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Top speeds by line
- Tohoku shinkansen Hayabusa: 320 km/h, the fastest in Japan.
- Tokaido shinkansen Nozomi: 285 km/h between Tokyo and Shin Osaka.
- Sanyo shinkansen Nozomi and Mizuho: 300 km/h.
- Hokuriku shinkansen Kagayaki: 260 km/h.
Shinkansen explained
How fast is the shinkansen and which trains are fastest
Shinkansen trains run at up to 320 km/h in regular service. Here is how fast each line goes and which trains are the quickest.
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Fastest trains by category
- Hayabusa on the Tohoku line, Tokyo to Sendai in 90 minutes.
- Nozomi on the Tokaido line, Tokyo to Osaka in 2 hours 22 minutes.
- Mizuho on the Sanyo and Kyushu lines, Shin Osaka to Kagoshima in 3 hours 41 minutes.
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Speed and the JR Pass
With a Japan Rail Pass you can ride almost every shinkansen train at no extra cost. Nozomi and Mizuho require a small supplement, but the next fastest train, Hikari or Sakura, only takes 15 to 20 minutes longer.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to common questions.
What is the fastest shinkansen?
The Hayabusa on the Tohoku line, running at 320 km/h between Tokyo and northern Japan.
Is the shinkansen faster than flying?
City centre to city centre, yes for most routes under 700 km, including Tokyo to Osaka and Tokyo to Hiroshima.
Does the JR Pass cover the fastest trains?
Yes for Hayabusa, Hikari, Sakura, Kagayaki and Kodama. Nozomi and Mizuho require a small supplement.
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