Bullet trains are a popular form of public transportation throughout Japan. The country’s network of lightning-fast vehicles, known locally as Shinkansen, can reach speeds of up to 199 mph, making it quick and easy to travel around the country. While the technology of bullet trains is advanced to begin with, further cutting-edge innovations are on the horizon. One plan that’s currently in the works is the introduction of driverless bullet trains. Here’s when you can expect to see these new trains hit the rails — and how they’re expected to improve the passenger experience.

A History of Bullet Trains

Japan debuted its Shinkansen bullet train network in 1964, and there are currently nine lines serving 22 of the country’s major cities across the three main islands. It’s estimated that Japan’s bullet trains carry more than 420,000 passengers each weekday, transporting them at rapid speeds with ease. There are six major passenger railway companies in the country: JR East, JR Central, JR West, JR Hokkaido, JR Shikoku, and JR Kyushu. (“JR” stands for “Japan railway.”) 

One of the most popular ways for visitors to take in Japan is to purchase an all-inclusive rail pass, which allows for unlimited train rides throughout the country. Moreover, Japan’s rail companies pride themselves on an impeccable safety record — according to the High Speed Rail Alliance, there have been zero passenger fatalities in the 60 years since Japanese bullet trains debuted.

The Driverless Goal

Driverless bullet trains are part of a larger vision known as the Transformation 2027 plan, which JR East — the largest railway in the country — introduced in 2018. According to The Japan Times, the company anticipates automated trains will streamline operations by making trains run more efficiently and on time. Furthermore, these computer-controlled trains should eliminate the risk of potential labor shortages.

JR East recently released a statement detailing how driverless trains will help them “adapt to changes in the social environment such as declining population and reforms in ways of how workers work.” Many Japanese industries have suffered due to the country’s overall population decline and resulting labor shortages. These automated trains aim to mitigate such issues once they are fully operational. However, initial estimates of a 2027 rollout are unlikely at this point, as trials on passenger trains are more likely to begin in early 2028, or perhaps even later.

Past Testing

The earliest tests for driverless Shinkansen were held in 2021 on a 3-mile stretch of track northwest of Tokyo, according to the website Japan RailPass. These tests were conducted aboard E7-series bullet trains, which are comparatively slower than the latest trains, as they can reach top speeds only around 160 mph. 

The trains were remotely piloted between Niigata Station and a nearby stock depot, and tests were analyzed for four different factors. These included the train’s ability to start automatically, the capacity to stop at a specific point, the capability to automatically accelerate and decelerate, and whether or not the train could be remotely stopped in case of emergency. While these tests were largely successful, the company noted at the time that there was still room for improvement.

Future Plans

JR East plans to roll out driverless trains in waves, each with varying levels of automation. The earliest driverless trains with passengers aboard will run from Nagaoka to Niigata with a driver present in the cockpit in case of emergency; otherwise the train will function autonomously. During the next stage, the company anticipates testing passengerless trains without a driver or crew members aboard. 

By the mid-2030s, the company plans to welcome commuters aboard trains with an empty cockpit — but staff members still present elsewhere aboard the train. These trains are planned to ride along the heavily trafficked Joetsu Shinkansen line from Tokyo to Niigata, and will mark a major step in the development of this new technology. There are also considerations to expand this technology to other bullet train lines, though there are no set plans to do so at this time.

What It Means for Passengers

While some may find the idea of riding aboard a driverless train to be unnerving, the company claims that this automated technology will improve safety and reduce human error, according to Kyodo News. The fully computerized system also ensures that trains will run as efficiently as possible, improving on the system’s already impressive reputation for punctuality. Plus, the lack of any physical cockpit means more available space on each train for passengers and their luggage.

While travel provides us with an opportunity to learn about different cultures, traditions, and lifestyles, etiquette can be confusing. On home turf, we embrace certain behaviors without giving them a second thought, yet the same actions can have surprising reactions when we’re traveling overseas. Take a look at five American customs that may be considered rude abroad so you can avoid landing yourself in hot water. 

