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Shinkansen bullet trains are the fastest and most convenient way of discovering Japan. The Japan Rail (JR) network is extensive and the trains reach a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph). This allows you to get to wherever you need in little time. The nine Shinkansen lines take you in different directions around Japan.
Japan's high speed trains (bullet trains) are called shinkansen (新幹線) and are operated by Japan Railways (JR). Running at speeds of up to 320 km/h, the shinkansen is known for punctuality (most trains depart on time to the second), comfort (relatively silent cars with spacious, always forward-facing seats), safety (no fatal accidents in ...
- Types of Shinkansen. There are three types of Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen, namely, Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama. The Nozomi Shinkansen stops at fewer stations compared to the other two, and is your quickest route to the Kansai region of Kyoto , Osaka , Kobe and beyond.
- Types of seats. There are three types of seats: Non-reserved seats, Reserved seats, and Green Car seats For detailed information on all available routes and fares, click on the following links — JR East , JR West , JR Central , JR Hokkaido , JR Kyushu.
- Shinkansen Rail Passes. Taking a trip on the shinkansen will almost certainly be one of the highlights of a trip to Japan. The sleek trains snake through the country's mountainous regions—or sometimes straight through the mountains—to a wide range of destinations.
- Shinkansen Tickets. If you are planning to use the shinkansen to travel throughout Japan, doing some research into how to buy shinkansen tickets (JR East , JR West , JR Central , JR Hokkaido , JR Kyushu ) will make the process smoother.
The Shinkansen ( Japanese: 新幹線, [ɕiŋkaꜜɰ̃seɴ] ⓘ, lit. 'new main line'), colloquially known in English as the bullet train, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan. Initially, it was built to connect distant Japanese regions with Tokyo, the capital, to aid economic growth and development.
- Carey Finn
- Why take the Shinkansen? This question needs to be rephrased. Why not? The shinkansen is one of the quickest, easiest ways of traveling between major cities in Japan.
- Single tickets or Japan Rail Pass? Assuming you’re on board with shinking your way around Japan, you need to look at whether single tickets or a JR Rail Pass (either countrywide or regional) will work out most economical.
- How to buy tickets and reserve seats. If you’re outside Japan*, the easiest way to get Shinkansen tickets is to buy a Japan Rail Pass online. Then, when you arrive, you can simply take the exchange order that you’ll have received to a major train station and get your pass.
- Luggage on the go: Future fines and charges. Following the recent increase in tourist levels, JR have decided to bring in limits for ‘extra large’ luggage on certain routes.
Jan 31, 2024 · Update: Jan 31, 2024. 0. The Shinkansen or Japanese bullet train was the world’s first high-speed train, with its first service launched on October 1, 1964, linking Tokyo to Osaka. Today other countries have surpassed Japan in speed, but it is still among the top 5 fastest in the world.
If you ever come to Japan, you absolutely must ride the ‘Shinkansen’ (bullet train). The Shinkansen is the culmination of Japan’s incredible design skills and technical prowess. This high-speed railway seamlessly connects most of Japan’s major cities, offering a comfortable travel experience at top speed.
