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Tōkaidō Shinkansen facts for kids

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JR Central Shinkansen 700
The 700 series Shinkansen
Tokaido Shinkansen map
Route map

The Tōkaidō Shinkansen (Japanese: 東海道新幹線,とうかいどうしんかんせん) is a super fast train line in Japan. It is run by the Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central). This line was the very first high-speed railway line ever built in the world! It started the amazing Shinkansen (bullet train) technology that Japan is famous for.

Types of Shinkansen Trains

There are three main types of trains that run on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen line. When the Tōkaidō Shinkansen first opened in 1972, it only had two types of trains: Hikari and Kodama.

Kodama Trains

Kodama trains are like the local bus service of the Shinkansen. They stop at every single station along the line. This makes them a bit slower, but they are great if you want to visit smaller towns.

Hikari Trains

Hikari trains are faster than Kodama trains. They skip some of the stations to make the journey quicker. This means they get you to your destination faster if you are traveling between bigger cities.

Nozomi Trains

In the early 1990s, the Nozomi train was added. Nozomi trains are the fastest service on this route. They skip even more stations than Hikari trains, making them the quickest way to travel between major cities like Tokyo and Osaka.

Main Stations on the Line

The Tōkaidō Shinkansen connects many important cities in Japan. Here are some of the key stations:

  • Tokyo Station: This is the starting point of the line in the capital city, Tokyo. It's a huge station where you can connect to many other train lines.
  • Shinagawa Station: Another busy station in Tokyo, just a short ride from Tokyo Station.
  • Shin-Yokohama Station: This station serves the large city of Yokohama.
  • Shizuoka Station: Located in Shizuoka City, known for its beautiful views of Mount Fuji.
  • Nagoya Station: A major hub in Nagoya, a big city in central Japan.
  • Kyoto Station: This station serves the historic city of Kyoto, famous for its temples and gardens.
  • Shin-Ōsaka Station: The final stop on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen line in Osaka. From here, the line continues as the Sanyō Shinkansen.


Images for kids

  • JNR 19641001

    The back cover of the first English-language timetable for the Tokaido Line Shinkansen service, launched on October 1, 1964.

  • 021 新幹線 N700 Series Shinkansen high speed train arriving at Kyoto Station, Japan

    N700 Series Shinkansen arriving at Kyoto Station.

  • 0 series Yurakucho 19670505

    An early 0 series Shinkansen train in May 1967.

  • G1 Kodama 464 Nagoya 20030509

    A JR Central 100 series Shinkansen train in May 2003.

  • Shinkansen 300kei J61

    A JR Central 300 series Shinkansen train in February 2011.

  • JRW-500-nozomi

    A 500 series Shinkansen train in May 2008.

  • JRC 700 series C37

    A JR Central 700 series Shinkansen train.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Tōkaidō Shinkansen para niños

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