Experience Japan's Shinkansen or Bullet Train
The world’s most iconic high-speed rail system
Over the decades, the Shinkansen network has expanded to cover much of Japan —
from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south. Alongside its expansion, advancements in train design, infrastructure, and control systems have made the trains not only faster,
but also more comfortable and efficient for passengers of all kinds.
What Is the Shinkansen?
The first Shinkansen Line, (Tokaido Shinkansen) opened in 1964 as the world’s first high-speed rail, initially connecting Tokyo and Osaka, reducing travel time from 8 to 3 hours.
Since then, the network has expanded across Japan, reaching major cities in the east, north, west, and south. It now includes 10 lines covering over 3,100 km.
The system continues to grow, with new routes opened since 2022, more under construction, and ongoing efforts to improve speed, efficiency, and passenger comfort.
Quick Facts:
- Top Speed: 320 km/h (current operational), 360 km/h (Alpha-X testing)
- Inaugurated: October 1964
- Network: Over 3,100 km
- Daily Departures: Hundreds
- Safety Record: Zero passenger fatalities due to accidents since launch
Why the Shinkansen Is Unique
The Tokaido Shinkansen, which connects Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, remains the busiest high-speed rail line in the world, offering unparalleled frequency and reliability. While no longer the fastest, its signature white and blue design has become an icon of modern Japan.
Importantly, the Shinkansen has maintained an extraordinary safety record, with zero passenger fatalities from train accidents since service began in 1964.
A visual guide to the train types across Japan
Shinkansen Gallery
E5 (H5) Series (JR East / JR Hokkaido
Operates on the Tohoku Shinkansen
- Max Operating Speed 320km/h
- Introduced 2009
- Hayabusa, Yamabiko, Nasuno services
N700S (JR Tokai / JR West)
Operates on the Tohoku Shinkansen
- Max Operating Speed 300km/h
- Introduced 2021
- Nozomi, Hikari & Kodama services
E7 (W7) Series (JR East / JR West)
Operates on the Hokuriku & Joetsu Shinkansen
- Max Operating Speed 260km/h
- Introduced 2013
- Kagayaki, Asama, Tsurugi, Hakutaka, Toki, Tanigawa
E6 Series (JR East)
Operates on the Tohoku Shinkansen & Akita Shinkansen
- Max Operating Speed 320km/h
- Introduced 2013
- Komachi service
N700A (JR Tokai / JR West)
Operates on the Tokaido Shinkansen
- Max Operating Speed 300km/h
- Introduced 2005
- Nozomi, Hikari & Kodama services
E8 Series (JR East)
Operates on the Tohoku & Yamagata Shinkansen
- Max Operating Speed 300km/h
- Introduced 2024
- Tsubasa services
500 Series (JR West)
Operates on the Sanyo Shinkansen
- Max Operating Speed 1996
- Introduced 1996
- Kodama Services (Hello Kitty Shinkansen]
800 Series (JR Kyushu)
Operates on the Kyushu Shinkansen
- Max Operating Speed 260km/h
- Introduced 2003
- Tsubame
E3 Series (JR East)
Operates on the Tohoku Shinkansen
- Max Operating Speed 275km/h
- Introduced 1995 (to be replaced by E8)
- Tsubasa, Yamabiko
N700-7000 (N700-8000) Series 8JR West / JR Kyushu)
Operates on the Sanyo Shinkansen & Kyushu Shinkansen
- Max Operating Speed 300km/h
- Introduced 2008
- Mizuho, Sakura
700 series "Rail Star" (JR West)
Operates on the Sanyo Shinkansen
- Max Operating Speed 285km/h
- Introduced 1999
- Kodama
E2 Series (JR East)
Operates on the Tohoku Shinkansen
- Max Operating Speed 275km/h
- Introduced 1995
- Yamabiko, Nasuno
N700S-8000 Series (JR Kyushu)
Operates on the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen
- Max Operating Speed 260km/h
- Introduced 2022
- Kamome services
923 series Doctor Yellow (JR West)
Operates on the Tokaido Shinkansen & Sanyo Shinkansen
- Max Operating Speed 285km/
- Introduced 2000
- Inspection Train
E10 Series (JR East)
Expected to start service in 2027 on the TohokuShinkansen
- Max Operating Speed 285km/
- To be introduced in 2030~31 (testing from 2027)
- Will replace E5 series
The Shinkansen Network
Many visitors to Japan do not realise that the Shinkansen Network does not just connect Tokyo~Kyoto~Osaka or that the Tokaido Shinkansen is not the fastest train in Japan…
Sample Journeys:
- Tokyo → Kyoto: 514km (320miles), 2h 20m
- Hakodate → Tokyo: 862km (536miles), 4h
- Osaka →Kumamoto:741km (460miles), 3h 30m
Connecting the many aspects of Japan...
- Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Shrine, matcha sweets, Railway Museum, Heian Shrine Gardens
- Hakodate: Night view from Mt. Hakodate, Churches, Trams
- Osaka: Umeda Sky Building, Dotonbori, Takoyaki, Shopping, Osaka Castle, USJ
- Kumamoto: Castle, Kumamoto Cuisine, Mt Aso
East Japan Area
Tohoku Shinkansen
Overview
Route: Tokyo → Shin-Aomori (674.9km)
Connects Tokyo and northern Japan.
The fastest shinkansen in Japan.
Features
Train types: E5 Series, H5 Series, E2 series, E3 series, E6 series, E8 series
max speed 320km/h, connects with Hokkaido Shinkansen, Yamagata Shinkansen & Akita Shinkansen
Joetsu Shinkansen
Overview
Route: (Tokyo) Omiya → Niigata (269.5km)
Known for running through heavy snowfall areas.
