NOTIFICATION SQUAD: I've been looking for an excuse to ride the shinkansen and shoot a cinematic style video for a long time now. So when the 60th year anniversary of the bullet train rolled around, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn't miss! I hope this video did the shinkansen justice! ⭐BIG thanks to Epidemic for sponsoring the video! Use discount code AIJ50 by November 8th at share.epidemicsound.com/aijOCT24
You did Shin-Kobe dirty! 😢 Herb Garden is a beautiful sculpted garden which goes halfway down the mountain, and then there’s a beautiful natural waterfall near the bottom. Also five minutes from station are a number of 19th century European style houses which survived the Kobe earthquake and which are now themed museums. Admittedly I didn’t go in 35 degrees heat but it really is lovely. Bring Sharla with you next time and do it properly in Spring or autumn.
@@AbroadinJapanthink of a 14 day in the rural Japan ? A lot of people trying to escape city live and the Japan rural lore is there for sure. Keep up the great work mate.
I got inspired by that 14 days in Japan Itinerary video and went to Japan not so long ago. I made few tweaks to it though hehe. It was a fantastic trip. Thank you for the ideas. :)
1:51 - random fact for any Metal Gear Solid fans interested, the english voice onboard the shinkansen is provided by Donna Burke, who sang "Heaven's Divide" for MGS Peacewalker, and "Sins of the Father" (the WHOA-HOOOOOOOOOO song) from MGS 5 Phantom Pain. I was delighted to hear her when I rode from Tokyo to Osaka.
For the ropeway in Kobe, I would actually advise going down the mountain afterward! I went this spring, and the herb gardens are lovely! You can relax in the sun in one of the many hammocks, you can spot little plant pot people, enjoy all the lovely flowers and if feeling up for a longer trip walk down the mountain all the way on quite an adventurous trail alongside nature and waterfalls. We met a few locals along the way who told us about the legend of the mountain, and all in all, it has been one of the most memorable experiences on my japan trip!
I went to Nunobiki Herb Gardens on my first visit to Japan back in 2017 and it was honestly one of the best memories of that trip. As I was walking through the herb garden, a nice old man started talking to me. He told me all about his travels, told me that he scaled the mountain every week and took the cable car down to keep his health and fitness in tact. He was 80+ but still enjoyed worldwide travels and his story honestly inspired me so much. I'm crap with names, so I forgot his name, but the memories of talking to him and feeling inspired by him will never fade.
I'm not exactly a train nerd, but Japan has just nailed that aspect of public transportation. The efficiency is honestly unmatched, even though it's a bit expensive. The one time I went West from Tokyo, I didn't get to see Mt. Fuji, and to be fair, I think I enjoyed riding the slower trains through the countryside in all its Summer-green glory even more than the busy Shinkansen departures where the endless concrete just flashes by.
literally costs less then any trip in germany - and is actually reliable - like 130 for green cart is a great price cpmsidering in ger you would need to pay around 220 euros for a "green cart" equivalant
@@trevors7646 Perhaps, he's a busy man, Mr Affable is. Sunday Times best seller and good friends with the Emperor of Japan and King Charles init - that comes with responsibilities it does.
Great video Chris, LOVE the Shinkansen and on my most recent trip we did the same route in reverse, albeit over a few days and crucially using the Hello Kitty branded train between Fukuoka and Hiroshima. I think one of the best things about the Shinkansen is it's one of the few places in Japan where it's ok to eat in public. I sometimes feel I have to buy a ticket in order to just eat the tray of discount sushi I've picked up from a department store at closing time.
My biggest surprise TIL is that the bullet train is powered by overhead power lines. I didn't realize that sort of system would be maintainable for constant high speed vehicles. I've only been on it on much slower local buses and trams in some cities. I appreciate you and other youtubers making videos like this. I traveled a lot in my youth but not much any more. Seeing places via the internet is a second best. And sometimes I see places I visited in person back in the 80s and it is interesting to compare then and now.
Overhead power lines actually can allow for faster speeds than third rail. High speed rail uses almost exclusively overhead power lines while third rail is more commonly seen for slower city rail lines.
