local
Japan is adding a new luxury bullet train upgrade
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· June 27, 2026
· 4 min read
By Lilit Marcus, CNN
(CNN) — This week in travel news: tourists are coping with extreme heat, one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations is tripling its tourist tax, and a gold bar is up for grabs in Finland.
Japan has broken its tourism record every year since the pandemic. As mor...
Key takeaway Starting this October, some travelers going from Tokyo to cities like Kyoto and Osaka will have the option to purchase a ticket for the “Supreme Class.
Why this matters in The El Paso
As El Pasoans consider international travel, Japan's new luxury bullet train upgrades may spark interest in visiting the country. The addition of private rooms and sleeper car services could make long-distance train travel more appealing to those from the Sun City. However, the increased "sayonara tax" may give some travelers pause. El Paso 's own experience with tourism and transportation infrastructure could inform how Japan's changes are received. The city's unique cultural and geographic characteristics make it an attractive destination for visitors, and local officials may be able to learn from Japan's efforts to balance tourism growth with infrastructure needs. As El Paso continues to develop its own transportation systems, including the downtown streetcar and bus services, the city may be able to draw inspiration from Japan's high-speed rail innovations.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 27, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Lilit Marcus, CNN
(CNN) — This week in travel news: tourists are coping with extreme heat, one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations is tripling its tourist tax, and a gold bar is up for grabs in Finland.
Japan has broken its tourism record every year since the pandemic. As mor...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 27, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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