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Japan Forward
5 days ago
- Japan Forward
How Tokyo Station Became One Photographer's Muse
このページを 日本語 で読む Tokyo Station in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, was designed by architect Tatsuno Kingo and opened in 1914. Since then, it has played a central role in Japan's railway network. One man, Naoki Sasaki, 64, has a deep passion for the station. He proudly calls himself Japan's only "Tokyo Station researcher." While working full-time at a logistics company, he also publishes photo books and organizes events. With interest from foreign tourists on the rise, he says he wants to "create a place where people can discover the station's appeal." A rare snowy view of the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station. (Courtesy of Naoki Sasaki) Sasaki's fascination with trains began in upper elementary school during a family trip to Kyushu. He remembers riding the Blue Train sleeper from Shin-Osaka and enjoying beef stew in the dining car. "I still remember the taste," he says. Later, he joined a railway club with friends and began photographing stations and train yards around Tokyo. "That's where it all started for me," he says. In sixth grade, he planned a trip around the Tohoku region via the Joetsu and Uetsu lines. His parents, who also loved to travel, joined him. Even after his father passed away when Sasaki was in junior high, his mother accompanied him on a trip to Kyushu aboard the Sakurajima–Takachiho express. "She trusted me and supported what I loved," he says with gratitude. After junior high, Sasaki enrolled in the National Institute of Technology, Tokyo College, hoping to become a conductor for Japan National Railways. But the company was struggling at the time, and talk of privatization made the future seem uncertain. Hiring for conductor positions was limited, so after graduation, he joined a camera company — his second passion after trains. Naoki Sasaki, the 'Tokyo Station researcher,' at the Marunouchi Station Plaza in front of Tokyo Station, June. (©Sankei by Shuta Miyazaki, cropped) Even after starting his career, Sasaki continued photographing trains. But a turning point came in the early 2000s, when JR East and others decided to restore Tokyo Station to its original design. This included rebuilding the third floor and the domed roofs that had been lost in wartime air raids. At the same time, the "octagonal roof," a postwar icon for 60 years, was slated for removal. "I wanted to photograph what was about to disappear," Sasaki says. His passion for railway photography was reignited. He experimented with different angles and lighting, and in 2020, as the project ramped up, he published a photo book documenting the changes. When the restoration was completed in October 2024, he was struck by the sight of the new domes. "I thought, 'Is this really Tokyo Station?' It looked completely different," he recalls. But the restoration also sparked new inspiration. "The more I photographed it, the more I found I wanted to express and share." He began to feel a strong sense of responsibility to pass down the station's history. According to JR East, more than one million people use Tokyo Station each day. Foreign visitors have increased in recent years, but most people still pass through the station without really looking at it. Now in his sixties, Sasaki continues to hold regular exhibitions and events to raise awareness of the station's history and charm. "Tokyo Station is a part of the Japanese spirit. It brings together elements that speak to our hearts," he says. "We want to create a space where people can learn its history, appreciate its beauty, and ask questions." On August 3, he plans to host an event near the station titled "Why This Tokyo Station Researcher Is So Deeply Obsessed with Tokyo Station." Sasaki says he will keep exploring and sharing the meaning of Tokyo Station. His goal is to help it remain one of Japan's most beloved destinations. Author: Shuta Miyazaki, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
India.com
7 days ago
- Automotive
- India.com
Japan's fastest bullet train can cover Delhi to Patna in just 2.5 Hours, know when it will run in India
Japan's fastest bullet train can cover Delhi to Patna in just 2.5 Hours, know when it will run in India The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor is a 508-kilometer route which will connect Mumbai with Ahmedabad in Gujarat. By Anirudha Yerunkar Edited by Anirudha Yerunkar Advertisement The E10 Shinkansen, Japan's latest high-speed bullet train, will change rail travel in India. Ordered by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) for use on the Tohoku Shinkansen line, the E10 is an advanced version of Japan's existing bullet trains and is likely to make its debut in India by 2030. India's Expanding Rail Network India has one of the world's largest railway networks, is rapidly modernising with the introduction of high-speed trains powered by new technology. According to recent reports, the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor will initially use Japan's E5 model Shinkansen trains for trial runs. Advertisement === The E10 Shinkansen is expected to be even more advanced than the E5. It is known as 'Alpha-X', the E10 is designed to cross speeds of up to 400 km/h so it can cover 1,000 km in just 2.5 hours. Delhi To Patna In 2.5 Hours For example, a trip from Delhi to Patna of a distance of around 1000 km can be covered in just 2.5 hours with the E10 Shinkansen. Similarly, the 508 km Mumbai–Ahmedabad route would take just over an hour. Advertisement === According to media reports officials from the Indian Railways have confirmed that Shinkansen trains will be used in trial runs for India's first bullet train project. As part of the strategic partnership between India and Japan, the Japanese government has approved the introduction of E10 Shinkansen trains on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor. The rollout of these ultra-modern trains marks a major leap forward for India's transport infrastructure, promising faster travel times, greater efficiency, and a world-class passenger experience.
