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{{Short description|Japanese high-speed rail system}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
[[File:JR East Shinkansen lineup at Niigata Depot 201210.jpg|thumb|A lineup of [[JR East]] Shinkansen trains in October 2012]] 
[[File:Torikai-train-base.JPG|thumb|A lineup of [[JR Central]] and [[JR West]] Shinkansen trains, Torikai depot]]
[[File:Shinkansen map 202405 en.png|thumb|upright=1.2|Map of Shinkansen lines (as of May 2024, excluding the [[Hakataminami Line]] and [[Gala-Yuzawa Line]] extension). The section of the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen west of Takeo-onsen utilizes a [[cross-platform interchange]] with conventional express trains due to the suspension of the [[Gauge Change Train|GCT]] development.]]

The {{Nihongo|'''Shinkansen'''|[[wikt:新幹線|新幹線]]||{{IPA|ja|ɕiŋkaꜜɰ̃seɴ||TomJ-Shinkansen.ogg}}, {{lit|new trunk line}}|lead=yes}}, colloquially known in English as the '''bullet train''', is a network of [[high-speed rail]]way lines in [[Japan]]. It was initially built to connect distant Japanese regions with [[Tokyo]], the capital, to aid economic growth and development. Beyond long-distance travel, some sections around the [[List of metropolitan areas in Japan|largest metropolitan areas]] are used as a commuter rail network.<ref>{{cite news |author=Joe Pinker |date=6 October 2014 |title=What 50 Years of Bullet Trains Have Done for Japan |work=[[The Atlantic]] |publisher=The Atlantic Monthly Group |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/10/what-50-years-of-bullet-trainss-have-done-for-japan/381143/ |access-date=1 May 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220527014442/https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/10/what-50-years-of-bullet-trains-have-done-for-japan/381143/ |archive-date=27 May 2022}}</ref><ref name= ":1">{{cite news |first1=Philip |last1=Brasor |first2=Masako |last2=Tsubuku |date=30 September 2014 |title=How the Shinkansen bullet train made Tokyo into the monster it is today |work=[[The Guardian]] |publisher=[[Guardian Media Group|Guardian News and Media Limited]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/sep/30/-sp-shinkansen-bullet-train-tokyo-rail-japan-50-years |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220516233813/https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/sep/30/-sp-shinkansen-bullet-train-tokyo-rail-japan-50-years |archive-date=16 May 2022 |access-date=1 May 2018 }}</ref> It is owned by the [[Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency]] and operated by five [[Japan Railways Group]] companies.

Starting with the [[Tokaido Shinkansen]] ({{convert|515.4|km|disp=semicolon|abbr=on}}) in 1964,<ref name="Safety">{{cite web |title=About the Shinkansen |url=https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/company/about_shinkansen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705211429/https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/company/about_shinkansen/ |archive-date=5 July 2022 |access-date=20 June 2021 |website= jr-central.co.jp |publisher= Central Japan Railway Company |language=en}}</ref> the network has expanded to consist of {{convert|2,951.3|km|abbr=on}} of lines with maximum speeds of {{convert|260|–|320|km/h|abbr=on}}, {{convert|283.5|km|abbr=on}} of [[Mini-shinkansen]] lines with a maximum speed of {{convert|130|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}, and {{convert|10.3|km|abbr=on}} of spur lines with Shinkansen services.<ref>{{cite web |title= Fact Sheet Service Areas and Business Contents |url= http://www.jreast.co.jp/investor/factsheet/pdf/factsheet_01.pdf |website= jreast.co.jp |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220215162453/https://www.jreast.co.jp/investor/factsheet/pdf/factsheet_01.pdf |archive-date=15 February 2022 |publisher=East Japan Railway Company| access-date=1 May 2018}}{{failed verification|date=May 2011}}</ref> The network links most major cities on the islands of [[Honshu]] and [[Kyushu]], and connects to [[Hakodate]] on the northern island of [[Hokkaido]]. An extension to [[Sapporo]] is under construction and was initially scheduled to open by fiscal year 2030,<ref name= "AsahiShimbun">{{cite web |last= Ayateru |first= Hosozawa |date=8 June 2018 |title= Next Shinkansen will not only be faster, safer, but save on power |url= http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201806080003.html |url-status= dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180608074644/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201806080003.html |archive-date=8 June 2018 |access-date=8 April 2025 |work=Asahi Shimbun }}</ref> but in December 2024, it was delayed until the end of FY2038.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Hokkaido bullet train extension delayed 8 years, rattling local communities |url= https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Transportation/Hokkaido-bullet-train-extension-delayed-8-years-rattling-local-communities |access-date=8 April 2025 |website=Nikkei.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=北海道新幹線札幌開業、2038年度が軸 国交省が調整 1月以降に決定 開業時期変更は2度目（北海道新聞 |url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/daa765f8d10de4b886178993eca9b3fb17ba0cad |access-date=30 December 2024 |website=Yahoo!ニュース |language=ja |archive-date=30 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230071804/https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/daa765f8d10de4b886178993eca9b3fb17ba0cad |url-status=dead }}</ref> The maximum operating speed is {{convert|320|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} (on a {{convert|387.5|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} section of the [[Tōhoku Shinkansen]]).<ref>{{cite web |date=6 November 2007 |title=Tohoku Shinkansen Speed Increase: Phased speed increase after the extension to Shin-Aomori Station |url=http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/press/20071101/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102151118/https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/press/20071101/index.html |archive-date=2 November 2021 |access-date=2 May 2011 |website= jreast.co.jp |publisher=East Japan Railway Company}}</ref> Test runs have reached {{convert|443|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} for conventional rail in 1996, and up to a [[Land speed record for rail vehicles|world record]] {{convert|603|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} for [[SCMaglev]] trains in April 2015.<ref name="guardian20150421">{{cite web |date=21 April 2015 |title=Japan's maglev train breaks world speed record with 600&nbsp;km/h test run |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/21/japans-maglev-train-notches-up-new-world-speed-record-in-test-run |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618083538/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/21/japans-maglev-train-notches-up-new-world-speed-record-in-test-run |archive-date=18 June 2022 |access-date=21 April 2015 |work=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited |location=UK}}</ref>

The original Tokaido Shinkansen, connecting Tokyo, [[Nagoya]], and [[Osaka]] —three of Japan's largest cities — is one of the world's busiest high-speed rail lines. In the one-year period preceding March 2017, it carried 159 million passengers,<ref>{{cite report |url=http://english.jr-central.co.jp/company/ir/annualreport/_pdf/annualreport2017.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180129004258/http://english.jr-central.co.jp/company/ir/annualreport/_pdf/annualreport2017.pdf |archive-date=29 January 2018 |url-status=live |title= Annual Report 2017| website= jr-central.co.jp |date=2017 |publisher= [[Central Japan Railway Company]] |page=23 |access-date=26 April 2018 }}</ref> and since its opening more than six decades ago, it has transported more than 6.4 billion total passengers.<ref name="Safety" /> At peak times, the line carries up to 16 trains per hour in each direction with 16 cars each (1,323-seat capacity and occasionally additional standing passengers) with a minimum headway of three minutes between trains.<ref>{{cite web| website= jr-central.co.jp |date=16 November 2020| title= Annual Report 2019| url= https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/company/ir/annualreport/_pdf/annualreport2019.pdf |url-status=live | publisher= Central Japan Railway Company |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201116023220/https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/company/ir/annualreport/_pdf/annualreport2019.pdf |archive-date=16 November 2020 |access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref>

The Shinkansen network of Japan had the highest annual passenger ridership (a maximum of 353 million in 2007) of any [[high-speed rail]] network until 2011, when the [[High-speed rail in China|Chinese high-speed railway]] network surpassed it at 370 million passengers annually.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024年中国高铁行业研究报告 – 21经济网 |url=https://www.21jingji.com/article/20240129/herald/68b413a05bb425b73016157b5bf43b0a.html |website= 21jingji.com |language= ja |access-date=28 July 2024}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
{{Nihongo|''Shinkansen''|新幹線}} in Japanese means 'new trunk line' or 'new main line', but this word is used to describe both the railway lines the trains run on and the trains themselves.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Shinkansen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322182255/https://www.lexico.com/definition/shinkansen |archive-date=22 March 2020 |title=Shinkansen |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 November 2014 |title=The Shinkansen Japan's High-Speed Rail Is Full of Miracles |url=https://www.japan.go.jp/tomodachi/2014/autumn2014/the_shinkansen_japans_high-speed_rail.html |access-date=21 November 2024 |website=The Government of Japan – JapanGov |language=en}}</ref> In English, the trains are also known as the bullet train. The term {{Nihongo|''bullet train''|弾丸列車|dangan ressha}} originates from 1939, and was the initial name given to the Shinkansen project in its earliest planning stages.<ref>{{cite book |author=Shinsaku Matsuyama |title=鉄道の「鉄」学: 車両と軌道を支える金属材料のお話 |publisher=Ohmsha |date=2015 |isbn=978-4-274-21763-0 |location=Tokyo |language=ja |trans-title=Iron for Iron Horses: The Story of the Metals Used in Rolling Stock and Railway Tracks}}</ref> Furthermore, the name {{Nihongo|''super express''|超特急|chō-tokkyū}}, used exclusively until 1972 for {{em|[[Hikari (train)|Hikari]]}} trains on the [[Tōkaidō Shinkansen]], is used today in English-language announcements and signage.

== History ==
[[File:JNR SystemMap 19641001.png|thumb|left|A JNR map from the October 1964 English-language timetable, showing the then-new Tokaido Shinkansen line (in red) and conventional lines]]
[[File:0 fuji.JPG|thumb|left|A 0 series set in front of [[Mount Fuji]]]]

Japan was the first country to build dedicated railway lines for high-speed travel. Because of the mountainous terrain, the existing network consisted of {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}} [[Narrow-gauge railway|narrow-gauge]] lines, which generally took indirect routes and could not be adapted to higher speeds due to technical limitations of narrow-gauge rail. For example, if a standard-gauge rail has a curve with a maximum speed of {{convert|145|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}, the same curve on narrow-gauge rail will have a maximum allowable speed of {{convert|130|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":5" /> Consequently, Japan had a greater need for new high-speed lines than countries where the existing [[Standard-gauge railway|standard-gauge]] or [[Broad-gauge railway|broad-gauge]] rail system had more upgrade potential.

Among the key people credited with the construction of the first Shinkansen are [[Hideo Shima]], the Chief Engineer, and [[Shinji Sogō]], the first President of [[Japanese National Railways]] (JNR) who managed to persuade politicians to back the plan. Other significant people responsible for its technical development were [[Tadanao Miki]], [[Tadashi Matsudaira]], and [[Hajime Kawanabe]] based at the [[Railway Technical Research Institute]] (RTRI), part of JNR. They were responsible for much of the technical development of the first line, the [[Tōkaidō Shinkansen]]. All three had worked on aircraft design during [[World War II]].<ref name="Hood">{{Cite book | last = Hood | first = Christopher P. | title = Shinkansen – From Bullet Train to Symbol of Modern Japan | series = Routledge Contemporary Japan Series | publisher = Routledge | location=London | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=cwbklrvmS-oC | year = 2007 | isbn = 978-0-415-32052-8 | pages = 18–43}}</ref>

=== Early proposals ===
The popular English name ''bullet train'' is a literal translation of the Japanese term {{Nihongo|''dangan ressha''|弾丸列車}}, a nickname given to the project while it was initially discussed in the 1930s. The name stuck because of the original [[0 Series Shinkansen]]'s resemblance to a [[Minié ball]] and its high speed.

The ''Shinkansen'' name was first formally used in 1940 for a proposed standard-gauge passenger and freight line between Tokyo and [[Shimonoseki]] that would have used steam and electric locomotives with a top speed of {{convert|200|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. Over the next three years, the Ministry of Railways drew up more ambitious plans to extend the line to Beijing (through a [[Japan–Korea Undersea Tunnel|tunnel to Korea]]) and even [[Singapore]], and build connections to the [[Trans-Siberian Railway]] and other trunk lines in Asia. These plans were abandoned in 1943 as Japan's position in World War II worsened. However, some construction did commence on the line; several tunnels on the present-day Shinkansen date to the war-era project.<ref name=":4">{{cite book |last=Hood |first=Christopher P. |title=Shinkansen: From Bullet Train to Symbol of Modern Japan |date=2006 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-32052-8 |pages=21–23}}</ref>

{{See also|Greater East Asia Railroad}}

=== Construction ===
Following the end of World War II, high-speed rail was forgotten for several years while traffic of passengers and freight steadily increased on the conventional [[Tōkaidō Main Line]] along with the reconstruction of Japanese industry and economy. By the mid-1950s the Tōkaidō Line was operating at full capacity, and the Ministry of Railways decided to revisit the Shinkansen project. In 1957, [[Odakyu Electric Railway]] introduced its [[Odakyu 3000 series SE|3000 series SE]] [[Romancecar]] train, setting a world speed record of {{convert|145|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} for a narrow-gauge train when JNR leased a trainset in order to perform high-speed tests.<ref>{{cite book |last=Nishiyama |first=Takashi |title=Engineering War and Peace in Modern Japan, 1868–1964 |date=2014 |publisher=JHU Press |isbn=978-1-4214-1266-5 |page=124 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oG3eAgAAQBAJ |access-date=24 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref> This train gave designers the confidence that they could safely build an even faster standard-gauge train. Thus the first Shinkansen, the 0 series, was built on the success of the Romancecar.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}

In the 1950s, the Japanese national attitude was that as was happening in the United States, railways would soon be outdated and replaced by air travel and highways.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Shinkansen Turns 50: The History and Future of Japan's High-Speed Train |url=https://www.nippon.com/en/features/h00078/ |website=nippon.com |access-date=24 May 2024 |language=en |date=1 October 2014}}</ref> However, [[Shinji Sogō]], President of [[Japanese National Railways]], insisted strongly on the possibility of [[high-speed rail]], and the Shinkansen project was implemented.<ref name="JRTR">{{Cite journal | last = Wakuda | first = Yasuo | title = Japanese Railway History 10- Railway Modernization and Shinkansen | journal = Japan Railway & Transport Review | volume = 11 | pages = 60–63 | publisher = Japan Railways (JR) | url = http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr11/history.html |access-date=21 September 2010 |archive-date=13 June 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110613154641/http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr11/history.html }}</ref>

Government approval came in December 1958, and construction of the first segment of the [[Tōkaidō Shinkansen]] between Tokyo and [[Osaka]] started in April 1959. The cost of constructing the Shinkansen was at first estimated at nearly 200 billion yen,{{efn|194,800 million yen}}({{inflation|JP|194800000000|start_year=1959|fmt=eq||cursign=¥}}) which was raised in the form of a government loan, railway bonds and a low-interest loan of US$80 million ({{inflation|US|80000000|start_year=1959|fmt=eq||cursign=$}}) from the [[World Bank]]. Initial estimates, however, were understated and the actual cost was about 380 billion yen.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Straszak |editor1-first=A. |editor2-last=Tuch |editor2-first=R. |title=The Shinkansen High-Speed Rail Network of Japan |date=1977 |publisher=Proceedings of an IIASA Conference, 27–30 June 1977 |pages=15, 18–19 |url=https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/id/eprint/1225/1/XB-80-508.pdf}}</ref> As the budget shortfall became clear in 1963, Sogo resigned to take responsibility.<ref name="Smith">{{Cite journal |last=Smith |first = Roderick A. |title = The Japanese Shinkansen |journal = The Journal of Transport History |volume =24/2 |issue =2 |pages = 222–236 |publisher = Imperial College, London |year = 2003 |doi =10.7227/TJTH.24.2.6 |s2cid = 109409322 }}</ref>

A test facility for rolling stock, called the Kamonomiya Model Section, opened in [[Odawara, Kanagawa|Odawara]] in 1962.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shinkansen |url=https://doyouknowjapan.com/shinkansen/ |website=Encyclopedia of Japan |access-date=24 May 2024 |language=en |archive-date=5 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605064426/https://doyouknowjapan.com/shinkansen/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Initial success ===
[[File:JNR 19641001 Table1.png|thumb|upright=1.2|1964 JNR Passenger Timetable, Table 1, showing shinkansen service on the New Tokaido Line]]

The Tōkaidō Shinkansen began service on 1 October 1964, in time for the [[1964 Summer Olympics|first Tokyo Olympics]].<ref>Fukada, Takahiro, "[http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20081209i1.html Shinkansen about more than speed]", ''[[The Japan Times]]'', 9 December 2008, p. 3.</ref> The conventional Limited Express service took six hours and 40 minutes from Tokyo to Osaka, but the Shinkansen made the trip in just four hours, shortened to three hours and ten minutes by 1965. It enabled day trips between Tokyo and Osaka, the two largest metropolises in Japan, significantly changed the style of business and life of the Japanese people, and increased new traffic demand. The service was an immediate success, reaching the 100&nbsp;million passenger mark in less than three years on 13 July 1967, and one billion passengers in 1976. Sixteen-car trains were introduced for [[Expo '70]] in Osaka. With an average of 23,000 passengers per hour in each direction in 1992, the Tōkaidō Shinkansen was the world's busiest high-speed rail line.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Okada |first=Hiroshi |date=October 1994 |title=Features and Economic and Social Effects of The Shinkansen |url=https://www.ejrcf.or.jp/jrtr/jrtr03/pdf/f09_oka.pdf |journal=Japan Transport and Railway Review |volume=3 |pages=9–16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420121953/https://www.ejrcf.or.jp/jrtr/jrtr03/pdf/f09_oka.pdf |archive-date=20 April 2022}}</ref> As of 2014, the train's 50th anniversary, daily passenger traffic rose to 391,000 which, spread over its 18-hour schedule, represented an average of just under 22,000 passengers per hour.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 September 2014 |title=Half century on the shinkansen |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2014/09/20/editorials/half-century-shinkansen/#.WsU4yNPwbOQ |newspaper=The Japan Times}}</ref>

