Japan’s iconic bullet trains, often called the Shinkansen, are world-famous—and for good cause. The Shinkansen high-speed trains are quick, futuristic, environment friendly, protected, and comfy, making them arguably probably the most well-known trains globally. Greater than only a technique of transport, the Shinkansen is a must-see vacationer attraction that has develop into synonymous with Japan.

Touring on a bullet practice in Japan is a bucket-list expertise for a lot of guests, akin to visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Statue of Liberty in New York. It additionally gives the additional benefit of enabling you to achieve locations throughout this spectacular nation.

In our full information to experiencing Japan’s Shinkansen high-speed trains, we’ll present the whole lot you want to learn about touring by rail in Japan. From reserving seats to exploring probably the most cost-effective ticket choices with the JR Move for limitless journey, the latest routes, enjoyable details, and far more—All aboard!

Overview:

What’s the Shinkansen Excessive-Velocity Prepare?

The Japanese phrase for ‘bullet practice,’ Shinkansen, interprets on to ‘new trunk line’. It additionally references the Japanese time period ‘dangan ressha’ (弾丸列車), in addition to the bullet-shaped nostril of the very first Shinkansen practice sequence. Though initially which means ‘new trunk line,’ the time period Shinkansen has been extra generally used for many years to check with each the trains and the tracks they function on.

Operated by the Japan Railways (JR) Group, the nation’s Shinkansen trains join Japan’s fundamental islands from Sapporo within the north to Kagoshima within the south. These unimaginable high-speed trains cease at practically all main Japanese cities—Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and plenty of others—throughout numerous interconnecting Shinkansen strains and practice classes. With only a few exceptions, these strains are solely for Shinkansen trains, making nearly no metropolis off-limits, particularly when paired with a Japan Rail Move. This particular ticket gives limitless journey on the complete nationwide JR community, together with the high-speed Shinkansen strains.

The Tokaido Shinkansen, arguably the nation’s hottest line, travels from Tokyo by way of Kyoto to Osaka, servicing a number of main cities alongside a route of historic significance since feudal Japan, initially important for commerce. At this time, the road options three classes of trains, every differing by way of velocity and availability.

One other key line is the Sanyo Shinkansen, touring by way of Okayama and Hiroshima, and often called the ‘spine of the JR railways’. It gives 5 varieties of trains, additionally various by velocity and availability. The Nagasaki Shinkansen, formally the Nishi Kyushu or ‘West Kyushu’ Shinkansen, which started operations between 2022 and 2023, connects Nagasaki Metropolis to Fukuoka with a brand new high-speed practice named ‘Kagome’, which means ‘seagull’.

Lastly, an extension to the Hokuriku Shinkansen, extending the road to Tsuruga, providing journeys to Fukui Prefecture.

The Evolution of Shinkansen

Ever since its launch, Japan’s Shinkansen has been celebrated for its record-breaking velocity, effectivity, and security. The enduring design has frequently advanced because the Sixties, and extra lately, it has been refined into numerous aerodynamic nostril shapes, together with a duck-billed design, to mitigate the noise situation attributable to sonic booms when passing by way of tunnels.

One of many newest fashions is the N700S ‘Supreme’ Shinkansen, operated by JR Central on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen strains. This practice boasts a powerful new high velocity of 362 km/h (225 mph).

Suggestions For Touring on the Shinkansen Excessive-Velocity Trains in Japan

When you’re visiting Japan for the primary time, navigating the nation’s distinctive rail community might sound daunting, however it’s a lot easier than it seems. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless essential to do your analysis earlier than your journey. We’re right here to help with a collection of the very best normal Shinkansen journey ideas to make sure a easy expertise.

Checklist of Shinkansen Strains

• Tokaido Shinkansen
• Sanyo Shinkansen
• Tohoku Shinkansen (plus Yamagata and Akita)
• Hokkaido Shinkansen
• Joetsu Shinkansen
• Hokuriku Shinkansen
• Kyushu Shinkansen
• Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen

Shinkansen Seat Courses

Shinkansen trains supply three fundamental seat courses: Extraordinary, Inexperienced Automobile, and Gran Class.

Extraordinary seats are akin to financial system class, offering primary consolation. Inexperienced Automobile seats resemble enterprise class with added facilities and area, whereas Gran Class gives a luxurious expertise much like firstclass. All seat courses enable the seats to be rotated 180 levels to make sure passengers can at all times face the route of journey.

Moreover, seats might be adjusted to face one another, which is good for teams. Seat configurations sometimes are 2×2 in Inexperienced Automobile and Gran Class, with a 3×2 configuration extra frequent in Extraordinary Class.

Tips on how to Reserve Seats on the Bullet Prepare

Shinkansen trains supply each non-reserved and reserved seating in separate vehicles. Sure companies require reservations, and a few might swap to totally reserved throughout nationwide holidays such because the New Yr, Obon, or Golden Week, so it’s essential to examine earlier than you journey.

In case you are touring with a Japan Rail Move, one of many nice benefits is the power to make advance seat reservations at no further price. Seats might be reserved at Midori no Mado Guchi ticket places of work, that are identifiable by their inexperienced indicators, or at Journey Service Centres and JR-associated Journey Companies.

