Japanese Bullet Trains

<section data-class="texte-bandeau" class=""><div class="titrebandeau"><h1></h1><div class="accroche"></div></div></section>

<section data-class="titre-onglet-vert-gris" class=""><h2><b>SHIN</b>kansen</h2></section>

<section data-class="texte-libre" class=""><div>With a 20,000km network of lines and high performance, punctual trains, Japan is a train lover's paradise.<br><br>If you want to maximise your time in Japan and travel quickly between the Japanese cities, opt for the <b>high-speed Shinkansen</b> 'Bullet Trains'.&nbsp;<br><br>These trains are a big hit with tourists in Japan, they are easy to access with very good signposting in the stations. Inside the carraiges there is a digital information system in both Japanese and English which shows upcoming stops as well as the estimated arrival time.<br><br></div></section><section data-class="bloc-2-colonnes-photos-texte" class=""><div class="fleft"><a><div class="image"><img src="/sites/default/files/legacy/japan_rail_pass/public/files/FAQ/japan-rail-pass-%2814%29.jpg" alt="Using Japan Rail Pass "></div></a></div><div class="texte fleft">USING YOUR JAPAN RAIL PASS<br><br>The <a href="/jr-pass">JR Pass</a> allows you <b>easy access</b> to the Shinkansen Bullet Trains with just a quick check of your pass at the ticket gate. <br>The Shinkansen have reserved seat carriages ('shitei-seki') and unreserved seat carriages ('jiyu-seki').<br>As a Japan Rail Pass holder you can make seat reservations<b> free of charge</b> before your journey but it is not manatory. <br>Seat reservations are advised in <b>periods of high demand</b> such as cherry blossom, (late March - early April), Golden Week (late April - early May), Obon (mid-August) and New Year.<br><br><b><a href="/jr-pass">Order your JR Pass</a></b><br></div><div class="clearfix"></div></section><section data-class="bloc-2-colonnes-photos-texte" class=""><div class="fleft"><a><div class="image"><img src="/sites/default/files/legacy/japan_rail_pass/public/files/FAQ/japan-rail-pass-%283%29.jpg" alt="JR pass Green by Japan Experience"></div></a></div><div class="texte fleft">GREEN PASS AND FIRST CLASS<br><br>The '<b>Green Pass</b>' gives you access to the 'Green Car', the equivalent of our First Class, without any additional fee.<br>The 'Green car' provides a large seat that can recline 40°, a footrest, more space between the seats, an integrated radio set and space for your luggage.<br>in recent years, newer models of train have introduced a new class for the ultimate bullet train travel: the Gran Class. This new first-class train travel whose name was inspired by the French word for "big", started in 2011 on the Tohoku Shinkansen.<br></div><div class="clearfix"></div></section><section data-class="bloc-2-colonnes-photos-texte" class=""><div class="fleft"><a><div class="image"><img src="/sites/default/files/legacy/japan_rail_pass/public/files/pages-produit/shinkansenhistory2.jpg" alt="Shinkansen History"></div></a></div><div class="texte fleft">SHINKANSEN HISTORY<br><br>Japan was <a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/shinkansen-history" title="The shinkansen history">the<b> first country</b></a> to create a high-speed rail network. It was in 1964, on the occasion of the Tokyo Olympics that the first Shinkansen line was inaugurated. <br>This stretch of approximately 500km was constructed between the capital, <a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/tokyo-station" title="Discover Tokyo Station with a Japan Rail pass">Tokyo </a>and <a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/shin-osaka-station" title="Discover Shin Osaka with a Japan Rail Pass">Shin-Osaka </a>following the ancient Tokaido route.<br>The service was an <b>immediate success</b>, reaching the 100 million passenger mark in less than three years.<br> </div><div class="clearfix"></div></section><section data-class="bloc-2-colonnes-photos-texte" class=""><div class="fleft"><a><div class="image"><img src="/sites/default/files/legacy/japan_rail_pass/public/files/FAQ/fujisan_s.jpg" alt="Shinkansen network in Japan"></div></a></div><div class="texte fleft">SHINKANSEN NETWORK<br><br>The Shinkansen bullet trains serve <b><a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/shinkansen-network" title="The shinkansen network with your Japan Rail Pass">all major cities</a></b> on the main island of Honshu and also on Kyushu. There are no Shinkansen in Shikoku and none in the Okinawan islands.<br></div><div class="clearfix"></div></section><section data-class="bloc-2-colonnes-photos-texte" class=""><div class="fleft"><a><div class="image"><img src="/sites/default/files/legacy/japan_rail_pass/public/files/pages-produit/shinkansenE7.jpg" alt="Future Shinkansen"></div></a></div><div class="texte fleft">FUTURE SHINKANSEN EXTENSIONS<br><br><ul><li><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;"><b>Hokuriku Shinkansen:</b></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;"> The extension of this Shinkansen line connecting Tokyo to Kanazawa opened in March 2015, it will then be further extended to Tsuruga in 2025.