7 days ago
- Automotive
JR East to Resume E8 Shinkansen Train Operations
News from Japan Society Guide to Japan Jul 22, 2025 21:13 (JST) Tokyo, July 22 (Jiji Press)--East Japan Railway Co., or JR East, said Tuesday that it will gradually resume individual operations of E8 series Shinkansen trains on the Yamagata Shinkansen bullet train line from Aug. 1, as the cause of the malfunctions affecting them has been identified. JR East found that a higher-than-expected current flowed due to an improper combination of parts in the system that supplies power to the trains' electrical devices. In addition to the high current, the heat also affected the parts that shut off the current, causing them to malfunction. The trouble occurred on June 17, when an out-of-service E8 train became unable to accelerate while running between Utsunomiya and Nasushiobara stations in Tochigi Prefecture. As a result, Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train services between Tokyo Station and Sendai Station in Miyagi Prefecture were suspended for about five and a half hours. As other E8 trains also malfunctioned on the same day, JR East suspended individual operations of the E8 series, while partly halting Yamagata Shinkansen services. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
Tokyo Weekender
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
Everything You Need To Know About the 2025 Pokemon Stamp Rally
Pokemon Stamp Rally season is officially back. This annual tradition — a summer-long collaboration between JR East and The Pokemon Company — invites fans to crisscross Tokyo and neighboring regions by train, collecting special stamps at participating stations. Think of it as a real-world Pokedex adventure: pick up a booklet, travel to train stations and collect custom Pokemon stamps. Complete the course, and you'll earn exclusive Pokemon-themed rewards. The 2025 edition of the JR East Pokemon Mega Stamp Rally spans 36 stations across the Tokyo metropolitan area. Like the games, where you build your team one Pokemon at a time, this rally challenges you to collect stamps while exploring new neighborhoods and leveling up your travel experience. From July 18 to August 31, aspiring trainers can gather stamps and earn tiered rewards, from limited-edition merchandise to trading cards and toys. With dozens of stations, stamps, Pokemon and prizes to keep track of, the sheer scale of the rally can be a little overwhelming. Here's your definitive guide to navigating this year's Mega Stamp Rally like a pro. List of Contents: Rally Station Map Stage 1: The Starter Course Stage 2: Trainer Tier Stage 3: Pokemon Master Challenge Extra Stage Merchandise and Extra Campaign Activities Related Posts Rally Station Map This year, 36 Pokemon character stamps are scattered across JR East stations in and around Tokyo. Below is a full list of participating stations and where to find each stamp. We also included both the characters' official English names and their official Japanese names for your reference. Be warned that most stamps are located outside the ticket gates, meaning that you must tap your IC card to officially exit and collect the stamp. Your card will be charged even if you exit and re-enter the station to move on to the next location. If you are planning on catching all of the Pokemon, it might be a good idea to invest in a JR Tokyo Free Ticket to access unlimited JR East lines throughout the day. Stations marked with * are Stage 2 locations. Akabane Station (Mega Venusaur/ Mega Fushigibana ): Outside the north exit ticket gate Ageo Station (Scream Tail/ Sakebushippo ): Outside the ticket gate, on the left side inside the Midori no Madoguchi ticket office Asagaya Station (Mega Kangaskhan/ Megagarura ): Outside the ticket gates, near the north exit Ikebukuro Station * (Meowscarada/ Masukanya ): Outside the south ticket gate Itabashi Station (Mega Gengar/ Megagenga ): Outside the ticket gate Ueno Station * (Quaxwell/ Uerukamo ): Outside Iriya ticket gate Urawa Station (Mega Absol/ Megaabusoru ): Outside the central ticket gate, near the Midori no Madoguchi ticket office Ebisu Station * (Gimmighoul/ Korekure ): Outside the west ticket gate Osaki Station (Ceruledge/ Soubureizu ): Outside the north ticket gate Ofuna Station (Mega Steelix/ Megahaganeru ): On the left side after exiting the south ticket gate Omiya Station * (Dot's Tinkatuff/ Dottononakanukyan ): Near the