新幹線 (Shinkansen, Bullet Train)

The Shinkansen, the Japanese high speed train, goes as fast as 200 mph (320 kmph). I was excited to travel between Tokyo and Osaka by Shinkansen! Seika got me my ticket that included reserved space for my large suitcase! ありがとう! (Arigatō!, Thank you!) She reserved it online and linked it to my IC Pasmo card. IC cards are prepaid rechargeable cards that can be used for public transportation, convenience stores, and vending machines.

Seika had to head to Osaka earlier by airplane because her office is based in Osaka and her customer needed her to arrive earlier, so I took the Shinkansen solo. She gave me great step by step instructions and help from her family was just a text away!

When I arrived at Tokyo Station, it was pretty hectic, but the signs and instructions plastered everywhere were very clear. I scanned this QR code and followed helpful directions to guide me to the appropriate gate so I could get my reserved ticket printed and pass into the Shinkansen area.

Anyone who cares about user experience, or a well-functioning website, will love this. When I scanned the English QR code, I was taken to series of questions that functioned like a dichotomous key directing you to the specific gate to go through based on your type of ticket. Now, maybe the ticket system could become more simplified instead, I don’t know, but either way, this google form impressed me!

Now that I am finally through to the Shinkansen gates, let’s talk more about the experience.

駅弁 (Ekiben) is the popular train lunch box that people will buy in the station to eat on the train. It is the combination of the two words 駅 (eki, station) and 弁当 (bento, box lunch). I got excited and bought 3. Oops. My eyes were significantly bigger than my stomach. すみません. (Sumimasen, Sorry.) I just wanted to make sure I was fully prepared to enjoy the ride. I bought a bento variety box, some assorted sandwiches with the fluffy Japanese bread, and persimmon leaf wrapped sushi, and 2 beers. Less is more. I would have been happy with one ekiben.

Here are some fast, beautiful views from the Shinkansen. I had an aisle seat, so I stood up between the cars to watch the scenery up close.

WARNING: The train moves fast, so the videos might make you a little dizzy.

In this next one, you see another Shinkansen passing by outside the window. It is going so fast that the visual looks so wild and like it is switching direction.