High-Speed Rail in Japan

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Anyone who was looking into Japan travel has heard about the world-famous Shinkansen. Although in English the word "Shinkansen" in most cases is used in the sense of "Japanese bullet train", the term also refers to the modern rail lines that are served by the renowned trains.

It all started with Tokaido Shinkansen that began to operate in 1964. Today, when it takes just 2 and a half hours to travel from Tokyo to Osaka, one of the most modern and beloved by tourists Japanese cities, it seems so hard to believe that just 50 years ago Shinkansen lines were introduced to connect the remote regions with the country's capital to help the region's economical growth. Clearly, that turned out well.

​But not everybody knows that in the beginning, the idea of bullet trains in Japan faced quite a strong opposition. Which is understandable, it's always scary to be a pioneer, and no other country has built separate train lines meant for high-speed travel at the time. Some very respected public figures had resented Shinkansen and were not shy to voice their concerns. 

​Luckily, Japanese bullet trains proved to be nothing but success on all fronts and became the public's favorites in just a few years. In fact, Japan's Shinkansen was such a big success that it inspired many European countries to implement very similar technology! Thanks to that, France proudly introduced its first high-speed TGV trains in 1981, followed by Germany's Intercity Express 10 years later.

​Now the Japanese high-speed rail network is over half a century old, but don't you dare think that it in any way outdated. Over the decades, the system was relentlessly modified and improved. It was never about keeping up-to-date with modern technology. On the contrary, it was always about proudly leading the way into the future. The very first line that started it all, Tokaido Shinkansen, is among the busiest high-speed rail lines in the world, that carried over 5.6 billion passengers since its first day in service. Every day during the rush hour, the line operates 13 trains per hour, each carrying over 20.000 passengers! Impressive, right?​

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And What Is Mini-Shinkansen?

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As mentioned above, Japan was the first country to build special railway lines dedicated to high-speed travel, designed with 1435 mm / 4 ft 8.5 in gauge in contrast to older lines' narrower gauge of 1067 mm / 3 ft 6 in. It worked wonders, but later another idea occurred. Why not convert part of the existing train tracks to the Shinkansen standard and connect them with the famous railway, thus extending the network even further? This concept of converted lines got the name mini-shinkansen.

But converting the lines was not the only problem. Apart from widening the track gauge, new trains boasting narrower cross-section had to be introduced, as original Shinkansen trains were not able to go through tunnels along the old lines due to their increased width. 

It took about 5 years to bring this plan to life, but in 1992 the new Yamagata Shinkansen line started to operate. ​​ Although the new trains can run at the speed of 320 km/h (about 200 mph) along the Shinkansen tracks, mini-shinkansen allows the maximum speed of only 130 km/h (80 mph), which increases the travel time comparing to what Shinkansen offers. ​

Shinkansen Trains in Japan

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Now, when you know a bit about the history of the Japanese Shinkansen, let's have a close look at the trains that service the high-speed lines and share the name with the renowned railway.

A bullet train, Japan's rail pride, is the fastest and the most comfortable mean of getting around the country. We can talk for hours about the amazing onboard amenities or tell you that the departure schedule of Shinkansen trains can impress even a very seasoned traveler. We can mention that their safety records are spotless, and there were exactly zero accidents involving passenger fatalities over the years. But you know that all already, as the name Shinkansen covers it all, being among the synonyms of first-class travel. 

​But did you know that there is more than one type of train, serving the Shinkansen railway? In fact, there are 6 of them and all boast different speed and make different stops along the way: ​​​

• Nozomi trains​ are the most well-known of them. These bullet trains are astonishingly fast (300 km/h or 83.3 mph), serve Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu lines and make the least amount of stops. Seems unreal, but the Tokyo to Hiroshima travel time is less than 4 hours!
• Hikari trains come second, they boast the same operating speed as Nozomi, but make more stops along the way. They operate on Tokaido and Sanyo railway lines. ​
• ​Mizuho trains  are another limited-stops high-speed trains, serving the Sanyo, and Kyushu lines. ​

• Kodama trains operate Tokaido and Sanyo lines together with Nozomin and Hikari listed above, but they make more stops along the way which increases travel times. ​
• Hayabusa trains are the pride and joy of Hokkaido and Tohoku Shinhansen lines. This amazing Japanese bullet train boasts the top speed of up to 320 km/h (200 mph) and is crowned as the fastest train in Japan as well as the fastest category of trains, serving the lines listed above.​
• ​​Sakura trains are last, but definitely not the least. This Shinkansen bullet trains operate on Sanyo & Kyushu Shinkansen lines. The trains from Osaka to Kagoshima run every hour throughout the day.​

Read About Shinkansen Travel Classes

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Book Train Tickets in Japan

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Shinkansen Train Routes

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​At the moment, Shinkansen railway system consists of 7 high-speed lines, plus 2 more lines make up mini-shinkansen. Together, they spread throughout the whole country, cover all popular tourist destinations (as well as quite a few interesting off-the-beaten-path ones you should definitely check out), and make getting around Japan easier than it seems possible.

