Northstar

www.travelweekly-asia.com 18 OC TOBER 2018 TRAVEL WEEKLY ASIA I T B A S I A S H O W D A I L I E S 23 The tourism business is booming in Japan. According to Japan National Tourism Organization, more than 28 million tourists visited Japan in 2017, and it is showing no signs of stopping. In July 2018 alone, about 2.8 million tourists visited Japan — that's 5.6% more than the year before — the best July in history. Furthermore, tourists are not just staying in main cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. According to Nikkei Asian Review, far-flung regions like Oita Prefecture, Saga Prefecture and Aomori Prefecture are recording the biggest increases in overseas visitors, indicating that tourists are not only flocking to Japan, they are flocking all over the country as well. And many of them are doing so via Japan's rail network. Today, Japan has nearly 28,000 kilometres of railway across the country, and about 10% of it belongs to the country's high-speed rail network. The Shinkansen, By Will Chin Journey (by train) to the land of the rising sun operated by five Japan Railways Group companies, runs from the southern city of Kagoshima on Kyushu island to the northern city of Hakodate on Hokkaido island — and it doesn't stop there, either. Plans are underway as we speak to extend the high-speed rail network even further. For example, the Kyushu Shinkansen, which currently runs from Hakata in Fukuoka City to Kumamoto and Kagoshima, is adding a branch that will provide service to Nagasaki, which is located on the western coast of Kyushu. The new section is scheduled to open in 2023. Looking further ahead is the extension of the Hokkaido Shinkansen line, which will connect the now northernmost station in Hakodate all the way to Sapporo, Hokkaido's biggest city, by 2030. That is not to say that there isn't already plenty to see based on the current rail network, high-speed or otherwise. 1. Hanwa Line: Osaka Prefecture to Wakayama Prefecture There is no better way to enjoy the sakura season than via the Hanwa Line, which is a commuter train line that runs for 63 kilometres between Osaka's Tennoji Station and Wakayama's Wakayama Station. If the time is right, passengers will get to see cherry blossom trees in full bloom — a sea of pink and white as far as the eyes can see. The rise of rail travel in Japan and the most scenic routes along the way. Guangzhou-Shenzhen- Hong Kong Express Rail Link Elsewhere in Asia, there is also the newly opened Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (pictured above) to be excited about. A 26-kilometre stretch of railway may not seem like much, but the opening of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link is significant when it comes to train travel. With its commencement, Hong Kong is now connected to 25,000 kilometres of existing Chinese high-speed rail network, directly linking the city to the biggest economy in the world — and tourist destinations, too. The new high-speed rail link puts Hong Kong within an hour of Guangzhou and four hours from Guilin. 2. Takayama Main Line: Gifu Prefecture The Takayama Main Line connects Gifu and Toyama and winds itself through the gorgeous landscapes of the prefecture, with impressive rugged mountains and valleys along with pristine rivers along the way. And every season affords a different view too, with green rolling mountains in the summer and snow-tipped peaks in the winter. This is also the line to take to historic PHOT0 CREDIT: PAKE1150SB/GETTYIMAGES PHOT0 CREDIT: HIRO1775/GETTYIMAGES villages of Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 3. Gono Line: Akita Prefecture to Aomori Prefecture The Gono Line connects two of Japan's northernmost prefectures, Akita and Aomori. Measuring 147 kilometres in length, the line runs along the coast of the Sea of Japan, with stunning views of the waters and, in winter, the route passes by the breathtaking 1,625-metre Mount Iwaki. "Japan has nearly 28,000 kilometres of railway across the country, and about 10% of it belongs to the country's high-speed rail network." Japan is connected by nearly 28,000km of railway across the country. PHOT0 CREDIT: TAWATCHAIPRAKOBKIT/ GETTYIMAGES Shirakawa-go village, a UNESCO world heritage site, in winter.

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