The first Shinkansen trains, the [[0 Series Shinkansen|0 series]], ran at speeds of up to {{convert|210|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}, later increased to {{convert|220|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}. The last of these trains, with their classic bullet-nosed appearance, were retired on 30 November 2008. A driving car from one of the 0 series trains was donated by JR West to the [[National Railway Museum]] in [[York]], United Kingdom in 2001.<ref name="railwaygazette20010801">{{cite web |date=1 August 2001 |title=Shinkansen comes to York |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/shinkansen-comes-to-york.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514234858/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/shinkansen-comes-to-york/29664.article |archive-date=14 May 2021 |access-date=14 September 2014 |work=Railway Gazette}}</ref>

=== Network expansion ===
The Tōkaidō Shinkansen's rapid success prompted an extension westward to [[Okayama]], [[Hiroshima]] and [[Fukuoka, Fukuoka|Fukuoka]] (the [[San'yō Shinkansen]]), which was completed in 1975.<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal |last=Taniguchi |first=Mamoru |date=1993 |title=The Japanese Shinkansen |journal=[[Built Environment (journal)|Built environment]] |volume=19 |issue=3/4 |page=216 |jstor=23288577 }}</ref> Prime Minister [[Kakuei Tanaka]] was an ardent supporter of the Shinkansen, and his government proposed an extensive network paralleling most existing trunk lines. Two new lines, the [[Tōhoku Shinkansen]] and [[Jōetsu Shinkansen]], were built following this plan. Many other planned lines were delayed or scrapped entirely as [[Japanese National Railways|JNR]] slid into debt throughout the late 1970s, largely because of the high cost of building the Shinkansen network.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}} By 1987, the company was deeply in debt, leading to its privatization.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Smil |first=Vaclav |date=2014 |title=Fifty Years of the Shinkansen |url=https://apjjf.org/2014/12/48/vaclav-smil/4227 |journal=The Asia-Pacific Journal |volume=12 |issue=48, No. 1}}</ref>

Development of the Shinkansen by the privatised regional JR companies has continued, with new train models developed, each generally with its own distinctive appearance (such as the [[500 Series Shinkansen|500 series]] introduced by [[JR West]]). Since 2014, Shinkansen trains run regularly at speeds up to {{convert|320|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}} on the [[Tōhoku Shinkansen]]; only the [[Shanghai maglev train]], [[China Railway High-speed]] networks, and the Indonesian [[High-speed rail in Indonesia|Jakarta-Bandung High-speed]] railway have commercial services that operate faster.<ref>{{cite web |date=18 May 2016 |title=The 10 fastest trains in the world |url=https://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-05-18/the-10-fastest-trains-in-the-world |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623192616/https://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-05-18/the-10-fastest-trains-in-the-world |archive-date=23 June 2022 |access-date=8 December 2019 |publisher=cntraveler.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 October 2023 |title=雅万高铁助力印尼民众加速奔向美好生活 |trans-title=Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway helps Indonesian people accelerate towards a better life |url=https://www.gov.cn/yaowen/liebiao/202310/content_6908475.htm |website=gov.cn |language=zh |access-date=27 January 2024 }}</ref>{{Update inline|date=January 2024|reason=Extensions in Kyushu and Hokuriku Shinkansen also need to be mentioned.}}

Since 1970, development has also been underway for the [[Chūō Shinkansen]], a planned [[maglev]] line from Tokyo to Osaka. On 21 April 2015, a seven-car [[L0 series]] maglev trainset, planned to be used on the line, set a [[Land speed record for railed vehicles|world speed record]] of {{convert|603|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="guardian20150421" /> The line is expected to operate at {{convert|500|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}, with the estimated travel time between Tokyo and Osaka taking 67 minutes. Construction commenced in 2011 and was originally scheduled to open in 2027, though it has since been delayed to at least 2034.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Japan railway firm pushes back maglev plan, possibly to 2034 or later |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/03/bd9e1d3aec6a-urgent-japan-rail-operator-gives-up-plan-to-launch-maglev-train-in-2027.html |website=Kyodo News+ |date=29 March 2024 |access-date=30 December 2024 }}</ref>

== Technology ==
To enable high-speed operation, Shinkansen uses a range of advanced technology compared with conventional rail, achieving not only high speed but also a high standard of safety and comfort. Its success has influenced other railways in the world, demonstrating the importance and advantages of [[high-speed rail]].

=== Routing ===
The majority of Shinkansen routes never intersect with slower, narrow-gauge conventional lines. Consequently, the Shinkansen is not affected by slower trains and has the capacity to operate many high-speed trains punctually. Routes are also completely [[grade separation|grade separated]] from road traffic and tracks are strictly off-limits, with penalties against trespassing regulated by law. The routes make extensive use of tunnels and [[viaduct]]s to go through and over obstacles rather than around them, with a minimum curve radius of {{convert|4000|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, although the older Tōkaidō Shinkansen line has a minimum of {{convert|2500|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":5">{{cite web |last=Yasuo |first=Wakuda |date=April 1997 |title=Railway Modernization and Shinkansen |url=https://www.ejrcf.or.jp/jrtr/jrtr11/history.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613154641/http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr11/history.html |archive-date=13 June 2011 |access-date=9 May 2025 |publisher=Japan Railway & Transport Review}}</ref>

While most Shinkansen routes follow this pattern, two exceptions exist. They are the [[mini-shinkansen]] lines, which run on conventional lines converted to standard gauge; and the [[Hokkaido Shinkansen]], which shares trackage with narrow-gauge freight trains through the [[Seikan Tunnel]].

=== Track ===
[[File:Toyohashi Station 001.JPG|thumb|Shinkansen standard-gauge track, with welded rails to reduce vibration]]

The Shinkansen uses {{RailGauge|1435mm}} standard gauge in contrast to the {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}} narrow gauge of most other lines in Japan. [[Continuous welded rail]] and [[swingnose crossing]] points are employed, eliminating gaps at turnouts and crossings. Long rails are used, joined by expansion joints to minimize gauge fluctuation due to thermal elongation and shrinkage.

A combination of [[Track ballast|ballasted]] and [[slab track]] is used, with slab track exclusively employed on concrete bed sections such as viaducts and tunnels. Slab track is significantly more cost-effective in tunnel sections, since the lower track height reduces the cross-sectional area of the tunnel, reducing construction costs up to 30%.<ref>Miura, S., Takai, H., Uchida, M., and Fukada, Y. "The Mechanism of Railway Tracks". ''Japan Railway & Transport Review'', 15, 38–45, 1998</ref>
However, the smaller diameter of Shinkansen tunnels, compared to some other high-speed lines, has resulted in the issue of [[Piston effect#Tunnel boom|tunnel boom]] becoming a concern for residents living close to tunnel portals.

The slab track consists of rails, fasteners and track slabs with a cement asphalt mortar. On the roadbed and in tunnels, circular upstands, measuring {{convert|400|–|520|mm|abbr=in}} in diameter and {{convert|200|mm|in||abbr=in}} high, are located at 5-metre intervals. The prefabricated upstands are made of either [[reinforced concrete]] or pre-stressed reinforced concrete; they prevent the track slab from moving latitudinally or longitudinally. One track slab weighs approximately 5 tons and is {{convert|2220|–|2340|mm|abbr=in}} wide, {{convert|4900|–|4950|mm|abbr=in}} long and {{convert|160|–|200|mm|abbr=in}} thick.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Ando |first=Katsutoshi |display-authors=etal |date=2001 |title=Development of Slab Tracks for Hokuriku Shinkansen Line |journal=Quarterly Report of RTRI |volume=42 |issue=1 |pages=35–41 |doi=10.2219/rtriqr.42.35 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

=== Signal system ===
[[File:ATC TEC.png|thumb|Braking curve for the original ATC-1 used on the [[Tokaido Shinkansen]] (Vertical axis represents the speed of the train whereas the horizontal axis represents the distance.)]]
[[File:新幹線総合指令所(京都鉄道博物館).jpg|thumb|Replica of the Shinkansen CTC as seen at the [[Kyoto Railway Museum]]]]

The Shinkansen employs an [[Automatic Train Control|ATC]] (automatic train control) system, eliminating the need for trackside signals. It uses a comprehensive system of [[automatic train protection]].<ref name="Smith" /> [[Centralized traffic control]] manages all train operations, and all tasks relating to train movement, track, station and schedule are networked and computerized.

=== Electrical systems ===
Shinkansen uses a [[25 kV AC railway electrification|25 kV AC]] overhead power supply (20 kV AC on [[Mini-shinkansen]] lines), to overcome the limitations of the 1,500 V [[direct current]] used on the existing electrified narrow-gauge system. Power is distributed along the train's axles to reduce the heavy axle loads under single power cars.<ref name="Smith" /> The AC frequency of the power supply for the Tokaido Shinkansen is 60&nbsp;Hz.

=== Trains ===
[[File:Rolling-Stock-Gauge-in-Japan.svg|thumb|left|Japanese loading gauge legend.
Green: Shinkansen loading gauge <br /> Grey: Conventional loading gauge <br /> Blue: Rural loading gauge <br /> Figures in brackets are former limits.]]

Shinkansen trains are [[electric multiple unit]]s (EMUs), offering fast acceleration, deceleration and reduced damage to the track because of the use of lighter vehicles compared to locomotives or power cars. The coaches are air-sealed to ensure stable air pressure when entering tunnels at high speed.

Shinkansen trains (excluding mini-Shinkansen) are also built to a larger [[loading gauge]] compared to conventional-speed rolling stock.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlit.go.jp/pubcom/06/pubcomt129/03.pdf |script-title=ja:鉄道に関する技術上の基準を定める省令等の解釈基準 |publisher=[[Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism]] |language=ja}}</ref> This larger loading gauge permits wider coaches, allowing for 5-abreast seating (2+3) in Standard Class coaches, compared to the more common 4-abreast (2+2) seating usually found elsewhere. On occasions, this wider loading gauge was also used to allow 6-abreast seating (3+3) on certain trains, such as the [[E1 Series Shinkansen|E1]] and [[E4 Series Shinkansen|E4 series]] sets. This, combined with a lack of power cars, allows for a higher passenger capacity within a shorter train length. However, since mini-Shinkansen lines are effectively track-regauged conventional lines, the conventional loading gauge for 1,067mm lines still applies on mini-Shinkansen lines. 
{{Clear}}

{{Wide image|File:Line scan photo of Shinkansen N700A Series Set G13 in 2017, car 01.png|700|Shinkansen N700A Series, car 01}}

=== Traction ===
The Shinkansen has used EMUs from the outset, with the [[0 Series Shinkansen]] having all axles powered. Other railway manufacturers were traditionally reluctant or unable to use distributed traction configurations ([[Talgo]], the German [[ICE 2]] and the French (and subsequently South Korean) [[TGV]] (and [[KTX-I]] and [[KTX-Sancheon]]) use the [[locomotive]] (also known as power car) configuration with the [[Renfe Class 102]] and continues with it for the [[Talgo AVRIL]] because it is not possible to use powered bogies as part of Talgo's bogie design, which uses a modified [[Jacobs bogie]] with a single axle instead of two and allows the wheels to rotate independently of each other, on the ICE 2, TGV and KTX it is because it easily allows for a high ride quality and less electrical equipment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ejrcf.or.jp/jrtr/jrtr17/pdf/f40_technology.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221010/http://www.ejrcf.or.jp/jrtr/jrtr17/pdf/f40_technology.pdf |archive-date=10 October 2022 |url-status=live|title=What Drives Electrical Multiple Units?|author=Hiroshi Hata|website=Ejrcf.or.jp|access-date=5 March 2022}}</ref>) In Japan, significant engineering desirability exists for the electric multiple unit configuration. A greater proportion of motored axles permits higher acceleration, so the Shinkansen does not lose as much time if stopping frequently. Shinkansen lines have more stops in proportion to their lengths than high-speed lines elsewhere in the world.

==Shinkansen lines ==
[[File:Hokuriku Shinkansen 2024 Map.jpg|thumb|Map of Shinkansen services in the [[Chūbu region|Chūbu]] and [[Kantō region]]s as of March 2024]]
=== Current lines===
The main Shinkansen lines are:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Line
! Start
! End
! Operating<br />full route
! Operating<br />speed
! Length
! Operator
! Opened
! Passengers<br />(2023)<ref name=":6">{{cite web |date=31 October 2024 |title=鉄道輸送統計調査（令和 5 年度、国土交通省） Rail Transport Statistics (2023, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport) (Japanese) |url=https://www.e-stat.go.jp/stat-search/files?page=1&layout=datalist&toukei=00600350&kikan=00600&tstat=000001011026&cycle=8&year=20231&month=0&result_back=1&tclass1val=0&metadata=1&data=1 |website=Mlit.go.jp |access-date=20 November 2024 }}</ref>
! Passenger-km<br />(2023)<ref name=":6" />
|-
![[File:Shinkansen jrc.svg|20x20px]] [[Tokaido Shinkansen|Tōkaidō Shinkansen]]
|{{STN|Tokyo|x}}||{{STN|Shin-Ōsaka|x}}
|
|{{cvt|285|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
|{{cvt|515.4|km|0|abbr=on}}
|{{ric|JR Central|name=y|size=25}}||1964||160,705,000
|52,935,160,000
|-
![[File:Shinkansen jrw.svg|20x20px|■]] [[San'yō Shinkansen]]
|{{STN|Shin-Ōsaka|x}}||{{STN|Hakata|x}}
|
|{{cvt|300|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
|{{cvt|553.7|km|0|abbr=on}}
|{{ric|JR West|name=y|size=25}}||1972–1975||70,301,000
|18,722,736,000
|-
![[File:Shinkansen-E.svg|20x20px]] [[Tōhoku Shinkansen]]
|{{STN|Tokyo|x}}||{{STN|Shin-Aomori|x}}
|
|{{cvt|320|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
|{{cvt|674.9|km|0|abbr=on}}
|rowspan="2"|{{ric|JR East|name=y|size=25}}||1982–2010||81,547,000
|14,407,462,000
|-
![[File:Shinkansen-E.svg|20x20px]] [[Jōetsu Shinkansen]]
|{{STN|Ōmiya|x|Saitama}}||{{STN|Niigata|x}}
|{{STN|Tokyo|x}} – {{STN|Niigata|x}}
|{{cvt|275|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
|{{cvt|269.5|km|0|abbr=on}}
|1982||39,776,000
|4,577,061,000
|-
![[File:Shinkansen-E.svg|20x20px]] [[File:Shinkansen jrw.svg|20x20px|■]] [[Hokuriku Shinkansen]]
|{{STN|Takasaki|x}}||[[Tsuruga Station|Tsuruga]]
|{{STN|Tokyo|x}} – [[Tsuruga Station|Tsuruga]]
|{{cvt|260|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
|{{cvt|470.6|km|0|abbr=on}}
||{{ric|JR East|name=y|size=25}}<br />{{ric|JR West|name=y|size=25}}||1997–2024||30,308,000
|3,610,142,000
|-
![[File:Shinkansen jrk.svg|20x20px]] [[Kyushu Shinkansen]]
|{{STN|Hakata|x}}||{{STN|Kagoshima-Chūō|x}}
|
|{{cvt|260|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
|{{cvt|256.8|km|0|abbr=on}}
|rowspan="2"|{{ric|JR Kyushu|name=y|size=25}}||2004–2011|| rowspan="2" |16,089,000
| rowspan="2" |1,952,403,000
|-
![[File:Shinkansen jrk.svg|20x20px]] [[Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen]]
|{{STN|Takeo-Onsen|x}}
|{{STN|Nagasaki|x}}
|
|{{cvt|260|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
|{{cvt|66.0|km|0|abbr=on}}
|2022
|-
![[File:Shinkansen jrh.svg|20x20px]] [[Hokkaido Shinkansen]]
|{{STN|Shin-Aomori|x}}||{{STN|Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto|x}}
|
|{{cvt|260|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
|{{cvt|148.8|km|0|abbr=on}} 
|{{ric|JR Hokkaido|name=y|size=25}}||2016||1,401,000
|239,125,000
|}

In practice, the Tokaido, San'yō, and Kyushu lines form a contiguous west/southbound line from Tokyo, as train services run between the Tokaido and San'yō lines and between the San'yō and Kyushu lines, though the lines are operated by different companies.

