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Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website “Shinkansen Super Express: Tokyo-Hakata” () is a color, promotional film for the Shinkansen Hikari 23 traveling the 670 mile, 7 hour journey from Tokyo to Hakata. Shinkansen, or “bullet train,” is a network of high speed rail lines in Japan which began service in 1964. Produced by the Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO), the film highlights the technological advancements that make the train possible, the typical passenger, as well as the cities along the route. 0 series high speed trains are shown; these became operational in 1963, and the film probably dates to the 1970s. 0 Series Shinkansen pulls into station, tangled electrical wires, city-scape in background (0:06). Shinkansen on elevated rail above busy Tokyo streets (0:18). Interior of conductor’s cabin, radars, dials, speed controls (0:32). 0 Series Shinkansen rounds corner, illustrated map of line’s service overlaid highlighting Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima, Hakata (0:40). Wide shot Shinkansen speeds along track amid arid fields, towering mountain and clouds in background (0:54). Interior of cabin car, business man smokes cigarette, young woman gazes out window (1:07). Mount Fuji (1:08). Interior of train cabin, conductor checks tickets, men’s faces hidden behind newspapers (1:15). Ticket window, illuminated green sign at station; close-up freshly printed ticket (1:31). Aerial views of Shinkansen speeding through different scenery: coastal port town, farmland (2:05). 0 Series Shinkansen pulls into Kyoto Station (2:45). To-ji Temple amid Kyoto skyline (3:08). Shinkansen Hikari 23 continues to speed through valley of sprawling hilly landscape; intercut with footage of perspective from driver’s cab emphasizing sheer speed of train (3:31). Various knobs, levers in driver’s cab, Automatic Train Control (ATC) system (4:00). COMTRAC SYC machinery at train command center Tokyo, personnel communicate with train drivers (4:34). CTC traffic control system: camera pans pre-forecast traffic diagram charting Tokyo-Hakata line route (4:46). Shinkansen on elevated rail arrives in Okayama, aerial view of residential homes (6:08). Snack kiosk on Okayama Station platform (6:23). Shizutani School framed by orange leaves, fall foliage (6:43). Grounds of Korakuen Gardens: small streams, sculptural pieces, historical pavilions, bonsai trees, flowers (7:10). Okayama Castle (7:58). Views of Okayama countryside from train, tall grass waves in wind, formerly Kibi District (8:21). Hikari 23 speeds through Shin-Kurashiki Station (8:53). Orange leaves, willow trees along Kurashiki Canal Area (Bikan Historical Quarter) (8:58). Young woman from street walks through empty, rain slicked alley way of downtown Kurashiki (9:13). Aerial view rooftops of Bikan Historical Quarter (9:59). Fisherman hangs small octopus to dry at port along Seto Inland Sea (10:19). Camera pans Seto Inland Sea, small islands dot water (10:44). Aerial view of Onomichi (11:01). Fish market in Onomichi, fresh catch displayed for buyers on top of wooden crates (11:11). Chef at work behind counter: prepares globe fish in paper thin slices (11:39). Basket of steamed lobster, oyster, crab presented at table decorated with small plates (12:08). Buildings sprawl up mountain side from water’s edge (12:29). Train passes through Fukuyama cityscape, Fukuyama Castle (12:39). Young woman walks through train car filled with businessmen, on-train telephone booths (12:52). Businessmen chat away in dining car (13:27). Hikari 23 pulls into Ogori Station, flood of men in suits make their way off train onto platform, connect to local lines (14:01). Perhaps Series-471 local train (14:46). Aerial view of Hagi (14:55). Details of Hagi: architecture of Meiji Restoration, home of Samurai of Chōshū (15:01). Tea ceremony: Hagi-yaki tea set, match whisked in ceramic bowl (15:40). Hiakri 23 continues on track towards Island of Kyushu (16:53). Aerial view above Kanmon Bridge over Kanmon Straits; industrial shipping boat passes under bridge horn sounds (16:57). Hikari 23 pulls out of underwater Kanmon Tunnel (17:15). Hikari 23 on elevated rail as it pulls into Kokura Station, factories and industrial buildings dot coastline (17:26). View of Kyushu City, Nagasaki Japan (17:53). More footage COMTRAC SYC machinery at train command center Tokyo (18:08). Hikari 23 on elevated rail pulls into Hakata station (19:01). This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
