to see the train effortlessly move through tunnels and over bridges, all the while maintaining its impressive stability.

We still had about an hour to reach our destination and that’s when the ticket collector caught my attention. Just before leaving a compartment, he would bow to all passengers. It’s well known that bowing is a fundamental part of social etiquette in Japan. What I did not know was that it was also a mark of respect for those on board.

Another new gesture that sparked my curiosity was the movements and shouts of the rail workers before the train departed. This method is known as pointing-and-calling, a system that reduces workplace errors by up to 85 per cent.

The Shinkansen is not just about reaching your destination; it embodies Japan’s spirit of hospitality (omotenashi) and commitment to excellence.