Monday, April 13, 2009

Random Japanese Trivia - Shinkansen

The French have a train that rivals the bullet train; but then we're not studying France. We are discussing options of traveling from Tokyo to Misawa. We could fly, or we could ride the "Bullet Train" from Tokyo to Hachinohe (where someone from the chapel would meet us and take us to Misawa). The train would require finding another way to send our luggage ahead...and a bit longer of a trip....but doesn't it sound like a great adventure? What do you think? Plane or train? We've been told the Air Force will pay for either...the train is cheaper so they don't care if we do it. ::Snort:: Most fly?????

The Shinkansen (新幹線 ?) is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan.The network has expanded to link most major cities on the islands of Honshū and Kyūshū at speeds up to 300 km/h (186 mph). Test runs have reached 443 km/h (275 mph) for conventional rail in 1996, and up to a world-record 581 km/h (361 mph) for maglev trainsets in 2003.

Shinkansen uses tunnels and viaducts to go through and over obstacles rather than around them.

The Tōkaidō Shinkansen is the world's busiest high-speed rail line. Carrying 375,000 passengers a day.

This is assuring, " During the Shinkansen's 44-year, nearly 7 billion-passenger history, there have been no passenger fatalities due to derailments or collisions, despite frequent earthquakes and typhoons."

This is not, "Injuries and a single fatality have been caused by doors closing on passengers or their belongings...". ::snort::

Facts from here....and verified in various children's books and videos we've been watching.




We've not been sharing the cool things we're discovering....but we'll schedule some to share as we work on our lap book.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

7 comments:

Herding Grasshoppers said...

If it were my family, the train would win, hands down :0)

Julie

Renee said...

Knowing how bad jet lag is at that point, I would opt for the plane so that I didn't have so many worries about luggage. I would despise getting to Misawa and have no clean clothes.

Cynthia said...

I would definitely go for the train! After so many hours on plane to get to your first stop... I know my kids would welcome the opportunity to experience a different mode of transportation and think of all the scenery you'd get to enjoy.

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Yep - we're thinking it would be a great way to see most of Honshu on the Government's dollar. ::snort::

Also - we can have our bags go ahead of us to the base on a shuttle. At least that's what we've heard.

We think we can spend the night in Tokyo....before boarding the plane.

Still weighing otpions.

Kim said...

Most flights from the West coast get into Japan around 4-5pm. Does yours? If so, the sun sets pretty early here, even in the summer - 7 or 8. So, I'm not sure what you would be able to see. Also, you will have to take another train for an hour into Tokyo to get to the Shinkansen station from the airport. You can send your luggage from the airport via Takkyubin - it is like UPS and does luggage and boxes, etc.

Stacia will be jet lagged and probably want to sleep the whole way on the train, and many of the rest of you as well.

Not trying to put a downer on the train option. Just give you some info as you make your decision. We LOVE the Bullet Train!

Some of your kids know about the "White Nights" of Alaska, I'm sure, but you might have them look into the sunrise/set in Misawa in the summer. I climbed Mt. Fuji once (near Tokyo), and watched the sunrise around 3 am!!! But the evenings are earlier than the US!

Sorry to be SOOOO long! I'm praying for you lots!

Kim said...

Just saw your comment about staying the night in Tokyo first! Sorry! If that's the case, GO TRAIN!!! SMILE!

Romany said...

If you can get some rest before the train journey, I'd go for that option! At least little ones can stretch their legs on a train!