MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- While stationed in Japan, service members have at their disposal a vehicle that allows them to travel throughout the country at nearly 200 mph, slice through mountains and towns in seconds, all while traveling in style and comfort. To all who see it pass by, it is a noisy raging blur followed by silence.For those who enjoy getting out and seeing Japan, the Shinkansen, or bullet train, is probably one of the best ways to get anywhere without flying. Its high-speed rail lines cross nearly all of Japan and are fast, efficient and easy to use. The nearest place for Station residents to catch one of these trains is Shin-Iwakuni Station, which is a 20-minute drive, from the Main Gate. Once there, the process of getting a ticket and heading out is simple. To make things even easier for English-speaking travelers, stations with shinkansen service have nearly everything written and some things spoken in English and Japanese. "If compared to an airplane it is easier to get a ticket and it's easier to get on," said a public affairs representative for Japan Railways, western line. "Compared to local trains or busses, English is used in addition to Japanese."One-way and round-trip tickets can be purchased at the ticket window or from adjacent ticket vending machines. Several dozen buttons represent the destinations of the Shinkansen. They are labeled in English and Japanese. To travel to Osaka, simply put the required amount in the machine until the price illuminates on the Osaka button. Exact change is not necessary, and 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen bills are accepted in addition to coins. Each station has these machines. Individuals will have to show their ticket upon entering the train platform area and when exiting the station at their destination. To find the track and time of departure is also simple. The departure board and clock hanging from the ceiling over the ticket gate explains in English and Japanese what trains are next to arrive. In Shin-Iwakuni Station the train platforms are labeled Hakata, if a train is traveling south, and Hiroshima or Osaka if heading north. "More than 2,000 people a day pass through Shin-Iwakuni Station," said Takafumi Tanaka, Shin-Iwakuni Station head clerk. He added that he sees many foreigners using the shinkansen in Iwakuni, most of which are probably from the Station. The only type of train that stops in Iwakuni is the Kodama Super Express. This type of train stops at all stops and is the slowest of the three train styles in Western Japan. The Hikari is faster but has fewer stops than the Kodoma. The Nozomi, the fastest and most modern Shinkansen, only stops at major stations such as Hiroshima, Osaka and Tokyo. To catch one of the faster trains travelers will have to go to a larger station such as Hiroshima. Schedules with times and destinations of each type of train and instructions are available at the Information Tours and Travel office and the Information and Referral Office on the second floor of Building 411. Trains generally operate between 6 a.m. and midnight daily. Once on the correct train platform, hanging signs will again indicate where trains on that track will be heading. Trains have several cars. Labels near the top of the door of each car indicate if it car is reserved or non-reserved. The destination is also often displayed there. In a non-reserved car, any seat can be used and there is generally plenty of room, except during Japanese holidays.While riding the train, each stop is announced in Japanese and English. As passengers leave the station, their tickets will be collected.For shinkansen schedules, prices and in depth information on traveling to Kansai International Airport and Fukuoka International Airport by shinkansen, contact the ITT office at 253-4377 or the Community Services Information and Referral Office in Building 411 at 253-6161.