The Japanese High speed Shinkansen bullet trains are not only a fast train service with the speed of 320 km an hour.
But also a safe and comfortable travel and each one designed generally with its own distinctive appearance and performance.
The history of Japan’s Shinkansen（Bullet train） first line began as it started to run between Tokyo and Osaka in 1964 when the first Tokyo Olympics were held.
Today the Shinkansen（Bullet train） is running all over Japan making it an indispensable mode of transportation for comfortable travel and business trips.
And achieving not only high speed but also a highest standard of safety and comfort.
We will introduce the Shinkansen（Bullet train） rankings that provide easy access to major cities in Japan.
Riding Shinkansen（Bullet train） for traveling in Japan
If you take the bullet train you will have a smooth access to Japans major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Tohoku and Kyushu.
As you relax ,you can watch the beautiful scenery from the window of a clean and spacious shinkansen（Bullet train） while traveling without feeling tired from a long journey.
Introducing Shinkansen
To travel domestically by a bullet train, first you must decide which major cities you wish to visit.
Once you decide about your destination you can ask for the type of seat and purchase a Shinkansen（Bullet train） ticket.
There are three types of Shinkansen（Bullet train） seats: Reserved, Non-reserved (Coach ) and Green seat.
Most Shinkansen（Bullet train） cars have non-reserved seats from 1 to 3 and you can sit in any available seat of your choice.
Reserved seats requires reservation so you must purchase those tickets in advance.
The most luxurious green seats are larger and more comfortable with complete privacy and different than non-reserved and reserved seats.
Like the Tohoku Shinkansen（Bullet train） there are different types of Shinkansen trains with non- reserved seats or only reserved seats so please make sure to check it in advance.
Nozomi, Hikari, Kodama
The Tokaido / Sanyo Shinkansen N700 series “Nozomi, Hikari, Kodama” was launched in July 2007.
The maximum speed is 300 km and it is used as a Shinkansen representing the Tokaido Shinkansen.
The train has a 16-car with a capacity of 1,323 people and has smoking rooms.
Hikari Rail Star
The Sanyo Shinkansen 700 series “Hikari Rail Star” has been operating since March 2000.
This is a Shinkansen train runs between Shin-Osaka Station and Hakata Station as Sanyo Shinkansen.
The Tokaido Shinkansen is scheduled to change to the N700 series by 2020.
It has a maximum speed of 285 km with a fleet of 16 cars and a capacity of 1,323 people with private rooms.
Hayabusa, Yamabiko
For the Tohoku / Hokkaido Shinkansen E5 / H5 series “Hayabusa Yamabiko”, JR East own cars are E5 series and JR Hokkaido own cars are H5 series.
JR East line which is E5 series started operation in March of 2011 and boasts a maximum speed of 320 km.
The Tohoku / Hokkaido Shinkansen line which has a pink belt with a 10-car and has the capacity of 723 people.
The service lines include Hayate,Yamabiko and Nasuno.
The H5 series of the Hokkaido Shinkansen “Hayabusa” is purple and its designed and developed by JR Hokkaido.
It started to operate in March 2016 and has a maximum speed of 320 km with 10-car and has the capacity of 723 people.
923 type (doctor yellow)
Dr. Yellow is not a passenger train but just a test vehicle equipped with technical testing and measuring machines in all seven-car trains.
Doctor Yellow runs along the Shinkansen section while measuring the distortion of the track, electrical equipment, signal equipment, etc.
It is a rare Shinkansen that can rarely be seen because the operation date and running times are not announced by JR.
E926 East i
The official name of East-i (East Eye) is “Shinkansen E926 type train”.
It is a Shinkansen electric track comprehensive test vehicle owned by JR East.
It boasts the world’s fastest inspection high speed train at 275 km and also does not disclose its operation date or running time.
Operation routes are Tohoku, Hokkaido, Akita, Yamagata, Joetsu, Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Max Toki / Max tanigawa
The Joetsu Shinkansen E4 series “MAX Toki” and “MAX Tanigawa”
This is a two-floor Shinkansen train that started operation in December 1997.
It has a maximum speed of 240 km with a 16-car train and a capacity of 1,634 people.
All E4 series will be changed to E7 series by 2020 so the two-floor Shinkansen will be taken out of service.
Kagayaki / Hakutaka
The E7 series “Kagayaki” and W7 series “Hakutaka” of the Hokuriku Shinkansen are vehicles jointly developed by JR East Japan and JR West Japan.
This vehicle was launched in March 2014 and was jointly developed by JR East and JR West when the Hokuriku Shinkansen Kanazawa was extended.
It is the high speed train with 260 km,12-car and capacity of 924 people.
It is fully equipped with WiFi and barrier-free.
Tsubame / Sakura
The Kyushu Shinkansen Series 800 “Sakura” and “Tsubame” are the first Shinkansen trains in JR Kyushu.
It started operation in March 2004, has a maximum speed of 260 km has eight cars and has a capacity of 392 people.
The interior has wood-grained tables and wooden roll blinds.
On the body is an illustration of a swallow by a master of railway design, Eiji Mitooka.
Komachi
The Akita Shinkansen E6 series “Komachi” is a special express train operated by JR East between Tokyo Station and Akita Station via the Tohoku Shinkansen and Akita Shinkansen (Tazawako Line and Ou Main Line).
The service began in 1997 with seven trains and a capacity of 334 people.
The travel time between Tokyo Station and Akita Station is about 3 hours and 37 minutes, and the maximum length of the Tohoku Shinkansen speed is 320km.
There is also a “Super Komachi” that operates at a maximum speed of 300 km on the Tohoku Shinkansen.
Toki(GENBI SHINKANSEN)
The Joetsu Shinkansen Series E3 “Toki (GENBI SHINKANSEN)” is operated exclusively on the Joetsu Shinkansen between Niigata and Echigo-Yuzawa.
It started operation in March 1997 has a maximum speed of 275km with 7 cars and has a capacity of 394 people.
The name of the vehicle is derived from the contemporary art “Genbi”, and the exterior design is handled by photographer Mika Ninagawa.
Be careful when using the Shinkansen
When booking Shinkansen（Bullet train） tickets on the Internet please check and make sure not to book your reservation on holidays.
The Shinkansen（Bullet train） is very crowded during the holidays, such as the New Year holidays, the mid-August Bon Holiday, and the May Golden Week holidays.
Also, be aware that the Shinkansen（Bullet train） reservation site differs depending on the destination area.
JR East homepage(English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean)
West Japan ,Click here for Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Kyushu, Nagoya
JR West website(English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean)
To book a Shinkansen（Bullet train） ticket, select the type of Shinkansen（Bullet train） and choose either Non-reserved or reserved seats.
After making a reservation online you will need to pick up your ticket at the “Midori Window” at the boarding station or at a ticket vending machine in Japan.
The station may be crowded on your travel day so make sure to have enough time to pick it up on time.
Summary
The Japanese Shinkansen（Bullet train） is always accurate and on time, so you can spend a very comfortable time while traveling.
Please take advantage of the High Speed Shinkansen（Bullet train） and enjoy your wonderful trip in Japan.
▶【Japan Rail Pass】Let’s travel all over Japan with a great deal and explore Japan
