Japan has some of the finest train networks in the world. Especially, the quiet and efficient Japan Shinkansen train links the major Japanese cities.Japan's high speed Bullet trains are called Shinkansen and are operated by the Japan Railways. The average speed of the Japan Shinkansen train is about 170 miles an hour which permits travelers to travel from Tokyo to Osaka in less than 3 hours time. During the holiday seasons, these trains are in great demand and become extremely crowded.
Popular Japan Shinkansen routes are mentioned below:
- Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen connects the cities of Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Hakata.
- Tohoku Shinkansen connects the cities of Tokyo, Sendai and Hachinohe.
- Akita Shinkansen connects the cities of Tokyo with Akita
- Yamagata Shinkansen connects the cities of Tokyo with Shinjo
- Joetsu Shinkansen connects the cities of Tokyo with Niigata
- Nagano Shinkansen connects the cities of Tokyo with Nagano.
- Kyushu Shinkansen connects the cities of Hakata with Kagoshima.
Today the Shinkansen has become the most distinctive part of Japan's extremely competent rail transportation system. The iconic Shinkansen trains use separate tracks and platforms apart from all other Japanese trains. All Shinkansen trains start and finish at Tokyo's main stations. Tokyo's Central Station is one of the busiest stations in the world with more than a million people traveling through every day.
Shinkansen trains in Japan are usually classified into the following categories:
- Local: Local trains halt at each and every station.
- Rapid: Rapid trains pass over some stations. There is no variation in the ticket cost between local and rapid Shinkansen trains .
- Express : Express trains halt at fewer stations than rapid Shinkansen trains .
- Limited Express: Limited express Shinkansen trains stop only at key Japanese stations.
- Super Express: Shinkansen bullet trains are only controlled by Japan Railways.
