Last April I returned to the United States for a two-week visit. It was a wonderful trip, enjoying perfect weather every day. However, during my time in New York City and New Jersey I was reminded just how great the train system is in Japan. There are no time-tables in the subways of New York, and New Jersey Transit was a real disappointment. Riding from New York to Philadelphia didn’t feel “right” to me. Delays happen more often than not, it was not clean, and very noisy- mechanical noise of old, tired, worn-out trains made in the 1970’s. It was quite uncomfortable compared to what one can experience in Japan.
Upon returning to Japan I boarded the “Narita Express,” bound for Yokohama; clean, on time to the minute at every station, very quiet, and safe. I then easily transferred to the JR Yokohama Line, and again, precisely on time at every station, making it very easy to calculate my arrival time to Hashimoto Station. This is one of many reasons I love living in Japan- the state-of-the-art rail system is dependable, comfortable, timely, clean, and safe. And today, after a very hot five-minute walk to Hashimoto Station, I was reminded again about the comfort. That nice, cool, air conditioned train on the Yokohama Line was a very welcomed relief!
Jim
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