My trip on Japan’s Super SONIC train – the Kyushu 885!
Time to ride on Japan’s incredible Sonic Limited Express train on Kyushu, one of Japan’s islands. This JR train is part of the Japanese railways, connecting Hakata Station in Fukuoka to the Ōita Bay area, through stations such as Kokura and Nakatsu, on the way to Beppu and Ōita.
These JR 885 Series, commonly known as White Sonic, feature an iconic streamlined design, much like the famous Japanese bullet trains! They are also based on the DB ICE 3 in Germany, and the design eventually evolved into the UK Class 395.
Join me as I use my JR Pass in the JR Green Car on this journey from Hakata to Ōita aboard the Sonic train in Japan. This train is no Japanese maglev, or even Shinkansen, but it’s still an enjoyable journey aboard a train in Japan.
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Journey Details:
Origin: Hakata (Fukuoka)
Destination: Ōita
Company: JR Kyushu (Kyushu Railway Company)
Train: JR 885 Series – White Sonic
Accommodation: Green Car Seat (1st)
Distance: 198 kilometres / 123 miles
Price: ¥8740 (£51.50 / €59.20 / $65.00)
Time: 2 hours 1 minute, arrived 2 minutes late
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41 Comments
That wifi looks pretty low
‘Green car’ is like business class. First class in Japan is ‘Gran Class’.
Agreed that it and many other narrow gauge Limited Express trains are very rough-riding and sway, lurch and bounce quite viciously at times. The track condition is not good enough for the high speeds they do (up to 130 kph) yet they don't want to slow the trains down as that would increase journey times.
NOT supersonic !
''Fast''……. Well no, its slow AF. Maximum speed is 130km/h. ''Super sonic'' sounds as a joke. 🤣🤣 ''Our beloved (puke) orange dictator Führer Adolf Donald Trump should take over Japan, then he'll have high-tech at his disposal for MAGA and close to China to keep an eye on those crazy communists.'' /s
Everything in Japan is so efficient.
I really don't think Japan needs to be inspired by Europe's railways. Japan is a pioneer in the high-speed train industry.
Great vlog
why wouldn't the dedicated area for phone calls work in the UK?
The black leather seats and wooden ambience looks almost identical to the German ICE 1…best seats ever in an ICE, the newer models sadly don’t have those comfortable seats anymore
Thank you for bringing up the Sonic Express.
I live in Beppu, along the line.
Back when this railway was national railways, the train was called the "Limited Express Nichirin." It took about three hours to get from Hakata to Oita. Track improvements and double-tracking gradually shortened the travel time, but the most epoch-making event was the introduction of the "Limited Express Sonic Nichirin."
At the time, "Sonic" was the nickname for a new type of train (883 series). It was incomparably faster than the older trains, and the car tilting device was explained at the time as "allowing it to run at high speeds even around sharp curves." The overwhelming speed increase was well received by users along the line, and the express trains on this section were gradually replaced with newer trains.
As you pointed out, the severe shaking was a concern even back then. I think the main reason for this is that the speed was increased while maintaining the same gradients and sharp curves that the line had when it opened over 100 years ago. When the line was double-tracked, a new up track was added, and although this track has relatively more straight sections, the overall ride quality is not much different. Passengers understand that there is a trade-off between speed and uncomfortable ride, and the general wisdom is that "you just have to get used to it."
The name "Limited Express Sonic Nichirin" was later changed to "Limited Express Sonic." It was an acrobatic idea to use the nickname of the carriage as the name of an express train when all trains were replaced with new models.
"Limited Express Nichirin" survives as the name of local express trains beyond Oita.
I'm surprised Japan would run rough riding trains. I asumed all tracks were superbly maintained and trains were equpped with superior suspension systems.
11:35 probably used to have a manned vending section in that car where an attendant would tally your drinks on a mini register.
I hope you try the new VB sleeper trains of India. It's brand new service of Indian railways.
Uncomfortable Japanese Express Train?
Sounds like an insult to JR…….😂
Btw IR just launched its first Sleeper Vande Bharat train……..aaaaaand, it's snowing heavily in Kashmir, how about a train there……?🙃
That waterway looks so beautiful
Gotta Go Fast!
