“If We Have to Change Plans — Let’s Go All Out!”
The moment that decision was made, the excitement level shot through the roof. Sometimes a typhoon is not such a bad thing after all! (laughs)
First Decision: Book Gran Class — The Ultimate Shinkansen Experience!
Emergency meeting conclusion ①: Gran Class.
One step above the already-premium Green Car, Gran Class is the absolute top tier of Shinkansen travel. With barely a handful of other passengers on board, we sank into the luxurious leather reclining seats and let the attentive attendant service, drinks, and desserts wash away every last worry about the typhoon. Pure bliss.
Gran Class is the highest class of seating available on Shinkansen operated by JR East, JR West, and JR Hokkaido. Featuring leather electric reclining seats and dedicated attendant service, it is the closest thing to first-class air travel — on the ground.
Second Decision: Green Car on the Limited Express Hida — Double the Luxury!
Emergency meeting conclusion ②: Green Car on the Limited Express Hida.
The Green Car on the Hida heading toward Nagoya was equally blissful — again, almost entirely to ourselves. Gazing out at the lush summer scenery of Gifu Prefecture rolling past the window, any lingering anxiety about the typhoon simply melted away.
Limited Express Hida is operated by JR Central, connecting Nagoya with Hida-Takayama and Toyama. The sweeping mountain scenery of the Hida region visible from the windows makes it one of Japan’s most scenic limited express routes.
Unexpected Stop at Gifu Station — Typhoon Forces a Suspension!
Just as we were approaching Gifu Station, the Limited Express Hida came to a sudden halt. The typhoon had forced a suspension of service.
So close to Nagoya, yet so far! With no choice but to adapt, we transferred to the Meitetsu (Nagoya Railroad) at Gifu Station to complete the journey to Nagoya.
An unexpected bonus Meitetsu ride had been added to the itinerary (laughs).
Meitetsu (Nagoya Railroad) is a private railway connecting Aichi and Gifu Prefectures. The Meitetsu limited express from Meitetsu-Gifu Station to Meitetsu-Nagoya Station takes approximately 30 minutes.
A Wonderful Surprise — The Green Car Fare Was Refunded!
We had resigned ourselves to the situation — “Well, at least we enjoyed the Green Car as far as Gifu!” — when something unexpected happened.
Because the train had failed to reach its destination, the limited express and Green Car surcharge was automatically refunded!
What started as a luxury splurge had somehow transformed into a bargain trip. The typhoon’s disruption turned into a delightful surprise ending.
What to Remember When Travelling by Train During a Typhoon
Here are some useful tips we learned from this experience:
Refund Rules If a limited express or Shinkansen service is suspended or fails to reach your destination, the limited express surcharge and Green Car fee will be refunded. Don’t panic — simply visit the station ticket window and ask for assistance.
Make Use of Alternative Transport When services are suspended, replacement transport on alternative lines is often made available. Our Meitetsu transfer is a perfect example of this in action.
Summary | Turning Travel Chaos into Luxury Memories
| Journey | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Gran Class | The ultimate Shinkansen experience — in near-total privacy |
| Hida Green Car | Soaking up the summer scenery of Gifu in style |
| Meitetsu | An unexpected bonus ride (laughs) |
| End result | Green Car fare refunded — luxury travel at a bargain! |
A typhoon threw our plans into chaos — but it gave us one of the most memorable summer journeys we’ve ever had. Unexpected changes are all part of the adventure. There is something about the luxury of a premium train seat that gives you the mental space to enjoy whatever comes your way. Why not treat yourself to a Green Car or Gran Class experience on your next trip?
▶ Full Gran Class travel report → 【Internal Link】