<br></span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;"><b>Hokkaido Shinkansen:</b></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;"><b>&nbsp;</b>This extension is in operation since &nbsp;march 2016 and reach Shin Hakodate. Second stage from Shin Hakodate &nbsp;to Sapporo will be fully operational in 2035.<br></span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;"><b>Kyushu Shinkansen:</b></span><font style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;" color="#333333"> This extension, allowing high-speed travel to Nagasaki, is planned to open in 2023.<b><br></b></font></li><li><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;"><b>Chuo Shinkansen:</b></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;"> <a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/maglev-tokyo-osaka" title="The Maglev project in Japan">this new line</a> will mostly run underground using Maglev technology allowing speeds of up to 500km/h. The first section between Tokyo and Nagoya is scheduled for completion in 2027 with a second section reaching Osaka in 2045.</span></li></ul><div>MAIN SHINKANSEN LINES</div></div><div class="clearfix"></div></section><section data-class="bloc-1-image-lien" class=""><div class="bloc-bas-3-colonnes-titre col1"><a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/shinkansen-network" title="The Japan Shinkansen Network - accessible with your Japan Rail Pass"><span class="image"><img src="/sites/default/files/legacy/japan_rail_pass/public/files/Le_Japon_en_Train/shinkansen/shinkansenkiss-130-200.jpg" alt="" data-pin-nopin="true"></span></a><div class="lien"><a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/shinkansen-network" title="Discover the Shinkansen Network">The shinkansen netwoRK</a><br><br></div></div></section><section data-class="bloc-1-image-lien" class=""><div class="bloc-bas-3-colonnes-titre col1"><a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/kyushu-shinkansen" title="The Kyushu shinkansen with a Japan Rail Pass"><span class="image"><img src="/sites/default/files/legacy/japan_rail_pass/public/files/Le_Japon_en_Train/Kyusyushinkansen_type800_shinminamata.jpg" data-pin-nopin="true" alt="Kyushu shinkansen with a Japan Rail Pass"></span></a><div class="lien"><a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/kyushu-shinkansen" title="The Kyushu Shinkansen with a Japan Rail Pass">the kyushu shinkansen<br><br></a></div></div></section><section data-class="bloc-1-image-lien" class=""><div class="bloc-bas-3-colonnes-titre col1"><a><span class="image"><img src="/sites/default/files/legacy/japan_rail_pass/public/files/Le_Japon_en_Train/shinkansen/hokkaido-shinkansen-130.jpg" alt="The Hokkaido shinkansen with a Japan Rail Pass"></span></a><div class="lien"><a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/hokkaido-shinkansen" title="The Hokkaido Shinkansen with a Japan Rail pass">the hokkaido shinkansen</a><br><br></div></div></section><section data-class="bloc-bas-3-colonnes-image-lien" class=""><div class="bloc-bas-3-colonnes-titre col1"><a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/tokaido-lines" title="the Tokaido Shinkansen Lines"><span class="image"><img src="/sites/default/files/legacy/japan_rail_pass/public/files/Le_Japon_en_Train/shinkansen/hikarikodama-130.jpeg" alt="The Hikari/Nozomi/Kodama Shinkansen"></span></a><div class="lien"><a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/tokaido-lines" title="The Tokaido Shinkansen Lines">the hikari/nozomi/kodama shinkansen</a></div></div><div class="bloc-bas-3-colonnes-titre col2"><a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/hokuriku-shinkansen" title="The Hokuriku Shinkansen"><span class="image"><img src="/sites/default/files/legacy/japan_rail_pass/public/files/Le_Japon_en_Train/shinkansen/hokurikushinkansen-model-130.jpg" alt="The Hokuriku Shinkansen "></span></a><div class="lien"><a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/hokuriku-shinkansen" title="The Hokuriku Shinkansen ">The hokuriku shinkansen</a></div></div><div class="bloc-bas-3-colonnes-titre col3"><a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/toreiyu-tsubasa" title="The Toreiyu Tsubasa"><span class="image"><img src="/sites/default/files/legacy/japan_rail_pass/public/files/Le_Japon_en_Train/shinkansen/toreibath-130.jpg" alt="The Toreiyu Tsubasa"></span></a><div class="lien"><a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/toreiyu-tsubasa" title="The Toreiyu Tsubasa">the toreiyu TSUBASA</a></div></div><div class="clearfix"></div></section>

