Shinkansen travel guide: Japan's famous bullet train

The Shinkansen is not just an efficient way of getting from A to B, although that’s certainly the case, but also a uniquely Japanese experience that puts other railway networks to shame, and gives you a glimpse of the country’s wonderful scenery, including a view of Mount Fuji on some routes. So if you’re planning a journey on the Shinkansen bullet train in Japan, here’s everything you need to know before you board in our Shinkansen travel guide.

The official name of the bullet train in Japan is the Shinkansen, which translates as ‘new trunk line’. The network of high-speed railway lines connects major cities. In its early planning stages, the project was called the bullet train, thanks to the shape of the design, and that name has stuck in English.

The Shinkansen has a maximum speed of 320km per hour – approximately 200 miles per hour. The Hayabusa Shinkansen, on the Tohoku Shinkansen line regularly reaches these speeds, making it one of the fastest in Japan, although the Nozomi Shinkansen regularly travels at speeds of 300km per hour (186mph) on the Tokaido and Sanyo lines. On each of the Shinkansen lines, there are a mix of fast trains, which only stop at the main stations, semi-fast trains which stop more frequently and local trains which stop at every station.

The bullet train made its first journey just before the opening ceremony of the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, on what’s now the Tokaido Shinkansen line. The Shinkansen network has expanded to include nine lines across the country, including underwater tunnels connecting Honshu (where you’ll find Japan’s biggest cities) to Hokkaido and Kyushu, the islands to the north and south.

The majority of tourists will start their journeys in either Tokyo or Osaka, with the Tokaido Shinkansen line connecting the two via Kyoto. From Tokyo, you can access six other lines (several with changes); the Akita, Hokkaido, Hokuriku, Joetsu, Tohoku, and Yamagata Shinkansen lines, with the Hokkaido line travelling to Japan’s far north.

The Sanyo Shinkansen line connects Osaka with Fukuoka, and onto the connecting Kyushu line travelling through the island of Kyushu. More extensions to the existing lines are planned, including a connection from Kanazawa to Shin-Osaka (scheduled for 2046) and north to Sapporo (for around 2038).

Mount Fuji

You can see some of Japan’s loveliest scenery as well as its biggest tourist attractions and largest cities, all by Shinkansen bullet train. Here’s an overview of the most popular Shinkansen routes for visitors to Japan.

This is one of the most popular bullet train routes for visitors to Japan, connecting Tokyo and Kyoto, and Osaka, as well as Yokohama and Nagoya. Some trains on this route also stop at Mishima.

One of the world’s great cities, a stay in Tokyo is a chance to discover Japanese culture and heritage, while also losing yourself in the ultra-modern megalopolis with its high-rise, high-tech, high-energy sides.

Take a journey to the past at the Fukagawa Edo Museum – home to a life-size streetscape depicting the Edo period – as well as visiting the 7th century Senso-Ji Temple, and other historic sites such as the grand Imperial Palace and the Meiji Shinto shrine.

Or head to neon-lit Shinjuku, the famously thronged Shibuya crossing, or discover cutting-edge technology at the Miraikan National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation.

A taste of traditional Japan less than an hour from Tokyo, Mishima makes a perfect relaxed escape from the city. Known for its huge 400m-long Mishima Skywalk, you can walk high above the ground to enjoy the wonderful views to Suruga Bay or wander through forest paths. Known as the ‘City of Water’, you’re also surrounded by lakes and waterfalls, while the local delicacy is eel which thrives in the spring water fed by melting snow from Mount Fuji.

The iconic symbol of Japan, the country’s tallest peak rises to 3,776m. And while this active volcano is often shrouded in cloud, you can be lucky and get a glimpse on a clear day as you travel by Shinkansen. Inspiration for countless artists and photographers, you’ll get the best views from the right-hand side of the train if you’re travelling from Tokyo in the direction of Shin-Osaka. Keep your eyes peeled around 45 minutes into the journey.

