NTT sonority, Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Hiroshi Sakai; hereinafter "NTT sonority") will participate in a demonstration experiment of a new Shinkansen (bullet train) riding experience utilizing NTT's patented technology "PSZ (Personalized Sound Zone)" (※1) in a travel product called "Shinkansen Journey to Create Local Stories: A Short Story Writing Workshop On Board," which will operate on the Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa on Sunday, June 14, 2026. By combining the assets of various NTT Group companies, NTT sonority will provide a private sound experience on the Shinkansen where passengers can enjoy audio content without worrying about their surroundings, proposing travel time itself as a new entertainment experience.
Overview of the Demonstration Experiment
This demonstration experiment is open only to those who have registered for the travel package "Shinkansen Journey to Create Local Stories: A Short Story Writing Workshop On Board," planned by JR East and Visual Voice. NTT sonority will provide PSZ technology, and NTT Docomo Business will provide the viewing environment (sound technology, content experience design), aiming to upgrade the journey itself into a valuable experience. This trial is limited to two seats in car 17 of Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa No. 135, and participating customers will use the seats in shifts.
※Details of the travel product and online booking. You will be redirected to the website of JR East Japan View Tourism & Sales.
(日本の旅、鉄道の旅｜JR東日本びゅうツーリズム＆セールス)
About “PSZ (Personalized Sound Zone)” technology
PSZ technology minimizes sound leakage despite its open speaker structure by simultaneously emitting inverse sound waves to counter the original sound, enabling it to encapsulate the sounds close to the subject’s ears. This is the same technology featured on NTT sonority’s “nwm” and “cocoe” Open-Ear earphones and headphones. In March 2026, we also announced the implementation of the technology on the premium class seats on the Tokaido Shinkansen N700S(※2), and proactively promoting the effective use of the technology in the transportation sectors such as the railways.
NTT sonority positions the deployment of PSZ technology into the new field of traveling spaces as a crucial step toward "transforming traveling spaces" through acoustic technology. Going forward, we aim to develop solutions that contribute to solving sound-related challenges not only in the railway sector but also in various travel scenarios and public spaces.
※1 This technology was developed by NTT Computer & Data Science Laboratories.
※2 Original Press Release (in Japanese)
(「【公共交通機関で初採用】NTTの音響技術『PSZ（パーソナライズドサウンドゾーン）』を東海道新幹線の上級クラス座席に導入」)