@@Moonstone-Redux I believe you. But prior to this I had only seen it on relatively slow buses and trolleys. Also, I suspect the train system is tailored for the speed. The stuff I have seen has been more 'clunky' and I've seen them bump and spark across certain sections. But again, they are making those knowing the bus is moving around the city at relatively slow speeds.
In all fairness, it did take quite a while before overhead wires became viable for high speeds. Trolley collectors (which are still used for buses) are quite unreliable at higher speeds (according to Wikipedia, it managed to withstand 140 km/h without derailment which is nonetheless lower than the 160 km/h which third rail operate) and there still were two other collectors developed (bow collectors, symmetric pantographs) before half-pantographs (modern current collectors) were the developed. That being said, by the time the Shinkansen was built, the half-pantograph was already developed and the rest consists of optimisations like further reducing wind resistance and making sure the overhead wires are tense enough (which they aren't for trolleybuses and trams).
The Maglev/Chuo Shinkansen had to ditch it and use onboard diesel-electric generators because it generates too much friction to use overhead lines at those speeds. (There were also apparently some weird electrical effects that could appear getting up to speed).
You should spend more time in Kobe! I'm currently studying in Kobe for the year (large part because you inspired me to come to Japan many many years ago now) and there's so much interesting stuff here, it'd be great to see it get the spotlight in one of your videos, and preferably not just for the beef. And I'm not just saying that so I can get more ideas of what to do that don't involve bankrupting myself on beef
One thing I'm really enjoying is that with every video of Abroad in Japan I notice that I can read a bit more of what appears on screen. Tells me I'm still making progress with learning Japanese! Also, cool trains this time around! I appreciate the facts and stories around this mode of transportation that not just the British could learn a thing or two from (looking at you, Deutsche Bahn).
The Yamanote video was the trigger for the trip my wife and I just returned from. We spent three weeks in Tokyo, Kanazawa, and Hiroshima because your video made seeing Tokyo look so easy. (it was!)
We are always impressed and amazed on how efficient and convenient riding the shinkansen is! Especially as tourists that can avail the JR Pass, it enables us to go to underrated cities like Hiroshima and Fukuoka without wasting precious vacation hours. Hope we come across with you in our future Japan trips, Chris!
Hey.... my wife and I actually enjoyed the rope way in Kobe... had delicious german beer up top and staggered our way down the garden path...👍😎🍺. But actually... on a previous trip to Tokyo, we had a canal tour of the waterways crisis crossing the city and were absolutely mind blown at the engineering involved in creating it. We also realized that the vast majority of tourists to Tokyo never even notice the Canals that rum mostly underneath the roadways and train paths. The canals are almost invisible. If you created a video showcasing existing canal tours, I'm sure many people would love the experience. The tour we took was at Nipponbashi Bridge near Tokyo Station. The Bridge itself is a beautiful work of art. Thank you for all you do... our travels there have been amazing due in large part to your reconnaissance. Thanks again and God bless.🙏👍😎⛩️
Travelling on the Shinkansen was definitely a highlight of my first trip to Japan. 6 trips over 2 weeks, every one on time and fabulous. Never thought I'd get so enthusiastic about train travel, but this is next level.
The shinkansen is the most amazing train I have ever taken, each time I go back to Japan I always take it, its super fast, on time, clean, reliable and extremely safe. No doubt JR Railways is second to none in the world.
You really should spend a bit more time in Nagoya next time (my home away from home in Japan) to go to Yama Chan’s. Their chicken wings are pretty freaking incredible!
Blows my mind that the trains come so often that you can get off at a major station for lunch then get back on a train at anytime and continue on your way. In transit planning this is called "frequency is freedom", Japan takes it to a whole new level!
Heey I recognized the cable cart instantly when you showed it! I went to the herb garden after having lunch in Kobe! I actually thought it was a fun activity, though I wouldn't recommend hiking down during summer.
Been watching you since 2016 and it was so awesome to run into you and Natsuki by the Yatai in Fukuoka this month! We ended up eating at a Yatai that night, but not along the main street. Natsuki is so cool in person. Looking forward to more videos!
Just gotta say, the editing/general production keeps getting better and better! The transition shot to the first bullet train blew my mind Chris, keep it up!! This is good storytelling.