​Most travelers are interested in traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto, Tokyo to Nagoya, or Kyoto to Osaka, but do you know about other interesting cities to put on your Japan travel bucket list? Here, we've collect everything you need to know about the most popular Shinkansen routes, including the travel times, number of daily departures, and Shinkansen ticket prices.

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Shinkansen Railway Stations

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​Although Shinkansen trains make stops only at the most significant milestones along the way such as Tokyo Shinkansen Station, the bullet train network in Japan is so well-spread, that the final list of all train stations served by Shinkansen trains is still quite impressive.  But regardless of the where you are going to and what is you departure point, you can rest assured that the train station are nothing but excellent. How can it be any other way when we are talking about Japan, the country with one of the most developed railway systems in the world?

On our website, you can find all the important information about the Shinkansen train stations, including their address, brief description highlighting its advantages, and the list of on-site facilities you can take check out while waiting for the departure. ​

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Shinkansen Tickets

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Taking a bullet train in Japan is exciting (or anywhere really), there is no point arguing that. It feels special, not like taking a bus does. But reading train tickets when they are not for your local train can be rather tricky, especially in Asian countries that boast a beautifully unique writing system that is pretty impossible to crack for those who don't speak the language at least a tiny bit. 

But there is no need to worry, as Shinkansen are among the most popular connections among tourists, so conveniently all the main information is offered in Japanese and English. To make preparing for your trip as easy as possible, we've prepared instructions on how to read train tickets in Japan as well as suggestions on the best way to book them.

Read More About Japanese Train Tickets

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What To Know About Shinkansen Trains

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• Shinkansen Trains & Railway
• Onboard Rules & Services
• Shinkansen Stations
• Booking Tickets

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Are Shinkansen trains the fastest in the world?

At the moment no, they aren't, this title goes to Shanghai Maglev train. But, it's worth mentioning that the ALFA-X version of the Shinkansen train is currently undergoing test runs. This train can supposedly run at 360 km/h (224 mph), so will definitely still the crown from Maglev when it enters operation around 2030.

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Why are Shinkansen trains so fast?

The secret is in the amazing design and its careful embodiment. For example, the train cars are very light and their form is as aerodynamic as possible, the train tracks have no sharp curves, and the coaches are air-sealed to ensure stable air pressure. Unfortunately, we can't tell you all the secrets, they are carefully guarded by Hitachi.

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Where do bullet trains go in Japan?

The Shinkansen network is very extensive, and covers the following lines: Tokyo - Osaka, Osaka - Hakata, Tokyo - Aomori, Hakata – Kagoshima, Tokyo – Niigata, Takasaki – Kanazawa, Aomori - Hokuto. Mini-shinkansen also covers Morioka – Akita and Fukushima – Shinjo lines.

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Is Shinkansen railway scenic?

​​The train network spreads all over the country, and Japanese is definitely not short of wonderful views. Traveling by Japanese high-speed trains is a brilliant way to admire the breathtaking landscapes and fall in love with this incredible place a bit more with every trip. ​

Is it allowed to eat onboard Shinkansen trains?

​Yes, you are welcome to eat at your seat while traveling by bullet train in Japan. Just keep in mind that Shinkansen trains don't usually have dining cars onboard, so it's better to prepare the food beforehand if you have a long trip ahead.​

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Is it allowed to drink beer onboard Shinkansen trains?

​Absolutely. Not just beer, any alcohol is allowed onboard Shinkansen bullet trains. Just as it is with food, it's better to bring the drink with you.​

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Is Wi-Fi available onboard Shinkansen trains?

​Some high-speed trains in Japan offer complimentary Wi-Fi to the passengers, but not all of them. The cars that provide this service are marked with special stickers, so make sure to look around when you board the train.​

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Where to put luggage onboard Shinkansen? 

​For your convenience, there are storage rags above the seats where you can keep your luggage during the ride. In case your luggage is bigger than the provided space, we advise you to try and get a seat at the end of a train carriage. There is some space between the last row of seats and the wall where your luggage can fit and without bothering other passengers.

How early should I arrive at the station if I'm planning to travel by Shinkansen?

We advise getting there at least 40-45 minutes earlier if you haven't been to the station before. This way, you have enough time to find your platform without a rush and even take advantage of the various onsite facilities

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Is Wi-Fi available at the stations?

Sure, all major train stations in Japan offer travelers complimentary Wi-Fi

Do I need to book Shinkansen tickets in advance?

Of course, it's better to book Japan bullet train tickets in advance. As mentioned above, it's one of the most popular ways to get around Japan, so despite the very broad schedule, rail tickets get sold-out pretty fast, especially if you plan to travel during the rush hour or take ne of the most popular options such as Tokyo to Osaka or Nagoya to Tokyo train. 

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Are Shinkansen tickets refundable?

Yes, you can exchange any unused valid tickets, but don't forget about the cancellation charge!