Japan launches 'Hayabusa' bullet train

[Nigelinoz]

Anyone heading to Japan soon?

JAPAN'S latest bullet train, the thin-nosed "Hayabusa'' or Falcon, has made its 300 kilometre per hour debut, boasting a luxury carriage modelled on airline business class.

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Those willing to pay 26,360 yen ($320) for a one-way trip can enjoy the comfort of a 'GranClass' car, where a cabin attendant will serve them drinks and food in their deeply reclining leather seats on thick woollen carpets.

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Japan launches 'Hayabusa' bullet train | News.com.au

 

[wingspan]

I saw the GranClass seats a little while ago, and have to say that they look luxurious! Even though they're selling for a good Y5k more than Green Class would on the same route, they look like they might be worth it! (No wonder the trip was sold out a month before the hayabusa made it's maiden voyage!)

For tourists to Japan using a Japan Rail Pass, you can access GranClass if you pay a surcharge:

From JAPAN RAIL PASS validity :

In addition, if you use the GranClass car on the “HAYABUSA” train of the Tohoku Shinkansen, you must pay the limited express charge and the GranClass car surcharge

Which would probably work out to be a nice deal, too, if you're planning on heading up to the north east anyway!

 

[drmikki]

You can also use GranClass on the JR East Pass. I am presuming that the surcharges will be the same on the JR East and full JR Pass.
Quote JR East website:
.

From Tokyo
Sendai - 19,380
Morioka -22,830
Hachinohe - 24,340
Shin-Aomori - 26,360
* All seating on Hayabusa trains is by reservation only.
* Total fare includes basic fare, express train charges, and GranClass charges.

From Tokyo

Sendai - 13,600
Morioka -14,640
Hachinohe - 14,990
Shin-Aomori - 16,490

* It is necessary to pay a separate express and GranClass charges when using the JR East Pass.

I'm not sure whether food and beverages are included... I would presume so if they are aiming to be a J-class type offering but it doesn't seem to clarify that anywhere. Ordinary car is a 3-2 layout, Green Car is 2-2, and GranClass looks to be 2-1 - perfect for boofy gaijin! (Foreigners)

 

[thewinchester]

For those who've not seen the seats, pictures available here:
"Hayabusa" GranClass | Tohoku Shinkansen Series E5 Hayabusa Debut | JR-EAST

Needless to say, they do look rather spectacular and would give some airline cabins a run for their money IMHO.

 

[AaronBradford]

Oh wow - I'll definitely try and squeeze that into my Japan trip later this year

 

[tuapekastar]

For those who've not seen the seats, pictures available here:
"Hayabusa" GranClass | Tohoku Shinkansen Series E5 Hayabusa Debut | JR-EAST

Needless to say, they do look rather spectacular and would give some airline cabins a run for their money IMHO.

Oh they most certainly do! While the 'normal' shinkansen has been quite ok for me in the past, would definitely consider this option in future.

 

[YQY]

For tourists to Japan using a Japan Rail Pass, you can access GranClass if you pay a surcharge:

At least you can access the Green Car on the Hayabusa with the railpass - i'm peeved that the Railpass cant be used on the Nozomi - it's been years since the Nozomi has introduced .

I believe the Green Cars are being phased out on the Kodoma and Hikari.

 

[samh004]

It does look very nice, but JAL cheap-upgrades to J sound very nice too, so I guess it depends where you’re going

 

[anat0l]

Just for the record, the pitch in Ordinary Class is purported at 1040mm; when converted to the old system, this is close to 41".

I don't know any Y class in the world that has that yet. That beats the living **** out of most J class!