Tokaido Shinkansen
{{Short description|High-speed railway line between Tokyo and Osaka}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name = Tōkaidō Shinkansen
| native_name = 東海道新幹線
| native_name_lang = ja
| color = {{rcr|JR Central|ts}}
| mapcolor = {{Rcb|JR Central|ts|box}} Blue (#{{rcr|JR Central|ts}})
| logo = Shinkansen jrc.svg
| logo_width = 50
| image = Series-N700S-J2.jpg
| image_width = 300px
| caption = A JR Central N700S Series train running Tokaido Shinkansen, September 2021
| type = High-speed rail (Shinkansen)
| system = Shinkansen
| status = Operational
| routes = {{plainlist|
}}
| locale = Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu, Shiga, Kyoto, and Osaka Prefectures
| start = {{STN|Tokyo|x}}
| end = {{STN|Shin-Ōsaka|x}}
| stations = 17
| daily_ridership =
| open = {{start date and age|1964|10|01|df=n}}
| owner = {{ric|JR Central|name=y}}
| operator = JR Central
| character =
| depot = Tokyo, Mishima, Nagoya, Osaka
| stock = {{plainlist|
|}}
| linelength = {{cvt|515.4|km}}
| tracks = Double-track
| maxincline = 2.0%
| gauge = {{RailGauge|sg|allk=on}}
| electrification = {{25 kV 60 Hz|conductor=overhead}}
| speed_km/h = 285
| signalling = Cab signalling
| trainprotection = ATC-NS
| map = 240px{{Tōkaidō Shinkansen line map|inline=1}}
| map_state = hide
}}
The {{Nihongo|Tōkaidō Shinkansen|東海道新幹線||{{lit|East coast route, new main line}}|lead=yes}} is a Japanese high-speed rail line that is part of the nationwide Shinkansen network. Along with the San'yō Shinkansen, it forms a continuous high-speed railway through the Taiheiyō Belt, also known as the Tokaido corridor. Opening in 1964, running between Tokyo and Shin-Ōsaka, it was the world's first high-speed rail line,{{cite web|url=https://www.trainspread.com/japan/shinkansen/#:~:text=Opened%20in%201964%2C%20Tokaido%20Shinkansen,Railway%20Company%20(JR%20Central) |title=Shinkansen – Bullet Trains in Japan|website=Trainspread.com |date=2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321092401/https://www.trainspread.com/japan/shinkansen/ |archive-date=March 21, 2020}} and it remains one of the world's busiest. Since 1987, it has been operated by the Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), prior to that by Japanese National Railways (JNR).
There are three types of services on the line: from fastest to slowest, they are the limited-stop Nozomi, the semi-fast Hikari, and the all-stop Kodama. Many Nozomi and Hikari trains continue onward to the San'yō Shinkansen, going as far as Fukuoka's Hakata Station. The different services operate at mostly the same speed.
The line was named a joint Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark and IEEE Milestone by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in 2000.{{cite web |title=#211 Tokaido Shinkansen |url=https://www.asme.org/about-asme/who-we-are/engineering-history/landmarks/211-tokaido-shinkansen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319205758/https://www.asme.org/about-asme/engineering-history/landmarks/211-tokaido-shinkansen |archive-date=19 March 2022 |access-date=16 July 2022 |work=Landmarks |publisher=American Society of Mechanical Engineers}}{{cite web |title=Milestones:Tokaido Shinkansen (Bullet Train), 1964 |url=http://www.ieeeghn.org/wiki/index.php/Milestones:Tokaido_Shinkansen_%28Bullet_Train%29,_1964 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320053051/https://ethw.org/Milestones:Tokaido_Shinkansen_(Bullet_Train),_1964 |archive-date=20 March 2022 |access-date=16 June 2022 |work=IEEE Global History Network |publisher=IEEE}}
History
The predecessor for the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines was originally conceived at the end of the 1930s as a {{Railgauge|standard|allk=on}} dangan ressha (bullet train) between Tokyo and Shimonoseki, which would have taken nine hours to cover the nearly {{Convert|1000|km|sp=us|adj=on}} distance between the two cities. This project was planned as the first part of an East Asian rail network serving Japan's overseas territories. The beginning of World War II stalled the project in its early planning stages, although three tunnels were dug that were later used in the Shinkansen route.{{cite web |last1=Schreiber |first1=Mark |date=27 September 2014 |title=Shinkansen at 50: fast track to the future |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2014/09/27/lifestyle/shinkansen-50-fast-track-future/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319085925/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2014/09/27/lifestyle/shinkansen-50-fast-track-future/ |archive-date=19 March 2022 |access-date=16 July 2022 |website=The Japan Times}}
By 1955, the original Tokaido line between Tokyo and Osaka was congested. Even after its electrification the next year, the line was still the busiest in Japan's railway network by a long margin, with demand being around double the then capacity.{{sfn|Shima|1994|pp=45-46}} In 1957, a public forum was organized to discuss “The Possibility of a Three-hour Rail Trip Between Tokyo and Osaka.” After substantial debate, the Japanese National Railways (JNR) decided to build a new {{Railgauge|standard|allk=on}} line alongside the original {{Railgauge|1067 mm|allk=on}} one to supplement it.{{sfn|Shima|1994|pp=46-47}} The president of JNR at the time, Shinji Sogō, started attempting to persuade politicians to back the project. Realizing the high expenses of the project early on due to the use of new, unfamiliar technologies and the high concentration of tunnels and viaducts, Sogō settled for less government funding than what was needed.{{sfn|Shima|1994|p=47}}
