Lines Guide
10 Shinkansen Lines Guide
The complete guide to choosing the best Shinkansen route for your trip
1. Quick Navigation by Purpose
Not sure which line to take?
→ View Recommended Routes
2. All Shinkansen Lines
Tokaido Shinkansen Tokyo ↔ Shin-Osaka Hokuriku Shinkansen Tokyo ↔ Tsuruga Tohoku Shinkansen Tokyo ↔ Shin-Aomori Hokkaido Shinkansen Shin-Aomori ↔ Hakodate Sanyo Shinkansen Shin-Osaka ↔ Hakata Kyushu Shinkansen Hakata ↔ Kagoshima Joetsu Shinkansen Tokyo ↔ Niigata Akita Shinkansen Tokyo ↔ Akita Yamagata Shinkansen Tokyo ↔ Shinjo Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen Takeo-Onsen ↔ Nagasaki
3. Line Comparison
| Line | Section | Top Speed | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokaido | Tokyo 〜 Shin-Osaka | 285km/h | Fastest & Most Frequent |
| Tohoku | Tokyo 〜 Shin-Aomori | 320km/h | Fastest in Japan |
| Hokuriku | Tokyo 〜 Tsuruga | 260km/h | Mountain Scenery |
| Hokkaido | Shin-Aomori 〜 Hakodate | 260km/h | Snow Views |
| Sanyo | Shin-Osaka 〜 Hakata | 300km/h | Western Japan |
| Kyushu | Hakata 〜 Kagoshima | 260km/h | Southern Kyushu |
| Joetsu | Tokyo 〜 Niigata | 240km/h | Snow Country |
| Akita | Tokyo 〜 Akita | 130km/h | Local Line Direct |
| Yamagata | Tokyo 〜 Shinjo | 130km/h | Local Line Direct |
| Nishi-Kyushu | Takeo-Onsen 〜 Nagasaki | 260km/h | Newest Line |
4. Shinkansen Matchmaker
5. FAQ
- How many Shinkansen lines are there in Japan?
- There are 10 distinct lines currently operating.
- Which one is recommended for first-timers?
- The Tokaido Shinkansen (Tokyo to Kyoto/Osaka) is the most popular and practical route.
- Can I use the JR Pass?
- Yes, but you cannot ride the fastest trains like the "Nozomi" and "Mizuho".