The Central Japan Railway Company said they will enlarge the area of the public Wi-Fi service in the stations of Tokaido Shinkansen.

Currently, they are providing Internet access service through the public Wi-Fi at waiting rooms in the concourses of Tokaido Shinkansen's all 17 stations. They said the service will newly available around the ticket gates. Especially in Nagoya and Kyoto Stations, the Wi-Fi service will be also available around information desks.

The service will start on June 18 in Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka Stations. And in the other stations, it will be available around this August.

To access the Internet in stations and trains (Series N700 and N700A) through the public Wi-Fi service requires to have an account of a public Wi-Fi service provider. The compatible services are "docomo Wi-Fi" by NTT DoCoMo, "BB Mobile Point" by Softbank Telecom, "UQ Wi-Fi" by UQ Communications, "Flets Spot" by NTT East and "Hot Spot" by NTT Communications. Of them, "Hot Spot" of NTT Communications will end its service on July 31, and the service area will be kept until the end of July without widening. From August 1, "Flets Spot" of NTT West will be newly compatible with the Internet connecting service in stations and trains.

The compatible Wi-Fi service with the Internet Access on Tokaido Shinkansen

"docomo Wi-Fi" by NTT DoCoMo

Accessible in train (Series N700 and N700A) and waiting rooms in the concourse of the stations. In the near future, additionally accessible around the ticket gates.

"BB Mobile Point" by Softbank Telecom

Accessible in train (Series N700 and N700A) and waiting rooms in the concourse of the stations. In the near future, additionally accessible around the ticket gates.

"UQ Wi-Fi" by UQ Communications

Accessible in train (Series N700 and N700A) and waiting rooms in the concourse of the stations. In the near future, additionally accessible around the ticket gates.

"Flets Spot" by NTT East

Accessible in train (Series N700 and N700A) and waiting rooms in the concourse of the stations. In the near future, additionally accessible around the ticket gates.

"Flets Spot" by NTT West

From August 1, 2013, accessible in train (Series N700 and N700A), waiting rooms in the concourse and around the ticket gates.

"Hot Spot" by NTT Communications

The Service will end on July 31, 2013. Until that day, accessible in Accessible in train (Series N700 and N700A) and waiting rooms.

JR West announced they will keep on selling Kodama Hayatoku Oufuku Ticket (こだま早特往復きっぷ), which has been sold since this April for a limited time.

This is an early booking round trip discount ticket for passengers traveling by Kodama trains, directly connecting between Shin-Osaka and Hakata. Regularly eight services to Hakata and ten to Shin-Osaka are available. The most fastest one is Kodama 762, Hakata 19:08 to Shin-Osaka 23:19, traveling for 4 hours 11 minutes. Some of Kodama takes to travel more than five hours, and Nozomi trains connect Tokyo and Hakata for the same hours. So this ticket must be one for curious travelers. But, in their report, they said the ticket acquired a good reputation and decided continuing to sell. These means the ticket was actually sold very well.

Because stopover and connecting are not permitted, travelers must spend about a half of their day time in Shinkansen trains. It is favorable that this ticket costs only 7,500 JPY for a leg and is usable for seven days. But the travelers may be required to be certainly prepared. Enjoy your travel!

