Cool new stuff (buildings / trains / technology etc.)
Oct 10, 2008, 12:51 am
#46
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
Posts: 18,404
Do monkey waiters at a Sake bar count? 
You MUST check out the video.
http://consumerist.com/5060872/japan...n-off-his-list
You MUST check out the video.
http://consumerist.com/5060872/japan...n-off-his-list
This link in Japanese gives a bit more info and links to another blog about it
http://zoo0982.blog108.fc2.com/blog-entry-719.html
I looked it up a few days ago after seeing it here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7654267.stm
Local press saw the BBC link too and there have been some more mentions - the macaques don't work for more than two hours a day and it all started when Yatsuchan/Yatchan spontaneously copied the owner by taking a hot towel to a customer.
Oct 10, 2008, 2:15 am
#48
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 9,632
Our favorite quote from the article: "'The monkeys are actually better waiters than some really bad human ones,' customer Takayoshi Soeno said."
("Heta na ningen yori mo umai desu.")
That "heta" is tricky.
Oct 10, 2008, 8:32 am
#50
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Oct 10, 2008, 10:20 am
#51
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: WAS
Posts: 873
As far as I understand, the izakaya is in Utsonomiya. Only the bullet train makes that seem 'near' Tokyo
This link in Japanese gives a bit more info and links to another blog about it
http://zoo0982.blog108.fc2.com/blog-entry-719.html
I looked it up a few days ago after seeing it here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7654267.stm
Local press saw the BBC link too and there have been some more mentions - the macaques don't work for more than two hours a day and it all started when Yatsuchan/Yatchan spontaneously copied the owner by taking a hot towel to a customer.
This link in Japanese gives a bit more info and links to another blog about it
http://zoo0982.blog108.fc2.com/blog-entry-719.html
I looked it up a few days ago after seeing it here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7654267.stm
Local press saw the BBC link too and there have been some more mentions - the macaques don't work for more than two hours a day and it all started when Yatsuchan/Yatchan spontaneously copied the owner by taking a hot towel to a customer.
Apr 14, 2009, 10:44 pm
#52
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Yokohama (near HND, TYO)
Programs: meltdowngraded from "F" and "C" , Accor Plt, BW Dia, ihg G, UA 0.9999MM
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NRT-HND 15 min. Maglev plan proposed by a governor, costs $13bn,
1st stage : NRT-HND
2nd stage : HND-Yokohama,
Tokyo Rinkai area- Shinjuku- Saitama Shintoshin
3rd stage : Shinjuku-Yokota Airport
Governor of Kanagwa Prefecture, Mr.Matsuzawa says this is to make HND and NRT more competitive, to enhance the convenience of the citizens and also to stimulate the economy of the Kanto region.
(From Yomiuri, in Japanese)
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/e-japan/kan...OYT8T01100.htm
2nd stage : HND-Yokohama,
Tokyo Rinkai area- Shinjuku- Saitama Shintoshin
3rd stage : Shinjuku-Yokota Airport
Governor of Kanagwa Prefecture, Mr.Matsuzawa says this is to make HND and NRT more competitive, to enhance the convenience of the citizens and also to stimulate the economy of the Kanto region.
(From Yomiuri, in Japanese)
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/e-japan/kan...OYT8T01100.htm
Apr 15, 2009, 1:08 am
#53
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,657
1st stage : NRT-HND
2nd stage : HND-Yokohama,
Tokyo Rinkai area- Shinjuku- Saitama Shintoshin
3rd stage : Shinjuku-Yokota Airport
Governor of Kanagwa Prefecture, Mr.Matsuzawa says this is to make HND and NRT more competitive, to enhance the convenience of the citizens and also to stimulate the economy of the Kanto region.
(From Yomiuri, in Japanese)
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/e-japan/kan...OYT8T01100.htm
2nd stage : HND-Yokohama,
Tokyo Rinkai area- Shinjuku- Saitama Shintoshin
3rd stage : Shinjuku-Yokota Airport
Governor of Kanagwa Prefecture, Mr.Matsuzawa says this is to make HND and NRT more competitive, to enhance the convenience of the citizens and also to stimulate the economy of the Kanto region.
(From Yomiuri, in Japanese)
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/e-japan/kan...OYT8T01100.htm
Apr 15, 2009, 3:05 am
#54
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Ani Ichibanya
Programs: WWMFD
Posts: 6,292
Apr 15, 2009, 9:08 am
#55
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Riding the rails
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Posts: 1,936
NRT-HND by maglev, I doubt that will happen anytime soon.
What is happening soon, and as mentioned is next year the new Skyliner services will start operating between Ueno/Nippori and NRT in 36 minutes.
With possible rerouting to HND (the connection exists today, just seldom used).
New Narita Express trains will come into service this year too, just updated trains, no major speed upgrade to my knowledge (I think they look ugly compared to the slick new Skyliners).
What is happening soon, and as mentioned is next year the new Skyliner services will start operating between Ueno/Nippori and NRT in 36 minutes.
With possible rerouting to HND (the connection exists today, just seldom used).
New Narita Express trains will come into service this year too, just updated trains, no major speed upgrade to my knowledge (I think they look ugly compared to the slick new Skyliners).
Apr 15, 2009, 10:49 am
#56
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 9,632
Apr 15, 2009, 6:27 pm
#57
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tokyo, Japan (or Vienna whenever possible)
Posts: 6,379
15 minutes is very doable today. You want to talk about cool new stuff? Here you go.....
http://www.mori.co.jp/mcas/
http://www.mori.co.jp/mcas/
Apr 15, 2009, 10:20 pm
#60
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,856
On my last trip out to NRT on the N'Ex, I noticed that they were adding an elevated connection to the viaduct just outside of the town of Narita (when you go past the shopping center). Maybe this is some minor improvement? Possibly it could eliminate the need for the N'Ex inbound to Tokyo to have to stop and wait on the trestle?
Seems to me that if JR doesn't do something, Keisei will kill them when the faster train route opens up, it will even be significantly faster to Shinjuku than N'Ex (although the Yamanote line part is less comfortable).
Also if you look at the helicopter page, it takes 30-35 minutes so not very much better than the train. I guess this is how Mr. Mori tries to subsidize his personal use!
Seems to me that if JR doesn't do something, Keisei will kill them when the faster train route opens up, it will even be significantly faster to Shinjuku than N'Ex (although the Yamanote line part is less comfortable).
Also if you look at the helicopter page, it takes 30-35 minutes so not very much better than the train. I guess this is how Mr. Mori tries to subsidize his personal use!
Last edited by RichardInSF; Apr 15, 2009 at 10:25 pm