The Tokaido Shinkansen tracks are not physically connected to the lines of the Tohoku Shinkansen at Tokyo Station, as they use different electrification standards, signaling systems, and earthquake mitigation devices. There also exists a dispute between JR East and JR Central about the use of the two platforms which were added to the Tokaido line's half of Tokyo station. Before JNR's privatization, they were conceived as being shared with the Tohoku line, and their construction used funds allocated to the Tohoku line's extension to Tokyo; however, the extension was finished after privatization, by which time the platforms were owned by JR Central. Therefore, there is no through service between those lines. All northbound services from Tokyo travel along the Tohoku Shinkansen until at least Ōmiya before splitting off towards Sendai or Takasaki.

==== Mini-Shinkansen ====
{{Main|Mini-shinkansen}}

Instead of constructing a new [[Right of way#Rail right of way|right of way]], two further lines known as [[Mini-shinkansen|Mini-Shinkansen]] have been constructed by re-gauging and upgrading existing sections of conventional lines. The Mini-Shinkansen trains are [[Railway coupling|coupled]] to a Tōhoku Shinkansen train between Tokyo and their start station where they [[Railway coupling|couple]]/decouple on the platform before continuing their journey. While operating on the Mini-Shinkansen lines trains have a maximum speed of {{Convert|130|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Line
! Start
! End
! Operating<br />full route
!Conventional lines used
! Operating<br />speed
! Length
! Operator
! Opened
|-
| [[File:JR logo (east).svg|frameless|21x21px]] [[Yamagata Shinkansen]]
| [[Fukushima Station (Fukushima)|Fukushima]] 
| [[Shinjō Station|Shinjō]]
| [[Tokyo Station|Tokyo]] – [[Shinjō Station|Shinjō]]
| [[Ōu Main Line]]
| {{cvt|130|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
| {{cvt|148.6|km|0|abbr=on}}
| rowspan="2" |{{ric|JR East|name=y|size=25}}
| 1992–1999
|-
| [[File:JR logo (east).svg|frameless|21x21px]] [[Akita Shinkansen]]
| [[Morioka Station|Morioka]] 
| [[Akita Station|Akita]]
| [[Tokyo Station|Tokyo]] – [[Akita Station|Akita]]
|[[Tazawako Line]]
[[Ōu Main Line]]
| {{cvt|130|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
| {{cvt|127.3|km|0|abbr=on}}
| 1997
|}

==== Non-Shinkansen lines operated by Shinkansen trains ====
There are two standard-gauge lines not technically classified as Shinkansen lines but run Shinkansen trains as they use tracks leading to Shinkansen storage/maintenance yards:
* [[Hakata Minami Line]] ([[Hakata Station|Hakata]] – [[Hakataminami Station|Hakataminami]])
* [[Gala-Yuzawa Line]] – technically a branch of the [[Jōetsu Line]] – ([[Echigo-Yuzawa Station|Echigo-Yuzawa]] – [[Gala-Yuzawa Station|Gala-Yuzawa]]). The line serves Gala Yuzawa Ski Resort<small>[[:ja:ガーラ湯沢スキー場|[ja]]]</small> (owned by JR East) and only operates during the winter skiing season (generally mid-December — early May).

=== Lines under construction ===
The following lines are under construction. These lines except [[Chūō Shinkansen]], called {{ill|Seibi Shinkansen|ja|整備新幹線}} or ''planned Shinkansen'', are the Shinkansen projects designated in the {{ill|Basic Plan of the Shinkansen Railway|ja|建設を開始すべき新幹線鉄道の路線を定める基本計画}} decided by the government.

* [[Hokkaido Shinkansen]] from {{STN|Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto|x}} to {{STN|Sapporo|x}} is under construction and scheduled to open by 2038.<ref name=":0" />
* [[Chūō Shinkansen]] (Tokyo–Nagoya–Osaka) is the first [[maglev]] Shinkansen line, which has been under construction since 2014. JR Central originally aimed to begin commercial service between Tokyo and Nagoya in 2027. However, in 2024, Central Japan Railway Co President Shunsuke Niwa said that due to construction delays a 2027 opening was now impossible and it is not expected to open until at least 2034.<ref name="Japan Today-2024">{{Cite web|title=Japan rail operator gives up plan to launch maglev train in 2027|url=https://japantoday.com/category/business/update1-japan-rail-operator-gives-up-plan-to-launch-maglev-train-in-2027|access-date=30 March 2024|website=Japan Today|date=30 March 2024|language=en-GB|archive-date=30 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330000706/https://japantoday.com/category/business/update1-japan-rail-operator-gives-up-plan-to-launch-maglev-train-in-2027|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto" />

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Line
! Route
! Speed
! Length
! Construction<br />began
! Expected start of<br />revenue services
! Operator
|-
| [[File:Shinkansen jrh.svg|20x20px]] [[Hokkaido Shinkansen]] Phase 2 
| [[Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station|Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto]] – [[Sapporo Station|Sapporo]]
| {{convert|320|km/h|0|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |title=札幌延伸に向けた取り組み・札幌駅部の新幹線工事・札幌駅周辺開発｜北海道新幹線 |url=https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/corporate/shinkansen/stretching.html |publisher=JR Hokkaido |access-date=28 September 2025 |language=ja |quote=320km/h化の実施に向けて調整を行い、準備が整った工区から順次着工し、現在は工事が進んでいます。}}</ref>
| {{convert|211.3|km|0|abbr=on}}
| 2012 
| FY 2038
| {{ric|JR Hokkaido|name=y|size=25}}
|-
| [[Chūō Shinkansen]] Phase 1
| [[Shinagawa Station|Shinagawa]] – [[Nagoya Station|Nagoya]]
| {{convert|505|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|285.6|km|0|abbr=on}}
| 2014
| 2034
| {{ric|JR Central|name=y|size=25}}
|}

=== Planned lines ===
* The extension of [[Hokuriku Shinkansen]] to [[Osaka]] is proposed, with the route via Obama and Kyoto selected by the government on 20 December 2016.<ref name="railwaygazette.com" /> Construction is proposed to commence in 2030, and take 15 years.
* [[Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen]] has been built to full Shinkansen standards between Takeo-Onsen and Nagasaki, with the existing narrow-gauge line from Shin-Tosu to Takeo Onsen to remain as narrow-gauge track, although there is a proposal to build the section between Shin-Tosu and Takeo Onsen to full Shinkansen standards. In 2018, the [[Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism]] released [[cost-benefit analysis]] results to compare and contrast full Shinkansen, [[Mini-shinkansen]], and [[Gauge Change Train]] for this section.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 March 2018 |title=九州新幹線（西九州ルート）の整備のあり方に係る調査について |trans-title=About the investigation about the maintenance of the Kyushu Shinkansen (West Kyushu route) |url=https://www.mlit.go.jp/report/press/tetsudo03_hh_000081.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705064325/https://www.mlit.go.jp/report/press/tetsudo03_hh_000081.html |archive-date=5 July 2022 |access-date=29 August 2021 |website=mlit.co.jp |language=ja}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Line
! Route
! Speed
! Length
! Construction<br />proposed
! Expected start of<br />revenue services
|-
| [[Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen]] Phase 2
| [[Takeo-Onsen Station|Takeo-Onsen]] – [[Shin-Tosu Station|Shin-Tosu]]
| {{convert|260|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
| TBD
| TBD
| TBD
|-
| [[Hokuriku Shinkansen]] Phase 4 
| [[Tsuruga Station|Tsuruga]] – [[Shin-Ōsaka Station|Shin-Ōsaka]] (via [[Obama Station|Obama]] and [[Kyōto Station|Kyoto]])
| {{convert|260|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
| TBD
| 2030 
| FY2045
|-
| [[Chūō Shinkansen]] Phase 2 
| [[Nagoya Station|Nagoya]] – [[Shin-Ōsaka Station|Shin-Ōsaka]]
| {{convert|505|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|152.4|km|0|abbr=on}}
| TBD
| Unknown<ref name="kyodo03Jul20">{{cite web |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=3 July 2020 |title=JR Central gives up on opening new maglev train service in 2027 |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/07/a97dfd2524f6-shizuoka-says-no-to-construction-for-new-maglev-train-service.html |access-date=8 July 2020 |publisher=Kyodo}}</ref> <small>(Originally 2037)</small>
|}

=== Proposed lines ===
[[File:Planned Shinkansen Map English 2021.svg|thumb|upright=1.2|Map of proposed Shinkansen lines]]
Many Shinkansen lines were proposed during the boom of the early 1970s but have yet to be constructed and have subsequently been shelved indefinitely.
* Hokkaido Shinkansen northward extension: Sapporo–Asahikawa
* {{Nihongo|Hokkaido South Loop Shinkansen|北海道南回り新幹線|Hokkaidō Minami-mawari Shinkansen}}: [[Oshamanbe]]–[[Muroran]]–Sapporo
* {{Nihongo|Uetsu Shinkansen|羽越新幹線}}: [[Toyama, Toyama|Toyama]]–Niigata–Aomori
** Toyama–Jōetsu-Myōkō exists as part of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, and Nagaoka–Niigata exists as part of the Jōetsu Shinkansen, with provisions for the Uetsu Shinkansen at Nagaoka.
* {{Nihongo|Ōu Shinkansen|奥羽新幹線}}: Fukushima–Yamagata–Akita
** Fukushima–Shinjō and Ōmagari–Akita exist as the [[Yamagata Shinkansen]] and [[Akita Shinkansen]], respectively, but as "Mini-Shinkansen" upgrades of existing track, they do not meet the requirements of the Basic Plan.
* {{Nihongo|Hokuriku-Chūkyō Shinkansen|北陸・中京新幹線}}: Nagoya–Tsuruga
* {{Nihongo|Sanin Shinkansen|山陰新幹線}}: Osaka–Tottori–Matsue–Shimonoseki
* {{Nihongo|Trans-Chūgoku Shinkansen|中国横断新幹線|Chūgoku Ōdan Shinkansen}}: Okayama–Matsue
* {{Nihongo|[[Shikoku Shinkansen#Shikoku Shinkansen|Shikoku Shinkansen]]|四国新幹線}}: Osaka–Tokushima–Takamatsu–Matsuyama–Ōita
* {{Nihongo|[[Shikoku Shinkansen#Trans-Shikoku Shinkansen|Trans-Shikoku Shinkansen]]|四国横断新幹線|Shikoku Ōdan Shinkansen}}: Okayama–Kōchi–Matsuyama
** There have been some activity regarding the Shikoku and Trans-Shikoku Shinkansen in recent years. In 2016, the Shikoku and Trans-Shikoku Shinkansen were identified as potential future projects in a review of long-term plans for the Shikoku area and funds allocated towards the planning of the route.<ref>{{cite news |title=新幹線誘致、オ– ル四国で 4県や四経連で新組織結成 |url=https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXLZO18571700W7A700C1LA0000/ |access-date=21 February 2019 |publisher=日本経済新聞}}</ref> A profitability study has also been commissioned by the city of [[Ōita (city)|Oita]] in 2018 that found the route to be potentially profitable<ref>{{cite news |title=豊予海峡ル –ト・新幹線案 １日６８００人利用で黒字 大分市試算 [大分県] |language=ja |trans-title=Toyoyo Strait Route / Shinkansen Proposal Profitable for 6800 people a day Oita City Estimate [Oita Prefecture] |publisher=西日本新聞 |url=https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/oita/article/385544/ |access-date=21 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512114900/https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/n/385544/ |archive-date=12 May 2021}}</ref>
* {{Nihongo|East Kyushu Shinkansen|東九州新幹線|Higashi-Kyushu Shinkansen}}: Fukuoka–Ōita–Miyazaki–Kagoshima
* {{Nihongo|Trans-Kyushu Shinkansen|九州横断新幹線|Kyushu Ōdan Shinkansen}}: Ōita–Kumamoto

In addition, the Basic Plan specified that the Jōetsu Shinkansen should start from [[Shinjuku Station|Shinjuku]], not [[Tokyo Station]], which would have required building an additional {{convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} of track between Shinjuku and Ōmiya. While no construction work was ever started, land along the proposed track, including an underground section leading to Shinjuku Station, remains reserved. If capacity on the Tokyo–Ōmiya section proves insufficient at some point, construction of the Shinjuku–Ōmiya link may be reconsidered.

In December 2009, then transport minister [[Seiji Maehara]] proposed a bullet train link to [[Haneda Airport]], using an existing spur that connects the [[Tōkaidō Shinkansen]] to a train depot. [[JR Central]] called the plan "unrealistic" due to tight train schedules on the existing line, but reports said that Maehara wished to continue discussions on the idea.<ref>{{Cite news|title= Maehara sounds out JR Tokai over shinkansen link for Haneda airport|newspaper= Japan Today |date=28 December 2009 |url= http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/maehara-sounds-out-jr-tokai-over-shinkansen-link-for-haneda-airport |access-date=28 December 2009 }}{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The succeeding minister has not indicated whether this proposal remains supported. While the plan may become more feasible after the opening the Chūō Shinkansen (sometimes referred to as a bypass to the Tokaido Shinkansen) frees up capacity, construction is already underway for other rail improvements between Haneda and Tokyo station expected to be completed prior to the opening of the [[2020 Tokyo Olympics]],{{needs update|date=June 2025}} so any potential Shinkansen service would likely offer only marginal benefit. Despite these plans ultimately not being realized (owing in part due to the effects of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Japan|COVID-19 pandemic]]), rail projects in the vicinity of Haneda Airport, including the [[Haneda Airport Access Line]] and the [[Tokyo Rinkai Subway Line]], continue to undergo planning.<ref>{{cite web |date=21 January 2021 |title=JR East's Haneda Airport Access Line to Open in FY 2029 |url=https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2021012001065/ |access-date=4 January 2023 |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125172245/https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2021012001065/ }}</ref>

=== Cancelled lines ===
The [[Narita Shinkansen]] project to connect Tokyo to [[Narita International Airport]], initiated in the 1970s but halted in 1983 after landowner protests, has been officially cancelled and removed from the Basic Plan governing Shinkansen construction. Parts of its planned right-of-way were used by the [[Narita Sky Access Line]] which opened in 2010, and the [[Keiyo Line]] reused space originally set aside for the Narita Shinkansen terminus at [[Tokyo Station]]. Although the Sky Access Line uses standard-gauge track, it was not built to Shinkansen specifications and there are no plans to convert it into a full Shinkansen line.

== Services ==
{{One source section|date=January 2023}}
[[File:JR-Central-Tokyo-STA Home14-15.jpg|thumb|Tokyo Station Tokaido Shinkansen platforms, September 2021]]
[[File:Shinkansen tickets.jpg|thumb|The Shinkansen fare system is integrated with Japan's low-speed intercity railway lines, with a surcharge required to ride the Shinkansen. Here, an ordinary ticket from [[Tokyo Station|Tokyo]] to [[Takamatsu Station (Kagawa)|Takamatsu]] is coupled with a Shinkansen express fare ticket from Tokyo to [[Okayama Station|Okayama]], allowing use of the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Okayama and use of local lines from Okayama to Takamatsu. For trips exclusively on one Shinkansen, the base fare and Shinkansen express fare may be combined into a single ticket.]]

Originally intended to carry passenger trains by day and freight trains by night, the Shinkansen lines carried exclusively passengers for the first five and a half decades of their operation. Light freight has been carried on some passenger services since 2019, and there are plans to expand this with freight-only trains in the future.<ref>{{cite news |title=Japanese high speed rail freight services expand |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/high-speed/japanese-high-speed-rail-freight-services-expand/66634.article |access-date=5 June 2024 |work=Railway Gazette International |publisher=DVV Media International |date=5 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=荷物専用の臨時列車、上越新幹線を走る JR東が初めて実験：朝日新聞デジタル |url=https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASR805WFFR80ULFA022.html |access-date=5 June 2024 |work=朝日新聞デジタル |date=31 August 2023 |language=ja}}</ref>

The system shuts down between midnight and 06:00 every day for maintenance. Japan's few remaining overnight passenger trains run on the older, narrow-gauge network that the Shinkansen parallels.

There are three principal service types on the Shinkansen:

* '''Express services''' – these stop at only the very largest stations and, as a result, are the fastest Shinkansen services measured by average speed.
* '''Semi-express services''' – these stop at certain smaller stops alongside stopping at all the largest stations. These allow for faster connections from smaller stops to larger stations than would be otherwise possible with a local service.
* '''Local services''' – these stop at every station along the Shinkansen line. Consequently, local services are the slowest Shinkansen services measured by average speed. Frequently, these services only operate on a part of the line, instead of covering the entirety.

