Latest news with #Komachi
Asahi Shimbun
02-06-2025
- Asahi Shimbun
Same circuit board used in two bullet train decouplings
The decoupled Hayabusa and Komachi bullet trains in Tokyo's Arakawa Ward on March 6 (Yasumasa Kikuchi) East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) has revealed that two recent decouplings of Tohoku Shinkansen mid-journey involved different Komachi trains that used the same electrical circuit board, which may have triggered the malfunctions. Following the first decoupling in September, JR East determined that a small metal fragment left over from the manufacturing process may have caused a false unlocking signal by entering the coupler's control switch. In response, company engineers inspected all 96 train units capable of coupled operations and cleared any metal fragments. They also removed parts behind the control switch for modifications to prevent a recurrence. One of these modified parts--a circuit board from the first train malfunction--was later installed in the train that experienced the second decoupling in March. The circuit board in question has been removed and is now undergoing a thorough investigation to determine whether it was responsible for both decoupling mishaps. In the second incident, officials confirmed that the lever designed to unlock the coupler repeatedly failed. However, the exact cause for the malfunction remains unknown. The recent discovery involving the circuit board has prompted JR East to re-examine whether the first incident was actually triggered by a loose metal fragment. In addition to its own investigation, the company is cooperating with a probe by the Japan Transport Safety Board, which has classified the incidents as serious. Along with safety concerns, the malfunctions inconvenienced hundreds of thousands of passengers as hundreds of trains were canceled. Shortly after the suspension of operations that followed the second incident, JR East resumed coupled train operations using temporary preventive measures. It installed additional metal components designed to physically prevent the coupler from disengaging trains, even in the event of an electrical signal malfunction. JR East President Yoichi Kise has announced plans to introduce a permanent double-locking mechanism in the safety system to prevent mid-operation decoupling.
CNN
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
The ‘Shinkansen kiss': Japan's little-known rail spectacle that attracts trainspotters from around the world
In Japan, finding a true hidden gem seems harder than ever. In recent years, the cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka have become staples for most international tourists who visit. But the adventurous visitor only needs to travel just a few hours north of the capital to find a less crowded city, where culinary delicacies can be eaten against the backdrop of a snow-capped, active volcano. Morioka is perhaps most famous for its noodle-eating challenge and a popular summer festival. But inside its train station awaits one of Japan's most curious treasures. A spectacle to get the hearts of rail fans racing, it happens 17 times a day, and there is always a crowd waiting at the platform to see it. First, the teal green Tohoku Shinkansen 'Hayabusa' — one of Japan's world-famous bullet trains — arrives at the platform. It stops, passengers alight, and the train waits patiently for its partner. Then, the bright red Akita Shinkansen 'Komachi' slowly approaches along the same track. Finally, to the excitement of onlookers, the front of the trains open up, and they connect, nose-to-nose. The technical term for the event is 'coupling,' but it is known colloquially as the 'Shinkansen kiss.' For Japanese rail fans, it's a big deal. For foreigners, it is a unique insight into the quintessentially Japanese experience of trainspotting. 'It is the iconic image of the two Shinkansen being connected at the noses,' Carissa Loh, a rail enthusiast from Singapore, tells CNN. She has joined the crowds to watch the kiss more than five times, noting that for anyone who knows about Japanese trains, the scene at Morioka station is 'very, very recognizable.' The Japanese are proud of their sleek, spaceship-like Shinkansen, known worldwide as 'bullet trains.' They are famously fast, reliable and beautifully designed. In Japan, explains Loh, rail fans are divided into two main categories: nori-tetsu — 'people who like to ride trains' — and tori-tetsu — 'people who like to take photos of trains.' Every month, timetables for all the trains are published in 'a very thick book,' and hobbyists 'will look at it to see where they should go to take a specific photo or to ride a specific train.' In particular, said Loh, Japanese children love their trains. 'A lot of little boys, when you ask them what they want to be when they grow up, they will say they want to be a Shinkansen driver,' said Loh, 'And they can recognize the different trains by the colors and the models. A lot of the people who are (in Morioka) watching are parents bringing their children.' The Shinkansen network connects the Tokyo metropolitan area to various regions of the country, serving approximately 14 million passengers every day, according to the East Japan Rail Company. At Morioka, the two trains connect and then travel together towards the capital, allowing passengers to go between Akita and Tokyo without needing to transfer. The teal green Hayabusa, the fastest train in the network, pulls along the red Komachi. Morioka is one of three stations in Japan where you can witness the kissing of two Shinkansen trains, along with Sendai and Fukushima. It is the only place you can witness the colorful kiss between the Tohoku and the Akita. You can also see the 'uncoupling' of the trains at Morioka, as they separate and head in different directions – a sad image in contrast to their joyful union. It is 'a moving experience to watch the mechanical and smooth kissing of the large Shinkansen car body under the exquisite control of the driver,' a representative of the East Japan Railway Company told CNN. It also adds to the already seductive charm of Morioka, a city of fewer than 300,000 people, often seen as an unlikely stop in a tour of Japan. 'It's not really a place that first-time visitors to Japan would visit,' said Loh. But that perception might be changing. In 2023, Morioka was placed second on the New York Times' list of '52 Places to Go,' only behind London. The Times described the city as 'a walkable gem without the crowds, just a short bullet train ride from Tokyo.' Morioka is known for its old buildings and numerous boutiques, as well as its noodle dishes, according to the East Japan Rail Company. With the added allure of what Loh describes as the 'special experience' of the Shinkansen kiss, the northern city has the potential to rival the more popular destinations in the south. 'Most people travel towards Kyoto and Osaka,' said the East Japan Rail Company. '(But) there are many interesting locations north of Tokyo to explore.'