Overview of Kodama Hayatoku Oufuku Ticket

• Name of the ticket: Kodama Hayatoku Oufuku Ticket (こだま早特往復きっぷ meaning Kodama Round Trip Early Booking Discount Ticket)
• Travel dates: Departing on Sun, July 7, 2013 - Mon, September 30
• Period of selling: Sun, June 16, 2013 - Mon, September 16
  * Tickets are available 21-14 days before the departure.
• Maximum period of travel: seven days
• Effects of the ticket: This ticket allows a round trip by Kodama train's assigned seats.
• Available sectors: Shin-Osaka (Osaka City), Shin-Kobe, Nishi-Akashi and Himeji (Kobe-Himeji Zone) to Kokura (Kitakyushu City) and Hakata (Fukuoka City)
  * Kobe-Himeji Zone includs Shin-Kobe, Nishi-Akashi and Himeji on Sanyo Shinkansen and local stations between Tachibana and Himeji, and Wadamisaki.
• Prices: 15,000 JPY [round trip], saving about 44-47%
  * Shown discount rates are against regular season's fare.
• Available westbound Kodama trains (from Shin-Osaka to Hakata)
  • Kodama 731 Shin-Osaka 06:59 → Hakata 11:31 (traveling for 4 hrs. 32 min.)
  • Kodama 733 Shin-Osaka 07:41 → Hakata 12:24 (traveling for 4 hrs. 43 min.)
  • Kodama 737 Shin-Osaka 09:38 → Hakata 14:21 (traveling for 4 hrs. 43 min.)
  • Kodama 739 Shin-Osaka 10:33 → Hakata 15:21 (traveling for 4 hrs. 48 min.)
  • Kodama 741 Shin-Osaka 11:33 → Hakata 16:21 (traveling for 4 hrs. 48 min.)
  • Kodama 753 Shin-Osaka 16:38 → Hakata 21:50 (traveling for 5 hrs. 12 min.)
  • Kodama 755 Shin-Osaka 17:38 → Hakata 22:48 (traveling for 5 hrs. 10 min.)
  • Kodama 757 Shin-Osaka 18:40 → Hakata 23:25 (traveling for 4 hrs. 45 min.)
• Available eastbound Kodama trains (from Hakata to Shin-Osaka)
  • Kodama 730 Hakata 06:34 → Shin-Osaka 11:05 (traveling for 4 hrs. 31 min.)
  • Kodama 740 Hakata 11:23 → Shin-Osaka 16:05 (traveling for 4 hrs. 42 min.)
  • Kodama 742 Hakata 12:22 → Shin-Osaka 17:05 (traveling for 4 hrs. 43 min.)
  • Kodama 744 Hakata 13:22 → Shin-Osaka 18:05 (traveling for 4 hrs. 43 min.)
  • Kodama 746 Hakata 14:22 → Shin-Osaka 19:05 (traveling for 4 hrs. 43 min.)
  • Kodama 748 Hakata 14:54 → Shin-Osaka 20:04 (traveling for 5 hrs. 10 min.)
  • Kodama 752 Hakata 16:22 → Shin-Osaka 21:04 (traveling for 4 hrs. 42 min.)
  • Kodama 756 Hakata 17:13 → Shin-Osaka 22:08 (traveling for 4 hrs. 55 min.)
  • Kodama 758 Hakata 17:55 → Shin-Osaka 22:38 (traveling for 4 hrs. 43 min.)
  • Kodama 762 Hakata 19:08 → Shin-Osaka 23:19 (traveling for 4 hrs. 11 min.)
• Purchasable at: Major JR stations and a major travel vendors around the departing area
• Remarks:
  • This ticket is NOT good for Nozomi, Hikari, Mizuho and Sakura trains.
  • Traveling by direct Kodama service only. No connections are permitted.
  • The trains and seats of both-way must be assigned at the time of purchase. Changes are not permitted.
  • This discount's availability is limited on a train-to-train basis.

In the final installment in reviewing series of 2012's Shinkansen in figures, this is on Kyushu Shinkansen by the Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu).

JR Kyushu's consolidated operating revenue was record-high JPY 342.8 billion, as the third straight year of growth, increased 3.0 % from the previous term. Non-consolidated transportation revenues were 141.2 billion, decreased 0.3 % as same. The consolidated operating expenditure was 330.7 billion, operating profit 12.0 billion, non-operating profit and loss -5.2 billion, and ordinary income 17.3 billion. By posting an extraordinary loss of 4.6 billion from the disaster caused by torrential rains in Northern Kyushu in July 2012, net profit for the year was JPY 6.0 billion, decreased 9.7 % from the previous term.

As a non-consolidated, JR Kyushu earned 141.2 billion transportation revenues. 48.3 billion, constituting 34.2 % of them, was from Shinkansen, and its passenger ridership was 12 million.

According to their financial statements, JR Kyushu has no optimistic assessment of their management circumstances with shrinking and aging population, but will try to strengthen their management bases, They estimated fiscal 2013's consolidated operating revenue will be JPY 349.2 billion, increased 1.9 % from the current and non-consolidated transportation revenues 141.5 billion, increased 0.2 %.

The Kyushu Railway Company released they will start to demolish the grand staircase at Kagoshima Station's Sakurajima Exit (East Exit).

This demolition work is taken as a prelude of construction work of Amu Plaza Kagoshima Annex (tentative). The annex, which is going to be built on the site of the grand stairway, will have seven floors above the ground as an extension of existing Amu Plaza Kagoshima and be opened in the fall of 2014. As a whole, the store space is estimated to be enlarged by 16 %, from 33,000 m2 to 38,200 m2.

