Filed under: Travel News
Stock photo: Trans Siberian Railway
Direct transport from London to Tokyo would take around two weeks, according to the plans, which would see the existing Trans Siberian railway extended, with a bridge from the Russian mainland to the island of Sakhalin.
The train route would then continue south for 380 miles until it reaches the coast, where a 25-mile tunnel will be constructed under the Soya Strait, enabling the train to directly enter Japanese territory.
The focus of the route is currently trade-based, with Koichi Yamagishi, director of overseas projects at Japan's ministry of transport, telling the Daily Telegraph: "In terms of natural resources, this rail link would be a very positive development.
"To have direct access to the Sakhalin 1 and 2 oil and gas projects would be very beneficial."
It is thought the first phase of the plan will start in 2016, and the project could cost £6.4 billion.
The current Trans Siberian Railway can already be used to reach China, Japan, Korea or even Vietnam all the way from London, Paris & Western Europe (although not directly).
Visit seat61.com to see how.
See the Daily Telegraph for more information about the new train link.
Great railway journeys
- Arctic Circle Express<p> Reaching heights of 3000 feet and going 100 miles the other side of the Arctic circle, this trip links Stockholm and Kiruna, in Norway. Highlights include the longest fjord in the world, Sognefjord, which is 126 miles long and 4000 feet deep. Come in the summer, and you'll experience the meaning of the term, 'land of the midnight sun'. Visit <a href="http://www.greatrail.com/tours/arctic-circle-express.aspx" target="_blank">greatrail.com</a> for more info.</p>
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- The Palace on Wheels, India<p> There's no doubt that this is the most luxurious way to cross India. A steam engine drags the train out of Delhi for a week-long trip to the royal estate at Rajasthan. Along the way there's canoodling with elephants in the pink city, Jaipur, a camel safari in the desert at Jaisalmer and a tour of Agra's extraordinary Taj Mahal. Visit <a href="http://www.palaceonwheels.net/" target="_blank">thepalaceonwheels.net </a>for more.</p>
![The Palace on Wheels, India]()
- The Macchu Pichu train, South America<p> Beginning in Cuzco (one of South America's most enchanting cities) and winding its way along the path of the Urubamba River, Peru's famous railway line takes in colossal Andean mountains, Inca ruins and llamas galore. And that's before you get to the unbelievable lost city of Macchu Picchu. For more info, visit <a href="http://www.machupicchutrain.com/" target="_blank">machupicchutrain.com </a>for info.</p>
![The Macchu Pichu train, South America]()
- Trans-Siberian Railway<p> <a href="http://www.greatrail.com/holidays/the-trans-siberian-express-with-great-rail-journeys.aspx" target="_blank">Great Rail Journeys</a> offers berths on arguably the greatest passenger train on the planet, the Golden Eagle, for an astounding ride covering 11 time zones. This epic journey begins in Warsaw and ends 8,000 miles away in Vladivostock. Along the way there's a chance to go ice fishing in the world's biggest lake, Baikal, take a troika carriage in Suzdal, lunch out in a traditional Mongolian 'yurt' tent and gape at the golden domes of Yaketerinburg.</p>
![Trans-Siberian Railway]()
- Orient Express<p> <a href="http://www.orient-express.com/" target="_blank">The Orient Express</a> is a byword for luxury travel. Traditionally it served Paris and Istanbul, but that's no longer the case. These days it runs between Strasbourg and Vienna, so you'll have to improvise. Four journeys- Paris-Strasbourg, Strasbourg-Vienna, Vienna-Belgrade and Belgrade-Istanbul- will suffice, taking you from the heartland of Western Europe to the gateway of Asia. Truly a journey worth undertaking, 127 years since its maiden passage.</p>
![Orient Express]()
- Jungfrau Railway<p> This railway has been in operation since 1893, giving spectacular views of one of Switzerland's most beautiful regions. It climbs from Interlaken to a height of 11332 feet at Jangfraujoch Station. A phenomenal feat of engineering allows the train to enter through the middle of Eiger mountain. From the top you can see as far as the Black Forest in Germany- this is the so-called 'Roof of Europe' after all. Inside the glacier is Ice Palace, an exhibition of ice sculptures. The cost of a return fare is steep - fares are over hundred quid - but well worth it. Visit <a href="http://www.jungfrau.ch/en" target="_blank">jungfrau.ch</a> for more.</p>
![Jungfrau Railway]()
- The Blue Train, South Africa<p> The Blue Train offers a luxury service crossing South Africa. It takes in Victoria Falls, the haunting barren landscape of the Great Karoo and the incredibly seaside city of Cape Town. And along the way you'll be glued to the window hoping to spot elephants, lions and other wonderful animals in their wild habitat. Visit <a href="http://www.bluetrain.co.za/" target="_blank">bluetrain.co/za </a>for more.</p>
![The Blue Train, South Africa]()
- Japan by Bullet Train<p> If you want a taste of real speed try a ride on Japan's Shinkansens. The latest model of these bullet trains reaches speeds of 186mph. This means you reach Osaka from Tokyo (515 km away) in a mind-boggling two hours and 25 minutes. You can take a Shinkansen all the way across Japan, from Kagoshima in the south-west to Hachinoche in the north-east. Just be sure not to blink. Visit <a href="http://www.seat61.com/Japan.htm" target="_blank">seat61/japan</a> for more.</p>
![Japan by Bullet Train]()
- The Marrakech Express<p> Beginning in Tangier (the sleazy port which inspired the likes of Paul Bowles, William H. Burroughs and Jack Kerouac) the train stops at the delightful medieval town of Asilah . Then it heads inland from the modern metropolis of Casablanca, home to the stupendous Hassan II Mosque. The closer to Marrakech one gets, the land becomes pinker and barer, until the foothills of the Atlas Mountains- where the magnificent city itself appears in all its glorious weirdness. Visit <a href="http://www.greatrail.com/tours/marrakech-express-by-train.aspx?TelRef=PPC_GOO_MOR&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Morocco%20-%20Marrakech%20Express&utm_term=marrakech%20express%20-e&atlassearch=paid" target="_blank">greatrail.com</a> for more.</p>
![The Marrakech Express]()
- Copper Canyon, Mexico<p> This engineering triumph – which cost $90 million and took 90 years to complete – crosses the guava-spotted deserts and canyons of northern Mexico, linking the Pacific Coast and Chihuahua City by way of 87 tunnels and 36 bridges. The Copper Canyon itself features two climactic zones, so sub-tropical forests give way to a cool alpine climate with oaks and pines. for Visit <a href="http://www.mexicoscoppercanyon.com/chepe.htm" target="_blank">mexicoscoppercanyon.com</a> for more info.</p>
![Copper Canyon, Mexico]()
- <p> Don't listen to what anyone else says; from Switzerland to Siberia, by bullet train or steam engine, it's still the best way to travel. </p>
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