CNN
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
The ‘Shinkansen kiss': Japan's little-known rail spectacle that attracts trainspotters from around the world
In Japan, finding a true hidden gem seems harder than ever. In recent years, the cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka have become staples for most international tourists who visit. But the adventurous visitor only needs to travel just a few hours north of the capital to find a less crowded city, where culinary delicacies can be eaten against the backdrop of a snow-capped, active volcano. Morioka is perhaps most famous for its noodle-eating challenge and a popular summer festival. But inside its train station awaits one of Japan's most curious treasures. A spectacle to get the hearts of rail fans racing, it happens 17 times a day, and there is always a crowd waiting at the platform to see it. First, the teal green Tohoku Shinkansen 'Hayabusa' — one of Japan's world-famous bullet trains — arrives at the platform. It stops, passengers alight, and the train waits patiently for its partner. Then, the bright red Akita Shinkansen 'Komachi' slowly approaches along the same track. Finally, to the excitement of onlookers, the front of the trains open up, and they connect, nose-to-nose. The technical term for the event is 'coupling,' but it is known colloquially as the 'Shinkansen kiss.' For Japanese rail fans, it's a big deal. For foreigners, it is a unique insight into the quintessentially Japanese experience of trainspotting. 'It is the iconic image of the two Shinkansen being connected at the noses,' Carissa Loh, a rail enthusiast from Singapore, tells CNN. She has joined the crowds to watch the kiss more than five times, noting that for anyone who knows about Japanese trains, the scene at Morioka station is 'very, very recognizable.' The Japanese are proud of their sleek, spaceship-like Shinkansen, known worldwide as 'bullet trains.' They are famously fast, reliable and beautifully designed. In Japan, explains Loh, rail fans are divided into two main categories: nori-tetsu — 'people who like to ride trains' — and tori-tetsu — 'people who like to take photos of trains.' Every month, timetables for all the trains are published in 'a very thick book,' and hobbyists 'will look at it to see where they should go to take a specific photo or to ride a specific train.' In particular, said Loh, Japanese children love their trains. 'A lot of little boys, when you ask them what they want to be when they grow up, they will say they want to be a Shinkansen driver,' said Loh, 'And they can recognize the different trains by the colors and the models. A lot of the people who are (in Morioka) watching are parents bringing their children.' The Shinkansen network connects the Tokyo metropolitan area to various regions of the country, serving approximately 14 million passengers every day, according to the East Japan Rail Company. At Morioka, the two trains connect and then travel together towards the capital, allowing passengers to go between Akita and Tokyo without needing to transfer. The teal green Hayabusa, the fastest train in the network, pulls along the red Komachi. Morioka is one of three stations in Japan where you can witness the kissing of two Shinkansen trains, along with Sendai and Fukushima. It is the only place you can witness the colorful kiss between the Tohoku and the Akita. You can also see the 'uncoupling' of the trains at Morioka, as they separate and head in different directions – a sad image in contrast to their joyful union. It is 'a moving experience to watch the mechanical and smooth kissing of the large Shinkansen car body under the exquisite control of the driver,' a representative of the East Japan Railway Company told CNN. It also adds to the already seductive charm of Morioka, a city of fewer than 300,000 people, often seen as an unlikely stop in a tour of Japan. 'It's not really a place that first-time visitors to Japan would visit,' said Loh. But that perception might be changing. In 2023, Morioka was placed second on the New York Times' list of '52 Places to Go,' only behind London. The Times described the city as 'a walkable gem without the crowds, just a short bullet train ride from Tokyo.' Morioka is known for its old buildings and numerous boutiques, as well as its noodle dishes, according to the East Japan Rail Company. With the added allure of what Loh describes as the 'special experience' of the Shinkansen kiss, the northern city has the potential to rival the more popular destinations in the south. 'Most people travel towards Kyoto and Osaka,' said the East Japan Rail Company. '(But) there are many interesting locations north of Tokyo to explore.'