The view of Sakurajima and the cityscape of Kagoshima from the Shinkansen platforms of Kagoshima-chuo Station will be missed soon.

The demolish work will be started from June 1. During the work, passengers can use stairs, escalators and elevators at Sakurajima Exit unaffectedly.

The Central Japan Railway Company announced the Shinkansen's depot in Hamamatsu will be opened to the public this summer again, on July 20 and 21.

On the days, visitors can see a demonstration of real car hanging work and stepping into the cockpit. This annual depot tour is very popular and attracting 10 - 20 thousand people each year. It appeals to families with setting of like conductor's work experience for elementary school pupils. Additionally, the demonstration of vehicle moving by a transfer table, also called a traverser, will be performed for the first time.

No advanced reservation is required, excepting for visiting the cockpit of Series N700 and N700A, conductor's work experience and Kid's expedition. The application will be accepted until June 20. If applicants are too many, some of them will be selected by lottery. And numbered ticket for visiting the cockpit of Series 700 will be distributed to the children of elementary school and younger on the days in the morning and afternoon. To ensure stepping into the cockpit, JR Tokai Tours sells depot visiting tour including the ingress.

Overview of the Hamamatsu Depot Tour

• Date and Hour: 10:00 to 15:00 on July 20 and 21, 2013
  # Last admission at 14:30
  # Rain or shine, but may canceled due to heavy weather
• Location: Hamamatsu Shinkansen's Depot in Hamamatsu city
• Events:
  • Flying a Series N700 vehicle, as a demonstration of crane work
  • Visiting cockpits of Series N700 and N700A [Advanced Application Required]
  • Visiting cockpits of Series 700 [Numbered Ticket Required]
  • Conductor's work experience for elementary school pupils [Advanced Application Required]
  • Display of inspection cars, called "Doctor Yellow"
  • Sliding a Series 700 vehicle by transfer table "traverser"
• Access: about 15 min. from Hamamatsu Station by complimentary shuttle service
• Admission Fee: free

The Central Japan Railway Company said "Family Cabins" (ファミリー車両) are available again in this summer.

Those are special cabins for families traveling with children under primary school age on Tokaido Sinkansen, and will be available in two trains a day, one to the west and the other to the east, for every 44 days from July 20 through September 1. During this season, those are available everyday even in the busiest period, and the reservations can be accepted until four days before the travel date.

Families can be on board with crying and screaming little babies without hesitation. That may be a nice choice for the winter travels.

Overview of "Family Cabin"

• Name of the wares: Family Sharyo (ファミリー車両 meaning Special Cabins for Families)
• Effects of the wares: Special cabins for passengers with children in Nozomi train between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka
• Travel dates: Sat, July 20, 2013 - Sun, September 1
• Period of selling: from May 30, 2013 until four days before the travel date
• Major available sectors and prices (e.g.):
  • Tokyo - Nagoya, JPY 10,000 for an adult and 4,600 for a child
  • Tokyo - Shin-Osaka, JPY 13,200 for an adult and 5,900 for a child
  • Nagoya - Shin-Osaka, JPY 6,000 for an adult and 3,000 for a child
• Schedules:
  [from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka]
  • Nozomi 201, Tokyo 06:49 → Shin-Osaka 09:16 (August 9)
  • Nozomi 337, Tokyo 11:20 → Shin-Osaka 13:53 (July 24, 25, 27-August 2, 5-8, 15-18, 20-31)
  • Nozomi 227, Tokyo 12:00 → Shin-Osaka 14:33 (July 21-23, August 19, September 1)
  • Nozomi 347, Tokyo 12:20 → Shin-Osaka 14:53 (July 20, 26, August 3, 4, 12-14)
  • Nozomi 237, Tokyo 16:00 → Shin-Osaka 18:33 (August 11)
  • Nozomi 243, Tokyo 17:00 → Shin-Osaka 19:33 (August 10)
  [from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo]
  • Nozomi 322, Shin-Osaka 10:20 → Tokyo 12:56 (August 14-18)
  • Nozomi 222, Shin-Osaka 10:50 → Tokyo 13:23 (July 30)
  • Nozomi 224, Shin-Osaka 11:50 → Tokyo 14:23 (July 21-24, 28, 31, August 27, 29, September 1)
  • Nozomi 340, Shin-Osaka 12:10 → Tokyo 14:43 (July 20, 25, 26, 29, August 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 19-26, 30, 31)
  • Nozomi 350, Shin-Osaka 13:10 → Tokyo 15:43 (July 27, August 2, 5, 8, 11, 28)
  * Family cabin's dates are provided above in parentheses.
• Terms of use: For passengers with one or more children of primary schooler or younger.
• Purchasable at: JR Tokai Tours branches around Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka area and an online shopping desk (旅の通販デスク)
  * This ware is not purchasable at any JR ticket offices in stations.
• Remarks:
  • One extra seat will be assigned by a group, excluding infants aged 0.
  • Because one seat will be assigned to a baby, the child fare applies to him/her. So the tickets may be more expensive than the regular case if the passengers are traveling with babies.
  • A JPY 100 off coupon for "Kids Lunch", a special kids meal available on Tokaido Shinkansen trains and at station kiosks, originally priced JPY 600, will be given to a child.
  • Each group traveling on July 20 - 31 or August 20 - September 1 will get a gift voucher for shopping at Tokai Kiosk's station stands, valued at JPY 1,000.

