Canne Lion prize - Japanese Commercial for New bullet train

This is a March 12 2010 commercial for the new Kyushu Shinkansen (bullet train) This is the last connecting part of the Shinkansen that connect the main island of Honshu with the southern island of Kyushu.
This commercial shows the opening trip and yes I know this is bigger celebration than usual because it is for a commercial but the first day, run of any new train in Japan is sold out months in advance. With special commemorative tickets being sold, celebrations, flowers and mass quantities of happy people and food !

What is so funny about this commercial is the speed of the Shinkansen. It never goes that slow !
One time I was standing on the platform waiting for the Bullet Train that made two stops, mine been one of them and had the wonderful experience of seeing the express Shinkansen whoosh by. First you hear the distinctive whistle then a quiet vacuum and a huge extremely quiet and fast whoosh ! Plus it was at night that made it even ethereal. They do float on air !

There is a huge train culture in Japan and my Japanese Son is a true train geek/nerd. He will go out to ride trains/lines that are in other areas with hundred of other train geeks on any given day.
On one of his trips he saw a Dad with his two sorta bored children and he call me to say "that will be me in a few years ! " And yes that is true, has already started with his daughter !

So from the devastation of 3/11 I want to leave you on a super happy and fun look at The Kyushu Shinkansen.

Happy New Year from parsnip and The Square Ones.
music. . . Boom, Miai Hirasawa