Mount Fuji

One of the highlights of any trip to Japan, the ancient capital is an endless series of cultural experiences and landmarks. Along with UNESCO-listed Nijo Castle, home to the Tokugawa shoguns, you can marvel at the golden Kinkaku-ji Temple reflected in its pool, as well as the Ryoan-ji Temple, famous for its rock garden. Add in the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, where you can learn more about characters from Japanese history, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace, before walking through the ancient district of Gion, with its attractive tea houses, traditional tea ceremonies, and a chance to glimpse maiko, as geisha-in-training are known.

One of Japan’s largest seaports, Osaka is famous for its imposing castle, surrounded by a huge park which you can explore before heading inside to visit the museum. But the city is also known for its food, especially seafood, so you can’t leave without indulging in a few traditional delights from the stalls at Kuromon Market – look out for takoyaki (fried octopus balls), as well as oysters, crabs’ legs and sashimi galore. There’s a modern side to discover here too, including neon-lit Dotonbori with its retro signs.

Another major bullet train route out of Tokyo, travelling to the west coast, including Kanazawa.

One of the world’s great cities, a stay in Tokyo is a chance to discover Japanese culture and heritage, while also losing yourself in the ultra-modern megalopolis with its high-rise, high-tech, high-energy sides.

Take a journey to the past at the Fukagawa Edo Museum – home to a life-size streetscape depicting the Edo period – as well as visiting the 7th century Senso-Ji Temple, and other historic sites including the grand Imperial Palace and the Meiji Shinto shrine.

Or head to neon-lit Shinjuku, the famously thronged Shibuya crossing, or discover cutting-edge technology at the Miraikan National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation.

Tokyo

Although Kanazawa isn’t as famous as Tokyo and Kyoto, it’s another unmissable spot to discover Japanese heritage. Known for its lantern-lit merchant houses and beautiful landscaped gardens dotted with pools, save time to explore the traditional teahouse districts which have barely changed since the Edo period, and which are far less busy than their counterparts in Kyoto. You can also walk around the grounds of 15th century Kanazawa Castle, home to the powerful Maeda samurai clan, and explore the Nagamachi samurai district, with some of the historic residences open to the public, before picking up gold-leaf products, one of the city’s specialist crafts.

One of the more southerly routes on Honshu, travelling from Osaka to Hakata (Fukuoka) via Hiroshima.

One of Japan’s largest seaports, Osaka is famous for its imposing castle, surrounded by a huge park which you can explore before heading inside to visit the museum. But the city is also known for its food, especially seafood, so you can’t leave without indulging in a few traditional delights from the stalls at Kuromon Market – look out for takoyaki (fried octopus balls), as well as oysters, crabs’ legs and sashimi galore. There’s a modern side to discover here too, including neon-lit Dotonbori with its retro signs.

There’s far more to Hiroshima than the darkest chapter of its history, but no visit is complete without a visit to the Peace Park and Peace Memorial Museum, which helps remember all the victims of the world’s first atomic bomb. The Children’s Peace Monument is particularly moving, with more than a thousand paper cranes fluttering in the breeze. The city is also a lovely place to wander, with tree-lined boulevards. Then take a cable car to the summit of Mount Misen for some wonderful views, as well as a ferry to the semi-submerged orange Torii-Gate on Miyajima Island which seems to float in the water at high tide. Save time for a taste of okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake that’s a local speciality.

Hiroshima

This port city stays under the radar when it comes to most Japan itineraries, but it has its own charms for visitors, including a historic area called Gion. Like Kyoto’s, you’ll find a taste of traditional life and temples here, although it’s far less visited than its popular sister city. Don’t miss a visit to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, especially during February and March when its 6,000 plum trees bloom. Then soak up the views from the observation deck at the 123m-high Fukuoka Tower, before indulging in a bowl of ramen which is so linked with the city that they’re known as Hakata ramen countrywide, the name of one of the city’s districts.

The Shinkansen bullet trains are known for their sleek design and extremely comfortable experience – as well as impressive levels of punctuality, with departures leaving exactly on time in the vast majority of cases. Whichever class you’re in, you can expect a smooth and quiet journey too, with plenty of room for luggage above your head, and some extra space at the end of carriages.