=== Tōkaidō, San'yō and Kyushu Shinkansen ===
* ''[[Nozomi (train)|Nozomi]]'' (express, Tokaido and San'yō)
* ''[[Hikari (train)|Hikari]]'' (semi-express, Tokaido and San'yō)
* ''[[Hikari Rail Star]]'' (semi-express, San'yō)
* ''[[Kodama (train)|Kodama]]'' (local, Tokaido and San'yō)
* ''[[Sakura (train)|Sakura]]'' (semi-express, San'yō and Kyushu)
* ''[[Mizuho (train)|Mizuho]]'' (express, San'yō and Kyushu)
* ''[[Tsubame (train)|Tsubame]]'' (local, Kyushu)

=== Tōhoku, Hokkaido, Yamagata and Akita Shinkansen ===
* ''[[Hayabusa (train)|Hayabusa]]'' (express, Tohoku & Hokkaido, using [[E5 series]]/[[H5 series]] trains)
* ''[[Hayate (train)|Hayate]]'' (local, Tohoku & Hokkaido. Express discontinued in 2019)
* ''[[Yamabiko]]'' (semi-express, Tohoku)
* ''[[Nasuno]]'' (local, Tohoku)
* ''[[Aoba (train)|Aoba]]'' (discontinued)
* ''[[Komachi (train)|Komachi]]'' (Akita)
* ''[[Tsubasa (train)|Tsubasa]]'' (Yamagata)

=== Jōetsu Shinkansen ===
* ''[[Toki (train)|Toki / Max Toki]]'' (semi-express, Jōetsu)
* ''[[Tanigawa (train)|Tanigawa / Max Tanigawa]]'' (local, Jōetsu)
* ''[[Asahi (train)|Asahi / Max Asahi]]'' (discontinued)

===Hokuriku Shinkansen===
* ''[[Kagayaki]]'' (express, Hokuriku)
* ''[[Hakutaka (train)|Hakutaka]]'' (semi-express, Hokuriku)
* ''[[Tsurugi (train)|Tsurugi]]'' (local, Hokuriku)
* ''[[Asama (train)|Asama]]'' (local, Hokuriku)

=== Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen ===
* ''[[Kamome (train)|Kamome]]''<ref name="kamome_selection" />

== Train types ==
Trains are up to sixteen cars long. With each car measuring {{convert|25|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length, the longest trains are 400&nbsp;m ({{fraction|4}}&nbsp;mile) end to end. Stations are similarly long to accommodate these trains. Some of Japan's high-speed maglev trains are considered Shinkansen,<ref>{{cite web |date=27 March 2009 |title=FY2009 Key Measures and Capital Investment – Central Japan Railway Company |url=http://english.jr-central.co.jp/news/n20090327/ |access-date=21 June 2009 |website=Central Japan Railway Company}}</ref> while other slower maglev trains (such as [[Linimo]], serving local communities in and nearby [[Nagoya]], [[Aichi Prefecture]]) are intended as alternatives to conventional urban [[rapid transit]] systems.

=== Passenger trains ===
==== Tōkaidō and San'yō Shinkansen ====
* [[0 Series Shinkansen|0 series]]: The first Shinkansen trains which entered service in 1964. Maximum operating speed was {{convert|220|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}. More than 3,200 cars were built. Withdrawn in December 2008.
* [[100 Series Shinkansen|100 series]]: Entered service in 1985, and featured [[bilevel cars]] with restaurant car and compartments. Maximum operating speed was {{convert|230|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}. Later used only on San'yō Shinkansen ''[[Kodama (train)|Kodama]]'' services. Withdrawn in March 2012.
* [[300 Series Shinkansen|300 series]]: Entered service in 1992, initially on ''[[Nozomi (train)|Nozomi]]'' services with maximum operating speed of {{convert|270|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}. Withdrawn in March 2012.
* [[500 Series Shinkansen|500 series]]: Introduced on ''Nozomi'' services in 1997, with an operating speed of {{convert|300|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}. Since 2008, sets have been shortened from 16 to 8 cars for use on San'yō Shinkansen ''Kodama'' services.
* [[700 Series Shinkansen|700 series]]: Introduced in 1999, with maximum operating speed of {{convert|285|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}. The JR Central owned units were withdrawn in March 2020, with the JR West owned units continuing to operate on the [[San'yō Shinkansen]] line between Shin-Osaka and Hakata.
* [[N700 Series Shinkansen|N700 series]]: In service since 2007, with a maximum operating speed of {{convert|300|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}.
* [[N700 Series Shinkansen|N700A series]]: An upgraded version of N700 series with improved acceleration & deceleration and quieter traction motors. All N700 series sets have been converted to N700A.
* [[N700S Series Shinkansen|N700S series]]: An evolution of the N700 series. First trainset was rolled out in 2019 with passenger services commencing on 1 July 2020.
<gallery class="center">
File:Shinkansen Series0 R67 JNRcolor.jpg|0 series
File:Shinkansen100.jpg|100 series
File:JR Central Shinkansen 300.jpg|300 series
File:Shinkansen 500 series W2 formation.jpg|500 series
File:JR Central Shinkansen 700.jpg|700 series
File:Shinkansen 700 Rail Star (8086223807).jpg|700 series (Hikari Rail Star)
File:Shinkansen N700 z15.jpg|N700 series
File:Series-N700A-F20.jpg|N700A series
File:Series-N700S-J2.jpg|N700S series
</gallery>

==== Kyushu and Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen ====
* [[800 Series Shinkansen|800 series]]: In service since 2004 on ''[[Tsubame (train)|Tsubame]]'' services, with a maximum speed of {{convert|260|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}.
* [[N700 Series Shinkansen#8-car S sets (N700-7000 series)|N700-7000/8000 series]] In service since March 2011 on ''[[Mizuho (train)|Mizuho]]'' and ''[[Sakura (train)|Sakura]]'' services with a maximum speed of {{convert|300|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}.
* [[N700S Series Shinkansen|N700S-8000 series]]: 6-car trains introduced in 2022<ref name="ReferenceB" /> on the ''[[Kamome/Relay Kamome|Kamome]]'' services with a maximum speed of {{convert|260|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.
<gallery class="center">
File:JRK-800 U004 2020-10-12.jpg|800 series
File:Shinkansen N700-7000 S1 (49766090102).jpg|N700 series (Kyushu)
File:N700S-Y4 Kamome-29.jpg|N700S-8000 series (Nishi Kyushu)
</gallery>

==== Tohoku, Hokkaido, Joetsu, and Hokuriku Shinkansen ====
* [[200 Series Shinkansen|200 series]]: The first type introduced on the [[Tōhoku Shinkansen|Tohoku]] and [[Joetsu Shinkansen]] in 1982 and withdrawn in April 2013. Maximum speed was {{convert|240|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}. The final configuration was as 10-car sets. 12-car and 16-car sets also operated at earlier times. 
* [[E1 Series Shinkansen|E1 series]]: [[Bilevel car|Bilevel]] 12-car trains introduced in 1994 and withdrawn in September 2012. Maximum speed was {{convert|240|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}. 
* [[E2 Series Shinkansen|E2 series]]: 8/10-car sets in service since 1997 with a maximum speed of {{convert|275|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}.
* [[E4 Series Shinkansen|E4 series]]: [[Bilevel car|Bilevel]] 8-car trains introduced in 1997 and withdrawn in October 2021. Maximum speed was {{convert|240|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}.
* [[E5 and H5 Series Shinkansen|E5 series]]: 10-car sets in service since March 2011 with a maximum speed of {{convert|320|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}.
* [[E5 and H5 Series Shinkansen|H5 series]]: The cold weather derivative of the E5 series. 10-car sets entered service from March 2016 on the [[Hokkaido Shinkansen]] with a maximum speed of {{convert|320|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}.<ref name="jrhokkaido20140416">{{cite web|url= https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/press/2014/140416-1.pdf|script-title= ja:北海道新幹線用車両について|trans-title= Hokkaido Shinkansen Train Details|date=16 April 2014|work= News release|publisher= Hokkaido Railway Company|location= Japan|language= ja|access-date=16 April 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140416081225/https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/press/2014/140416-1.pdf|archive-date=16 April 2014}}</ref><ref name="yomiuri20140416">{{cite web |url= http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/hokkaido/news/20140416-OYTNT50008.html|script-title=ja:北海道新幹線「Ｈ５系」、内装には雪の結晶も|trans-title= Hokkaido Shinkansen "H5 series" – Interiors to feature snowflake design|date=16 April 2014|work= Yomiuri Online|publisher= The Yomiuri Shimbun|location= Japan|language= ja|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140415234044/http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/hokkaido/news/20140416-OYTNT50008.html|archive-date=15 April 2014|access-date=16 April 2014}}</ref>
* [[E7 and W7 Series Shinkansen|E7 series]]: 12-car trains operated on the [[Hokuriku Shinkansen]] since March 2014, with a maximum speed of {{convert|260|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}.<ref name="jreast20120904">{{cite web |url= http://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2012/20120903.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221010/http://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2012/20120903.pdf |archive-date=10 October 2022 |url-status=live|script-title=ja:北陸新幹線用の新型車両について|trans-title= New trains for Hokuriku Shinkansen|date=4 September 2012|work= Press release|publisher= JR East & JR West|location= Japan|language= ja|access-date=4 September 2012}}</ref> In 2019, the E7 series began operating on the Joetsu Shinkansen.
* [[E7 and W7 Series Shinkansen|W7 series]]: 12-car trains operated on the Hokuriku Shinkansen since March 2015, with a maximum speed of {{convert|260|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}.<ref name="jreast20120904" />
<gallery class="center">
File:JR East Shinkansen 200(renewal).jpg|200 series
File:JReastE1 Omiya 20120918.jpg|E1 series
File:Series-E2-1000-J70.jpg|E2 series
File:Series-E4-P13.jpg|E4 series
File:JRE-TEC-E5 omiya.JPG|E5 series
File:H5kei hayabusa and E6kei komachi.JPG|H5 series
File:Series-E7-F19.jpg|E7 series
File:JRW-Series-W7 W3.jpg|W7 series
</gallery>

==== Yamagata and Akita Shinkansen ====
* [[400 Series Shinkansen|400 series]]: The first [[Mini-shinkansen]] type, introduced in 1992 on [[Yamagata Shinkansen]] ''[[Tsubasa (train)|Tsubasa]]'' services with a maximum speed of 240&nbsp;km/h. Withdrawn in April 2010.
* [[E3 Series Shinkansen|E3 series]]: Introduced in 1997 on [[Akita Shinkansen]] ''[[Komachi (train)|Komachi]]'' and [[Yamagata Shinkansen]] ''[[Tsubasa (train)|Tsubasa]]'' services with a maximum speed of 275&nbsp;km/h, later operated solely on the Yamagata Shinkansen.
* [[E6 Series Shinkansen|E6 series]]: Introduced in March 2013 on Akita Shinkansen ''Komachi'' services, with a maximum speed of {{convert|300|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}, raised to {{convert|320|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}} in March 2014.
* [[E8 Series Shinkansen|E8 series]]: Replacement of the E3 series for Tsubasa services introduced from 2024.
<gallery class="center">
File:400 L3 Tsubasa Yamagata 20020824.jpg|400 series
File:E3-Komachi-R20-131109.JPG|E3 series (Komachi)
File:E3-2000 L67 Akayu Tsubasa 128 20150905.jpg|E3 series (Tsubasa)
File:E6 series Z12 Komachi 20161013.jpg|E6 series
File:Shinkansen E8 series test.jpg|E8 series
</gallery>

=== Experimental trains ===
* [[Class 1000 Shinkansen|Class 1000]] – 1961
* [[Class 951 Shinkansen|Class 951]] – 1969
* [[Class 961 Shinkansen|Class 961]] – 1973
* [[Class 962 Shinkansen|Class 962]] – 1979
* [[WIN350|500-900 series "WIN350"]] – 1992
* [[STAR21|Class 952/953 "STAR21"]] – 1992
* [[300X|Class 955 "300X"]] – 1994 
* [[Gauge Change Train]] – 1998 to present
* [[Fastech 360#Class E954 Fastech 360S|Class E954 "Fastech 360S"]] – 2004
* [[Fastech 360#Class E955 Fastech 360Z|Class E955 "Fastech 360Z"]] – 2005
* [[ALFA-X#Class E956 ALFA-X|Class E956 "ALFA-X"]] – 2019
<gallery class="center">
Class 1000 Shinkansen Photograph.png|Class 1000
File:951-1 RTRI Kokubunji 199711.jpg|Class 951
File:JNR shinkansen 961 sendai.jpg|Class 961
File:925-10 S2 Takasaki 20020925.jpg|Class 962
File:WIN350 Maibara 19981011.jpg|WIN350
File:STAR21 952-1 Maibara 20060727.JPG|STAR21
File:Shinkansen955-1-2.jpg|300X
File:Gauge Changing Train 20120912.jpg|Gauge change train (2nd generation)
File:E954 S9 Sendai 20060421.jpg|Fastech 360S
File:E955 Sendai General Shinkansen Depot 20080726.jpg|Fastech 360Z
File:E956S13Sendai.jpg|ALFA-X
</gallery>

=== Maglev trains ===
''These trains were and are used only for experimental runs, though the L0 series could be a passenger train.''
* LSM200 – 1972
* ML100 – 1972
* ML100A – 1975
* ML-500 – 1977
* ML-500R – 1979
* MLU001 – 1981
* MLU002 – 1987 
* MLU002N – 1993
* MLX01 – 1996
* [[L0 series]] – 2012
<gallery class="center">
File:ML100 RTRI 20151010.JPG|ML100
File:ML500 RTRI 20151010.JPG|ML500
File:JR MLX01-1 001.jpg|MLX01
File:Series_L0.JPG|L0 series
</gallery>

=== Maintenance vehicles ===
* 911 Type diesel [[locomotive]]
* 912 Type diesel locomotive
* DD18 Type diesel locomotive
* DD19 Type diesel locomotive
* 941 Type (rescue train)
* 921 Type (track inspection car)
* 922 Type (''[[Doctor Yellow]]'' sets T1, T2, T3)
* 923 Type (''Doctor Yellow'' sets T4, T5)
* 925 Type (''Doctor Yellow'' sets S1, S2)
* E926 Type (''[[Doctor Yellow#For Tōhoku, Jōetsu, Hokuriku, Yamagata, and Akita Shinkansen|East i]]'')
<gallery class="center">
File:Class 922 Doctor Yellow set T2.jpg|Doctor Yellow Type 922
File:Type923-T4.jpg|Doctor Yellow Type 923
File:925-10 S2 Takasaki 20020925.jpg|Doctor Yellow Type 925
File:TypeE926.jpg|Type E926 East-i
File:911 dl.JPG|Type 911 locomotive
File:Tokaido Shinkansen Kyoto station railway track maintenancea line 02.jpg|Track maintenance vehicles stabled along sidings outside [[Kyoto station]]
File:Multiple Tie Tamper.jpg|[[Tamping machine]]
File:バラスト整理車.jpg|[[Ballast cleaner]]
File:延線車.jpg|Overhead line replacement vehicle
File:装柱車.jpg|Loading vehicle

</gallery>

== Speed records ==

=== Traditional rail ===
[[File:300x-955-6.jpg|thumb|Class 955 "300X"]]
{|class="wikitable"
!colspan=2| Speed<ref name="Semmens1997">{{Cite book| last = Semmens | first = Peter | title = High Speed in Japan: Shinkansen – The World's Busiest High-speed Railway | publisher = Platform 5 Publishing | year = 1997 | location = Sheffield, UK | isbn = 1-872524-88-5}}</ref>
!rowspan=2| Train
!rowspan=2| Location
!rowspan=2| Date
!rowspan=2| Comments
|-
!km/h
!mph
|-
| {{convert|200|km/h|mph|0|disp=table}}
| [[Class 1000 Shinkansen]]
| Kamonomiya test track in [[Odawara, Kanagawa|Odawara]], part of [[Tōkaidō Shinkansen]]
|align=right| 31 October 1962
|
|-
| {{convert|256|km/h|mph|0|disp=table}}
| Class 1000 Shinkansen
| Kamonomiya test track
|align=right| 30 March 1963
| Former [[Land speed record for railed vehicles|world speed record]] for [[Electric multiple unit|EMU]] trains.
|-
| {{convert|286|km/h|mph|0|disp=table}}
| [[Class 951 Shinkansen]]
| [[San'yō Shinkansen]]
|align=right| 24 February 1972
| Former world speed record for EMU trains.
|-
| {{convert|319|km/h|mph|0|disp=table}}
| [[Class 961 Shinkansen]]
| [[Oyama, Tochigi|Oyama]] test track, part of [[Tōhoku Shinkansen]]
|align=right| 7 December 1979
| Former world speed record for EMU trains.
|-
| {{convert|326|km/h|mph|0|disp=table}}
| [[300 Series Shinkansen|300 series]]
| Tōkaidō Shinkansen
|align=right| 28 February 1991
|
|-
| {{convert|336|km/h|mph|0|disp=table}}
| [[400 Series Shinkansen|400 series]]
| [[Jōetsu Shinkansen]]
|align=right| 26 March 1991
|
|-
| {{convert|345|km/h|mph|0|disp=table}}
| [[400 Series Shinkansen|400 series]]
| Jōetsu Shinkansen
|align=right| 19 September 1991
|
|-
| {{convert|346|km/h|mph|0|disp=table}}
| [[WIN350|500-900 series "WIN350"]]
| [[San'yō Shinkansen]]
|align=right| 6 August 1992
|
|-
| {{convert|350|km/h|mph|0|disp=table}}
| 500–900 series "WIN350" || San'yō Shinkansen
|align=right| 8 August 1992
|
|-
| {{convert|352|km/h|mph|0|disp=table}}
| [[STAR21|Class 952/953 "STAR21"]]
| [[Jōetsu Shinkansen]]
|align=right| 30 October 1992
|
|-
| {{convert|425|km/h|mph|0|disp=table}}
| Class 952/953 "STAR21"
| Jōetsu Shinkansen
|align=right| 21 December 1993
|
|-
| {{convert|427|km/h|mph|0|disp=table}}
| [[300X|Class 955 "300X"]]
| Tōkaidō Shinkansen
|align=right| 11 July 1996
|
|-
| {{convert|443|km/h|mph|0|disp=table}}
| Class 955 "300X"
| Tōkaidō Shinkansen
|align=right| 26 July 1996
|
|}

