High speed train in Japan /4 – Shinkansen services

Passenger train services • Main line services / Ticketing • High speed Rail • Japan

Summary: Japan’s high-speed rail, known as the Shinkansen (新幹線), epitomizes punctuality and efficiency. First launched in 1964, these “bullet trains” are designed for comfort, speed, and safety, with the latest models reaching speeds of up to 320 km/h (200 mph). The Shinkansen network spans major cities, reducing travel time significantly and offering a seamless journey across the archipelago. Advanced technology, dedicated tracks, and precise schedules contribute to an unparalleled travel experience. It’s a symbol of innovation, reflecting Japan’s commitment to technological advancement and providing a benchmark for high-speed rail systems worldwide.

➤ See also: Shinkansen infrastructure and stations – JR Hokkaïdo – JR East – JR Central – JR West – JR Kyushu

➤ See also: High speed train in France – High speed train in Germany – High speed train in Italy – High speed train in Taïwan – Economics

Note: For educational purpose only. This page is meant purely as a documentation tool and has no legal effect. It is not a substitute for the official page of the operating company, manufacturer or official institutions. It cannot be used for staff training, which is the responsibility of approved institutions and companies.

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In brief

Since 1964, 7 series of trainsets with an average age of 20 to 30 years have already been withdrawn from service, with the 400 series, for example, only running between 1992 and 2010. Currently, 9 other series are in circulation on the respective networks of the five companies in charge of operating them (see map below).

Definition of High Speed Train
The definition of a high-speed train varies by region, but generally, it refers to trains that operate at speeds of at least 250 km/h (155 mph) on newly built lines and 200 km/h (124 mph) on upgraded lines. In Europe, for example, the UIC (International Union of Railways) considers a commercial speed of 250 km/h as the principal criterion for high-speed rail. In the United States, the definition can include trains operating at speeds ranging from 180 km/h (110 mph) to 240 km/h (150 mph).

➤ See the UIC definition

Five companies, five services

Japan’s high-speed rail services have been known as Shinkansen since 1964, although at that time they operated only with trains called ‘Hikari’, running at 220 km/h. Nevertheless, this was the highest speed for regular service, despite a few rare examples in France, Germany, and later Britain. Until the end of 1986, high-speed rail was managed by the single national company, JNR (Japan National Railway).

In April 1987, the Japanese National Railways (JNR) were divided into seven companies: one for freight and six for passenger transport, known as JR. We will briefly present the high-speed rolling stock of each of these companies : JR Hokkaido, JR East, JR Central, JR West and JR Kyushu.
Not only are there nowadays five distinct railway companies, but each one also operates internally with two or more different types of high-speed train services: some stop at only a few intermediate stations, while others make more frequent stops.

At present, Shinkansen services alone – classified as mainline in railway jargon – carry almost 370 million passengers a year (the peak of 386 was reached in 2018). This page lists all Japanese services that operate, in whole or in part, at speeds of 250 km/h or more.

As we showed on the previous page, each of these companies owns and manages its own fleet, and rolling stock is usually designed with their specific needs in mind (speed, tunnel specs, climate, station platform lengths, etc.).

However some models are jointly developed or used across multiple operators:

N700 and E8 Series: On the Kyushu Shinkansen, JR Kyushu uses distinctively styled 800 Series trains, while also using N700 variants for through-services with JR West.

E5 and H5 Series: The E5 is used by JR East and the near-identical H5 by JR Hokkaido, adapted slightly for colder Hokkaidō conditions.

In addition, many services departing from Tokyo or Osaka use the tracks of other companies, such as Nozomi, Hikari and Hayabusa. This is intended to create long-distance connections. The table below lists the different names of the services operated by each of the five operators.

JR Hokkaïdo