The Central Japan Railway Company released that they add nine extra Nozomi services between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka in June. The every added Nozomi train runs on a weekday, and three of them arrive their destination at 10:00 - 13:00, good to attend meetings in the afternoon in Tokyo or Osaka, four depart after 19:00, good to return from business trips.

The availability of bookable seats was increased by about 9,600, including 1,800 of Green cars. Since May 29, it is already possible to reserve the seats on these trains.

Additional Westbound Nozomi Trains (from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka)

• Thu, June 6
  • Nozomi 389 Tokyo 17:13 → Shin-Osaka 19:47
• Fri, June 7
  • Nozomi 415 Tokyo 20:23 → Shin-Osaka 22:56
• Wed June 12
  • Nozomi 325 Tokyo 09:47 → Shin-Osaka 12:23
• Wed, June 19
  • Nozomi 417 Tokyo 20:40 → Shin-Osaka 23:13
• Thu, June 20
  • Nozomi 315 Tokyo 08:13 → Shin-Osaka 10:47
• Tue, June 25
  • Nozomi 213 Tokyo 08:47 → Shin-Osaka 11:20
• Thu, June 27
  • Nozomi 377 Tokyo 15:20 → Shin-Osaka 17:53

Additional Eastbound Nozomi Trains (from Hiroshima/Shin-Osaka to Tokyo)

• Wed, June 5
  • Nozomi 394 Shin-Osaka 19:10 → Tokyo 21:43
• Fri, June 14
  • Nozomi 396 Shin-Osaka 19:20 → Tokyo 21:56

Japan Railway companies released their financial highlights of fiscal 2012 a short time ago. So, let's review 2012 for Shinkansen in figures.

This time, on Sanyo Shinkansen by the West Japan Railway Company (JR West).

JR West's consolidated operating revenue was JPY 1,298.9 billion, increased 0.9% from the previous term. Non-consolidated transportation revenues was 769.1 billion, increased 1.4% as same. The consolidated operating expenditure was 1,169.4 billion, operating profit 1,29.4 billion, non-operating profit and loss -24.8 billion, and ordinary income 104.6 billion. With reduction of retirement benefit obligations and reporting an extraordinary loss of the distributing segment, net profit of the year reached JPY 60.1 billion, increased 104.1% from the previous term.

As non-consolidated, JR West earned 769.1 billion transportation revenues. Of them, 357.0 billion was from Shinkansen and it comprised 46.4 % of the total transportation revenues.

The latest passenger ridership has yet to be available, but available monthly passenger volume report said that of fiscal 2012 was 103 % over the previous year. The passenger ridership in fiscal 2011 was 64 million, so that in fiscal 2012 could be estimated at around 66 million. In the previous article, that of Tokaido Shinkansen was estimated 152 million. It is obvious that the passenger volumes of the east and west side of Shin-Osaka are different.

According to their financial statements, JR West is heading for long-term growth with strategically focusing on "the Three Basic Strategies" and "the Four business Strategies". They estimated fiscal 2013's consolidated operating revenue will be JPY 1,310.5 billion, increased 0.9 % from the current and non-consolidated transportation revenes 775.0 billion, increased 0.8%.