How is 25kV AC very uncommon? It is literally used in countless of countries, including the UK.
It is used a lot on high speed networks and any modern electrification project is done at that voltage – except for where the country is already using a different system and wants to keep uniformity.
In Japan is quite rare to have a non-Shinkansen rail line with that power system (there are only a few places that come to mind) as it usually uses 1500 V DC. But Japan is kind of a gem and there are different systems a little bit everywhere.
The train ticket is not costly to be fair. It is an express service and for Japanese railway system, it is a price in line with the rest of the network.
I used to take these going south to Nagasaki, far nicer than the old Midori express trains albeit less stylish
11:27 In the past, JR Kyushu used to offer onboard sales, and the refrigerators and other facilities in Car No. 3 are remnants of that service.
What an amazing trip! The scenery looks breathtaking. Thanks for your video!
II took this train to Beppu. I was in the Green Car and thought it was so cool that I could watch along with the train driver.
Tbh your a little dramatic😂. You should try a local train from Český Těšín to Frýdek-Místek then you will see what’s worse😂😂
UK train？
Thank you! That was most enjoyable.
I am surprised that the ride was rocky.
Regarding the 20kV voltage on the overhead wires what is the voltage used in the UK?
3:15 JR Kyushu 787 Series
Kyushu 885 is a tilting train, and most of this type early train are easy to shake violently. This is also reflected in the TEMU1000, which is based on the Kyushu 885 in our country.
Fortunately, the JR West new train 273 serise have new tilting system, it can provide less shaking and a more comfortable journey.
All the trains in Kyushu seem to ride rough, maybe it’s just the older track infrastructure. The Yufuin No Mori rattled my brains out.
The narrow gauge (1,067 mm) tracks used on most JR lines is responsible for the rocking/lurching motion you experienced. The Shinkansen and many subway and private rail lines use a wider gauge (1,435 mm), and thus have a smoother ride, with far less rocking/lurching.
BRO VEZI CA AVEM MULLTE ALSTOM CORADIA BULLET TRAIN IN ROMANIA 😁😉😊😇
Gosh, the exterior of Hakata station is spotless!
So clean and filled with clean people
Why does the train operator sit within a ticket gate?
It's so impressive a review on these fast JR Kyushu trains! I'd like to say thank you for picking up Sonic Exp much more fantastic way than other Japanese tech-centered rail geek would do.
By the way, the sign you're seeing in 1:46 means somewhere like a concert hall, sponsored by JRQ, with the pictogram of a musical conductor.
2 minutes late? either you're not in Japan or you don't know how to read the time.
I wish British Rail only charged 20% more for first class. It might actually be worth it then.
I took the blue sonic train to a Beppu and back and on the way back the train reverses and all Japanese flipped their seats but did nothing with their luggage! There was just luggage everywhere and somehow my seat ended up with lots of luggage pilled around me. I started shuffling the luggage then getting very frustrated I exclaimed in english and bad Japanese “THIS IS NOT MY JOB TO MOVE YOUR BAGS” to which I got blank stares then a bunch of American tourists sheepishly run over and move theirs (but some were still Japanese passengers which I left in the aisle)
All JR Kyushu limited express trains have appalling rides.
Than k you for sharing place where Genocidal aquired after selling Unit731 to world terrorist USA like many place USA aquired by force I hope you enjoy Japan and I wish to see Japan Disband soon for killing over 35 millions Chinese in cruelty and hopefully the they island would be return to the peoples whom refused to joint Japan after WWII than against those who did may not longer be around as Japanese love killing opposition like Convict Trump
It’s well known to bring your own soap and hand towels when traveling in Japan as most public facilities no longer offer the service. Japanese stationery and convenience stores sell paper thin soap sheets in a convenient carrying case that can fit in a pocket or purse. Even Coleman sells soap sheets, it’s very common now. And Muji or similar stores (Don Quijote) sell small hand towels with a clip on to your backpack or purse to dry your hands after washing. Just plan ahead.
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