<section data-class="titre-onglet-vert-gris" class=""><h2><b>other </b>questions</h2></section>

<section data-class="bloc-bas-3-colonnes-image-lien" class=""><div class="bloc-bas-3-colonnes-titre col1"><a href="/common-questions/can-i-use-all-trains"><span class="image"><img src="/sites/default/files/legacy/japan_rail_pass/public/files/Le_Japon_en_Train/shinkansen/shinkansenkiss-130-200.jpg" alt="Tips for Japanese trains"></span></a><div class="lien"><a href="/common-questions/can-i-use-all-trains">Can I use all types of trains?</a></div></div><div class="bloc-bas-3-colonnes-titre col2"><a href="/common-questions/booking-a-seat"><span class="image"><img src="/sites/default/files/legacy/japan_rail_pass/public/files/FAQ/japan-rail-pass-%2810%29+%281%29.jpg" alt="About the reservation seat"></span></a><div class="lien"><a href="/common-questions/booking-a-seat">Do I need to book a seat? How can I book a seat? </a></div></div><div class="bloc-bas-3-colonnes-titre col3"><a href="/common-questions/taking-my-train"><span class="image"><img src="/sites/default/files/legacy/japan_rail_pass/public/files/FAQ/japan-rail-pass-%288%29.jpg" alt="How take the train in Japan"></span></a><div class="lien"><a href="/common-questions/taking-my-train">HOw do i take my train?</a></div></div><div class="clearfix"></div></section><section data-class="bloc-bas-3-colonnes-image-lien" class=""><div class="bloc-bas-3-colonnes-titre col1"><a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/tips-for-using-the-shinkansen" title="Tips for using the shinkansen"><span class="image"><img src="/sites/default/files/legacy/japan_rail_pass/public/files/Le_Japon_en_Train/hayabusa.jpg" alt="Tips for using the shinkansen" data-pin-nopin="true"></span></a><div class="lien"><a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/tips-for-using-the-shinkansen" title="Tips for using the shinkansen">Tips for using the shinkansen</a></div></div><div class="bloc-bas-3-colonnes-titre col2"><a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/why-cant-i-use-nozomi" title="Why can't I Use the Nozomi with my Rail Pass ?"><span class="image"><img src="/sites/default/files/legacy/japan_rail_pass/public/files/Le_Japon_en_Train/shinkansen/Shinkansen-Nozomi-500-series-130.jpg" alt="Why can't I use the Nozomi with the JR Pass ?"></span></a><div class="lien"><a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/why-cant-i-use-nozomi" title="Why can't I use the Nozomi with my Japan Rail Pass? ">why can't use the nozomi with my jr pass ?</a></div></div><div class="bloc-bas-3-colonnes-titre col3"><a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/granclass" title="Gran Class : the latest in Shinkansen Travel"><span class="image"><img src="/sites/default/files/legacy/japan_rail_pass/public/files/Le_Japon_en_Train/trains/granclassseats130.jpg" alt="The Shinkansen Gran Class in Japan"></span></a><div class="lien"><a href="/japan-by-rail/travel-tips/granclass" title="The Shinkansen Gran Class">the shinkansen GRAN class</a></div></div><div class="clearfix"></div></section><section data-class="titre-paragraphe" class=""><h3><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="/japan-by-rail" target="_blank">other travel tips</a></div></h3></section>

<section data-class="titre-onglet-vert-gris" class=""><h2><b>discover</b> Jrp assistance</h2></section><section data-class="videoencadre-small" class=""><div class="encadre"><div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KnvvH5LBoq4?rel=0&quot; style="width:280px;height:200px" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></section><section data-class="titre-paragraphe" class=""><h3>Esclusive</h3></section><section data-class="texte-libre" class=""><div>The<b> JRP Assistance</b> offer is a world exclusive from&nbsp;<a href="http://www.japan-experience.com/&quot; target="_blank">Japan Experience</a>&nbsp;the only company to offer this&nbsp;assistance service to train travellers in Japan.</div></section>