Japan's ¥100 Bullet Train Coins

Did you know that the Japanese mint released 300,000 new ¥100 coins into circulation to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Shinkansen Bullet Trains the other day? No? Well, it doesn't seem like most people knew about it, either.

My wife's mom just came over and gave a set of the coins to my son. That's how I found out about it

Here's what the Japanese mint says about these coins from their webpage: (http://www.mint.go.jp/buy-eng/international-eng/eng_shinkansen_coin_program_index.html)

"A bullet train Shinkansen, which was developed for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, has been widely known for half a century, domestically as an important infrastructure supporting the lives of the Japanese people, and internationally as one of the symbols for Japan’s high technology. On October 1st, 2014, the Shinkansen marked the 50th anniversary of its opening. We release a series of commemorative coins featuring Shinkansen to commemorate of this anniversary between 2014 and 2016. It will include one 1,000 Yen silver proof coin and nine 100 Yen clad coins."

Since the mint only released 300,000 of these, I guess that's why not too many people had heard about it; the mint might have intentionally tried not to advertise too much because people go crazy over stuff like this. 

I know I would have. I collected coins and stamps (and baseball cards, comic books, etc.) when I was a kid.

As it was, according to my wife and mother-in-law, people were lining up at banks and post offices around the nation on the day of release to try to get a set. I'll bet you half a donut that the people who did line up - and were lucky enough to be able to get a set - did the "Apple Store" thing; they must have lined up from the night before. And, since each bank and post office only received a few sets, the sets were all gone within the first one minute on release date.

There's no way I would ever do that for computer stuff... For commemorate coins for my kid? Or for my own collection? OK. I suppose so.

It seems that there were lots of disappointed people who tried to get a set but couldn't.

These sets were virtually impossible to get if you were in Tokyo, but I hear they were a bit easier to obtain if you lived out in the country... 

Hokuriku Shinkansen 100 yen coin

Joetsu Shinkansen 100 Yen coin

Tokaido Shinkansen 100 yen coin

Sanyo Shinkansen 100 Yen coin

Shinkansen 100 Yen coin reverse

My kid seems to like them. I reckon the little boy in all men would like them too!

Which Trains Are Faster? Japan's or China's?

Interestingly, two articles came out today that talked about bullet trains in Japan and China. I cheer China's great technology in moving forward with Mag-Lev trains and high-speed rail.


I do, though, have a concern with quality in some cases. I'm not making a judgment here, just voicing a concern. I do remember a while back when that building in China went up super fast only to fall over a little while later.


What good is it if the quality and safety are not there? As far as I know, Japan has never had a major accident on a bullet train in history. That's a pretty fine record.


Here's the article about Japan's super-fast trains, the Shinkansen. From the Sydney Morning Herald (via News On Japan):


Japan Railways on Saturday unveiled an 80-kilometre extension to the northern tip of its bullet-train network that will take passengers from the previous terminus of Hachinohe to just outside Aomori City. The new track slices about 15 minutes off the trip from Tokyo, with the journey now clocking in about three hours and 20 minutes. From March next year, another 10 minutes will be cut from the journey when new trains known as Hayabusa (or "falcon") start travelling the line at top speeds of 300km/h. By 2013, they'll be rocketing along at 320km/h.

Now, here's the article that also appeared today about China's super fast trains. Wow! From Yahoo:

BEIJING – A Chinese passenger train hit a record speed of 302 miles per hour (486 kilometers per hour) Friday during a test run of a yet-to-be opened link between Beijing and Shanghai, state media said.

The Xinhua News Agency said it was the fastest speed recorded by an unmodified conventional commercial train. Other types of trains in other countries have traveled faster.

A specially modified French TGV train reached 357.2 mph (574.8 kph) during a 2007 test, while a Japanese magnetically levitated train sped to 361 mph (581 kph) in 2003.

Japanese Maglev Train Flys Almost as Fast as a Jet

This train is supposed to be online within the next 5 years.

The webpage says:

It can reach 581 km/h, but in this video it does (loaded with passengers) 500 km/h, making the French TGV look like a little kitten. This means that it can deliver almost airplane-like performance. Simply amazing!

Shinkansen "Bullet Train" Chopsticks

By RICK MARTIN

One of the more popular items to come out of Japan last year was Kotobukiya's "Star Wars" Light Saber Chopsticks, which made the rounds on popular tech blogs such as Gizmodo, Wired and TechCrunch's CrunchGear. And while they might not have "the force" (nor the brand power) of any "Star Wars" product, Japanese company Daiwa Toy (www.daiwatoy.co.jp) has a similar set of chopsticks that will be sure to make a splash among Japanophiles and densha otaku(train geeks) the world over.

The shinkansen chopsticks — also known as the "Chopstick Express" — take the form of Japan's famous bullet trains. If you've ever taken the shinkansen, it's quite possible that you bought a boxed lunch to enjoy during your trip. Can you think of a more fitting pair of chopsticks with which to dine on a train? I don't think so.

Unlike the actual shinkansen, these chopsticks are not divided up into multiple cars, but rather each chopstick is crafted into one long, sleek car that gives the impression of a train rocketing down the tracks, a mere blur to the human eye as it zooms past. Because the form of a chopstick tapers off into a narrow tip, the illusion of perspective is easily created, making this miniature replica appear deceptively long.

For extra dramatic effect the package design includes railway tracks underneath each train, as well as a tunnel near the bottom out of which the chopsticks appear to be racing out of. While many people will buy these shinkansen chopsticks with the intention of using them to eat, the elaborate and beautiful package makes an excellent display case should you opt to show off your pair on the mantle.

Included among the varieties of shinkansen are the 0-Series train. That was the first shinkansen to be introduced, in 1964, and it was only retired in 2008. The recent N700-Series train is also available, this being the latest model to hit the tracks just three years ago. According to Daiwa Toy, the N700 chopsticks are 21 cm long and other models will be comparable. In total, four different kinds of shinkansen will be produced, giving train fans and collectors a sizable collection.

For anyone who would like to pick up a pair of their very own shinkansen chopsticks they can be purchased at Yamashiroya in front of JR Ueno Station, but you can expect to see them on sale in more and more station kiosks in the future.

Alternatively, if your Japanese is up to snuff, you can buy them online at (www.eki-net.biz/j-retail/g109001).

For overseas buyers, Jbox.com (www.jbox.com/PRODUCT/YYN408) is one online merchant that has already sent these special trains over the Pacific Ocean.

One of the most attractive features of these unique utensils is the price: ¥630 ($7.50) a pop! The Chopstick Express makes a perfect souvenir to remember your travels in Japan, particularly if you spent any significant time riding the shinkansen during your visit. But be warned: Children will probably end up playing with their food far more than before.

Rick Martin is a contributor to CNET and Gizmag. Read more of his work on his website at 1rick.com

From Japan Times