The Diet approved the plan in December 1958, agreeing to fund {{JPY|194.8 billion}} out of the {{JPY|300 billion}} required over a five-year construction period. Then-finance minister Eisaku Satō recommended that the rest of the funds should be taken from non-governmental sources so that political changes would not cause funding issues.{{sfn|Shima|1994|p=47}} Construction of the line began on April 20, 1959 under Sogō and chief engineer Hideo Shima. In 1960, Shima and Sogō were sent to the United States to borrow money from the World Bank. Although the original request was for US$200 million, they came back with only $80 million, enough to fund 15% of the project, and could not use the loan for "experimental technology".{{sfn|Shima|1994|pp=47-48}} Severe cost overruns during construction forced both of them to resign.{{cite web |last1=Glancey |first1=Jonathan |title=Japan's Shinkansen: Revolutionary design at 50 |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20140714-built-for-speed-the-bullet-train |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424103858/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20140714-built-for-speed-the-bullet-train |archive-date=24 April 2022 |access-date=16 July 2022 |website=www.bbc.com}} The opening was timed to coincide with the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, which had already brought international attention to the country. Originally, the line was called the New Tokaido Line in English. Just like the original railway line, it is named after the Tokaido road that has been used for centuries.
Initially, there were two services: the faster Hikari (also called the Super Express) made the journey between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka in four hours, while the slower Kodama (or the limited express) made more stops and took five hours to travel the same route.{{cite magazine |title=New Tokaido Trunk Line Opened |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6m6iNes3TzkC |magazine=Japan Report |location=New York City |publisher=Japan Information Service, Consulate-General of Japan |volume=10 |issue=19 |page=5 |date=15 October 1964 |access-date=18 July 2020 }} A test run was conducted August 25, 1964, simulating a Hikari service. The run, which was deemed "very successful" by then-JNR president Reisuke Ishida, was also broadcast on television by NHK.{{cite news |date=26 August 1964 |title=HIGH‐SPEED TRAIN TESTED IN JAPAN; Covers Tokyo‐Osaka Route at Average of 80 m.p.h. |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/08/26/archives/highspeed-train-tested-in-japan-covers-tokyoosaka-route-at-average.html |access-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319085926/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/08/26/archives/highspeed-train-tested-in-japan-covers-tokyoosaka-route-at-average.html |archive-date=19 March 2022 |issn=0362-4331}} On October 1 that same year, the line was officially opened, with the first train, Hikari 1, traveling from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka with a top speed of {{convert|210|kph|abbr=on|0}}.{{cite web |last1=Premack |first1=Rachel |last2=Meisenzahl |first2=Mary |date=July 6, 2020 |title=Japan's bullet train has a new model that can run even during an earthquake. Here's the history of the country's iconic high-speed railway. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/shinkansen-bullet-train-now-50-years-old-2014-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319085926/https://www.businessinsider.com/shinkansen-bullet-train-now-50-years-old-2014-10 |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=Business Insider}} In November 1965, both services had their schedule reworked so that the new timetable listed travel times of three hours for the Hikari and four hours for the Kodama.{{cite magazine |date=October 15, 1965 |title=New Tokaido Line to Speed-Up Tokyo-Osaka Run |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4o4NFjxEIM4C |magazine=Japan Report |location=New York City |publisher=Japan Information Service, Consulate-General of Japan |volume=11 |issue=19 |page=9 |access-date=18 July 2020}}
The 1970s were a difficult time for the JNR as local lines built up deficit. Profits from the Tokaido Shinkansen were used to offset the lines which were running at a loss which resulted in a lack of development and faster service over a 15-year period. Labor issues during that time steered away any attention from JNR executives, further complicating the possibility for research initiatives.{{Cite journal |last=Hiroki |first=Kikuchi |date=June 2018 |title=The Legitimacy Acquisition Process of Shinkansen Speeding Up |journal=Annals of Business Administrative Science |volume=17 |issue=3 |pages=133–143 |doi=10.7880/abas.0180509a |s2cid=169847049 |doi-access=free }} Despite the difficult financial situation throughout the 1970s, the loan from the World Bank made in 1959 was paid back in 1981.{{Cite news |date=September 30, 1994 |title=第2部特集 東海道新幹線開業30周年／30年のゆみ |trans-title=Part 2 Special Feature Tokaido Shinkansen 30th Anniversary / 30 Years Yumi |page=6 |work=Kotsu Shimbun |publisher=Kotsu Shimbunsha}}