On the other day, I will marshal the figures on Kyushu Shinkansen.

The Central Japan Railway Company announced that "IC Hayatoku (PLUS)", the discount offer for early purchasing PLUS EX members, is continuously available after this July. Its available sectors and prices will be the same as going. Just like "EX-IC Hayatoku", they have released these announcements on a quarterly basis, but said they will continue to sell this ticket until further notice.

Overview of IC Hayatoku (PLUS)

• Name of the deal: IC Hayatoku (PLUS) (IC早特(プラス) meaning PLUS EX Early Booking Discount)
• Travel dates: Mon, July 1, 2013 -
• Period of selling: Sat, June 1, 2013 -
  * Tickets are availabe from 10:00 on the day of a month to 23:30 of three days before the departure.
• Effects of the ticket: This deals allows one-way travel on Tokaido Shinkansen by Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama trains.
• Available sectors:
  1. for travel by Nozomi trains on Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka departing by 6:59 or all Hikari trains; Tokyo, Shinagawa and Shin-Yokohama to/from Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka.
  2. for travel by Kodama train's Green Car between stations on Tokaido Shinkansen separated at least 100 km and excluding Tokyo - Atami; Tokyo and Shinagawa to/from Shizuoka, Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka, etc.
• Prices (e.g.):
  [for second class]
  • Tokyo, Shinagawa - Nagoya [one way] JPY 9,500, saving about 12%
  • Tokyo, Shinagawa - Shin-Osaka [one way] JPY 12,000, saving about 14%
  [for Green Car]
  • Tokyo, Shinagawa - Nagoya [one way] JPY 11,500, saving about 19%
  • Tokyo, Shinagawa - Shin-Osaka [one way] JPY 14,000, saving about 25%
  * Shown discount rates are against regular season's fare.
• Terms of use: Only members of PLUS EX Service can buy and use tickets with this deal.
• Purchasable at: Available only online. Access the site of PLUS EX through a PC or mobile, including smartphones.
• Remarks:
  • IC Hayatoku (PLUS) will not be good for Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen.
  • Traveling by direct service only. No connections are permitted.
  • Changes are permitted before the departure time of the train, if the passenger don't enter the gate with IC card and not receive a boarding bill.
  • This discount's availability is limited on a train-to-train basis.

The Central Japan Railway Company and West Japan Railway Company announced that EX-IC Hayatoku (EX-IC早特), a discount offer for early purchasing EX-IC members, is continuously available after this July. Its available sectors and prices will be the same as going. They have released these announcements on a quarterly basis, but said they will continue to sell this ticket until further notice.

Overview of EX-IC Hayatoku

• Name of the deal: EX-IC Hayatoku (EX-IC早特 meaning EX-IC Early Booking Discount, shortly called "IC Hayatoku")
• Travel dates: Mon, July 1, 2013 -
• Period of selling: Sat, June 1, 2013 -
  * Tickets are available from 10:00 on the day of a month to 23:30 of three days before the departure.
• Effects of the deal: This deal allows one-way travel on Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen by Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama trains.
• Available sectors:
  1. for long-distance travel striding over Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen; Tokyo and Shinagawa to/from Okayama, Hiroshima, Kokura and Hakata, and Shizuoka to/from Hiroshima, Kokura and Hakata, and Kyoto, Shin-Osaka and Shin-Kobe to/from Kokura and Hakata, etc.
  2. for travel by Nozomi trains on Tokaido Shinkansen (including Shin-Kobe) departing by 6:59 or all Hikari trains; Tokyo, Shinagawa and Shin-Yokohama to/from Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka and Shin-Kobe.
  3. for travel by Kodama train's Green Car between stations on Tokaido Shinkansen separated at least 100 km and excluding Tokyo to/from Atami; Tokyo and Shinagawa to/from Shizuoka, Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka, etc.
• Prices (e.g.):
  [for second class]
  • Tokyo, Shinagawa - Shin-Osaka [one way] JPY 12,000, saving about 14%
  • Tokyo, Shinagawa - Hakata [one way] JPY 19,300, saving about 13%
  • Shin-Osaka, Shin-Kobe - Kokura, Hakata [one way] JPY 11,450, saving about 16-23%
  [for Green Car]
  • Tokyo, Shinagawa - Shin-Osaka [one way] JPY 14,000, saving about 25%
  • Tokyo, Shinagawa - Hakata [one way] JPY 29,250, saving about 14%
  • Shin-Osaka, Shin-Kobe - Kokura and Hakata [one way] JPY 14,950, saving about 18-27%
  * Shown discount rates are against regular season's fare.
• Terms of use: Only members of EX-IC Service can buy and use tickets with this deal.
• Purchasable at: Available only online. Access the site of Express Reservation through a PC or mobile, including smartphones.
• Remarks:
  • EX-IC Hayatoku will not be good for Mizuho, Sakura and Tsubame for through service to Kyushu Shinkansen.
  • Travels by up to three connecting trains are allowed within the sectors (1) shown above, except from/to Kyoto, Shin-Osaka and Shin-Kobe to/from Kokura and Hakata.
  • Travels within the sectors of (1)'s from/to Kyoto, Shin-Osaka and Shin-Kobe to/from Kokura and Hakata, (2) and (3) are for direct service only. No connections are permitted.
  • Changes are permitted before the departure time of the train, if the passenger doesn't enter the gate with EX-IC card and not receive a boarding bill.
  • This discount's availability is limited on a train-to-train basis.