=== Maglev ===
[[File:JR Central SCMaglev L0 Series Shinkansen 201408081002.jpg|thumb|[[L0 Series Shinkansen]], unconventional world speed record holder ({{convert|603|km/h|1|abbr=on|disp=or}})]]

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan=2| Speed
!rowspan=2| Train
!rowspan=2| Location
!rowspan=2| Date
!rowspan=2| Comments
|-
!km/h
!mph
|-
| {{convert|550|km/h|mph|0|disp=table}}
| rowspan=3|[[SCMaglev|MLX01]]
| rowspan=5|[[Chūō Shinkansen]] (Yamanashi test track)
|align=right| 24 December 1997
| rowspan=4|Former [[Land speed record for railed vehicles|world speed record]]
|-
| {{convert|552|km/h|mph|0|disp=table}}
|align=right| 14 April 1999
|-
| {{convert|581|km/h|mph|0|disp=table}}
|align=right| 2 December 2003
|-
| {{convert|590|km/h|mph|0|disp=table}}
| rowspan=2|[[L0 Series Shinkansen|L0 series]]
|align=right| 16 April 2015<ref name="yomiuri20150416">{{cite web |url= http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20150416-OYT1T50132.html|script-title=ja: リニア「Ｌ０系」、世界最高の５９０キロ記録|trans-title= L0 series maglev sets world speed record of 590&nbsp;km/h |date=16 April 2015 |work= Yomiuri Online|publisher= The Yomiuri Shimbunl|location= Japan|language= ja|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150416230147/http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20150416-OYT1T50132.html|archive-date=16 April 2015|access-date=17 April 2015}}</ref>
|-
| {{convert|603|km/h|mph|0|disp=table}}
|align=right| 21 April 2015<ref name="guardian20150421" />
| World speed record
|}

== Reliability ==

=== Punctuality ===
The Shinkansen is very reliable thanks to several factors, including its near-total separation from slower traffic. There are separate laws governing interfering with or otherwise obstructing Shinkansen trains, tracks, or its operation.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} In 2016, [[JR Central]] reported that the Shinkansen's average delay from schedule per train was 24 seconds. This includes delays due to uncontrollable causes, such as natural disasters.<ref>{{cite web|title=Central Japan Railway Company Annual Report 2016|url=http://english.jr-central.co.jp/company/ir/annualreport/_pdf/annualreport2016.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705033221/http://english.jr-central.co.jp/company/ir/annualreport/_pdf/annualreport2016.pdf |archive-date=5 July 2017 |url-status=live|page=18|access-date=24 July 2016}}</ref>

=== Safety record ===
Over the Shinkansen's 60-plus year history, carrying over 10 billion passengers, there have been no passenger fatalities due to train accidents such as derailments or collisions,<ref name="Safety" /> despite frequent earthquakes and typhoons. Injuries and a [[Mishima Station incident|single fatality]] have been caused by doors closing on passengers or their belongings; attendants are employed at platforms to prevent such accidents.<ref>{{citation |title=Railway to pay for 1995 fatality; Shinkansen victim's parents win 49 million yen in damages |date=8 March 2001 |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2001/03/08/national/railway-to-pay-for-1995-fatality/ |newspaper=[[The Japan Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613041921/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2001/03/08/national/railway-to-pay-for-1995-fatality/ |archive-date=13 June 2022}}</ref> There have, however, been suicides by passengers jumping both from and in front of moving trains.<ref> [https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/03/54427e0dd915-all-tohoku-shinkansen-services-halted-after-person-hit-by-train.html All Tohoku Shinkansen services halted after person hit by train] [[Kyodo News]]. March 10, 2025.</ref><ref> [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33322794 Japan bullet train 'self-immolation' fire kills two]. June 30, 2015. [[BBC News]]</ref>

There have been two derailments of Shinkansen trains in passenger service. The first one occurred during the [[2004 Chūetsu earthquake|Chūetsu earthquake on 23 October 2004]]. Eight of ten cars of the [[Derailment of Shangye-Yuehou New Trunk Line|''Toki'' No. 325 train on the Jōetsu Shinkansen derailed]] near [[Nagaoka Station]] in [[Nagaoka, Niigata]]. There were no casualties among the 154 passengers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Report on Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake |url=http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/investor/ar/2005/pdf/ar2005_17.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519015119/https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/investor/ar/2005/pdf/ar2005_17.pdf |archive-date=19 May 2021 |access-date=10 July 2022 |website=jreast.co.jp}}&nbsp;{{small|(43.8&nbsp;KB)}}</ref>

Another derailment happened on 2 March 2013 on the [[Akita Shinkansen]] when the ''Komachi'' No. 25 train derailed in blizzard conditions in [[Daisen, Akita]]. No passengers were injured.<ref name="straitstimes20130332">{{cite news |date=2 March 2013 |title=High-speed bullet train derails in Japan: Media |work=The Sunday Times |publisher=Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. |location=Singapore |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/asia/story/high-speed-bullet-train-derails-japan-media-20130302 |access-date=30 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516080001/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/high-speed-bullet-train-derails-in-japan-media |archive-date=16 May 2021}}</ref>

In the event of an earthquake, an earthquake detection system can bring the train to a stop very quickly; newer trainsets are lighter and have stronger braking systems, allowing for quicker stopping. New anti-derailment devices were installed on tracks after analysis of the Jōetsu derailment.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Development of Device to Prevent Deviation of the Tokaido Shinkansen during an Earthquake | url=https://www.jsme.or.jp/jsme/uploads/2016/11/awardn11-3.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214005937/https://www.jsme.or.jp/jsme/uploads/2016/11/awardn11-3.pdf | archive-date=14 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Preparing for Major Earthquakes | author=Norimichi Kumagai | url=https://www.ejrcf.or.jp/jrtr/jrtr60/pdf/34-41_web.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191126113337/http://www.ejrcf.or.jp/jrtr/jrtr60/pdf/34-41_web.pdf | archive-date=26 November 2019 | access-date=18 February 2024 | url-status=live }}</ref>

Several months after the exposure of the [[Kobe Steel#Scandal|Kobe Steel falsification scandal]], which is among the suppliers of [[High-strength low-alloy steel|high-strength steel]] for Shinkansen trainsets, cracks were found upon inspection of a single [[bogie]], and removed from service on 11 December 2017.<ref name="rg20171213">{{cite web |date=13 December 2017 |title=Crack found in Shinkansen trainset bogie |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/high-speed/single-view/view/crack-found-in-shinkansen-trainset-bogie.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213202108/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/high-speed/single-view/view/crack-found-in-shinkansen-trainset-bogie.html |archive-date=13 December 2017 |access-date=15 December 2017 |work=Railway Gazette}}</ref>

On 23 January 2024, a massive power outage struck the Tohoku, Hokuriku and Joetsu Shinkansen lines, resulting in the cancellation of 283 trains and affecting about 120,000 passengers. [[JR East]] said that the outage was caused by a Kagayaki service train touching an overhead power cable which was left dangling after the metal rod supporting it fractured between [[Ōmiya Station (Saitama)|Omiya Station]] in [[Saitama (city)|Saitama]] and [[Ueno Station]] in Tokyo. The incident damaged the train's pantographs and a window,<ref>{{cite web |date=24 January 2024 |title=JR East: Damage to overhead power cable part led to Shinkansen disruption |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240124_22/ |access-date=24 January 2024 |work=NHK}}</ref> while two railway employees were hospitalized following an explosion that occurred at the site during repairs.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 January 2024 |title=Disruption of Japan's Shinkansen service sends passengers scrambling |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/3009/ |access-date=24 January 2024 |work=NHK}}</ref> Most Shinkansen services were restored the following morning.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 January 2024 |title=Bullet trains restart in east Japan 20 hours after power outage |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/01/7398611df12a-bullet-train-services-restart-in-east-japan-after-power-outage.html |access-date=24 January 2024 |work=Kyodo News}}</ref>

In September 2024 and March 2025, two decoupling incidents took place on trains servicing the Tohoku line.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 March 2025 |title=Suspended bullet trains in Japan restart after decoupling incident |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/03/bb2b35f5abe4-urgent-suspended-bullet-trains-in-japan-restart-after-decoupling-incident.html |access-date=14 March 2025 |work=Kyodo News}}</ref>

On 15 August 2025, a burning smell was noticed by crew members aboard a [[Kodama (train)|Kodama]] service of the [[Tokaido Shinkansen]]. At the time, the [[N700S Series Shinkansen|N700S set]] was travelling between [[Maibara Station|Maibara]] and [[Gifu-Hashima Station|Gifu-Hashima station]], where the train was stopped and white smoke was found coming from underneath car number 9. The fire department was called, and identified a fire on the underside of the vehicle. There were no reported injuries, but the 250 passengers were forced to disembark and take a later [[Nozomi (train)|Nozomi]] service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 August 2025 |title=Smoke disrupts Tokaido Shinkansen services in central Japan |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250816_07/|access-date=16 August 2025 |website=NHK |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 August 2025 |title=Smoke halts shinkansen bullet train in Gifu, central Japan |website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEUjgUc_wBA|access-date=20 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

== Effects ==

=== Economics ===
The Shinkansen has had a significant beneficial effect on Japan's business, economy, society, environment and culture beyond mere construction and operational contributions.<ref name="jrtr-okada">{{cite web |title=Features and Economic and Social Effects of The Shinkansen |url=http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr03/f09_oka.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110165031/http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr03/f09_oka.html |archive-date=10 January 2011 |access-date=30 November 2009 |publisher=Jrtr.net}}</ref> The resultant time savings alone from switching from a conventional to a high-speed network have been estimated at 400 million hours, and the system has an economic contribution of {{JPY|500 billion}} per year.<ref name="jrtr-okada" /> That does not include the savings from reduced reliance on imported fuel, which also has [[national security]] benefits. Shinkansen lines, particularly in the very crowded coastal [[Taiheiyō Belt]] [[megalopolis (city type)|megalopolis]], met two primary goals:

* Shinkansen trains reduced the congestion burden on regional transportation by increasing throughput on a minimal land footprint, therefore being economically preferable compared to modes (such as airports or highways) common in less densely populated regions of the world. 
* As rail was already the primary urban mode of passenger travel, from that perspective it was akin to a [[sunk cost]]; there was not a significant number of motorists to convince to switch modes. The initial megalopolitan Shinkansen lines were profitable and paid for themselves. Connectivity rejuvenated rural towns such as [[Kakegawa, Shizuoka|Kakegawa]] that would otherwise be too distant from major cities.<ref name="jrtr-okada" />

However, upon the introduction of the 1973 Basic Plan the initial prudence in developing Shinkansen lines gave way to political considerations to extend the mode to far less populated regions of the country, partly to spread these benefits beyond the key centres of [[Kantō region|Kanto]] and [[Kinki]]. Although in some cases regional extension was frustrated by protracted land acquisition (sometimes influenced by the cancellation of the Narita Shinkansen following fierce protests by locals), over time Shinkansen lines were built to relatively sparsely populated areas with the intent to disperse the population away from the capital.

Such expansion had a significant cost. JNR, the national railway company, was already burdened with subsidizing unprofitable rural and regional railways. It then assumed Shinkansen construction debt until the government corporation eventually owed some {{JPY|28 trillion}}, contributing to it being regionalised and privatized in 1987.<ref name="jrtr-kakumoto">{{cite web |url=http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr22/F23_Kakumoto.html |title=Sensible Politics and Transport Theories? |publisher=Jrtr.net |access-date=30 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606151933/http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr22/F23_Kakumoto.html |archive-date=6 June 2009 }}</ref> The privatized JRs eventually paid {{JPY|9.2 trillion}} to acquire JNR's Shinkansen network.<ref name="jrtr-okada" />

Following privatization, the JR group of companies have continued Shinkansen network expansion to less populated areas, but with far more flexibility to [[Corporate spin-off|spin-off]] unprofitable railways or cut costs than in JNR days. An important factor is the post [[Japanese asset price bubble|bubble]] [[zero interest-rate policy]] that allows JR to borrow huge sums of capital without significant concern regarding [[Amortization schedule|repayment timing]].

A [[University of California, Los Angeles|UCLA]] study found that the presence of a Shinkansen line had improved housing affordability by making it more realistic for lower-income city workers to live in exurban areas much further away from the city, which tend to have cheaper housing options. That in turn helps the city to "decentralise" and reduce city property prices.<ref>{{cite web |last=Eaton |first=Joe |title=High-Speed Rail Helped Keep Housing Affordable in Japan. Could It Do the Same for California? |url=https://psmag.com/economics/high-speed-rail-means-low-cost-housing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015014529/https://psmag.com/economics/high-speed-rail-means-low-cost-housing |archive-date=15 October 2021 |access-date=10 July 2022 |website=Pacific Standard |date=28 January 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Environment ===
Traveling by the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka produces only around 16% of the [[carbon dioxide]] of the equivalent journey by car, a saving of 15,000 tons of {{co2}} per year.<ref name="jrtr-okada" />

== Challenges ==

=== Noise pollution ===
[[Noise pollution]] concerns have made increasing speed more difficult. In Japan, [[population density]] is high and there have been strong protests against the Shinkansen's noise pollution. Its noise is thus limited to less than 70 [[Decibel|dB]] in residential areas.<ref>{{cite web |title=新幹線鉄道騒音に係る環境基準について |trans-title=About environmental standards related to Shinkansen railway noise |url=http://www.env.go.jp/kijun/oto3.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510054046/http://www.env.go.jp/kijun/oto3.html |archive-date=10 May 2022 |access-date=10 July 2022 |website=env.go.jp |publisher= |language=ja}}</ref>
Improvement and reduction of the [[pantograph (rail)|pantograph]], weight saving of cars, and construction of [[noise barrier]]s and other measures have been implemented. Research is primarily aimed at reducing operational noise, particularly the [[tunnel boom]] phenomenon caused when trains transit tunnels at high speed.

=== Earthquake ===
Because of the risk of earthquakes in Japan, the Urgent Earthquake Detection and Alarm System (UrEDAS) (an [[earthquake warning system]]) was introduced in 1992. It enables automatic braking of Shinkansen trains in the event of large earthquakes.

=== Heavy snow ===
The [[Tōkaidō Shinkansen]] often experiences heavy snow in the area around [[Maibara Station]] between December and February, requiring trains to reduce speed thus disrupting the timetable. Snow-dispersing sprinkler systems have been installed, but delays of 10–20 minutes still occur during snowy weather. Snow-related treefalls have also caused service interruptions. Along the [[Jōetsu Shinkansen]] route, snow can be very heavy, with depths of two to three metres; the line is equipped with stronger sprinklers and [[Ballastless track|slab track]] to mitigate the snow's effects. Despite having multiple days with delays longer than 30 minutes, the [[Tōhoku Shinkansen]] still presents a slight advantage in reliability compared to air travel on days with significant snowfall.<ref name=":2" />

== Ridership ==
{{update|date=July 2024}}

===Annual===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+  Annual ridership figures for selected years (in millions of passengers)<ref>{{cite web |title=国土交通省鉄道輸送統計年報（平成19年度） |trans-title=Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Railway Transportation Statistics Annual Report (2007) |url=http://www.mlit.go.jp/k-toukei/10/10a0excel.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514103232/http://www.mlit.go.jp/k-toukei/10/10a0excel.html |archive-date=14 May 2011 |access-date=19 December 2010 |language=ja}}</ref>
|-
! !! Tokaido !! Tohoku !! San'yō !! Joetsu !! Nagano (Hokuriku) !! Kyushu !! Hokkaido !! Sum* !! Total<br />(excl. transfers)
|-
! [[Fiscal year#Japan|FY]]2007
| 151.32
| 84.83
| 64.43
| 38.29
| 10.13
| 4.18
| -
| '''353.18'''
| '''315.77'''
|-
! FY2015
| 162.97
| 90.45
| 72.06
| 42.96
| 31.84
| 13.65
| **0.10
| '''414.03'''
| '''365.71'''
|-
! FY2016
| 167.72
| 91.09
| 72.53
| 43.06
| 30.75
| 13.27
| 2.11
| '''420.53'''
| 
|-
! FY2017
|170.09
|91.98
|74.46
|43.80
|31.03
|14.24
|2.19
| '''427.78'''
|
|-
! FY2018
|174.11
|93.44
|75.92
|44.53
|31.76
|14.6
|1.64
| '''436.00'''
|-
! FY2023<ref>{{cite web |title=鉄道輸送統計調査 年度次 2023年度 {{!}} ファイル {{!}} 統計データを探す |url=https://www.e-stat.go.jp/stat-search/files?page=1&layout=datalist&toukei=00600350&kikan=00600&tstat=000001011026&cycle=8&year=20231&month=0&result_back=1&result_page=1&tclass1val=0 |website=政府統計の総合窓口 |access-date=25 March 2025 |language=ja}}</ref>
|160.71
|81.55
|70.30
|39.78
|30.31
|16.09
|1.40
|
|}

<nowiki/>* The sum of the ridership of individual lines does not equal the ridership of the system because a single rider may be counted multiple times when using multiple lines, to get proper ridership figures for a system, in the above case, is only counted once.

