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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. |
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Luckily, Japanese bullet trains proved to be nothing but success on all fronts and became the public's favourites 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 Now the Japanese high-speed rail network is over half a century old, but don't you dare think that it in any way outdated.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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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. |
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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. The Japanese Shinkansen has six different types of trains that serve different lines and make different stops along the way. Nozomi trains are the fastest and make the least amount of stops, while Hikari trains are slightly slower but make more stops. Mizuho trains are limited-stops high-speed trains, while Kodama trains make even more stops than Hikari. Hayabusa trains are the fastest, boasting a top speed of up to 320 km/h, and serve the Hokkaido and Tohoku Shinkansen lines. Finally, Sakura trains operate on the Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines and run every hour throughout the day. |
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Shinkansen has 7 high-speed lines and 2 mini-shinkansen lines covering popular tourist destinations and off-the-beaten-path locations. It makes traveling around Japan easier than expected. 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. When traveling on the Shinkansen, passengers can expect to experience not only the comfort of the train itself, but also the quality of the train stations. With the impressive bullet train network that spans the entire country, the list of train stations served by Shinkansen trains is extensive. No matter where your destination is, you can be assured that the train station will be nothing short of excellent. On our website, you can find all the important information about Shinkansen train stations, including their address, a brief description highlighting their advantages, and a list of on-site facilities you can explore while waiting for your departure. The Japanese railway system is known for its punctuality, safety, and efficiency, making it one of the best ways to travel around the country. One of the most popular ways to travel is by Shinkansen, the high-speed bullet train that can reach speeds of up to 320 km/h (200 mph). But how do you navigate this extensive train network and ensure a smooth journey? Our website provides valuable information and tips on how to read train tickets, book tickets in advance, and plan your itinerary. With our help, you can fully enjoy the experience of riding the iconic Shinkansen and explore Japan with ease. |
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ABOUT OUR WEBSITeThis website serves as a comprehensive guide to assist you in planning your rail travel across Japan, while also providing insightful details about the different train options available. Please note that we do not own or operate any of the trains in Japan. Neither we nor our suggested partners for ticket booking services function as rail carriers.
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