Japan’s Invisible Train

Trains aren’t just considered to be a luxury in Japan, but a necessity. They are crucial to get around this country. Japan is known for its trains, with many of them breaking records and offering unique designs never before seen. There is a new train, set to debut in 2018 and it has many people in awe as it’s something that no one has seen before. Known as the “invisible train” here’s what we know about it so far.

The Design

This train was designed by Kazuyo Sejima. While the train isn’t actually invisible, it does look that way with its semi-reflective tape and transparent materials that will blend into the scenery that the train is passing. It will be similar to a mirror and will create a sort of illusion as the train will reflect whatever is surrounding it. The diversity of the materials allows for the train to look nearly invisible no matter if it’s going through a countryside or large city. The train is expected to go on a 111-mile route so it’s crucial that it’s able to adapt to a variety of scenery.

The Inside

Despite the outside of the train being very unique in design, the inside won’t be. The goal is for passengers to feel comfortable. Sejima wants them to feel like they are at home in their living room. He hopes that they will want to ride the train again not only for its uniqueness, but for the comfortable ride and the ability to just relax despite the high speed it is going.

Other Trains

Japan has quite a few trains that have made the news. Not only do they have many high speed trains, they also debuted the Magnetic Levitation train in 2015. This train hovers around 10 centimeters above the track and set a world record for going 375 miles an hour.

The invisible train is being built in part to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of Seibu Railway. The company has been known for the way it uses light and space in other projects so this project isn’t that far out there for a company like this one. This train will travel from parts of Tokyo to Chichibu. It will be interesting to see what else the designer comes up with in the future. Who knows, if this train is a hit, maybe it will gain popularity in other countries, including the United States.

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