Shinkansen are at sea level, so cabin isn't at low pressure. So there is no jet fatigue. Your mind will be assuming you should be like airplane, but at your destination you will feel normal and not a wasted day. Shinkansen > Air Travel
Besides earthquakes, typhoons, rain and snow regularly stop shinkansen! I regularly travel for work and will get stuck once or twice.a year either at home or my destination. 2 yrs ago I was stuck in Tokyo for 2 extra days because heavy rains around Nagoya and Shizuoka stopped trains most of Friday and Saturday morning and then the ensuing chaos after several hours of delays and then all those thousands of passengers trying to rebook new trains once they started up again. I've also been stuck in a train in the middle of Shiga for several hours due to heavy snow!
at least they have a decent excuse for disruption. UK uses " a bit rainy", "autumn" and "staff things" as excuses to not manage to run a train service ;-)
Just went to Japan for the third time, and stopped in Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Yokohama. By far my favourite thing on the whole trip was the Kobe Herb Garden. I think going their in the summer was a disservice to how amazing it really is. Can't wait to go back.
The Shinkansen is so fascinating and cool, in so many ways. Being able to traverse a county like Japan with such efficiency is a marvel, and you don't have to go through airport security to experience it.
My girlfriend and I went to the Herb Garden in Kobe this past summer on our Japan trip - it was beautiful! Definitely not amazing Kobe beef up there, but the lavender ice cream we had and tea we brought back was quite good
*Shinkansen* is brilliant. People ask me "Can you get up and move around at 300 km/h?" - Yes and easier than trying the same on a suburban rattler in Melbourne (Australia)!
I’d love to see Chris do a full public transport video in a day. The Shinkansen is a great example to be sure, but I’d love to see him explore the other forms of public transport used throughout Japan. Like a full “I explored Japan for 7 days using nothing but public transport to reach unique destinations.” So you could cover trains, busses, maybe cabs (assuming the cab driver allows filming), and things like that.
Hey Chris! I've watched most of your videos and just wanted to say your camera work has always been great but it's gotten better and better over the years. We really appreciate your hard work! Thank you!
You really did the Herb Garden dirty. Part of what makes it such a fun destination is visiting the perfume shop and thenk taking the hike down the mountain to see Nunobiki falls. On a clear day like when I want back in September, the view is excellent and the hike to the falls is fantastic.
Was in Kobe in November 2017 and too the same ropeway to the Herb garden and is was amazing. The most amazing views. Gorgeous. Also had a tea at the cafe overlooking Kobe skyline, the sea and the mountains. It was a trip of a lifetime.
The most mindboggling thing, since we're speaking of Japan, is that some shinkansen have a clean top, while other shinkansen have a visibly dirty top. I can't wrap my head around it and I can't unsee it 😂😂
Although the view from the top in Kobe after the ropeway isn‘t that special, the hike down the mountain through the herb gardens is quite nice. And there‘s also a bit of an adventurous section after you leave the gates of the herb gatens when you take the shortcut to the reservoir. Saw a snake there last time as well haha
Just wanted to thank you Chris for making these videos, I have been watching you since the pandemic and you’ve made my days a little bit better during a very stressful and hard 4 years for me, your videos are an absolute treat and have made me want to visit japan atleast once in this lifetime if not move there entirely!
Nagoya is famous (to me) for being home to the band Coldrain. Shinkansen head chiefs resigned after protests when it was almost completed, today everyone says it's a success but not every Japanese was happy about it back then. Bullet train is a novel by Kotaro Isaka set on a shinkansen train and there's also a movie of it, both of which are recommended (as is the prequel novel).
The idea of a train that isn't at least 30 minutes to an hour late is scary quite frankly, there's a comfort to knowing you can always get to an English train station late since the train always arrives even later
I probably have the benefit of living in London, but trains here are great. Despite the steep price, I’ve never had to wait for an excessively long time, usually there’s some kind of transport to hop on within 5 minutes. And the one time I was on an intercity service that was halted by an hour and a half because someone fell on a track, I got a full refund, a free taxi to my next destination (due to it being after midnight), and a half-refund for my booked seat not being available (I still had a seat that was perfectly fine lol)
Congrats on the Epidemic sponsorship! I thought it was strange you didn't have it already, you've been using their tracks for ages. I hope the reward allows you to go to even greater lengths to show us even greater experiences.
