The Bank of Japan's loose monetary policy has turned the yen into the world's cheapest and most reliable funding currency, creating a publicly subsidised funding pipeline for bankers.
True high-speed rail in the U.S. is still years away despite recent advancements and public support. Rail experts emphasize that actual high-speed rail requires dedicated infrastructure and faster trains, similar to systems in Europe and Asia.
The new structure is taller than the old one, meaning it won't have to open and close for boats on the river. Officials said that would happen dozens of times each year on the old bridge, and it would often get stuck and require a worker to hammer the pieces back into place.
Osaka, Japan's third largest city after Tokyo and Yokohama, has a youthful energy to it. Locals love it for tabearuki, which literally means walking and eating at the many shotengai-covered arcades, lined with stalls and tempting street food.
The new trains are the first of a fleet of 94 new trains being built in Yorkshire at the moment, and will eventually replace the Piccadilly line's existing 50-year old rolling stock. However, before passengers can ride the new trains, they need hundreds of hours of testing and assurance that they will work as expected. And testing has been underway ever since the first train arrived in London last year.
The best train journeys in the world have an intangible allure about them. Since the dawn of time, the romance of railways has seduced poets, spellbound novelists, and dealt directors the perfect hand for capturing fleeting friendships, illicit affairs, and all manner of crimes and capers. A ticket is not just a permit to ride, it's permission to trespass on the intimacies of other people's lives.
Today, Shimano introduces the latest dual-function pedal in its lineup, the PD-EH510. This versatile hybrid pedal combines Shimano's renowned SPD clip-in system on one side with a fairly large flat pedal platform on the other. This gives riders the choice between clipped-in efficiency or the freedom of flat pedals, with a versatile pedal that's ready to ride, no matter which shoes they choose.
This clip was captured at Rusutsu Resort in Hokkaido, a resort featured on the Epic Pass. It was captured on a Saturday on what looks like a powder day and was probably shot early in the morning, so understand that there's a good chance this was the worst it was throughout the day. Additionally this was apparently shot on a day where high winds closed a lot of chairlifts and nearby ski areas.
And while the convenience and amenities of a hotel stay may be tempting, renting an Airbnb just off the beaten path is an even better way to experience the city like a local. The bustling capital encompasses a dynamic mix of cultural sights, impressive culinary experiences, and globally-renowned shopping landmarks-from the vibrant Harajuku district to the Edo-era Senso-ji Temple-that make it one of the most bucket-listed travel destinations in the world.
From Boston headed home, I met up in the club car with members of a rock band, a secretary, a Peace Corps guy just back from India, and a retired dentist, and we partied night and day, telling stories and laughing our asses off. The Peace Corps guy had a sitar, and would play morning, noon and evening ragas as America rolled by outside.
Passengers travelling between London and Paris are currently told to check in between 45 minutes and 75 minutes in advance of their departure times, and usually end up waiting in the crowded waiting areas at London St Pancras or Gare du Nord stations.