Keeping Your Shoes on Inside Someone’s Home

In the U.S., many people enter a home without removing their shoes, unless the host specifically asks guests to take them off. However, in some parts of the world, this would be considered a faux-pas. If you’re lucky enough to score an invite into someone’s home while traveling, it’s wise to check the host’s preference. For instance, in parts of Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, it’s customary to leave outdoor footwear by the door. Doing so helps protect floors from stains and scuffs. More importantly, it keeps the home cleaner — scientific studies have shown that we pick up significant amounts of bacteria and other contamination on the soles of our shoes as we walk through city streets. It’s therefore polite to allow the decision to be made by the homeowner.

Eating or Drinking on the Move

At home, taking your coffee to go might be a time-saving habit you rely on during the workweek. However, in some countries, consuming food or drink on the move is far less common and not as widely acceptable. When in Italy, for example, you could find yourself on the receiving end of disapproving looks if you ask for your espresso “porta via” (to go). Coffee is to be savored, never rushed, though drinking at a counter in the morning is commonplace. Meanwhile, in Japan, the practice of tabearuki (eating while walking) can be seen as the height of bad manners. It’s usually considered much more polite to step aside to consume street food at the edge of the sidewalk or beside vending machines. 

Dressing Too Casually 

Nothing identifies an American overseas as quickly as a baseball cap — in a recent article in The New York Times, British milliner Stephen Jones called the popular headgear “the tiara of America.” Though such hats were first worn on the sports field, they have since become a wardrobe staple in the U.S., worn everywhere from McDonald’s to the Met Gala. But in Europe, unless you’re heading out for a run, wearing a cap might be frowned upon. That’s particularly the case somewhere formal, such as the theater or a fancy restaurant. You’re likely to get a similar reaction when wearing running shoes, sweatpants, or shorts. To avoid drawing attention to yourself, you might wish to dress in a way that’s considered appropriate in the place you’re visiting.

Certain Hand Gestures

As travelers, we often rely on the use of hand gestures to compensate for our linguistic failings. But understanding their meanings is as crucial as learning foreign vocabulary, as gestures can have very different meanings from country to country. For example, Americans might give the thumbs up without a second thought, but in Sardinia, Italy, it can be interpreted as rude. Attempting to hail a cab in Greece with your arm raised and palm stretched wide won’t get you the result you expect. Instead, you’ve just performed a moutza at the taxi driver, which is considered highly insulting.

Clearing Plates in a Restaurant Quickly

It’s common for diners in the U.S. to expect the table to be cleared as soon as their plates are empty. It makes sense for restaurant owners — if table turnover is faster, the number of covers (and, of course, potential tips) can be increased during the course of the night, which boosts income. In a YouGov U.S. survey conducted in April 2024, 58% of respondents felt that occupying a table for an extended period during busy hours was unacceptable. However, to Europeans used to eating out at a more leisurely pace, this rushed approach can feel rude, especially when some of the party haven’t yet finished their meals.

The Land of the Rising Sun is experiencing a tourism boom. In 2024, 35 million visitors will head to Japan, and many of them will head straight to major cities like Tokyo — the most populous city on Earth. But thanks to a new promotion from Japan Airlines, exploring all the country has to offer just got a little easier. Here’s how you can get free domestic flights within Japan. 

How It Works

To encourage visitors to Japan to explore other parts of the country, Japan Airlines announced in September 2024 that travelers from select countries — including the U.S., Canada, and Mexico — can add on complimentary domestic flights when they book an international flight to Japan. 

To get these free domestic flights, you have to book them together with an international flight to Japan all on the same ticket, directly on the Japan Airlines website. Separate bookings aren’t eligible for the promotion. While the fares will be free, you will have to pay a small fee for airport taxes. 

Of note, if you stay more than 24 hours at your first destination in Japan, there will be a $100 stopover fee. As most international flights land in Tokyo, it’s best to head straight to a new destination in Japan to take advantage of the promotion. However, if you’re keen to explore Tokyo for your first few days, the $100 stopover fee could be less than booking individual flights on your own. 

Japan Airlines, named one of the world’s best airlines, is known for its high level of service. All economy tickets come with two pieces of checked luggage and some of the most generous legroom in coach of any airline.

