The Shinkansen is Japan’s high-speed railway. The first line, the Tokaido Shinkansen, opened in 1964 between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, and in its first 50 years it carried 5.6 billion people.
First line 1964Tokaido Shinkansen
新幹線Shinkansen
First route
Tokyo – Shin-Osaka
Top speed
200 km/h (1964) → 285 km/h
Trains a day
60 (1964) → 324
People carried
5.6 billion in 50 years
From the White Paper on Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (2015).
The “dream super express”
The Tokaido Shinkansen opened in 1964 as the “dream super express”, running between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka.
It joins Japan’s three biggest city areas: Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. It celebrated its 50th year in October 2014.
Faster and more often
When it opened, there were 2 trains an hour and 60 a day. By its 50th year there were up to 15 an hour and 324 a day.
The top speed went up from 200 km/h to 285 km/h.
In 50 years it carried 5.6 billion people.
What comes next
In December 2014, work began on the Chuo Shinkansen between Tokyo and Nagoya, which uses superconducting maglev.
Think about it
Q1The number of trains a day went from 60 to 324. How many times as many is that?
Q2Why do you think a fast train was built between Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka first?
Q3Is there a high-speed train in your country? Compare its speed with the Shinkansen.
There is no single right answer. Talking it over with someone at home is a good way to learn.
Did you know? — When the Tokaido Shinkansen opened, it ran 2 trains an hour.