The JR companies released the overview of special operational trains in this summer, from July 1, 2013 to September 30. According to them, many extra trains will run during the Bon holiday period and weekends.

Additionally, the Central Japan Railway Company said that they will put two new sets of N700A cars into service during this summer and have eight sets of N700A by the end of September. Because 96 sets of Series N700, JR Central's 80 and JR West's 16, are now enrolled in, through the joining of this new two N700A, the proportion of N700A among of Series N700 typed cars will be raised from 5.9 % to 7.7 %.

One of these sets of N700A, having a registration code of "G7", has already been brought to Torikai Depot in Osaka, in this March. So it will be in service in the near future after July. And the remaining five sets of N700A to be delivered in this year will be put in service one by one, after this October.

This site “Shinkansen Timetable” is now preparing for providing the train schedule of July. The data will be released by the end of May.

Central Japan Railway Company announced that "Miyako no Kanade", an annual music event at Kamigamo-Jinja Shrine in Kyoto, will be held on October 5 again this year. According to them, 2,000 visitors will be invited to that.

The event in 2011, it featured jazz, and in 2012, classic music. This time they said that will consists of "string music focusing on classic". Perhaps the word "focusing" means "including out of classic music", referring to a fantasia of Ghibli. Because it is a regular performance in the event for both of adults and children, this time may have some change in audience.

According to the official site of the player "Twelve Violinists", Ms. Takashima Chisako, the producer of them, has been trying to overturn the common image of classic music, such as rigidly formal and insipid, and make classic music and violin feel familiar to many people. So, it isn't difficult to speculate that this concert will be different than usual, not only in the program, but in staging.

Visit fall-time Kyoto, by Shinkansen.

Overview of Miyako no Kanade

• Date: October 5, 2013
  • the first performance, 16:15 - 17:30 (open at 15:45)
  • the second performance, 18:30 - 19:45 (open at 18:00)
• Place: Kamigamo-Jinja Shrine's Hosodono
• Players:
  • Kondo Aki (piano)
  • Takashima Chisato and the Twelve Violinists (violin)
• Program:
  • Jules Emile Frédéric Massenet - "Méditation de Thaïs"
  • Astor Piazzolla - "Libertango"
  • the Medley of Ghibli, etc.
• Invitation: 500 couples of 1,000 persons by performance, totally 1,000 couples of 2,000 persons
• Close of Application: August 2, 2013
• Application Details: Check it at the official site of "Miayako no Kanade".

Japan Railway companies released their financial highlights of fiscal 2012. So, let's review 2012 for Shinkansen in figures.

At first, on Tokaido Shinkansen by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central).

JR Central's consolidated operating revenue was JPY 1,585.3 billion, increased 5.1 % from the previous term with the effects of Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. Non-consolidated transportation revenues was 1,169.1 billion, increased 5.5 % as same. The consolidated operating expenditure was 1,159.1 billion, operating profit 426.1 billion, non-operating profit and loss -98.0 billion, and ordinary income 328.0 billion. With disposing of deferred tax asset, net profit for the year reached JPY 199.9 billion, increased 50.6 % from the previous term.

