There are several main operational lines of shinkansen, and the trains have different names based on their speed of service and number of stops that they make. Generally, the faster services run faster train models as well as skip smaller stations. So say if you want to go to Atami on the Tokaido Shinkansen, you actually want to take the slower Kodama train instead of the Nozomi because the Nozomi would just blow right past Atami.
Tokaido Shinkansen
This is the original shinkansen route, connecting Tokyo to Shin-Osaka. Notable cities in between include Nagoya and Kyoto. There are three train configurations used for this route.
Nozomi - The fastest service on this route with max speed of 270kph (170mph). It has the least number of stops and connects Tokyo to Shin-Osaka in 2 hrs 25 mins. Typically uses the N700 series trains. This train is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass!
Hikari - Uses the same N700 series trains as the Nozomi, but has a few more stops.
Kodama - The slowest shinkansen service on the Tokaido route. Uses the older 700 series trains nowadays.
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| Tokaido Shinkansen 700 series "Hikari" circa 2010 |
Sanyo Shinkansen
This route is a continuation of the Tokaido Shinkansen, connecting Shin-Osaka to Hakata (Fukuoka) on the southern island of Kyushu. Notable cities in between include Kobe, Himeji, and Hiroshima. In addition to the Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama trains that continue on from the Tokaido Shinkansen line, the Sanyo Shinkansen line also runs Mizuho and Sakura trains that continue on to the Kyushu Shinkansen line. The max velocity seen on this line is 300 kph (185 mph) for the Mizuho super express. Of note, the Mizuho is excluded from The Japan Rail Pass.
Kyushu Shinkansen
This route is a continuation of the Sanyo Shinkansen, connecting Hakata to Kagoshima. In addition to the eastern Kagoshima route, a western expansion is currently underway to connect Hakata to Nagasaki. The trains running on this route are as follows:
Mizuho - The fastest service with max speed of 300 kph (185 mph) and the least number of stops. Actually starts out in Osaka on the Sanyo Shinkansen and continues onto the Kyushu Shinkansen route. Uses the N700-8000 series trains and connects Shin-Osaka to Kagoshima in 3 hrs 45 mins. This train is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass!
Sakura - Uses the same N700-8000 series trains as the Mizuho, but has more stops.
Tsubame - The slowest shinkansen service on the Kyushu route, connects Hakata to Kagoshima using the 800 series trains and stops at all stations.
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| Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen N700-8000 series "Sakura", 2013 |
The longest shinkansen route in Japan, starts in Tokyo and heads north towards Aomori. Notable cities in between includes Fukushima and Sendai. This route actually has the fastest train velocity currently in Japan.
Hayabusa - Using the E6 series trains, can hit max speed of 320 kph (200 mph) and connects Tokyo to Aomori in 2 hrs 59 mins. Surprisingly, this train is actually covered by the Japan Rail Pass. The Hayabusa is also unique in that in addition to standard cars and Green cars, they also have a limited number (18) of GranClass seats, which for an additional 10,000 yen will get you meal service and even better seats.
Hayate - Uses the same E6 series trains as the Hayabusa service, but with slightly more stops.
Yamabiko - Hybrid limited stop service from Tokyo to Sendai with all local stops from Sendai to Aomori. Uses the older E2 series trains.
Nasuno - Makes all stops between Tokyo to Morioka using the E2 series trains. Doesn't go all the way to Aomori.
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| Tohoku Shinkansen E2 series "Nasuno" |
Joetsu Shinkansen
This is a route between Tokyo and Niigata that shares the Tohoku Shinkansen track between Tokyo to Omiya, then branches off from Omiya to Niigata.
Toki/Max Toki - E2 or E4 series trains with max speed of 245 kph (150 mph). The regular Toki uses the E2 series while the Max Toki designation are for double decker E4 series trains.
Tanigawa/Max Tanigawa - The local version of Toki that stops at all stations. The trains are the same E2/E4 series.
Nagano Shinkansen
This is a route between Tokyo and Nagano that shares the Tohoko Shinkansen track between Tokyo to Omiya, the Joetsu Shinkansen track between Omiya and Takasaki, and then its own tracks all the way to Nagano. This line uses E2 and the new E7 series trains, both named "Asama," with max speed of 260 kph (160 mph).
Hokuriku Shinkansen
This route is an extension of the Nagano Shinkansen and connects Nagano to Kanazawa using the new E7 and W7 series trains. The service is divided into three patterns.
Kagayaki - Express service with the least number of stops, max speed 260 kph (160 mph).
Hakutaka - Limited stop service with more stops than the Kagayaki.
Tsurugi - Shuttle service, stopping at all stations.
Akita Shinkansen
This is a hybrid route that uses the new E6 series trains nicknamed "Komachi" on Tohoku Shinkansen tracks from Tokyo to Morioka with max speed of 320 kph (200 mph) but then switches to local lines with max speed of 130 kph (80 mph) for the remainder of the journey to Akita.
Yamagata Shinkansen
This is a hybrid route that uses the E3 series trains called "Tsubasa" on Tohoku Shinkansen tracks from Tokyo to Fukushiuma with max speed of 240 kph (150 mph) but then switches to local lines with max speed of 130 kph (80 mph) for the remainder of the journey to Shinjo in Yamagata Prefecture.
Hokkaido Shinkansen
A planned route that extends the Tohoku shinkansen route from Aomori, north into the northern island of Hokkaido. JR plans to eventually connect this line all the way to Sapporo.
Chuo Shinkansen
A new line currently being constructed between Tokyo and Osaka, this line takes a more direct route between the two cities, as opposed to the Tokaido Shinkansen which hugs the coastline. This line is planned to run Mag-Lev trains with max speed over 500 kph (310 mph.) The Tokyo-Nagoya section is scheduled to open in 2027 with the extension to Osaka completed by 2045. Maybe I'll get to see this in my lifetime...
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