central ticket gate, outside the police station Omori Station * (Charcadet/ Karubou ): Outside the central ticket gate Kashiwa Station (Mega Gardevoir/ Megasanaito ): Outside the central ticket gate Kanda Station (Rhyhorn & Golduck/ Saidon & Gorudakku ): outside the south exit ticket gate Kita-Senju Station * (Hattena/ Teburimu ): Outside the south ticket gate Koshigaya-Laketown Station (Maushold/ Ikkanezumi ): On the left side after exiting the ticket gate Sakuragicho Station * (Terapagos/ Terapagosu ): Outside the south ticket gate Shinagawa Station * (Kilowattrel/ Taikaiden ): Outside the central ticket gate, near the Midori no Madoguchi ticket office Shin-Urayasu Station (Mega Gyarados/ Megagyaradosu ): On the life side after exiting the central ticket gate Shinjuku Station * (Yellow Mega Lucario/ Kiiroimegarukario ): On the right side after exiting the east ticket gate Shinmatsudo Station (Mega Slowbro/ Megayadoran ): Outside of the ticket gate Takanawa Gateway Station (Mega Charizard X/ Megarizadon X ): Outside of the north ticket gate Tachikawa Station (Medicham/ Charemu ): Outside of the west ticket gate Chiba Station (Tasugiri/ Sharitatsu ): On the right side after exiting the central ticket gate Tokyo Station * (Captain Pikachu/ Kyaputenpikachu ): Outside the Marunouchi south exit ticket gate Nippori Station (Pawmi/ Pamo ): Outside the north ticket gate Hasuda Station (Mega Altaria/ Megachirutarisu ): On the right side after exiting the ticket gate Haneda Airport (Mega Charizard Y/ Megarizadon Y ): Inside the ticket gate of Terminal 3 Station, inside the Platform 2 waiting room Funabashi Station (Mega Blastoise/ Megakamokkusu ): Outside the central ticket gate, in front of the Midori no Madoguchi ticket office Machida Station (Garganacl/ Kyojion ): Outside of the central ticket gate, in front of the Midori no Madoguchi ticket office Mitaka Station * (Mega Sableye/ Megayamirami ): Outside of the ticket gate, in front of the Midori no Madoguchi ticket office Musashi-Urawa Station (Umbreon/ Burakki ): On the right side after exiting the ticket gate Yokohama Station (Mega Tyranitar/ Megabangirasu ): Outside the central north ticket gate Yotsuya Station * (Crocalor/ Achigeta ): On the left side after exiting the Yotsuya exit ticket gate Yoyogi Station (Mega Ampharos/ Megadenryu ): On the right side after exiting the west exit ticket gate Ryugasakishi Station (White Zygarde/ Shiroijigarude ): Outside the ticket gate The Pokemon stamp rally consists of various stages of participation — you can pick your own level of commitment, from collecting just a few stamps for fun to catching all 36 characters. Each stage has its own unique prizes. Stage 1: The Starter Course To complete Stage 1, collect any six character stamps. Once you have them, head to one of the nine designated NewDays 'Goal Shops' (locations listed below) and exchange your booklet for your first reward. Conveniently, most of these stores are inside the stations, usually near the stamp area. By completing Stage 1, you can receive a jumbo Pokemon Trading Card Game promo card featuring Pikachu EX as well as booklets for Stage 2 and Stage 3. Prize redemption locations NewDays Akabane : Outside the north ticket gate NewDays Ikebukuro : Outside the central west exit ticket gate NewDays Ueno : Outside the entrance ticket gate NewDays Omiya : Second floor, central ticket gate outside of the north exit NewDays Gransta Marunouchi Tokyo : Outside the Marunouchi underground south exit ticket gate NewDays CIAL Yokohama : Outside the central north and south ticket gates, corner of the west exit NewDays Shinagawa Chuo : Second floor north ticket gate, next to the ticket machine NewDays Shinjuku : Outside the east ticket gate NewDays Tachikawa : Outside the east ticket gate concourse Stage 2: Trainer Tier Stage 2 requires you to collect all 12 stamps from a special set of stations. These 12 'Stage 2' stations are marked with an asterisk (*) in the rally station list above. Already visited some during your first stage journey? Good news: you're allowed to cut and paste previously collected stamps from Stage 1 into your Stage 2 booklet. But if you're aiming to complete all 36 eventually, it's worth collecting new ones. Once you've completed Stage 2, visit the Tokyo Station Goal Counter to claim your next rewards: a Pokemon Frienda Yellow Mega Lucario arcade game card, a clear multi-case featuring this year's