Kobe herb garden is fantastic at night during the end of winter. I went about 1-2 before they closed one night in mid-april this year. It wasn't busy and the view of the city at night was beautiful with the serene location. You can't walk down, but definitely worth a quiet stroll if you have the time for a peaceful night away from the city
Coming from Germany, who has its own kinda bullet train, the ICE, I was absolutely blown away by the Shinkansan. Even if (and that is a big "if" nowadays) the ICE is on time, it's way smaller than a Shinkansen car. It's only two-by-two seats and it at least feels much tighter packed. I think the seats are broader and there is more legroom in Japan. And the ceiling is higher up. When I came in the first time it actually reminded me a bit of a space craft. The barriers around the station to keep people from falling onto the tracks are missing in Germany altogether. I know them from other countries and it really helps prevent accidents and suicides. They also require a precise positioning of the train to match the openings with the doors, which is severely lacking on the ICE. There are train car position maps, where you can see where you car will be stopping in the station, but due to time constrains, the train is rarely put together like mentioned. Often it arrives backwards, screwing up all the maps and best laid plans for a short walk to your seat. The frequency and punctuality of the Shinkansen is unmatched. A few decades ago, German trains also were quite punctual, but with the privatization of the trains this went away. Who could have guessed that a company putting money over comfort? Well, everyone. They skimped out on check-ups for the trains and tracks, investing way less into the system and giving most of it to their management and shareholders. Fast forward 10-15 years and trains often went for repairs, taking them out of rotation. It's now quite normal that your train arrives 30-60min late...or will be canceled. I have that happen around 50% of the time I went by train. They sometimes cancel trains for not being full enough (because it will save them more money), while then putting all passengers onto the next train, that is already fully booked. And now you have people fighting over seats, toilets overflowing (and no more toilet paper...), people standing in the train cars for the whole trip, etc. At least the privatization in Japan did not do the same to the trains. They still fear the wrath of the customer. In Germany, they just do not care anymore. I take the Shinkansen over the ICE every time. It's so much better in all aspects.
Love the Shinkansen , one the highlight of my trips to Japan every time , my bucket list was ticked all in one day in Japan - Saw Fuji - Ride Shinkansen - see a Maiko-san . Great video mate enjoying the podcast as well on Audible.
As a German this is so frustrating to watch... He needs 10 hours for 1000km and has time to walk around the stops lol. We have the trains, but some smartass thought highspeed trains on regular tracks are cool... Your train can go 330 km/h? Awesome. Enjoy that fact while being blocked by a cargo train lol
Kobe herb garden is actually quite nice if you take the hike down! There's viewing platforms around and stunning flowers and herbs around. The summit is only the starting point.
Japan is a huge country lol! It’s about the size of the US east coast, and had a population of 124 million people. It’s larger than most every major a European country.
Japan is still a sizeable country, but japan has the best trains aside from europe and china. A small country is like Singapore, with their always busy metro
There has been zero fatalities because the Japanese are extremely disciplined, precise and take great pride in their work. Even the tiniest of errors are not acceptable in their eyes. I really admire them for that. Unlike people here in the UK who couldn't give a flying f if they made a fatal error, as long as they get paid and go home. Big salute to Japan from Scotland.
fact: A Shigaraki Kōgen Railway (SKR) train and a West Japan Railway Company (JR West) train collided head-on, killing 42 people and injuring 614 others. Until the Amagasaki derailment in 2005, this was the deadliest railway disaster in Japan since the Yokohama rail crash of 1963, which killed 161 people.
Was so excited when I saw you going up the rope way, visiting the herb garden is still one of my fav things I've done in Japan so a little sad you didn't get to enjoy it properly ;-; I spent hours there when I visited and it wasn't even in full bloom!
Your videos inspired me to my own trip to Japan this year Chris. Beautiful country, great food, lovely people can see why you moved there. Thanks for the content it's always filmed with such fantastic shots!
I absolutely love when you do a documentary vlog.... you are so informative my fave was fukushima..... you were so respectful, as always huge huggles from Scotland 🏴 🤗 ❤
legitimately crying a bit rn because 0:11 I took a photo almost on the EXACT SAME SPOT the last day of when I was in Japan for the first time a few months ago... god I miss that place😭