CNN
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
The ‘Shinkansen kiss': Japan's little-known rail spectacle that attracts trainspotters from around the world
In Japan, finding a true hidden gem seems harder than ever. In recent years, the cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka have become staples for most international tourists who visit. But the adventurous visitor only needs to travel just a few hours north of the capital to find a less crowded city, where culinary delicacies can be eaten against the backdrop of a snow-capped, active volcano. Morioka is perhaps most famous for its noodle-eating challenge and a popular summer festival. But inside its train station awaits one of Japan's most curious treasures. A spectacle to get the hearts of rail fans racing, it happens 17 times a day, and there is always a crowd waiting at the platform to see it. First, the teal green Tohoku Shinkansen 'Hayabusa' — one of Japan's world-famous bullet trains — arrives at the platform. It stops, passengers alight, and the train waits patiently for its partner. Then, the bright red Akita Shinkansen 'Komachi' slowly approaches along the same track. Finally, to the excitement of onlookers, the front of the trains open up, and they connect, nose-to-nose. The technical term for the event is 'coupling,' but it is known colloquially as the 'Shinkansen kiss.' For Japanese rail fans, it's a big deal. For foreigners, it is a unique insight into the quintessentially Japanese experience of trainspotting. 'It is the iconic image of the two Shinkansen being connected at the noses,' Carissa Loh, a rail enthusiast from Singapore, tells CNN. She has joined the crowds to watch the kiss more than five times, noting that for anyone who knows about Japanese trains, the scene at Morioka station is 'very, very recognizable.' The Japanese are proud of their sleek, spaceship-like Shinkansen, known worldwide as 'bullet trains.' They are famously fast, reliable and beautifully designed. In Japan, explains Loh, rail fans are divided into two main categories: nori-tetsu — 'people who like to ride trains' — and tori-tetsu — 'people who like to take photos of trains.' Every month, timetables for all the trains are published in 'a very thick book,' and hobbyists 'will look at it to see where they should go to take a specific photo or to ride a specific train.' In particular, said Loh, Japanese children love their trains. 'A lot of little boys, when you ask them what they want to be when they grow up, they will say they want to be a Shinkansen driver,' said Loh, 'And they can recognize the different trains by the colors and the models. A lot of the people who are (in Morioka) watching are parents bringing their children.' The Shinkansen network connects the Tokyo metropolitan area to various regions of the country, serving approximately 14 million passengers every day, according to the East Japan Rail Company. At Morioka, the two trains connect and then travel together towards the capital, allowing passengers to go between Akita and Tokyo without needing to transfer. The teal green Hayabusa, the fastest train in the network, pulls along the red Komachi. Morioka is one of three stations in Japan where you can witness the kissing of two Shinkansen trains, along with Sendai and Fukushima. It is the only place you can witness the colorful kiss between the Tohoku and the Akita. You can also see the 'uncoupling' of the trains at Morioka, as they separate and head in different directions – a sad image in contrast to their joyful union. It is 'a moving experience to watch the mechanical and smooth kissing of the large Shinkansen car body under the exquisite control of the driver,' a representative of the East Japan Railway Company told CNN. It also adds to the already seductive charm of Morioka, a city of fewer than 300,000 people, often seen as an unlikely stop in a tour of Japan. 'It's not really a place that first-time visitors to Japan would visit,' said Loh. But that perception might be changing. In 2023, Morioka was placed second on the New York Times' list of '52 Places to Go,' only behind London. The Times described the city as 'a walkable gem without the crowds, just a short bullet train ride from Tokyo.' Morioka is known for its old buildings and numerous boutiques, as well as its noodle dishes, according to the East Japan Rail Company. With the added allure of what Loh describes as the 'special experience' of the Shinkansen kiss, the northern city has the potential to rival the more popular destinations in the south. 'Most people travel towards Kyoto and Osaka,' said the East Japan Rail Company. '(But) there are many interesting locations north of Tokyo to explore.'
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Japan bullet trains resume service after decoupling issue
March 14 (UPI) -- Japanese high-speed bullet trains, suspended over a decoupling while in motion issue, resumed service Friday. East Japan Railway Co. said full operations are expected to be in place Saturday. The decoupling happened for the second time in six months on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line. On March 6 Hayabusa and Komachi trains on that line decoupled at low speed -- about 37mph -- triggering automatic brakes. Passengers were not injured. The suspension of service also affected Akita and Yamagata Shinkansen line trains. According to East Japan Railway, metal fittings will be installed to secure coupling devices in the train driver compartments to prevent future decoupling incidents. East Japan Railway, also known as JR East, is the only rail company that connects different types of trains for the Shinkansen line connecting Tokyo to Japan's northeast. The Hayabusa-Komachi No. 9 train was the first to resume service Friday. The fix intended to prevent future decouplings of bullet trains are metal parts fabricated by JR East to stop couplers from inadvertently unlocking. The added parts are designed to block unintended decoupling even if an electrical signal is sent to decouple. Safety testing was done with those parts installed before the bullet train suspension was lifted Friday.
