TV Show Follows Japan's Bullet Train from Tokyo to Osaka
Listen to the story
The Japanese TV programme 100 Cameras has filmed Japan's famous bullet train, the Shinkansen, on its route between Tokyo and Osaka.
The show used many cameras placed along the track to record different moments of the journey. The comedy duo Audrey joined the programme to comment on the footage.
One highlight showed a train driver dealing with a delay of just a few seconds. The driver used mental calculation to bring the train back to its exact timetable. Viewers praised the driver's skill, calling it the work of a true professional.
Actress Rena Matsui also appeared on the programme to talk about her love for the Shinkansen. She has visited the Linear and Railway Museum, where she learned about how the trains have developed over the years.
She spoke about the thoughtful design of the trains, noting how they are built with passengers' comfort in mind. She also praised the beauty of the E7 series, one of the newer Shinkansen models.
The programme is expected to air soon, giving viewers a closer look at the details behind one of the world's most famous high-speed rail systems.
Vocabulary10 words
- 100 Cameras
- the name of a Japanese TV programme that films with many cameras
- Shinkansen
- Japan's high-speed bullet train
- Audrey
- a Japanese comedy duo who appear on TV shows
- mental calculation
- doing math quickly in your head
- timetable
- the planned times for a train to arrive and leave
- Rena Matsui
- a Japanese actress featured in the programme
- thoughtful design
- planning something with care for the people who use it
- E7 series
- a modern type of Shinkansen train
- high-speed rail
- a train system built to travel very fast
- footage
- recorded video of something
Quiz
Answer key
1. The Shinkansen route between Tokyo and Osaka 2. By using mental calculation 3. Their thoughtful design and beauty
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The Japanese TV programme _____ has filmed Japan's famous bullet train, the Shinkansen, on its route between Tokyo and Osaka.
The show used many cameras placed along the track, and the comedy duo _____ joined to comment on the footage.
One highlight showed a train driver dealing with a delay of just a few seconds.
The driver used _____ to bring the train back to its exact _____.
Viewers praised the driver's skill, calling it the work of a true professional.
Actress _____ also appeared on the programme to talk about her love for the Shinkansen.
She spoke about the _____ of the trains, noting how they are built with passengers' comfort in mind.
She also praised the beauty of the _____, one of the newer Shinkansen models.