As non-consolidated, JR Central earned 1,169.1 billion transportation revenues. Of them, 1,069.6 billion was from Shinkansen and it comprised 91.5 % of the total transportation revenues.

The latest passenger ridership has yet to be available, but available monthly passenger volume report said that of fiscal 2012 was 106 % over the previous year. The passenger ridership in fiscal 2011 was 143 million, so that in fiscal 2012 could be estimated at around 152 million. Compared to the actual population of Japan, 127 million in 2012, Tokaido Shinkansen's massive transportation capacity and performance was amazing.

According to their financial statements, JR Central will continuously work through safety and stability of transportation, enrichment of transportation service, and enhancement of sales. They estimated fiscal 2013's consolidated operating revenue will be JPY 1,598 billion, increased 0.8 % from the current and non-consolidated transportation revenues 1,172.1 billion, increased 0.3 %.

I will marshal the figures on Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen on the other day.

Times 24, Central Japan Railway Company and West Japan Railway Company announced that new offer of “EX-IC Park & Ride” for EX-IC card travelers will be available soon. They said this is an effort to enhance the convenience by connecting Shinkansen and driving through coordination of EX-IC service and Times parking facilities.

This discount will be applied to parking fee when the driver unloads the car with holding an EX-IC card over a scanner, after getting off Shinkansen with that card. The first available parking area is Times Shin-Yokohama South Gate Parking near Shin-Yokohama Station. It must be good offer for travelers of driving to Shin-Yokohama Station.

The discount available stations and parking areas will be increased one by one.

Overview of “EX-IC Park & Ride”

• Name of the offer: “EX-IC Park & Ride” (EX-ICパーク＆ライド)
• Target station: Shin-Yokohama
• Target parking area: Times Shin-Yokohama South Gate Parking (TIMES新横浜南口)
• Available from: Mon., May 13, 2013
• How to use:
  1. Load a car at Times Shin-Yokohama South Gate Parking and go by train.
  2. Return to Shin-Yokohama by Shinkansen with EX-IC service. The EX-IC cards must be held over sensors on ticket barriers.
  3. At unloading, hold the IC card again over a sensor on parking checkout machines.
  4. If a log record is available of getting off the Shinkansen at Shin-Yokohama with the EX-IC card on that day, The parking fee will get this discount automatically.
• Terms of use: This is a limited offer for members of Express Reservation Service (エクスプレス予約) and Plus EX Service (プラスEX).
• Remarks:
  • This offer is only for members of Express Reservation Service and Plus EX Service.
  • After traveling by Shinkansen of not using EX-IC, this offer will not be applied.

GRANSTA, a commercial facility in Tokyo Station, will hold "Silver Bell's Fair" (銀の鈴フェア) from May 27 through June 16. During this fair, originating in the first Silver Bell's establishment on June 10, 1968, some shop sells limited items derived from the bell.

Because GRANSTA pierce through the understairs of Tokyo Station from Marunouchi side to Yayesu side, it is within easy reach of Shinkansen tracks. Before coming up to the tracks, come down to the basement and find something nice.

Hot limited-items sold at "Silver Bell's Fair"

• Caffarel (western confectionery)
  • "Spuntino" (JPY 315)^*, a fluffy textured goody of Gianduja flavoring
• Ginza Kanra (Japanese confectionery)
  • "Suzu Awase, Melon" (JPY 200)^*, a bell styled sweet of Momoyama pastry covering shiro-an with melon puree
• Motomachi Kouro-an (Japanese confectionery)
  • "Tokyo Suzu Monaka" (JPY 1,000), a bell styled monaka containing koshi-an and gyuhi.
• Kyo Hayashiya (Japanese confectionery)
  • "Matcha Sable & Cookie" (JPY 700), an assortment of sable and cookie with flavoring of finely milled matcha.
• Kyobashi Senbiki-ya (western confectionery)
  • "Silver Bell's Dessert" (JPY 525)^*, unbaked cake of white chocolate and raspberry sauce, added one grape to resemble the bell
• Tonkatsu Maisen (deli)
  • "Pocket Sandwich of fried pork tenderloin sandwich and eggs" (JPY 470), a pocket sandwich of the bell branded with a hot iron
• Tokyo DOG (bakery)
  • "Silver Bell DOG" (JPY 320)^*, a sweet dog of silvered by white chocolate and argent, and bell shaped by macadamia nuts

^* marked items will end to be sold on June 10.