The technical term for the event is “coupling,” but it’s known colloquially as the “Shinkansen kiss.” For Japanese rail fans, it’s a big deal. For foreigners, it is a unique insight into the ...

Maintaining vintage trains often requires inventive solutions ... While streetcars have disappeared from most cities across Japan, Kochi’s system remains the oldest still in operation.

As Japan’s population shrinks, maintaining rail service in remote small towns is becoming a challenge. Is this the answer?