Do you like Japan's trains? There are so many different kinds with varying design, speed, and function, let alone the range of shinkansen (bullet trains)! Here we take a look at a few of them.
Shinkansen N700A: maximum speed of 285km per hour!
Introduced in 2007, the N700 series operates on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line between Shin-Osaka Station and Tokyo Station, and the Sanyo Shinkansen Line between Shin-Osaka Station and Hakata Station in Fukuoka.
The N700A started services on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line in February 2013. While the exterior looks the same as the N700, it is a further upgrade with its "A" designation reflects its advanced safety and comfort features. Those include constant speed control systems, vibration detection systems and new braking systems. The cars have wider sized seats, and enhanced noise reduction.
The maximum operating speed of the shinkansen is 285km per hour, meaning the journey time between Tokyo Station and Shin-Osaka Station is only 2 hours 22 minutes!
You can travel in comfort and in less time than other types of shinkansen. It's also as fast or faster than flying once you factor in getting to and from the airport. Do you want to try to take the N700A and experience this speed?
"Hikari Rail Star": The only shinkansen with private rooms
This shinkansen is distinguished by its silver gray livery and gold stripe under the windows as well as having "Rail Star" emblazoned on the side of the driver's compartment.
This special N700 train runs on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line connecting Shin-Osaka and Fukuoka's Hakata Station. It is the only shinkansen currently operating which has private rooms, although there is no first-class Green car. The train's 8th car has four private compartments each seating four people. As long as four people occupy the compartment, the price is the same as for standard seats in regular cars on this and other shinkansen
Since there are limited "Hikari Rail Star" services, it is recommended that you reserve as early as possible if you want to travel in a private room.
E7 and W7 shinkansen: beautiful, comfortable and convenient
The E7 and W7 series trains are operated by East Japan Railway and West Japan Railway respectively. They were jointly developed and other than name, there is no much difference in specifications.
This series features a beautiful white livery with contrasting blue and gold lines. It is a comfortable and convenient with enhanced facilities for disabled passengers and all seats are equipped with an electric socket.
The W7 runs on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line connecting Tokyo and Kanazawa after it was extended from Nagano in 2015 . Construction of a railway link between Kanazawa and Shiga was approved in June 2012, and is scheduled to be completed in 2022.
This new shinkansen has brought Kanazawa and the Hokuriku region closer and there are more travel options than ever. Don’t you feel like planning a trip to Kanazawa?
May be few of you have already traveled on one or more of these three bullet trains, but in the next article, we will introduce some trains which even the Japanese rarely take. So stay tuned to our page!
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