Google Street View, which has become a handy tool for those who love traveling off the beaten path, has begun to add to its reputation for taking users into unexplored territory in recent months. And now, one of Japan’s most iconic features can be added to that list.
The bullet train is synonymous with Japan, and the national railway has just announced that the latest addition to the system, dubbed the Hokuriku Shinkansen, will open to the public tomorrow. This highly anticipated line is an extension of the pre-existing Nagano Shinkansen line. This new train line will drastically improve the transportation infrastructure in place going from the eastern coast to the western coast. It will run between Tokyo and Kanazawa, and provide a travel option that will only take two and a half hours as opposed to a six-hour drive or a regular train ride with a duration of four hours. The line is projected to move upwards of 23,000 people between the two cities. To that end, when tickets became available for the Hokuriku’s inaugural trip, they sold out in a blistering 25 seconds. The Hokuriku Shinkansen is being viewed as the next vital step between an eventual high-speed rail connection between Tokyo and Osaka that has been in the works since the 1970’s.
So where does Google Street View factor in? They were given exclusive early access to the train to document the experience. They shot a short video capturing the experience behind the scenes, which you can view below, courtesy of Google Japan:
As part of the experience, Google Street View users will get a chance to check out the three distinct seating options available to Hokuriku riders. There’s the Standard Class, which is the basic seating arrangement for passengers. The Green Class features seats with footrests, more leg room and an integrated radio system to go with more room for any luggage. Passengers will also receive a complimentary travel magazine for the trip and in some cases, hot towels will be provided. For those traveling in the Grand Class cars, however, the ride takes on a more luxurious air; the cars themselves will only be equipped with six rows of three seats each that fully recline. In addition to that, there will be an attendant on hand to look after these passengers throughout the journey, offering food and drink. Passengers can even get a pair of slippers to relax in for the trip.