Previously you needed to reserve a specific seat if you had oversize luggage, but from July 2025, there’s a trial to make this available to all. You’ll also find plenty of toilets on board, including accessible toilets, plus free WiFi.

The majority of seats are in Ordinary Class, set out with two on one side of the aisle and three on the other side. Despite the name, you can still expect a comfortable seat and usually plenty of foot space – this can vary depending on the route.

Most trains have both non-reserved and reserved seats in different carriages, but a few have no non-reserved seating. There’s a small additional fee (usually a couple of pounds of less) to make seat reservations, although Japan Rail Pass holders can make reservations for free.

You can also upgrade to Green Class, which has slightly larger seats, with two on either side of the aisle. The Green Car carriages tend to be less busy, while you can also order drinks and snacks to your seat via your phone (not included in the ticket price). The most luxurious option is Gran Class, which is available on the Tohoku, Hokuriku, Joetsu and Hokkaido Shinkansen. This is even more spacious with two seats on one side of the aisle and a single seat on the other side – the reclining seats themselves are also bigger.

With this upgrade, you’ll be guided to your seat by an attendant, and given a pack of amenities, including blanket, slippers and eye mask, as well as a menu. Food and drink is included in the seat price, with locally sourced products or which use locally sourced ingredients, including alcohol and western-style food, along with Japanese dishes and snacks, and you can summon the attendant with a button at any point.

Yes, absolutely. The only exceptions are foods which might bother your fellow passengers, such as anything with a very strong smell. Otherwise, you can bring anything from sushi to sandwiches and snacks, bento boxes to beer aboard. And if you are likely to be hungry or thirsty during your journey, you will need to bring your own provisions with you.

Bento box packed lunch

Since 2023, the majority of Shinkansen services have no food or drink service, and any choices are likely to be very limited. It’s easy to pick up food to takeaway in the Shinkansen stations though and there are small tray tables which fold down, as well as places on board to dispose of any rubbish. If you can’t find a bin on board, you are expected to take it with you to dispose on the station platform.

There’s no food served on the Shinkansen currently, apart from a few exceptions. Some of the less busy routes have a food and drink service, although these tend to feature very limited choices, while the busiest routes have had no trolley service for the past few years. The main exception is in Green Class, the bullet train version of first class, where you can order via your phone. Even then, your choice is usually limited to drinks and snacks (paid for separately) so you may be better off buying something in advance, especially if you’re hoping for a more substantial meal.

If you’re travelling in Gran Class, the most luxurious option, food is included. It’s easy to buy a bento box or other takeaway food in the stations along the Shinkansen routes, and there are no restrictions on what you can bring aboard as long as your choice won’t disturb other passengers, such as particularly strong-smelling food.

There is free WiFi on most Shinkansen trains running across all the lines in the network, with good connectivity during your journey. There are various networks used, including Shinkansen Free WiFi, JR-East-Free-Wi-Fi and JR-West-free-Wi-Fi.

All Shinkansen trains have multiple toilets, sometimes with separate options for different genders.

In the vast majority of cases, these are Western-style toilets, while newer trains also have spacious toilets designed to be accessible for wheelchair users. You’re also likely to find additional sinks and mirrors outside the toilets themselves.

The trains themselves are easy to access for passengers in wheelchairs, and wheelchair users can book special seating free of charge, although this needs to be done in advance at the train station where you will board.

There is no restaurant car, trolley service or bar on standard Shinkansen services, with the exception of Green Car seats where you can order a limited amount of drinks and snacks via your phone.

Length: 2,951km

Bridges: Over 3,000

Tunnels: More than 67 miles of tunnels; the network has 120 tunnels between Tokyo and Morioka alone, as well as a 16.5-mile tunnel near Aomori

Highest elevation: 1,375m

Number of passengers: Around 356 million

Experience the bullet train for yourself on a holiday to Japan, with three journeys included on our popular Essence of Japan tour