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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

N700S (JR Tokai / JR West)

Operates on the Tohoku Shinkansen

E7 (W7) Series (JR East / JR West)

Operates on the Hokuriku & Joetsu Shinkansen

E6 Series (JR East)

Operates on the Tohoku Shinkansen & Akita Shinkansen

N700A (JR Tokai / JR West)

Operates on the Tokaido Shinkansen

E8 Series (JR East)

Operates on the Tohoku & Yamagata Shinkansen

500 Series (JR West)

Operates on the Sanyo Shinkansen

800 Series (JR Kyushu)

Operates on the Kyushu Shinkansen

E927 Series "SOAR" (JR East)

ALL JR East shinkansen Lines (& JR west Hokuriku Shinkansen section & JR Hokkaido’s Hokkaido Shinkansen)

N700-7000 (N700-8000) Series 8JR West / JR Kyushu)

Operates on the Sanyo Shinkansen & Kyushu Shinkansen

700 series "Rail Star" (JR West)

Operates on the Sanyo Shinkansen

E2 Series (JR East)

Operates on the Tohoku Shinkansen

N700S-8000 Series (JR Kyushu)

Operates on the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen

923 series Doctor Yellow (JR West)

Operates on the Tokaido Shinkansen & Sanyo Shinkansen

E10 Series (JR East)

Expected to start service in 2027 on the TohokuShinkansen

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:

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

Plan a custom Shinkansen journey with TSJR!

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, 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
E8 Series
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: 700 series,N700 Series, N700A/a series N700S series 500 Series
Connects to the Tokaido Shinkansen & the Kyushu Shinkansen. [500 series to be retired from regular service on 13th Jan 2027 & all commercial services by end of July 2027]

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)
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 coming?

JR Tokai, with JR West plan to introduce a completely new series of shinkansen in July 2029. It haas been named as series S0. It will be the first completely new design since the various N700 types (N700, N700A, N700a, N700S, N700-7000/8000) were introduced in July 2007.

(Image is not a final one, with for example blue lines and other features to be added)

Unlike JR Tokai and JR West that are equipping passenger use shinkaknsen with monitoring equipment, JR East due to its variety of lines is going to replace its E3 based Easti inspection train with a new train. The train is nicknamed “SOAR”, signifying its emphasis on keeping the shinkansen safe. The 7 cat train will be capable of 320km/h (on Tohoku Shinkansen). It will be introduced around 2029/30. The train is based on JR East’s E6 Akita Shinkansen trains so that it can handle both Akita & Yamagata Shinkansen smaller loading gauges and the higher speeds on the Tohoku Shinkasnen.

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 in the 2030s: 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 “Doctor Yellow”, 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. Instead of a special inspection train, JR Toaki and JR West are equipping four N700S ( series trains to be known as "Dr S") with monitoring equipment that will be in regular service .

JR East has its Easti Inspection train based on the E3 shinkansen, but that is due to be replaced by a new shinkansen inspection train based on the E6 shinkansen to be named SOAR (927 series). It will be introduced 2029/30.

Shinkansen with special wrappings

JR West has a history of themed shinkansen, the most famous being its “Hello Kitty” 500 series shinkansen (unit V2 now retired).. Today JR West has three shinkansen with external “One Piece” wrapping, all 700 series used mostly on Kodama services between Hakata and Shin Osaka. [One Piece is an internationally popular Japan Manga]. Above is unit E8 with the Tony Tony Charger wrapping. (Note: wrappings will be changed).

Both JR East and JR Tokai do limited period promotional wrappings, for example both have done Tokyo Disney Resort related wrappings and JR East has also done a Jujutsu Kaisen (another domestically famous manga) wrapping 2025-26 (now ended).

Although JR West’s wrapped shinkansen are a way to attract tourists (the times that these trains operate are available on JR West’s website), for JR East and JR Tokai the Disney wrappings are paid for by Tokyo Disney Resort.

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. JR Tokai’s Hamamtsu Works also has an open day most years. 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.