Features
Train type: E7 Series
Popular for winter sports and hot spring destinations.
Hokuriku Shinkansen
Overview
Route: (Tokyo) Takasaki → Tsuruga (470.6km)
Extended to Fukui and Tsuruga in March 2024.
Features
Train types: E7 Series, W7 Series
First section opend in Oct 1997 as the Nagano Shinkansen. Extension to Toyama & Kanazawa in 2015 and renamed Hokuriku Shinkansen. Future extension to Kyoto & Osaka is being planned.
Hokkaido Shinkansen
Overview
Route: Shin-Aomori → Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto (148.9km)
Extension to Sapporo planned to open in the 2030s.
Features
Train type: H5 Series, E5 series
Passes through the Seikan Tunnel, shared with freight traffic (track is dual gauged).
Connects to the Tohoku Shinkansen.
Yamagata Shinkansen
Overview
Route: Fukushima → Shinjō (148.6km)
A “mini-shinkansen” operating on the same tracks as local trains (Ou Main Line).
Features
Train types: E3 Series (being phased out), E8 Series (from 2024)
Cars are smaller than "standard shinkansen. One of the few Scenic Shinkansen routes.
Akita Shinkansen
Overview
Route: Morioka → Akita (127.3km)
Also a “mini-shinkansen” running alongside local trains along much of its route.
Features
Train type: E6 Series.
Another scenic shinkansen route.
Central & West Japan Area
Tokaido Shinkansen
Overview
Route: Tokyo → Shin-Osaka (515.4km)
The busiest high-speed line in Japan. Its WHite and blue striped trains are an icon of Japan.
Features
Train type: N700A/a series, N700S Series
Nozomi / Hikari / Kodama services, high frequency, around 300 services a day.
Connects to the Sanyo Shinkansen.
Sanyo Shinkansen
Overview
Route: Shin-Osaka → Hakata (553.7km)
Links Kansai & Western Japan to Kyushu.
Features
Train types: N700 Series, N700A/a series N700S series 500 Series
Known for unique livery trains like Hello Kitty Shinkansen. Connects to the Tokaido Shinkansen & the Kyushu Shinkansen.
Kyushu Shinkansen
Overview
Route: Hakata → Kagoshima-Chuo (256.8km)
High-speed rail running the length of Kyushu.
Features
Train types: 800 Series, N700-7000 &N700 -8000 series
Due to the many gradients all train bogies are motorised on Kyushu shinkansen trains.
Connects to the Sanyo Shinkansen.
Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen
Overview
Route: Takeo Onsen → Nagasaki (66km)
Newly opened in 2022 as a partial segment of future full line.
Features
Train type: N700S special spec
Currently requires a transfer at Takeo Onsen, future extension planned.
Chuo Shinkansen (Maglev)
Overview
Route: Tokyo → Nagoya (285.6km under construction)
Scheduled to open in the 2030s. Later planned to be extended to Osaka
Features
Linear Motor Maglev technology
Max speed 500 km/h, mostly in tunnels beneath scenic areas. You can see the Maglev in test operation at the Yamanashi Maglev Exhibition.
The network continues to grow:
What’s New and whats next?
In September 2022, the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen opened between Takeo Onsen and Nagasaki (68 km). The shinkansen connect to Hakata via a conventional rail “relay” Limited Express service
In March 2024, the Hokuriku Shinkansen was extended from Kanazawa to Tsuruga. There are plans for the line to reach reach Kyoto and Osaka.
The Hokkaido Shinkansen extension to Sapporo is expected to open in the 2030s. JR East will introduce in to service the E10 series shinkansen to operate on the Tohoku & Hokkaido Shinkansen route.
Did You Know？
Coming Soon: The Chuo Shinkansen (Maglev)
JR Central is currently constructing a 360km linear maglev route between Tokyo and Nagoya, expected to open in the 2030s. With a top speed of 500 km/h, the journey will take just 45 minutes — though largely through tunnels beneath Japan’s scenic mountains.
Japan is rightly proud of its Shinkansen (Bullet Train) services
For Railfans
We are usually encouraging tourists and railfans to get off the shinkansen and explore the many things that Japan has to offer, including the many aspects of Japan’s Railways. That being said Rail Enthusiasts visiting Japan should spend at least some time looking at the shinkansen, which as this page illustrates is far more than the iconic Tokaido Shinkansen!
Doctor Yellow –
The Elusive Inspection Train
Nicknamed the “Shinkansen Doctor,” this bright yellow high-speed train travels the Tokaido and Sanyo lines to monitor track conditions and overhead lines. Though it doesn’t carry passengers, spotting it has become a popular challenge among enthusiasts. It is based on the 700 series shinkansen.
In 2025 JR Tokai retired its Doctor Yellow Train, but the JR West Doctor Yellow is still in operation (until 2027). Spotting the Doctor Yellow train is now more elusive.
JR East has its Easti Inspection train based on the E3 shinkansen
500 series "Hello Kitty# Shinkansen
To the delight of many tourists, particularly those with young children, JR West in cooperation with Sanrio has a “Hello Kitty” themed shinkansen that operates on a daily return Kodama service between Hakata (Fukuoka) and Shin Osaka. The train is a 500 series shinkansen.
Previous to this themed train, JR West had an “Evangelion” themed Shinkansen based on the popular anime.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Sanyo Shinkansen and the 2025 Kansai – Osaka World Expo JR West introduced 3 themed trains, using N700 trains Operating Hakata~Shin Osaka Kodama services
Depot Open days
There are occassional open days at shinkansen depots. In particular JR East’s Rifu Shinkansen Maintenance Works has an open day most years in October. Other depots also hold events.
Are you ready to chase your dream train?
This is just the beginning — Japan is full of railway wonders waiting to be explored.