Where To Visit in Japan

First things first: Japan is a haven for foodies. While Tokyo has the most Michelin-starred restaurants of any city on Earth, several other Japanese cities also make the list, including Osaka and Kyoto. As the former Japanese capital, Kyoto is one of Japan’s most fascinating historical destinations, home to some 1,400 temples. Nearby, you can explore breathtaking natural wonders such as the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. 

Also consider heading to Kanazawa, home to one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan and the spectacular Kanazawa Castle. In winter, Kanazawa is a convenient base to explore the nearby winter wonderlands of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama — two historic mountain villages that were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their famed thatched-roof farmhouses.

In spring, head to Hitachi Seaside Park, where millions of daffodils, tulips, roses, red Kochia, and baby-blue Nemophila stretch as far as the eye can see. In Nara, you’ll have the opportunity to visit historic temples and walk among wild deer in the famous Nara Park, while in Himeji you can visit Japan’s largest and most famous castle. 

Many visitors don’t realize Japan is also home to a subtropical archipelago. Located about 400 miles south of the rest of Japan, Okinawa is the country’s southernmost and most remote region. The area’s sun-drenched beaches, warm waters, and candy-colored coral reefs are easily accessible via direct flights from various Japanese cities.

Airlines That Offer Free Stopovers

The promotion for Japan Airlines is a great way to explore new destinations within Japan for less, but a variety of airlines around the world offer similar promotions by way of free stopovers. These stopovers allow travelers to spend a few days visiting a new city before continuing their trip. 

One of the first airlines to introduce the concept was Icelandair. The airline lets passengers stop in Reykjavik to explore the Land of Fire and Ice for up to seven days before continuing elsewhere in Europe. TAP Air Portugal has a similar offering to explore Portugal, while Turkish Airlines allows free stopovers in Istanbul and Qatar Airways encourages visitors transferring through the world’s best airport to stop and explore Doha for a few days. 

The hotel industry is full of surprises. On a surface level, hotels and resorts provide guests with a relaxing respite, a memorable family vacation, or a home away from home during a business trip. But under the surface, the inner workings of a hotel are much more complicated, with staffers balancing guest safety, security, comfort, special requests, and more. To keep these well-oiled machines running, hotel staffers simply can’t explain every detail to their patrons — but that doesn’t stop curious travelers from wondering. We reveal seven hotel industry secrets, according to hospitality workers and travel experts.

There Are Safest and Quietest Floors

Some hotel guests want the quietest floor possible, while others want to be on a lower floor closer to the action. Fortunately for some, the quietest and safest floors actually overlap. According to industry safety experts and the U.S. Department of State, the third through sixth floors of hotels are generally the safest.

The first two floors are susceptible to break-ins and street-level threats, and the highest floors of hotels also come with risks. “Generally, fire departments in major cities have aerial ladders that can reach six to seven stories,” travel safety expert Kevin Coffey explained to Smarter Travel. 

Staying within the third- to sixth-floor range ensures optimal safety, but on these floors you’ll often enjoy some peace and quiet, too. Most hotel guests want to stay on the first or second floors, closest to the lobby and amenities, so the upper floors are quieter. If you don’t mind a slightly longer elevator ride, you’ll likely have fewer neighbors on your floor and a better chance of uninterrupted sleep. 

Most Big Brand Hotels Are Franchised

You may have noticed that your past travel experiences have varied by establishment, even if the hotel brand is the same. This is because most — up to 80% — of hotels in the U.S. are franchised. “They’re just a logo rental business,” Curtis Crimmins, founder of hotel startup Roomza, told The Washington Post.

Despite having a name like Hilton or Marriott, these hotels act more like independently run businesses because day-to-day operations are up to the franchisee, not the brand. While the brand imposes specific standards, ultimately all decisions are made by the owner. This can cause discrepancies within brands, so don’t be too discouraged if your trip doesn’t go to plan, even though you booked with your favorite hotel brand.

Hotels Track Details About Guests

Some hotels track details of guests’ stays, which can be accessed across the brand server and seen by other hotel staffers in that chain. These observations go beyond basic identifiers such as name, contact information, and transactions with the hotel. The list might include your room preferences, spa visits, communication preferences (phone or email, for example), details of interactions with staff, and previous ratings or surveys you completed. While some customers may find this intrusive, these guest profiles can come in handy for enhancing your experience during your stay.  