<nowiki/>** Only refers to 6 days of operation: 26 March 2016 (opening date) to 31 March 2016 (end of FY2015).

Until 2011, Japan's high-speed rail system had the highest annual patronage of any system worldwide, when China's HSR network's patronage reached 1.7 billion and became the world's highest.<ref name="fc2web">{{cite web |title=KTX vs 新幹線 徹底比較 |url=http://whhh.fc2web.com/ktx/hikaku.html |access-date=10 August 2013 |publisher=Whhh.fc2web.com |archive-date=9 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009122921/http://whhh.fc2web.com/ktx/hikaku.html }}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=July 2022}}<ref>{{cite web |title=2017年中国铁路投资8010亿元 投产新线3038公里-中新网 |trans-title=In 2017, China Railway invested 801 billion yuan to put into operation 3,038 kilometers of new lines |url=http://www.chinanews.com/cj/2018/01-02/8414612.shtml |access-date=12 January 2018 |website=Chinanews |language=zh}}</ref>

===Cumulative comparison===
{| class="wikitable" 
|+ Cumulative high-speed rail passengers (in millions of passengers)<ref name="whhh">{{cite web |url=http://whhh.fc2web.com/ktx/hikaku.html |title=KTX vs 新幹線 徹底比較 |website=Whhh.fc2web.com |access-date=12 October 2015 |archive-date=9 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009122921/http://whhh.fc2web.com/ktx/hikaku.html }}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=July 2022}}<ref>{{cite web |title=新幹線旅客輸送量の推移 |trans-title=Changes in Shinkansen passenger transportation volume |url=http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/000232384.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417232157/https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/000232384.pdf |archive-date=17 April 2022 |access-date=5 March 2022 |website=Mlit.go.jp |language=ja }}</ref>
|-
! Year !! Shinkansen (see notes) !! Asia (other) !! Europe !! World !! Shinkansen share (%) 
|-
| 1964  || 11.0 || 0 || 0 || 11.0  || 100%
|-
| 1980  || 1,616.3 || 0|| 0 || 1,616.3 || 100% 
|-
| 1985 || 2,390.3 || 0 || 45.7 || 2,436.0 || 98.1% 
|-
| 1990 || 3,559.1 || 0  || 129.9 || 3,689.0 || 96.5% 
|-
| 1995 || 5,018.0 || 0 || 461 || 5,479 || 91.6% 
|-
| 2000 || 6,531.7 || 0 || 1,103.5 || 7,635.1 || 85.5% 
|-
| 2005 || 8,088.3 || 52.2 || 2,014.6 || 10,155.1 || 79.6% 
|-
| 2010 || 9,651.0 || 965 || ''3,177.0'' || ''15,417'' || ''70.8%'' 
|-
| 2012 || ''10,344'' || 2,230 || ''3,715''  || ''16,210'' || ''64.5%''
|-
| 2014 || ''11,050'' || ''3,910'' || ''4,300''  || ''19,260''  || ''57.4%'' 
|}

Notes:
*  Data in ''italics'' includes extrapolated estimations where data is missing. Turkey and Russia data here is included in "Europe" column, rather than split between Asia and Europe. Only systems with 200&nbsp;km/h or higher regular service speed are considered.
* "Shinkansen share(%)" refers to percent of Shinkansen ridership (including fully assembled exported trainsets) as a percent of "World" total. Currently this only pertains to Taiwan, but may change if Japan exports Shinkansen to other nations.
* "Shinkansen" column does not include Shinkansen [[knock down kit]]s made in Japan exported to [[China]] for assembly, or any derivative system thereof in China
* "Asia (other)" column refers to sum of riderships of all HSR systems geographically in Asia that do not use Shinkansen. (this data excludes Russia and Turkey, which geographically have parts in Asia but for sake of convenience included in Europe column)
* For 2013, [[Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism|Japan's Ministry of Transport]] has not updated data, nor is summed European data available (even 2012 data is very rough), however Taiwan ridership is 47.49 million<ref>{{cite web |date=28 June 2014 |title=Taiwan HSR operator pitches restructuring idea to shareholders｜WCT |url=http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20140628000066&cid=1206 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208160542/http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20140628000066&cid=1206 |archive-date=8 February 2015 |access-date=12 October 2015 |publisher=Wantchinatimes.com}}</ref> and Korea with 54.5 million<ref>{{cite web |title=월별 일반철도 역간 이용인원 |trans-title=Number of people using between stations of the general railroad per month |url=http://ktdb.go.kr/web/guest/419 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104124636/http://ktdb.go.kr/web/guest/419 |archive-date=4 January 2016 |access-date=12 October 2015 |publisher=Ktdb.go.kr |language=ko}}</ref> and China with 672 million in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 January 2015 |title= |script-title=zh:铁路2014年投资8088亿元 超额完成全年计划-财经-人民网 |trans-title=en: The railway invested 808.8 billion yuan in 2014, exceeding the annual plan – Xinhua English.news.cn |url=http://finance.people.com.cn/stock/n/2015/0130/c67815-26478015.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518201404/http://finance.people.com.cn/stock/n/2015/0130/c67815-26478015.html |archive-date=18 May 2022 |access-date=11 July 2022 |website=People.cn |language=zh}}</ref>

Cumulative ridership since October 1964 is over 5 billion passengers for the Tokaido Shinkansen Line alone and 10 billion passengers for Japan's entire shinkansen network.<ref name="fc2web" />{{Unreliable source?|date=July 2022}} Nevertheless, China's share is increasing fast, as close to 9.5 billion passengers in that nation have been served by the end of 2018 and is projected to pass Japan's cumulative numbers by as early as 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=中国高铁动车组发送旅客90亿人次：2018年占比超60％ |trans-title=China's high-speed rail trains send 9 billion passengers: more than 60% in 2018 |url=http://tech.ifeng.com/a/20190101/45277984_0.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710010525/http://tech.ifeng.com/a/20190101/45277984_0.shtml |archive-date=10 July 2019 |access-date=10 July 2019 |website=tech.ifeng.com |language=zh}}</ref>

== Future ==
=== Speed increases ===
====Tōhoku Shinkansen====
[[E5 Series Shinkansen|E5 series]] trains, capable of up to {{convert|320|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}, initially limited to {{convert|300|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}, were introduced on the [[Tōhoku Shinkansen]] in March 2011. Operation at the maximum speed of {{convert|320|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} between {{STN|Utsunomiya|x}} and {{STN|Morioka|x}} on this route commenced on 16 March 2013. It reduced the journey time to around 3 hours for trains from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori, a distance of {{convert|674|km|mi|abbr=on}}.

Extensive trials using the [[Fastech 360]] test trains have shown that operation at {{convert|360|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} is not feasible because of problems of [[noise pollution]] (particularly [[Piston effect#Tunnel Boom|tunnel boom]]), overhead wire wear, and braking distances. On 30 October 2012, JR East announced that it was pursuing research and development to increase speeds to {{convert|360|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} on the Tohoku Shinkansen by 2020.<ref name="jreast20121030">{{cite web|url=http://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2012/20121013.pdf |script-title=ja:グループ経営構想V |trans-title=Group Business Vision V |date=30 October 2012 |publisher=East Japan Railway Company |location=Japan |page=5 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202011722/http://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2012/20121013.pdf |archive-date=2 December 2012 |access-date=17 November 2012 }}</ref> The [[ALFA-X]] is undergoing testing.

====Hokkaido Shinkansen====
Upon commencement of services in 2016, the maximum speed on the approximately {{convert|82|km|mi|abbr=on}} [[dual gauge]] section of the [[Hokkaido Shinkansen]] (including through the [[Seikan Tunnel]]) was {{convert|140|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}, which was increased to {{convert|160|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}} by March 2019.<ref name="saves3mins">{{Cite web |date=31 March 2021 |title=Seikan tunnel Shinkansen speed-up saves 3 min |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/high-speed/seikan-tunnel-shinkansen-speed-up-saves-3-min/58804.article |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919081124/https://www.railwaygazette.com/high-speed/seikan-tunnel-shinkansen-speed-up-saves-3-min/58804.article |archive-date=19 September 2021 |access-date=5 March 2022 |website=Railway Gazette International}}</ref> There are approximately 50 freight trains using the dual gauge section each day, so limiting the travel of such trains to times outside of Shinkansen services is not an option. Because of this and other weather-related factors cited by JR East and JR Hokkaido, the fastest journey time between Tokyo and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto is 3 hours, 57 minutes.

During the 2020–21 New Year Holiday period, certain Shinkansen services were operated at {{convert|210|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}} on the dual gauge section and was proposed again for the [[Golden Week (Japan)|Golden Week]] Holiday period from 3–6 May 2021, due to fewer freight trains operating.<ref name="saves3mins" />
 
To achieve the full benefit of Shinkansen trains travelling on the dual gauge section at {{convert|260|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}} (the maximum speed proposed through the tunnel), alternatives are being considered, such as a system to automatically slow Shinkansen trains to {{convert|200|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}} when passing narrow-gauge trains, and/or loading freight trains onto special "[[Train on Train]]" standard-gauge trains (akin to a covered piggyback flatcar train) built to withstand the [[shock wave]] of oncoming Shinkansen trains traveling at full speed. This would enable a travel time from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto of 3 hours and 45 minutes, a saving of 12 minutes.

=== Hokuriku extension ===
{{Further|Hokuriku Shinkansen#Future plans}}[[File:Fukui-C-3082.jpg|thumb|Construction of the [[Hokuriku Shinkansen]] in [[Fukui (city)|Fukui]]]]
The Hokuriku Shinkansen was extended from Kanazawa to Tsuruga on 16 March 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/high-speed/tsuruga-joined-to-shinkansen-network/66140.article?ID=z9xqh~9jrfnt~q9qqr~W4ik~Ky0gk&utm_campaign=RG-WEEKLY-Hitachi-220324-DE&utm_medium=email&utm_source=email&utm_content=newsletter | title=Tsuruga joined to Shinkansen network }}</ref>

There are further plans to extend the line from Tsuruga to Osaka, with the Obama-Kyoto route chosen by the government on 20 December 2016,<ref name="railwaygazette.com">{{cite web |work=Railway Gazette |title=Hokuriku extension route agreed |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/infrastructure/single-view/view/hokuriku-extension-route-agreed.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516032820/https://www.railwaygazette.com/high-speed/hokuriku-extension-route-agreed/43741.article |archive-date=16 May 2021 |access-date=10 July 2022}}</ref> after a government committee investigated the five nominated routes.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web |date=15 March 2016 |title=Japan's newest bullet train line has busy first year |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Economy/Japan-s-newest-bullet-train-line-has-busy-first-year |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305141940/https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Economy/Japan-s-newest-bullet-train-line-has-busy-first-year |archive-date=5 March 2022 |access-date=5 March 2022 |website=Nikkei}}</ref>

Construction of the extension beyond Tsuruga is not expected to commence before 2030, with a projected 15-year construction period. On 6 March 2017 the government committee announced the chosen route from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka is to be via [[Kyotanabe]], with a station at {{STN|Matsuiyamate|x}} on the [[Katamachi Line]].<ref>{{cite web |last=京都新聞 |title=北陸新幹線新駅「松井山手」検討 京都－新大阪南回り案 |trans-title=Hokuriku Shinkansen new station "Matsui Yamate" study Kyoto-Shin-Osaka southbound plan |url=http://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/top/article/20170307000013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307023530/http://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/top/article/20170307000013 |archive-date=7 March 2017 |access-date=11 March 2017 |website=Kyoto-np.co.jp |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=日本テレビ |title=北陸新幹線"京田辺市ルート"最終調整へ |trans-title=To the final adjustment of the Hokuriku Shinkansen "Kyotanabe City Route" |url=http://www.news24.jp/articles/2017/03/06/04355784.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512121232/https://www.news24.jp/articles/2017/03/06/04355784.html |archive-date=12 May 2021 |access-date=11 July 2022 |website=news24.jp |language=ja}}</ref>

==== Abandoned interim Gauge Change plans ====
To extend the benefits of the Hokuriku Shinkansen to stations west of Tsuruga before the line to Osaka is completed, JR West was working in partnership with Talgo on the development of a [[Gauge Change Train]] (CGT) capable of operating under both the 25&nbsp;kV AC electrification used on the Shinkansen and the 1.5&nbsp;kV DC system employed on conventional lines. A trial of the proposed bogie was undertaken on a purpose-built {{convert|180|m|ft|abbr=on}} gauge-changer at Tsuruga, but it was unsuccessful and the plans were abandoned.<ref>{{cite web |last=Barrow |first=Keith |date=7 August 2015 |title=Talks begin on Hokuriku Shinkansen extension |url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/high-speed/talks-begin-on-hokuriku-shinkansen-extension.html?channel=523+*+* |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916225223/http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/high-speed/talks-begin-on-hokuriku-shinkansen-extension.html?channel=523+%2A+* |archive-date=16 September 2017 |access-date=11 July 2022 |website=railjournal.com}}</ref>

=== Tohoku extension/Hokkaido Shinkansen ===
The [[Hokkaido Shinkansen]] forms an extension of the Tohoku Shinkansen north of {{STN|Shin-Aomori|x}} to [[Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station]] (north of the [[Hokkaido]] city of [[Hakodate]]) through the [[Seikan Tunnel]], which was converted to dual gauge as part of the project, opening in March 2016.

[[JR Hokkaido]] is extending the Hokkaido Shinkansen from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto to {{STN|Sapporo|x}} to open by 2038. The {{convert|211.3|km|mi||abbr=on}} extension will be approximately 76% in tunnels, including major tunnels such as Toshima (~{{convert|32.675|km|mi||abbr=on}}) Oshima (~{{convert|26.5|km|mi||abbr=on}}), Teine (~{{convert|26.5|km|mi||abbr=on}}) and Shiribeshi (~{{convert|18|km|mi||abbr=on}}).<ref>{{cite web |title=今回の認可対象区間 概要図 |trans-title=Outline map of the section subject to this approval |url=http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/000215188.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709093503/https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/000215188.pdf |archive-date=9 July 2022 |access-date=4 March 2022 |website=mlit.go.jp |language=Ja }}</ref>

Although an extension from Sapporo to [[Asahikawa]] was included in the 1973 list of planned lines, at this time it is unknown whether the Hokkaido Shinkansen will be extended beyond Sapporo.

=== Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen ===
{{Main|Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen}}

[[JR Kyushu]] opened the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen from {{STN|Takeo-Onsen|x}} to {{STN|Nagasaki|x}} (built to full Shinkansen standard) on 23 September 2022, with the existing narrow-gauge section between Shin-Tosu and Takeo Onsen proposed to be upgraded as part of this project.

This proposal initially involved introducing [[Gauge Change Train]]s (GCT) travelling from Hakata to Shin-Tosu ({{convert|26.3|km|mi|abbr=on}}) on the existing Kyushu Shinkansen line, then passing through a specific gauge changing (standard to narrow) section of track linking to the existing [[Nagasaki Main Line]], along which it would travel to Hizen Yamaguchi ({{convert|37.6|km|mi|abbr=on}}), then onto the [[Sasebo Line]] to Takeo-Onsen ({{convert|13.7|km|mi|abbr=on}}), where another gauge changing section (narrow to standard) would lead onto the final Shinkansen line to Nagasaki ({{convert|66|km|mi|abbr=on}}). However, significant technical issues with the axles of the GCT resulted in its cancellation.

On 28 October 2020, JR Kyushu announced it would utilize a 6-car version of the N700S for the isolated Shinkansen section from Nagasaki, with 'cross platform' change to a relay service at Takeo Onsen station to connect to Hakata.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{Cite web |title=Shorter N700S to serve Nagasaki |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/high-speed/shorter-n700s-to-serve-nagasaki/57681.article |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628222520/https://www.railwaygazette.com/high-speed/shorter-n700s-to-serve-nagasaki/57681.article |archive-date=28 June 2021 |access-date=5 March 2022 |website=Railway Gazette International}}</ref> JR Kyushu also announced the service would continue to use the name 'Kamome' for the Hakata-Nagasaki service, which has been in use since 1961.<ref name="kamome_selection">{{cite web |title=2022年度秋頃に西九州新幹線が開業します!列車名「かもめ」 |trans-title=The West Kyushu Shinkansen will open in the fall of 2022! Train name "Kamome" |url=https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/train/nishikyushu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610210357/https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/train/nishikyushu/ |archive-date=10 June 2022 |access-date=4 August 2021 |website=jrkyushu.co.jp |language=ja}}</ref>

The Shinkansen line shortens the distance between Hakata and Nagasaki by 6.2% ({{convert|9.6|km|mi|abbr=on}}), and while only 64% of the route is built to full Shinkansen standards, it eliminated the slowest sections of the previous narrow-gauge route.

As part of the GCT proposal, the {{convert|12.8|km|mi|abbr=on}} section of single track between Hizen Yamaguchi and Takeo Onsen was proposed to be duplicated. However, due to the issues with the development of the GCT, the proposal did not advance.