Pokemon and an entry ticket for a lottery giveaway — 50 winners will receive a Yellow Mega Lucario plush toy. Stage 3: Pokemon Master Challenge To become an ultimate Pokemon Master, catch all 36 Pokemon! If you get all 36 stamps in your booklet, bring it to the Tokyo Station Goal Counter to receive an exclusive keychain. Extra Stage This extra stage of the rally ventures outside of the Tokyo metropolitan area, into the Tohoku region. You can collect stamps of the legendary Six Heroes at designated shinkansen stations. Sendai Station (Lapras/ Rapurasu ): Outside of the shinkansen ticket gate, near the Midori no Madoguchi ticket office on the third floor Morioka Station (Galarian Moltres/ Gararufaiya ): Outside of the ticket gate, near the south Midori no Madoguchi ticket office on the second floor Yamagata Station (Kleavor/ Basagiri ): Outside of the shinkansen ticket gate on the second floor Akita Station (Rayquaza/ Rekkuza ): Near the central ticket gate Niigata Station (Gouging Fire/ Ugatsuhomura ): Outside of the shinkansen east ticket gate, in front of the east Midori no Madoguchi ticket office Shin-Aomori Station (Arboliva/ Oriva ): In front of the waiting room outside of the shinkansen ticket gate You only need one stamp for the shinkansen course. Collect any of these six special stamps and present it to the Tokyo Station Goal Counter to receive an exclusive medal featuring Black Rayquaza. Merchandise and Extra Campaign Activities Limited-edition Pokemon items — including rally-themed merchandise and snacks — will be available at participating NewDays stores. A special premium edition of the stamp booklet (¥2,420) is also on sale. It includes s paces for all 36 metro and six shinkansen stamps, a stamp booklet holder and a pouch for your IC card. Please note that if you use the premium booklet, all prizes must be redeemed at Tokyo Station. The nine prize redemption locations will also have Pikachu-edition Tokyo Banana, a popular sponge cake with banana custard filling. The Pikachu version of the treat comes with four pieces inside the box and has adorable Pikachu designs on the cakes and the packaging. Additionally, the Tokyo Station Goal Counter will be distributing Captain Pikachu paper sun visors from July 18 to September 1, until supplies last. Finally, select trains will be getting a Pokemon makeover. From August 4, the Yamanote Line will be themed around Masukanya (Meowscarada), the Keihin-Tohoku Line will showcase Uerukamo (Quaxwell) and the Chuo Line will feature Achigeta (Crocalor). These trains will remain Pokemon-themed until late August. Related Posts Pokemon Green: The Game the Rest of the World Never Got What Generation I Pokémon Are You Based on Your Zodiac Sign? On this Day in Japan: Nintendo Released the First Pokemon Games
Japan Today
20-07-2025
- Japan Today
All Tokyo Yamanote line services briefly suspended due to fire caused by power bank in bag
All train services on the Yamanote loop line in central Tokyo were briefly suspended Sunday afternoon after a fire, likely caused by a power bank in a passenger's bag, left that passenger and four others with minor injuries, police said. Police quoted the passenger, a woman in her 30s, as saying that "the battery became hot when charging my smartphone, and (the phone) caught fire in around 30 seconds," burning her bag. The incident disrupted train traffic in the Japanese capital, affecting around 98,000 people, JR East said. The fire broke out around 4:10 p.m. on a train traveling between Shin-Okubo and Shinjuku stations. All services on the busy loop line were suspended but resumed by around 6:10 p.m. In addition to the woman, who suffered a burn on her finger, four others in their 20s to 50s were injured while trying to evacuate the train. Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in power banks, can ignite upon physical impact or due to gradual degradation, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Incidents involving such batteries catching fire tend to increase between June and August, when temperatures are higher, according to the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation. The ministry bans travelers from placing mobile batteries in checked baggage on flights. Starting this month, it is also urging passengers to keep power banks within reach during flights, following a series of incidents involving mobile batteries catching fire onboard. © KYODO
