Shinkansen breakdown

*credit - Tokyo Cheapo
 

For a lot of us that are outsiders, getting from Tokyo to Kyoto/Osaka spurs one way to get there, Shinkansen. 

We casually use Shinkansen to say the fastest trains. 

In reality, different regional tracks for the bullet train have a specific Shinkansen for that route.

Back in 2017, I was visiting my friends in Shiga and the next day, had planned to go to Gifu to visit a car shop there before going to Sendai. 

Between Gifu and Nagoya station, there was the normal train line. Nagoya was part of the Tokaido Shinkansen route. 

At the time, I didn't know the differences. I thought Shinkansen trains were all the same. Once I got to Tokyo, I got off and asked the station about going to Sendai station. I was appointed to go to another platform marked for Sendai station. 

That's when I realized the that the Tokaido Shinkansen was different than the Tohoku Shinkansen.

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Even within the specific routes themselves, there are variations of the specific Shinkansen trains. Different models, some with reservations only, some faster due to less stations... etc. 

Also, certain stations are Shinkansen stations. 

I'll mention that in another post as that was a learning lesson as well!

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Tokaido Shinkansen

After that, Anytime I was talking about a Shinkansen, I always have to add the regional route. 

The most common Shinkansen is the one I mentioned, Tokaido Shinkansen. That is because the "Golden Route" for tourists is Tokyo to Osaka/Kyoto. The Tokaido Shinkansen is a straight path between these 2 destinations, making it the most popular train/route. 

In late 2023, they increased the price for the National JR rail pass, which people would use just for this route. More on this in another post.

Depending on which Tokaido Shinkansen you take will determine how many stations the Shinkansen will stop at. 

Example - Nozomi Tokaido Shinkansen is the fastest train between Tokyo and Osaka because they don't stop at every station along the route. 

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Sanyo Shinkansen

Let's say you want to go past Osaka. The Sanyo Shinkansen will take you from Shin-Osaka station to Fukuoka (and of course in between). This is part of my personal Golden Route as I go to Fukuoka often (my favorite spot). 

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Kyushu Shinkansen

While I was exploring Kyushu, I would go to Kumamoto and Kagoshima using the Kyushu Shinkansen. There is a station on this route that is only made for the Shinkansen!

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Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen

Relatively new, the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen head to Nagasaki. Prior, you would have to take a limited express to go that way. 

During the pandemic, they completed the Shinkansen line, but it starts at the Takeo Onsen station. I was told that Saga Prefecture's government didn't approve the full extension. I was able to experience the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen in 2023 after Japan had opened it's borders back up again. 

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Hokuriku Shinkansen

Originally the Nagano Shinkansen before the extension to Kanazawa. As mentioned above, the National JR pass price was increased. It has been increased to the point that some people don't feel it is worth it (only going between Tokyo and Osaka). The alternative route with a cheaper, but limited pass, is the Hokuriku Arch Pass. With that you would also have the Hokuriku Shinkansen. I took this route to get to Kansai region, but the route isn't fully Shinkansen. At the edge of Hokuriku region, the last station, Tsuruga station, you have to change to a limited express trains to get to Kyoto.

*Credit to JR West

*credit Asahi.com

As you can see on this map that Asahi has offered, the considered extension from Tsuruga to Shin-Osaka is being considered. 

Currently at the Tsuruga station, you can choose the JR Limited Express Thunderbird (westside of Lake Biwa) or JR Limited Express Shirasagi (eastside of Lake Biwa) to reach Kyoto.

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Joetsu Shinkansen

This route goes from Tokyo to Niigata prefecture.

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Tohoku Shinkansen has 2 branches. Yamagata and Akita. Usually they are paired with another Shinkanse and decouple at certain stations such as Sendai station.

If you were traveling from Tokyo, you can find those dire

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Yamagata Shinkansen

This route is a branch off the Tohoku Shinkansen.

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Akita Shinkansen

Another branch off the Tohoku Shinkansen. This Shinkansen decouples at Morioka station.

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Tohoku Shikansen

This is the main Shinkansen route going north. Terminal station is Hakodate station. This route goes underwater to reach the Island of Hokkaido.