The Complete Guide to Experiencing the Shinkansen High-Speed Trains in Japan

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 grow to be synonymous with Japan.

Touring on a bullet prepare 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 affords the additional advantage 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 all the things you might want to learn about traveling by rail in Japan. From reserving seats to exploring probably the most cost-effective ticket choices with the JR Pass for limitless journey, the most recent routes, enjoyable info, and way more—All aboard!

Overview:

What’s the Shinkansen Excessive-Pace Prepare?

The Japanese phrase for ‘bullet prepare,’ 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 prepare sequence. Though initially which means ‘new trunk line,’ the time period Shinkansen has been extra generally used for many years to seek advice from each the trains and the tracks they function on.

Operated by the Japan Railways (JR) Group, the nation’s Shinkansen trains join Japan’s most important 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 lots of others—throughout numerous interconnecting Shinkansen traces and prepare classes. With only a few exceptions, these traces are solely for Shinkansen trains, making nearly no metropolis off-limits, particularly when paired with a Japan Rail Pass. This particular ticket affords limitless journey on the complete nationwide JR community, together with the high-speed Shinkansen traces.

The Tokaido Shinkansen, arguably the nation’s hottest line, travels from Tokyo by means of Kyoto to Osaka, servicing a number of main cities alongside a route of historic significance since feudal Japan, initially very important for commerce. Immediately, 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 means of Okayama and Hiroshima, and often called the ‘spine of the JR railways’. It affords 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 prepare 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 for the reason that Sixties, and extra just lately, it has been refined into numerous aerodynamic nostril shapes, together with a duck-billed design, to mitigate the noise challenge brought on by sonic booms when passing by means of tunnels.

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

Ideas For Touring on the Shinkansen Excessive-Pace Trains in Japan

Should 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 common Shinkansen journey suggestions to make sure a clean expertise.

Record 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 provide three most important seat courses: Odd, Inexperienced Automobile, and Gran Class.

Odd seats are akin to financial system class, offering fundamental consolation. Inexperienced Automobile seats resemble enterprise class with added facilities and area, whereas Gran Class affords a luxurious expertise much like top quality. All seat courses enable the seats to be rotated 180 levels to make sure passengers can all the time face the path of journey.

Moreover, seats could be adjusted to face one another, which is right for teams. Seat configurations sometimes are 2×2 in Inexperienced Automobile and Gran Class, with a 3×2 configuration extra widespread in Odd Class.

Find out how to Reserve Seats on the Bullet Prepare

Shinkansen trains provide each non-reserved and reserved seating in separate vehicles. Sure companies require reservations, and a few could change to totally reserved throughout nationwide holidays such because the New 12 months, Obon, or Golden Week, so it’s essential to verify earlier than you journey.

In case you are touring with a Japan Rail Cross, one of many nice benefits is the power to make advance seat reservations at no further value. Seats could 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 Businesses.

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

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

Boarding the Shinkansen

Boarding a Shinkansen is simple: upon arriving on the station, move by means of the common ticket gates, head to the Shinkansen platform, and move by means 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 on your prepare. Upon its arrival, enter and discover your seat (seat numbers are indicated above the home windows).

Should you’re in an unreserved carriage, you might sit in any accessible seat. As soon as settled, merely chill out and revel in your journey!

What’s the Baggage Allowance on the Shinkansen?

When boarding the Shinkansen, passengers could deliver as much as two items of bags 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) could be introduced on board with out prior reservation. For baggage between 160 cm and 250 cm, a previous reservation is required, which could be made for free of charge. Failure to order upfront could lead to a 1,000 yen effective, and the baggage could also be relocated by the prepare conductor. Baggage exceeding 250 centimeters isn’t permitted on the prepare and would require various transport preparations.

Reservations could 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 Cross, it’s advisable to make each your seat and baggage reservations concurrently.

Normal Shinkansen Guidelines

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

• Free Wi-Fi: Most Shinkansen trains provide free Wi-Fi entry (be taught extra about Wi-Fi access in Japan)
• Bento Containers: 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 traces to facilitate protected and environment friendly boarding.
• Telephones on Silent: Maintain cellphones on silent mode and keep away from taking calls within the seating space. Should you should take a name, use the designated spots between vehicles.
• Use of Headphones: To take care of a cushty surroundings, passengers ought to use headphones when listening to music or watching movies.
• Baggage Necessities: Check with the baggage coverage detailed above for measurement and weight restrictions and verify the JR Group web site for updates.

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

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

Buy your JR Pass directly with the operator

Prime 5 Shinkansen Information

Japan’s outstanding Shinkansen trains are celebrated for way more than their iconic look. Listed below are our high 5 info about Shinkansen:

1. Spectacular Passenger Numbers: In its debut 12 months, the Shinkansen transported 11 million passengers. Immediately, it carries over 150 million passengers yearly.
2. Document-Breaking Pace: Recognized for his or her velocity, Shinkansen continues to interrupt information. The Alpha-X, one in all 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 prepare, 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 file with no passenger fatalities in practically 50 years of operation. They’re geared up with superior security options, reminiscent of automated air brakes for earthquakes, full lively suspension, and a brand new ATC braking system in fashions just like the N700S Supreme Shinkansen. The Alpha-X additionally incorporates modern 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 prepare 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 info spotlight not solely the technological marvels of the Shinkansen but additionally their crucial position in Japan’s transportation infrastructure and environmental efforts.