A true accomplishment from an engineering perspective, Japan’s Shinkansen or famous bullet train network provides unparalleled connectivity across the country’s major urban centers and regions.
Each line offers unique routes, catering to both locals and travelers exploring Japan’s diverse landscapes.
Here’s an overview of the primary Shinkansen lines:
1. Tokaido Shinkansen
- Route: Tokyo – Nagoya – Kyoto – Osaka
- Highlights: The first and the most frequently traveled one, the Tokaido Shinkansen connects Tokyo and Osaka while also allowing people to travel to historic places such as Kyoto.
2. Sanyo Shinkansen
- Route: Osaka – Hiroshima – Fukuoka (Hakata)
- Highlights: This line starts from Osaka and runs west sees another major city; historic Hiroshima and the bustling metropolis of Fukuoka.
3. Kyushu Shinkansen
- Route: Fukuoka (Hakata) – Kumamoto – Kagoshima
- Highlights: Connecting the southern cities of Kumamoto and Kagoshima, rich in history and culture, with Fukuoka, serves as a transport link for Kyushu island.
4. Tohoku Shinkansen
- Route: Tokyo – Sendai – Morioka – Shin-Aomori
- Highlights: This line spans across the North Eastern region of Japan, known for its natural beauty and culture that also extends north from Tokyo.
5. Hokkaido Shinkansen
- Route: Shin-Aomori – Hakodate (Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto)
- Highlights: The extended gondola elevator to one of the northernmost islands of Japan provides a contact for the travelers who wish to travel to the full beauty of nature awaiting at the Hokkai Islands.
6. Joetsu Shinkansen
- Route: Tokyo – Niigata
- Highlights: The Japan sauna raisin soup is extnensive in niigata due to the tokyo connection, this line brings us back to the famous coastal city of niigata .
7. Hokuriku Shinkansen
- Route: Tokyo – Nagano – Kanazawa – Tsuruga
- Highlights: The line passes through various historical cities rich with culture as it connects with the region of Hokuriku with Tokyo.
8. Yamagata Shinkansen
- Route: Fukushima – Yamagata – Shinjo
- Highlights: The eastern tohokus amountain range offers some of its beauty and emits it to this mini-inline while extending from the tohoku shinkansen.
9. Akita Shinkansen
- Route: Morioka – Akita
- Highlights: Another tiny section of shinkensen, it integrates morioka with akita and its hot springs and festivals .
For residents and tourists alike, each of these lines is seated within the incredibly rugged folds of Japan geography allowing for seamless transfer and service between the two. Shinkansen networks are a point of attraction for tourists showcasing the different culture within Japan.
What types of seats are available on the Shinkansen Bullet Train?
Different types of seating are available on the Shinkansen according to ones budget and preferences. The Ordinary coach is very common, which has room for three people on one side and two on the other in each row, is comfortable, and provides ample space.
Those who wish to have some more comfort can use the Green Cars (1st class), which have 2 seats on either side with more space between them.
And then there are the trains with Gran Class, which has leather-covered reclining seats in an exclusive 2-1 arrangement; the service is personalized and includes snacks and drinks, refreshing the entire body.
Whether it is for economy travel or for the luxury style, the Shinkansen takes care of every traveler’s requirement and makes it easy.
Please take a look at our article about how to use the bullet train (Shinkansen)