The initial section between Nagasaki and Takeo Onsen opened on 23 September 2022.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=九州新幹線の開業日について |date=22 February 2022 |publisher=九州旅客鉄道 |url=https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/news/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2022/02/22/220222_nishikyushu_kaigyoubi.pdf |language=Japanese |access-date=22 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222054752/https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/news/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2022/02/22/220222_nishikyushu_kaigyoubi.pdf |archive-date=22 February 2022 |trans-title=Opening date of the Nishi Kyusyu Shinkansen}}</ref>

=== Maglev (''Chūō Shinkansen'') ===
[[Maglev]] trains have been undertaking test runs on the Yamanashi test track since 1997, running at speeds of over {{convert|500|km/h|abbr=on}}. As a result of this extensive testing, maglev technology is almost ready for public usage.<ref name="maglev">{{cite web |url=http://english.jr-central.co.jp/company/ir/annualreport/_pdf/annualreport2010-05.pdf |title=Promoting the Tokaido Shinkansen Bypass by the Superconducting Maglev system |publisher=english.jr-central.co.jp |access-date=30 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715113749/http://english.jr-central.co.jp/company/ir/annualreport/_pdf/annualreport2010-05.pdf |archive-date=15 July 2011}}</ref> An extension of the test track from {{convert|18.4|to|42.8|km|mi|abbr=on}} was completed in June 2013, enabling extended high-speed running trials to commence in August 2013. This section will be incorporated into the [[Chūō Shinkansen]] which will eventually link Tokyo to Osaka. Construction of the [[Shinagawa, Tokyo|Shinagawa]] to [[Nagoya]] section began in 2014, with 86% of the {{convert|286|km|mi|abbr=on}} route to be in tunnels. Plans were approved in 2017 for the Chūō Shinkansen to begin at [[Tokyo Station]], rather than [[Shinagawa Station]] as initially planned due to difficulties in securing land.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 November 2019 |title=Chūō Shinkansen: Tokyo to Osaka by Maglev |url=https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/chuo-shinkansen-maglev |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=Japan Rail Pass Travel Blog |language=en}}</ref>

JR Central originally aimed to begin commercial service between Tokyo and Nagoya in 2027. However, in 2024, Central Japan Railway Co President Shunsuke Niwa said that due to construction delays a 2027 opening was now impossible and it is not expected to open until at least 2034.<ref name="Japan Today-2024" /><ref name="auto" />

Following the shortest route (through the [[Japanese Alps]]), JR Central estimates that it will take 40 minutes to run from Shinagawa to Nagoya. The planned travel time from Shinagawa to Shin-Osaka is 1 hour 7 minutes. The Tokaido Shinkansen {{as of|2010|lc=y}} had a minimum connection time of 2 hours 19 minutes.<ref>{{cite news |date=28 October 2010 |title=Maglev car design unveiled |work=The Japan Times |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2010/10/28/business/maglev-car-design-unveiled/ |access-date=11 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108044409/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2010/10/28/business/maglev-car-design-unveiled/ |archive-date=8 January 2019}}</ref>

While the government has granted approval<ref>{{cite news |date=16 December 2010 |title=Most direct line for maglev gets panel OK |work=The Japan Times |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2010/12/16/business/most-direct-line-for-maglev-gets-panel-ok/ |access-date=16 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108043936/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2010/12/16/business/most-direct-line-for-maglev-gets-panel-ok/ |archive-date=8 January 2019}}</ref> for the shortest route between Tokyo and Nagoya, some prefectural governments, particularly Nagano, lobbied to have the line routed farther north to serve the city of [[Chino, Nagano|Chino]] and either [[Ina, Nagano|Ina]] or {{STN|Kiso-Fukushima|x}}. However, that would increase both the travel time (from Tokyo to Nagoya) and the cost of construction.<ref>{{cite news |date=21 October 2008 |title=LDP OKs maglev line selections |work=The Japan Times |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2008/10/22/business/ldp-oks-maglev-line-selections/ |access-date=11 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107175042/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2008/10/22/business/ldp-oks-maglev-line-selections/ |archive-date=7 January 2018}}</ref> JR Central has confirmed it will construct the line through [[Kanagawa Prefecture]], and terminate at [[Shinagawa Station]].

The route for the Nagoya to Osaka section is also contested. It is planned to go via [[Nara, Nara|Nara]], about {{convert|40|km|mi||abbr=on}} south of [[Kyoto]]. Kyoto is lobbying to have the route moved north and be largely aligned with the existing [[Tokaido Shinkansen]], which services Kyoto and not Nara.<ref>{{cite news |date=3 May 2012 |title=Economy, prestige at stake in Kyoto-Nara maglev battle |work=The Japan Times |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2012/05/03/national/economy-prestige-at-stake-in-kyoto-nara-maglev-battle/ |access-date=3 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108060652/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2012/05/03/national/economy-prestige-at-stake-in-kyoto-nara-maglev-battle/ |archive-date=8 January 2019}}</ref>

=== Mini-Shinkansen ===
{{Nihongo|Mini-shinkansen|ミニ新幹線}} is the name given to the routes where former narrow-gauge lines have been converted to standard gauge to allow Shinkansen trains to travel to cities without the expense of constructing full Shinkansen standard lines.

Two mini-shinkansen routes have been constructed: the [[Yamagata Shinkansen]] and [[Akita Shinkansen]]. Shinkansen services to these lines traverse the [[Tohoku Shinkansen]] line from Tokyo before branching off to traditional main lines. On both the Yamagata/Shinjo and Akita lines, the narrow-gauge lines were regauged, resulting in the local services being operated by [[701-5000 series|standard-gauge versions]] of {{Track gauge|1,067mm}} suburban/interurban rolling stock. On the Akita line between Omagari and Akita, one of the two narrow-gauge lines was regauged, and a section of the remaining narrow-gauge line is dual gauge, providing opportunity for Shinkansen services to pass each other without stopping.

The maximum speed on these lines is {{convert|130|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}, however the overall travel time to/from Tokyo is improved due to the elimination of the need for passengers to change trains at [[Fukushima, Fukushima|Fukushima]] and [[Morioka, Iwate|Morioka]] respectively.

As the [[loading gauge]] (size of the train that can travel on a line) was not altered when the rail gauge was widened, only Shinkansen trains specially built for these routes can travel on the lines. They are the E3 and E6 series trains.

Whilst no further Mini-shinkansen routes have been proposed, it remains an option for providing Shinkansen services to cities on the narrow-gauge network.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

====Proposed Ou Base Tunnel====
Construction of a [[base tunnel]] on the [[Yamagata Shinkansen]] is proposed, with JR East having undertaken a survey of a planned route from Niwasaka to Sekine, just south of Yonezawa station.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2022 |title=Yamagata mini-Shinkansen base tunnel proposal makes progress |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/infrastructure/yamagata-mini-shinkansen-base-tunnel-proposal-makes-progress/62884.article |url-access=subscription |access-date=12 November 2022 |website=Railway Gazette International }}</ref> {{convert|23.1|km|mi|abbr=on}} of the proposed {{convert|24.9|km|mi|abbr=on}} line would be in tunnel, mostly to the north of the existing {{convert|88|km|mi|abbr=on}} Fukushima – Yamagata section. To be built on an improved alignment, the tunnel would lower journey times between Fukushima and Yamagata by ~10 min due to a proposed line speed of up to 200&nbsp;km/h.

The tunnel would avoid the Itaya Toge pass through the [[Ōu Mountains]] west of Fukushima. Gradients range from 3.0% to 3.8% and the line reaches an altitude of {{convert|548|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The curvature and steep grades of the current line limit train speeds to {{convert|55|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} or less, and it is vulnerable to heavy rain and snowfall as well as high winds. Between 2011 and 2017 a total of 410 Yamagata mini-Shinkansen services were either suspended or delayed, and 40% of these incidents occurred on the line over the Itaya Toge pass.

If the {{Yen|150 billion}} base tunnel is authorised, detailed design would take five years and construction another 15 years. The cost could increase by {{Yen|12 billion}} if the tunnel were to be built with a cross-section large enough to permit the line to be upgraded to the full Shinkansen loading gauge.

=== Gauge Change Train ===
{{Main|Gauge Change Train}}

This is the name for the concept of using a single train that is designed to travel on both {{RailGauge|1067mm}} narrow-gauge railway lines and the {{RailGauge|1435mm}} standard gauge used by Shinkansen train services in Japan. The trucks/bogies of the Gauge Change Train (GCT) allow the wheels to be unlocked from the axles, narrowed or widened as necessary, and then relocked. This allows a GCT to traverse both standard-gauge and narrow-gauge tracks without the expense of regauging lines.

Three test trains were constructed, with the second set having completed reliability trials on the [[Yosan Line]] east of [[Matsuyama, Ehime|Matsuyama]] (in [[Shikoku]]) in September 2013. The third set was undertaking gauge changing trials at [[Shin-Yatsushiro Station]] (on [[Kyushu]]), commencing in 2014 for a proposed three-year period, however testing was suspended in December 2014 after accumulating approximating {{convert|33,000|km|mi|abbr=on}}, following the discovery of defective thrust bearing oil seals on the bogies.<ref name="mynavi20141224">{{cite web |date=24 December 2014 |title= |script-title=ja:九州新幹線のフリーゲージトレイン、欠損が見つかり耐久走行試験を一時休止 |trans-title=Kyushu Shinkansen Free Gauge Train endurance testing suspended following discovery of defects |url=http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2014/12/24/335/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227101301/https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20141224-a335/ |archive-date=27 December 2021 |access-date=11 July 2022 |work=Mynavi News |publisher=Mynavi Corporation |location=Japan |language=ja}}</ref> The train was being trialled between [[Kumamoto]], travelling on the narrow-gauge line to Shin-Yatsushiro, where a gauge changer was installed, so the GCT could be trialled on the Shinkansen line to [[Kagoshima]]. It was anticipated the train would travel approximately {{convert|600,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} over the three-year trial.

A new "full standard" Shinkansen line was opened in 2022 from Takeo Onsen to {{STN|Nagasaki|x}}, with the Shin-Tosu – Takeo Onsen section of the [[Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen]] remaining narrow gauge. GCTs were proposed to provide Shinkansen service from the line's opening, however with the GCT being cancelled, JR Kyushu announced it would provide an interim [[Kamome (train)#Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen|'relay']] service.<ref name="ReferenceB" />

There are currently no further proposals for use of the GCT, nor any development work on it.

== Competition with air ==
Compared with air transport, the Shinkansen has several advantages, including scheduling frequency and flexibility, punctual operation, comfortable seats, lower carbon emissions, and convenient city-centre terminals.

Shinkansen fares are generally competitive with domestic air fares. From a speed and convenience perspective, the Shinkansen's market share has surpassed that of air travel for journeys of less than {{convert|750|km|mi|abbr=on}}, while air and rail remain highly competitive with each other in the {{convert|800|–|900|km|mi|abbr=on}} range and air has a higher market share for journeys of more than {{convert|1,000|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Shiomi|first1=Eiji|title=Do Faster Trains Challenge Air Carriers?|url=http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr19/F04_Shiomi.html|website=Japan Railway & Transport Review|access-date=7 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930083648/http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr19/F04_Shiomi.html|archive-date=30 September 2015}}</ref>

During snowy weather, the Shinkansen is known to face fewer delays compared to air travel due to snow. One study done in 2016 concluded that the Tohoku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Aomori had substantially fewer days with delays longer than 30 minutes compared to air travel.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Kojima |first=Yasuhiro |date=2017 |title=The impact of new Shinkansen lines (Tohoku Shinkansen (Hachinohe – Shin-Aomori) and Kyusyu Shinkansen (Hakata – Shin-Yatsushiro)) |journal=Transportation Research Procedia |volume=25 |pages=344–357 |doi=10.1016/j.trpro.2017.05.412|doi-access=free }}</ref>

* Tokyo – Nagoya ({{convert|342|km|mi|disp=semicolon|abbr=on}}), Tokyo – Sendai ({{convert|325|km|mi|disp=semicolon|abbr=on}}), Tokyo – [[Hanamaki, Iwate|Hanamaki]] ([[Morioka]]) ({{convert|496|km|mi|disp=semicolon|abbr=on}}), Tokyo – Niigata ({{convert|300|km|mi|disp=semicolon|abbr=on}}): There were air services between these cities, but they were withdrawn after Shinkansen services started. Shinkansen runs between these cities in about two hours or less.
* Tokyo – Osaka ({{convert|515|km|mi|disp=semicolon|abbr=on}}): Shinkansen is dominant because of fast (2 hours 22 minutes) and frequent service (up to every 10 minutes by ''Nozomi''); however, air travel has a certain share (~20–30%).
* Tokyo – Okayama ({{convert|676|km|mi|disp=semicolon|abbr=on}}), Tokyo – Hiroshima ({{convert|821|km|mi|disp=semicolon|abbr=on}}): Shinkansen is reported to have increased its market share from ~40% to ~60% over the last decade.<ref name="asia.nikkei.com">{{cite web |url=http://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Trends/Japanese-airlines-facing-threat-from-below |title=Japanese airlines facing threat from below- Nikkei Asian Review |work=Nikkei Asian Review |publisher=Asia.nikkei.com |date=25 November 2013 |access-date=7 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301141326/http://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Trends/Japanese-airlines-facing-threat-from-below |archive-date=1 March 2014 }}</ref> The Shinkansen takes about three to four hours and there are ''Nozomi'' trains every 30 minutes, but airlines may provide cheaper fares, attracting price-conscious passengers.
* Tokyo – Fukuoka ({{convert|1,069|km|mi|disp=semicolon|abbr=on}}): The Shinkansen takes about five hours on the fastest ''Nozomi'', and discount carriers have made air travel far cheaper, so most people choose air. Additionally, unlike many cities, there is very little convenience advantage for the location of the Shinkansen stations of the two cities as [[Fukuoka Airport]] is located near the central [[Tenjin, Fukuoka|Tenjin]] district, and [[Fukuoka City Subway]] [[Kūkō Line (Fukuoka City Subway)|Line 1]] connects the Airport and Tenjin via Hakata Station and [[Haneda Airport]] is similarly conveniently located.
* Osaka – Fukuoka ({{convert|554|km|mi|disp=semicolon|abbr=on}}): One of the most competitive sections. The Shinkansen takes about two and a half hours by ''Nozomi'' or ''Mizuho'', and the JR West ''Hikari Rail Star'' or JR West/JR Kyushu ''Sakura'' trains operate twice an hour, taking about 2 hours and 40 minutes between the two cities. Again the location of the airports involved ([[Itami Airport]] in Osaka's case) helps with the popularity of air travel.
* Tokyo – Aomori ({{convert|675|km|mi|disp=semicolon|abbr=on}}): The fastest Shinkansen service between these cities is 3 hours. JAL is reported to have reduced the size of planes servicing this route since the Shinkansen extension opened in 2010.<ref name="asia.nikkei.com" />
* Tokyo – Hokuriku ({{convert|345|km|mi|disp=semicolon|abbr=on}}): The fastest Shinkansen service between these areas is 2{{frac|1|2}} hours. ANA is reported to have reduced the number of services from Tokyo to Kanazawa and Toyama from 6 to 4 per day since the Shinkansen extension opened in 2015. The share of passengers travelling this route by air is reported to have dropped from 40% to 10% in the same period.<ref name="ReferenceA" />

== Outside Japan ==
[[File:THSR 700T TR17 20130907.jpg|thumb|Shinkansen [[700T Series Shinkansen|700T train]] on a test run on the [[Taiwan High Speed Rail]] in September 2013]]
[[File:CRH2A-4028 at Pearl River West Bridge (20180924125904).jpg|thumb|[[China Railway CRH2]] based on the [[E2 Series Shinkansen]], September 2018]]
[[File:Unit 395008 at Ebbsfleet International.JPG|thumb|[[British Rail Class 395]] in the United Kingdom, September 2009]]

Railways using Shinkansen technology are not limited to those in Japan.

===Existing===

==== Taiwan ====
A [[0 Series Shinkansen]] power car which was used in Taiwan for testing is on display at [[Tainan HSR station]]. This is one of only two Shinkansen on display in a museum outside of Japan. The [[700T Series Shinkansen|700T Series]], operated by [[Taiwan High Speed Rail]], is the first operational Shinkansen type exported outside Japan. Based on the [[700 Series Shinkansen|700 series]], they were built by [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries]] and are operated as 12-car sets. They first entered service in January 2007, with a maximum speed of {{convert|300|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.

==== China ====
The [[China Railway CRH2]] is based on the [[E2 Series Shinkansen#10-car J50 sets (-1000 sub-series)|E2-1000 series]] design. The trains are built by CSR Sifang Loco & Rolling stocks corporation under a license purchased in 2004 from a consortium formed of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, [[Mitsubishi Electric Corporation]], and [[Hitachi]]. Trial services started in January 2007.

