[skookumchuck]

Flying is quick, but the time at both ends kills it for shorter trips. I'd rather take the train. I love riding the rails in Europe. It's a very pleasant way to travel.

[seanmcdirmid]

shinkansen stations are sometimes a bit put there, though not as bad as the airports. Chinese HSR stations are usually way out there, adding to lots of endpoint time, though still not as much as Chinese airports. Europe is pretty ideal, though I’ve had to transfer train stations in Paris before coming off a TGV. Not fun.

[ajmurmann]

Where are Shinkansen stations "out there"? I've only taken it for a variety of stops between Tokyo and Okayama. All those stations were very central.

[seanmcdirmid]

For many of the smaller cities along the route; eg Gifu, it doesn’t make sense to route the train into the city.

[Grue3]

Shin-Yokohama, Shin-Osaka, Shin-Hakodate are the typical examples. Going from Tokyo to Yokohama center is usually faster on a conventional train.

[jboles]

Osaka is an example, the Shinkansen does not stop in central Osaka but stops at ‘Shin Osaka’ station (literally ‘New Osaka’ station).

[seanmcdirmid]

Though to be fair, shin Osaka is pretty built up and only 4 Minutes away by subway from central Osaka station.