Japan Is Readying a New Bullet Train in Time for the 2020 Olympics
Amid preparations for the Tokyo Olympics next year, Japan is about to introduce a new model of its famed shinkansen, the "bullet trains" that pioneered high-speed rail transport in the 1960s. The newest model, the N700s, has reached a record speed of 360 kilometers (224 miles) per hour, the fastest ever achieved by a commercial model of Japan's bullet trains.
According to rail operator JR Central, the N700s is undergoing testing before it enters service in 2020. It is expected to run when in service at 285 kilometers per hour (177 mph), the current top speed possible on the Tokaido Shinkansen line between Tokyo and Osaka.
Passengers can expect to see it in service before the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. According to a Japanese rail blog, the new trains will have more comfortable seating and power ports at all seats.
On the outside, the N700S can be distinguished by, among other new features, a sharper nose. The new train's speed record is not the absolute maximum ever reached by a Japanese bullet train; an experimental unit hit 443 kph, or 275 mph, in 1996.
According to Bloomberg, JR Central has invested 240 billion yen ($2.2 billion) into the new train. Texas and Taiwan may be the next destinations to experience this model, as JR Central looks to export the bullet trains. (A private company is working on a high-speed train connection between Dallas and Houston, but it's nowhere near certain that it will happen.)
Many countries invest money into venues and transportation for the influx of visitors during the Olympics, and Japan is no different. The 1964 Tokyo Olympics was when Japan debuted its first bullet trains.
Japan is also preparing for the Olympics by adding a new temporary terminal to Narita International Airport (NRT). If you are interested in visiting Japan for the event, check out TPG's breakdown of everything attendees need to know, from purchasing tickets to the event to booking flights and hotels.
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| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
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Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
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Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month