==== United Kingdom ====
A retired [[0 Series Shinkansen]] power car was donated to the [[National Railway Museum]], in 2000. This is one of only two Shinkansen on display in a museum outside of Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shinkansen: High-speed revolution |url=https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/shinkansen-high-speed-revolution |website=National Railway Museum}}</ref>

The [[British Rail Class 395]], operated by [[Southeastern (train operating company)|Southeastern]], incorporates technology from the [[400 Series Shinkansen]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Hitachi preferred for CTRL domestic trains |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view//hitachi-preferred-for-ctrl-domestic-trains.html |access-date=18 July 2009 |work=Railway Gazette International |publisher=DVV Media International |date=1 December 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004195758/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/hitachi-preferred-for-ctrl-domestic-trains.html |archive-date=4 October 2012 |location=Sutton }}</ref> Part of the [[Hitachi A-Train]] AT300 InterCity family, twenty nine sets were ordered from Hitachi for commuter services on the [[High Speed 1]] line. The trains entered service from June 2009 and operate at a maximum speed of 140&nbsp;mph (225&nbsp;km/h).<ref name="HRAT" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sent from Kent with a real team effort |url=https://www.railmagazine.com/trains/current-trains/sent-from-kent-with-a-real-team-effort |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=www.railmagazine.com |language=en}}</ref> 

Hitachi continued to develop and build AT300 InterCity trains for [[Train operating company|railway operators]] in the United Kingdom. Between 2014 and 2025, a further 182 AT300 InterCity  sets have been delivered, and categorised as British Rail Class 800-810 sets.<ref name="HRAT">{{Cite web |title=Intercity Trains {{!}} Intercity Rail Solutions {{!}} Hitachi Rail |url=https://www.hitachirail.com/products-and-solutions/rolling-stock/intercity-trains/ |access-date=2025-06-28 |website=www.hitachirail.com}}</ref> These included eighty, 5 or 9 car, bi-mode [[British Rail Class 800|Class 800]] trains, forty two, 5 or 9 car, EMU [[British Rail Class 801|Class 801]], twenty four, 5  or 9 car, bi-mode [[British Rail Class 802|Class 802]], five, 5 car, EMU [[British Rail Class 803|Class 803]], thirteen, 5 car, bi-mode [[British Rail Class 805|Class 805]], ten, 7 car, EMU [[British Rail Class 807|Class 807]], and thirty three, 5 car, bi-mode [[British Rail Class 810|Class 810]].<ref name="RailwaysIllustrated254">{{cite magazine|title=East Midlands Railway reveals the interior looks of its new Aurora train fleet|department=News|magazine= [[Railways Illustrated]] |issue=254|date=April 2024|page=7}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Our new Azuma trains |url=https://www.lner.co.uk/the-east-coast-experience/azuma-trains/azuma-is-here/ |access-date=1 March 2023 |website=www.lner.co.uk |language=en |archive-date=21 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721050607/https://www.lner.co.uk/the-east-coast-experience/azuma-trains/azuma-is-here/ }}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=Citations make no reference to Shinkansen technology in Classes 800–810.|date=July 2025}}

===Under negotiation===
==== India ====
{{main|Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor}}

In December 2015, India and Japan signed an agreement for the construction of India's first high speed rail link [[Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor|connecting Mumbai to Ahmedabad]], the intention being to initially operate imported E5 Series Shinkansen sets on the line. To be funded primarily through Japanese soft loans, the link was expected to cost up to US$18.6 billion and operational by 2024.<ref>{{cite web |date=13 December 2015 |title=India bites the $18.6 billion high speed bullet |work=Hindustan Times |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/india-bites-the-18-6-billion-high-speed-bullet/story-pLq1MHnB98MFbicQJOlFGJ.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709034517/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/india-bites-the-18-6-billion-high-speed-bullet/story-pLq1MHnB98MFbicQJOlFGJ.html |archive-date=9 July 2022 |access-date=11 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite periodical |periodical=Railway Gazette |title=India and Japan sign high speed rail memorandum |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/india-and-japan-sign-high-speed-rail-memorandum.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515220129/https://www.railwaygazette.com/india-and-japan-sign-high-speed-rail-memorandum/41785.article |archive-date=15 May 2021 |access-date=11 July 2022}}</ref> The project has been delayed by several years, and forecast costs have risen. A tender for 24 modified E5 sets was issued in 2023, though the resulting offers were not taken up by India, who now desire E10 sets, for delivery in the 2030s.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-04-15 |title=Japan to give India E5 and E3 shinkansen for free |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/04/15/companies/india-high-speed-railway-shinkansen/ |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=The Japan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=Sep 2024 |title=First bullet train will arrive from Japan in 2 years |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/first-bullet-train-will-arrive-from-japan-in-2-years-101726945881769.html |website=Hindustani Times}}</ref> The Japanese Government agreed to gift one end of life E3 and E5 sets in 2025, with delivery in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chowdhury |first=Devadeep |date=2025-04-24 |title=India's Quest for a Bullet Train: Where It Stands Now {{!}} JAPAN Forward |url=https://japan-forward.com/indias-quest-for-a-bullet-train-where-it-stands-now/ |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=japan-forward.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== United States ====
In 2014, it was announced that [[Texas Central Railway]] would build a ~{{convert|300|mi|km|abbr=on|round=}} long line using the N700 series rolling stock.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dixon |first=Scott |date=2 August 2014 |title=Texas to get shinkansen system |newspaper=Japan Times Online |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/08/02/business/economy-business/private-u-s-railway-wants-bullet-train-line-for-texas-by-2021/ |access-date=16 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127044812/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/08/02/business/economy-business/private-u-s-railway-wants-bullet-train-line-for-texas-by-2021/ |archive-date=27 January 2022}}</ref> The trains are proposed to operate at over {{convert|320|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Learn the Facts – Texas Central |url=http://www.texascentral.com/facts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519153146/https://www.texascentral.com/facts/ |archive-date=19 May 2022 |access-date=11 July 2022 |website=texascentral.com|date=28 October 2015 }}</ref>

===Proposed subject to funding===

====Thailand====
{{Update section|date=December 2022}}
Japan will provide Shinkansen technology for a high-speed rail link between [[Bangkok]] and [[Chiang Mai]] under an agreement reached with Thailand on 27 May 2015. Total project costs are estimated in excess of 1 trillion yen ($8.1 billion). Several hurdles remain, however, including securing the funding.<ref>{{cite web |author=Yo Noguchi |date=28 May 2015 |title=Japan to provide Shinkansen technology to Thailand |url=http://ajw.asahi.com/article/business/AJ201505280053 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930210326/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/business/AJ201505280053 |archive-date=30 September 2015 |access-date=12 October 2015 |publisher=The Asahi Shimbun}}</ref>

===Potential opportunities===
==== Australia ====
A private organization dedicated to aiding the [[Australian Government]] in delivering high speed rail, [[Consolidated Land and Rail Australia]], has considered purchasing Shinkansen technology or SC Maglev rolling stock for a potential [[Melbourne]]-[[Canberra]]-[[Sydney]]-[[Brisbane]] line.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clara.com.au/high-speed-rail.html|title=Consolidated Land and Rail Australia Pty Ltd|website=Clara.com.au|access-date=6 April 2018|archive-date=28 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828073125/http://www.clara.com.au/high-speed-rail.html}}</ref>

In 2023, the [[High Speed Rail Authority]] was established by the Government. The Government committed AU$500 million to progress planning for a future high speed rail network – of this, AU$78.8 million was allocated to deliver the business case for the Sydney to Newcastle section, which is expected to be provided to the Government by the end of 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=High Speed Rail Authority Project |url=https://www.hsra.gov.au/project#current-progress |access-date=11 August 2024 |website=High Speed Rail Authority |archive-date=11 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811123452/https://www.hsra.gov.au/project#current-progress }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 June 2023 |title=All aboard High Speed Rail Authority |url=https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/c-king/media-release/all-aboard-high-speed-rail-authority |access-date=11 August 2024 |website=Ministers for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts}}</ref> Japan Railways Group and Hitachi attended an industry briefing on 27 August 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parris |first=Michael |date=27 August 2024 |title=Newcastle-Sydney high-speed rail possible by 2037 as tunnel plan emerges |url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/8743698/newcastle-high-speed-rail-possible-by-2037-as-tunnel-plan-emerges/ |access-date=13 September 2024 |website=Newcastle Herald |language=en-AU |quote=The briefing attracted a host {{sic}} major international rail, infrastructure and design contractors, including Japan Railways, Siemens, Alstom, Hitachi, CPB and John Holland.}}</ref>

==== Ireland ====
As part of the Ireland 2040 infrastructural upgrade scheme, a high-speed rail network using Shinkansen technology is being investigated along the [[Cork City|Cork]]-[[Dublin]]-[[Belfast]] axis, spanning the island of Ireland from north to south.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

==== United States and Canada ====
{{Update section|date=December 2022}}
The U.S. [[Federal Railroad Administration]] was in talks with a number of countries concerning high-speed rail, notably Japan, France and Spain. On 16 May 2009, FRA Deputy Chief Karen Rae expressed hope that Japan would offer its technical expertise to [[High-speed rail in Canada|Canada]] and the [[High-speed rail in the United States|United States]]. Transportation Secretary [[Ray LaHood]] indicated interest in test riding the Japanese Shinkansen in 2009.<ref name="The Japan Times20090516">{{cite web |url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20090516a2.html |title=U.S. wants to study shinkansen technology |publisher=Kyodo News |date=16 May 2009 |access-date=2 June 2009 |archive-date=18 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718133636/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20090516a2.html }}</ref><ref name="UPI.com">{{cite web |date=16 May 2009 |title=U.S. railroad official seeks Japan's help |url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/05/16/US-railroad-official-seeks-Japans-help/UPI-84921242508429/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124142617/https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/05/16/US-railroad-official-seeks-Japans-help/UPI-84921242508429/ |archive-date=24 November 2020 |access-date=11 July 2022 |website=upi.com |publisher=United Press International}}</ref>

On 1 June 2009, [[JR Central]] Chairman, Yoshiyuki Kasai, announced plans to export both the [[N700 Series Shinkansen]] high-speed train system and the [[SCMaglev]] to international export markets, including the United States and Canada.<ref name="JapanToday">{{cite web|url=http://www.japantoday.com/category/business/view/jr-tokai-chief-urges-us-to-introduce-japans-n700-bullet-rail-system|title=JR Tokai chief urges U.S. and Canada together to introduce Japan's N700 bullet rail system|publisher=JapanToday|date=1 July 2009|access-date=14 August 2009}}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==== Brazil ====
Japan had promoted its Shinkansen technology to the Government of [[Brazil]] for use on the once planned [[High-speed rail in Brazil|high-speed rail]] set to link [[Rio–São Paulo High-speed rail|Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Campinas]].<ref>{{cite news |date=31 January 2008 |title= |script-title=ja:ブラジルに新幹線導入を＝日本政府・民間の動き活発化＝大統領来日時に働きかけへ＝新時代の友好協力の柱に |language=ja |trans-title=Introducing the Shinkansen to Brazil = Activating the movement of the Japanese government and the private sector = Working on the president's arrival in Japan = Pillar of friendship and cooperation in the new era |newspaper=Nikkei Shimbun |url=http://www.nikkeyshimbun.com.br/080131-71colonia.html |access-date=2 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091002210622/http://www.nikkeyshimbun.com.br/080131-71colonia.html |archive-date=2 October 2009}}</ref> On 14 November 2008, Japanese Deputy Prime Minister [[Tarō Asō]] and Brazilian President [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]] talked about this rail project. President Lula asked a consortium of Japanese companies to participate in the bidding process. Prime Minister Aso concurred on the bilateral cooperation to improve rail infrastructure in Brazil, including the Rio–São Paulo–Campinas high-speed rail line.<ref name="The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan">{{cite web |date=14 November 2008 |title= |script-title=ja:日ブラジル首脳会談(概要) |trans-title=Japan-Brazil Summit Meeting (Summary) |url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/kaidan/s_aso/fwe_08/jp_brazil.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512115223/https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/kaidan/s_aso/fwe_08/jp_brazil.html |archive-date=12 May 2021 |access-date=11 July 2022 |publisher=The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan |language=ja}}</ref> The Japanese consortium included the [[Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Japan)|Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism]], [[Mitsui & Co.]], [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]], [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries]] and [[Toshiba]].<ref name="Kyodo News">{{cite web |date=12 August 2008 |title= |script-title=ja:ブラジルに新幹線進出狙う 三井物産、建設に応札へ |trans-title=Mitsui aims to advance the Shinkansen to Brazil, to bid for construction |url=http://www.47news.jp/CN/200808/CN2008081201000767.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003012231/http://www.47news.jp/CN/200808/CN2008081201000767.html |archive-date=3 October 2009 |access-date=2 June 2009 |publisher=Kyodo News |language=ja}}</ref><ref name="The Nikkei Net">{{cite web |date=17 June 2009 |title= |script-title=ja:ブラジルに新幹線売り込み】日本勢、高速鉄道建設で各国と競合 |trans-title=[Selling Shinkansen to Brazil] Japanese compete with other countries for high-speed rail construction |url=http://www.nikkei.co.jp/news/sangyo/20090617AT1D1702A17062009.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620070725/http://www.nikkei.co.jp/news/sangyo/20090617AT1D1702A17062009.html |archive-date=20 June 2009 |access-date=12 July 2009 |publisher=The Nikkei Net |language=ja}}</ref> Nothing was implemented.

==== Vietnam ====
[[Vietnam Railways]] was considering the use of Shinkansen technology for [[North–South Express Railway (Vietnam)|high-speed rail]] between the capital [[Hanoi]] and the southern commercial hub of [[Ho Chi Minh City]], according to the [[Nihon Keizai Shimbun]], citing an interview with Chief Executive Officer Nguyen Huu Bang. The Vietnamese government had already given basic approval for the Shinkansen system, although it still requires financing and formal consent from the prime minister. Vietnam rejected a funding proposal in 2010, so funding for the $56 billion project is uncertain. Hanoi was exploring additional Japanese funding [[Official Development Assistance]] as well as funds from the [[World Bank]] and [[Asian Development Bank]]. The {{convert|1560|km|mi|adj=on}} line would replace the current colonial-era rail line. [[Vietnam]] hoped to launch high-speed trains by 2020 and planned to start by building three sections, including a {{cvt|90|km|mi}} stretch between the central coastal cities of [[Da Nang]] and [[Huế]], seen as potentially most profitable. Vietnam Railways had sent engineers to [[Central Japan Railway Company]] for technical training.<ref name="Nikkei">{{cite web |date=13 August 2009 |title= |script-title=ja:ベトナム縦断で新幹線 国営鉄道会長、2020年部分開業目指す |trans-title=Shinkansen national railway chairman crosses Vietnam, aiming for partial opening in 2020 |url=http://www.nikkei.co.jp/news/kaigai/20090813AT2M1203A12082009.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904043603/http://www.nikkei.co.jp/news/kaigai/20090813AT2M1203A12082009.html |archive-date=4 September 2009 |access-date=13 August 2009 |publisher=The Nikkei Net |language=ja}}</ref><ref name="AFP">{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gv5p5C0gfrQ43JZcXx7lZ39KyfTg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823063033/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gv5p5C0gfrQ43JZcXx7lZ39KyfTg |archive-date=23 August 2009 |title=Vietnam plans Japanese bullet train link |publisher= AFP |date=13 August 2009 |access-date=13 August 2009 }}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Trains|Japan|Transport}}
* [[High speed rail in China]]
* [[High speed rail in Europe]]
* [[High speed rail in India]]
* [[High speed rail in the United States]]
* [[Rail transport in Japan]]
* [[Shanghai Maglev Train]]
* [[Shinkansen too hard ice cream]]
* [[Transport in Japan]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book |author1=Katsuji Iwasa |author2=Masanobu Ishido |author3=Tatsuhiko Suga |author4=Robert Hancock |title=Shinkansen: the half century |date=2015 |publisher=Kotsu Shimbunsha |location=Tokyo |isbn=978-4-330-59615-0 |language=English}}
* {{cite book |last1=Shimomae |first1=Tetsuo |title=Birth of the Shinkansen. The Origin Story of the World-First Bullet Train |date=2022 |publisher=Springer |doi=10.1007/978-981-16-6538-7 |isbn=978-981-16-6537-0 |url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-16-6538-7 |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last1=Abel |first1=Jessamyn R. |title=Dream Super-Express: A Cultural History of the World's First Bullet Train |date=2022 |publisher=Stanford University Press |isbn=978-1-5036-2995-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CDNPEAAAQBAJ |language=en}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Shinkansen}}
{{Wikivoyage|Rail travel in Japan}}
* [https://www.ihra-hsr.org/en/hsr/data.html Shinkansen Data] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130162111/https://www.ihra-hsr.org/data/ |date=30 November 2020 }}, explanation by International High-speed Rail Association (IHRA)
* [http://www.japanesestudies.org.uk/discussionpapers/Hood.html Biting the Bullet: What we can learn from the Shinkansen], discussion paper by Christopher Hood in the [http://www.japanesestudies.org.uk ''electronic journal of contemporary Japanese studies''], 23 May 2001
* [http://www.asahi.com/english/nation/TKY200410150138.html East meets West], a story of how the Shinkansen brought Tokyo and [[Osaka]] closer together.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071021055843/http://thehindubusinessline.com/life/2005/08/19/stories/2005081900120300.htm Bullet on wheels], a travel report by Vinod Jacob 19 August 2005
* [http://www.accessible-japan.com/shinkansen-wheelchair-accessibility/ Shinkansen Wheelchair Accessibility], review for riders with disabilities.

{{Shinkansen}}
{{High-speed rail}}

{{Authority control}}

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