What's the fastest train in Japan? (2023)

What is the fastest train in Japanese?

1. L0 Series Maglev: 374 mph. This Japanese train, which is currently being developed and tested by the Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), holds the land speed record for rail vehicles, clocking in at 374 mph.

Most Shinkansen trains operate at speeds of about 500 kilometers per hour (200 to 275 miles per hour).

Since they were commissioned more than five decades ago, bullet trains have been the symbol of Japan's engineering prowess. This ambitious project demonstrated Japan's significant engineering skill and expertise, and its success transformed the way Japan was viewed by the rest of the world.

1: Shanghai Maglev - 460 kph/286 mph (China)

The world's fastest public train is also unique -- it's the only link in the world currently carrying passengers using magnetic levitation (Maglev) rather than conventional steel wheels on steel rails.

Japan's L0 Series Maglev is the fastest train in the world, with a speed record of 374 mph or 602 km/h. It could go the distance from New York City to Montreal in less than an hour. China has half of the eight fastest trains, and the world's largest high-speed railway network.

The Shanghai Maglev was created in 2010 in China and has been named the fastest commercial train of 2022. This 504-foot-long train can fit 574 passengers and roars to life over the tracks at a top speed of 268 mph, or 431 km/h.

Trains regularly reach speeds of 125-150 mph (201-241 kph).

The shinkansen train uses superconducting maglev (short for magnetic levitation) to achieve these incredible speeds. As the train leaves the station, it's rolling on wheels. But as it speeds up, the wheels retract, and the power of magnets allows the vehicle to hover four inches above the ground.

The Shinkansen bullet train system has an impeccable safety record over its more than 50-year history, thanks to a number of measures that have been cemented in place to safeguard against accidents and natural disasters.

How old is the bullet train?

On October 1, 1964, the shinkansen began commercial service between Japan's two largest cities of Tokyo and Osaka. Now 50 years on, the iconic train runs from Aomori in the north to Kagoshima in the south.

The 2022 business plan estimates that the full, 500-mile high-speed system between Los Angeles and San Francisco will cost as much as $105 billion, up from $100 billion two years ago. In 2008, when voters approved a bond to help build the railroad, the authority estimated that the system would cost $33 billion.

Because the consonants above are pronounced in the same place, this is what allows native Japanese speakers to speak so fast. The front part of the tongue barely has to move between these consonants compared to English words which have far more consonants and places of pronunciation (AKA places of articulation).

The Shanghai Maglev train, at top speed of 431 km/h (268 mph), is the fastest train in China. The maglev train has remained confined its original 30 km (19 mi) track as state planners chosen high-speed trains that run on conventional track for the national HSR network.

The first high-speed rail system began operations in Japan in 1964, and is known as the Shinkansen, or “bullet train.” Today, Japan has a network of nine high speed rail lines serving 22 of its major cities, stretching across its three main islands, with three more lines in development.

1. Switzerland. Tucked inside the small but incredibly beautiful country of Switzerland is one of the most efficient and scenic rail networks in the world.

What are fast trains called?

In fact, many call them “bullet trains” because of their high speeds. Bullet trains in China, Japan, South Korea, and Russia regularly approach 200 miles per hour. Some of the fastest trains in the world — called Maglev trains — use a special technology known as magnetic levitation.

In 2004, the Shanghai Maglev Train became the world's first commercially operated high-speed maglev. It remains the fastest commercial train in the world with peak speeds of 431 km/h (268 mph) and makes the 30.5 km (19.0 mi) trip in less than 7.5 minutes.

ICE T trains can run at speeds of up to 230 km/h (140 mph).

Whatever signal is given to the trains, the loco pilot follows that signal and proceeds accordingly. But, trains actually run faster at night than during the day.

During his race with Shockwave for the title of "the fastest man alive", the announcer states that A-Train can reach speeds in excess of 1,000 miles per hour (1,609.34 kilometers per hour/Mach 1.3).

With high-speed rail, train travel is always faster than driving. In many cases, it's even faster than flying, once you factor in the whole air travel song-and-dance. And if you do need to catch a plane, trains make it easier to get to the airport.

Amtrak's Acela, which reaches 150 mph (240 km/h) over 49.9 mi (80.3 km) of track, is the US's only high-speed rail service. Acela trains will reach top speeds of 165 mph (266 km/h) when new trains enter service, and 186 mph (299 km/h) in coming years.

Maglev trains float on a cushion of air, eliminating friction. This lack of friction and the trains' aerodynamic designs allow these trains to reach unprecedented ground transportation speeds of more than 310 mph (500 kph), or twice as fast as Amtrak's fastest commuter train [source: Boslaugh].

The bullet trains are powered by both internal combustion and electric engines, and can run on non-electrified and electrified railroads, Xinhua reported.

How fast is the Hikari Shinkansen?

Train services

The Hikari train connects Tokyo to Shin-Osaka in exactly 173 minutes. The maximum operating speed is 285 km/h (178 mph), which makes it the second fastest train on the Tokaido line. Hikari also runs on the Sanyo Shinkansen line with an operating speed of 300 km/h (185 mph).

Through technical advances over time, the Shinkansen has been upgraded to reach speeds of up to 320 kph (199 mph) and added numerous other lines.

China has unveiled a new maglev train capable of a top speed of 600 kph. The top speed makes the train the fastest ground vehicle in the world. The train uses electro-magnetic force, meaning it "levitates" above the track with no contact between body and rail.