According to one former employee on Reddit, some luxury hotel brands are known to keep track of more personal information, such as your favorite cocktail, your anniversary date, how many extra towels you requested, and more. Access to this personalized information can create a more tailored experience, but beware — they can also keep track of bad behavior this way, including broken items or rude encounters.

Third-Party Sites Don’t Show All Available Rooms

Many travelers have faced the disappointment of a sold-out hotel. But if you’re booking through a third-party site such as Expedia or Booking.com and see a “sold out” notification, check the hotel’s website or call them. Typically, hotels release a certain number of rooms to third-party booking sites, and once those are reserved, it will show that the property is sold out, even if it isn’t.

If that isn’t reason enough to book directly, there’s also this: Hotels tend to keep their best rooms off third-party sites and on their own websites for booking, while third-party sites can often get the smallest or most basic rooms.

During check-in, hotel staff can also see if you booked directly or through a third-party site, and direct bookers might have an edge in getting a better room in terms of views, size, amenities, or recent updates, etc.). “Within any category of rooms there will always be some that are more desirable than others,” explains seasoned traveler and innkeeper Yvonne Martin. “Most front desk managers like to save those rooms for their preferred customers, which in order of preference would be those in the hotel loyalty program, repeat guests, longer-stay guests, and those who booked direct.” 

Guests Leave Behind Surprising Items — And Employees Can Claim Them

A recent survey of more than 400 hotels worldwide revealed the strangest items hotel staffers found after guests checked out. Some lost items were reunited with their owner, while others were not. At the top of the list was a Hermes Birkin bag and a watch worth $6 million. But not all forgotten items are designer: Staffers have cited a rice cooker, car tire, blender, construction pipes, and even a pet lizard (later reunited with its owner). 

What happens to these items? If left unclaimed, they go to lost-and-found for a set amount of time and are later disposed of. One former employee of a major hotel brand explained to Business Insider that, after 90 days, lost-and-found items were made available to hotel staffers to take home. This policy varies by hotel, but some employees have collected a few gems thanks to this practice. 

Your Throw Pillows and Comforter Are Probably Filthy

A recent viral report by Inside Edition revealed the dirty truth about rooms at three major hotel chains in New York City. Spoiler alert: None were cleaned as well as they should’ve been. Common culprits included high-touch points such as faucets and remote controls, but one of the worst offenders was bedding. Do they wash the comforter after every guest? According to those in the know, some hotels don’t.

Because of this, it’s best practice to avoid all fluffy textiles in hotel rooms — comforters, quilts, decorative pillows, and even fabric couches. None of these items are washed as regularly as sheets, towels, and duvet covers. Throw pillows are among the dirtiest items because they are often put on the floor or the couch and not washed between guests.

“It depends on the hotel brand,” Ben Pundole, executive vice president of brand culture and experience for Public Hotel, explained to The Washington Post. “I know for a fact that some hotels are more thorough than others.” If you have concerns, check the hotel’s cleaning policies or ask the staff. 

Lots of People Might Have Access to Your Safe 

It’s travel safety 101 to leave your valuables in the hotel room safe. Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple. According to the locksmiths at Great Valley Lockshop, hotel safes aren’t as secure as you think. Nowadays, hotel safes are electronic, and guests can set personalized codes. However, all safes have a mechanical key or master code that the hotel manager or security can access.

Hotel policies prohibit staff from going through a safe without the guest present, but this doesn’t mean that these tools can’t be used for the wrong reasons. Anyone with access to them could steal your belongings — although it’s rather unlikely.

Another consideration is that potential thieves could figure out the master code of the safe because they are sometimes very obvious. Before leaving your valuables inside, ensure that basic codes such as “000000” or “123456” don’t work. If this unlocks the safe, others can easily crack the code, too. Ask management or security to reset it. If that isn’t possible, you should leave your valuables elsewhere, such as in a locked suitcase, a portable travel safe, or in the bag you’re taking with you.