For a number of years, JR East has been the one service offering a web based English language reservation system accessible from outdoors Japan, whereas all different strains require reservations to be made in individual as soon as in Japan.

To order a seat, merely current your JR Move on the Midori no Mado Guchi, specify your practice and choice for smoking or non-smoking, and you’ll obtain your reserved seat ticket. Simply present your Japan Rail Move on the ticket gate, proceed to your platform, and make sure you preserve maintain of your ticket as you would possibly have to current each your JR Move and seat reservation to the ticket inspector.

Boarding the Shinkansen

Boarding a Shinkansen is easy: upon arriving on the station, go by way of the common ticket gates, head to the Shinkansen platform, and go by way of the Shinkansen ticket gates to your platform.

Your carriage quantity can be indicated in your ticket, with carriage numbers additionally marked on the bottom and on indicators overhead (non-reserve carriages are sometimes numbered 1-5). Line up behind the white line and wait in your practice. Upon its arrival, enter and discover your seat (seat numbers are indicated above the home windows).

When you’re in an unreserved carriage, chances are you’ll sit in any obtainable seat. As soon as settled, merely calm down and luxuriate in your journey!

What’s the Baggage Allowance on the Shinkansen?

When boarding the Shinkansen, passengers might convey as much as two items of luggage on board freed from cost. The mixed size, width, and top of every bag should not exceed 250 centimeters, with no particular person aspect longer than two meters, and the burden should not exceed 30 kilograms.

Luggage measuring lower than 160 cm (mixed dimensions) might be introduced on board with out prior reservation. For baggage between 160 cm and 250 cm, a previous reservation is required, which might be made without charge. Failure to order prematurely might end in a 1,000 yen effective, and the bags could also be relocated by the practice conductor. Baggage exceeding 250 centimeters just isn’t permitted on the practice and would require various transport preparations.

Reservations might be made by way of the Eki-Internet App, at ticket machines, or in individual at ticket counters. In case you are utilizing a JR Move, it’s advisable to make each your seat and baggage reservations concurrently.

Basic Shinkansen Guidelines

Touring on the Shinkansen, like several public transportation, comes with its personal etiquette:

• Free Wi-Fi: Most Shinkansen trains supply free Wi-Fi entry (study extra about Wi-Fi entry in Japan)
• Bento Bins: A collection of trains present boxed meals (bento) for buy.
• No-Smoking: Smoking is prohibited on all Shinkansen trains.
• Queueing: Passengers are anticipated to type orderly strains to facilitate protected and environment friendly boarding.
• Telephones on Silent: Hold cell phones on silent mode and keep away from taking calls within the seating space. When you should take a name, use the designated spots between vehicles.
• Use of Headphones: To keep up a cushty surroundings, passengers ought to use headphones when listening to music or watching movies.
• Baggage Necessities: Seek advice from the bags coverage detailed above for dimension and weight restrictions and examine the JR Group web site for updates.

How To Purchase Tickets to Journey on the Shinkansen Excessive-Velocity Prepare

• Ticket Buy: You should buy common Shinkansen tickets at ticket counters, by way of ticket machines, and on-line.
• JR Move: The JR Move gives limitless journey on Japan’s home rail community and is out there for buy on-line. It may be used on all Shinkansen practice strains, though a supplemental payment is required for the Nozomi and Mizuho trains. As famous earlier, JR Move holders additionally profit from complimentary seat reservations. The JR Move might be bought for 7, 14, or 21 days, relying on the period of your keep and your journey plans.

Purchase your JR Move straight with the operator

Prime 5 Shinkansen Information

Japan’s exceptional Shinkansen trains are celebrated for far more than their iconic look. Listed below are our high 5 details about Shinkansen:

1. Spectacular Passenger Numbers: In its debut 12 months, the Shinkansen transported 11 million passengers. At this time, it carries over 150 million passengers yearly.
2. Document-Breaking Velocity: Recognized for his or her velocity, Shinkansen continues to interrupt data. The Alpha-X, certainly one of Japan’s quickest trains, can journey from Tokyo to Sapporo in simply three hours—a journey that beforehand took seven hours. This 10-car experimental bullet practice, operated by JR-East on the Tohoku Shinkansen line, can attain speeds as much as 400 km/h.
3. Unmatched Security: Regardless of their velocity, Shinkansen trains boast a powerful security document with no passenger fatalities in practically 50 years of operation. They’re geared up with superior security options, akin to automated air brakes for earthquakes, full energetic suspension, and a brand new ATC braking system in fashions just like the N700S Supreme Shinkansen. The Alpha-X additionally incorporates revolutionary security applied sciences, together with air brakes on the roof and magnetic plates close to the rails.
4. Unbelievable Punctuality: Shinkansen trains are so environment friendly that the typical delay per practice is simply 12 seconds.
5. Eco-Pleasant Journey: Shinkansen are considerably extra environmentally pleasant in comparison with airplanes, producing 92% much less carbon emissions per seat.

These details spotlight not solely the technological marvels of the Shinkansen but in addition their important position in Japan’s transportation infrastructure and environmental efforts.