In 1988, one year after the privatization of JNR, the new operating company, JR Central, initiated a project to increase operating speeds through infrastructure improvement and a new train design. This resulted in the debut of the 300 Series and the Nozomi, the line's fastest service which took two and a half hours to traverse the route with a top speed of {{convert|270|kph|abbr=on|0}}, on March 14, 1992.{{cite journal|last1=Morimura|first1=T.|last2=Seki|first2=M.|title=The course of achieving 270 km/h operation for Tokaido Shinkansen - Part 1: Technology and operations overview|journal=Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit|volume=219|issue=1|year=2005|pages=21–26|issn=0954-4097|doi=10.1243/095440905X8781|s2cid=108811723}}{{cite web |date=March 14, 1992 |title=Japan's Fastest Bullet Train Starts Service |url=https://apnews.com/b33e12fafc36139cbb69ce4a36893f61 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319085926/https://apnews.com/b33e12fafc36139cbb69ce4a36893f61 |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=AP NEWS}}{{cite web |title=TOKAIDO SHlNKANSEN "NOZOMI" (MARCH 14, 1992) AND THROUGH OPERATION OF THE SHlNKENSEN BETWEEN FUKUSHIMA AND YAMAGATA OF OU LlNE (JULY 1, 1992) START |url=https://www.mlit.go.jp/english/white-paper/unyu-whitepaper/1992/1992000005.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319085926/https://www.mlit.go.jp/english/white-paper/unyu-whitepaper/1992/1992000005.html |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=www.mlit.go.jp}}
New platforms for Shinkansen services at Shinagawa Station opened in October 2003, accompanied by a major timetable change which increased the number of daily Nozomi services, which was now higher than the number of Hikari trains.{{cite web |last1=Kajimoto |first1=Tetsushi |date=October 1, 2003 |title=Tokaido bullet trains to stop at Shinagawa |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2003/10/01/national/tokaido-bullet-trains-to-stop-at-shinagawa/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319085927/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2003/10/01/national/tokaido-bullet-trains-to-stop-at-shinagawa/ |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=The Japan Times}}{{cite web |last1= |first1= |date=March 14, 2022 |title=Nozomi shinkansen trains mark 30 years in service |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/03/14/business/corporate-business/nozomi-shinkansen-thirty-years/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314030809/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/03/14/business/corporate-business/nozomi-shinkansen-thirty-years/ |archive-date=March 14, 2022 |access-date=August 15, 2022 |website=The Japan Times}} Initially, certain Nozomi and Hikari services did not stop at the station, with some skipping either Shinagawa or Shin-Yokohama, and the plurality of services stopping at both. From March 2008 onward, all services stop at both stations.{{cite report |url=https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/company/ir/investor-meeting/2008/_pdf/im_2008_03.pdf |title=FY2007 Financial Results |date= |publisher=JR Central |access-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319085930/https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/company/ir/investor-meeting/2008/_pdf/im_2008_03.pdf |archive-date=March 19, 2022}}{{cite web |title=Railway News - Spring 2008 |url=https://www.japan-guide.com/news/0011.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319085926/https://www.japan-guide.com/news/0011.html |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=www.japan-guide.com}} Another station was planned to open in 2012 to serve Rittō, a city between Maibara and Kyoto. Construction started in May 2006, but the project was canceled the next year due to political opposition from the government of the surrounding Shiga Prefecture and the Supreme Court of Japan ruling the {{JPY|4.35 billion}} bond that the city had issued to fund construction was illegal and had to be canceled.{{cite news |date=October 29, 2007 |title=Shinkansen station in Shiga canceled |newspaper=The Japan Times |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2007/10/29/national/shinkansen-station-in-shiga-canceled/ |access-date=July 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319205812/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2007/10/29/national/shinkansen-station-in-shiga-canceled/ |archive-date=March 19, 2022}}
The next speedup, which raised the top speed to its current {{convert|285|kph|abbr=on|0}} level through the use of improved braking technology, was announced in 2014 and introduced on March 14, 2015, the 23rd anniversary of the last speed raise.{{cite web |date=20 December 2014 |title=Top speed of Nozomi bullet trains to hit 285 kph |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/12/20/business/corporate-business/top-speed-of-nozomi-bullet-trains-to-climb-to-285-kph/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319085928/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/12/20/business/corporate-business/top-speed-of-nozomi-bullet-trains-to-climb-to-285-kph/ |archive-date=19 March 2022 |access-date=16 July 2022 |website=The Japan Times}}{{cite web |last1= |title=Speed increase on the Tokaido Shinkansen |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/high-speed/speed-increase-on-the-tokaido-shinkansen/40661.article |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829213749/https://www.railwaygazette.com/high-speed/speed-increase-on-the-tokaido-shinkansen/40661.article |archive-date=29 August 2020 |access-date=16 July 2022 |website=Railway Gazette International}} Initially, just one service per hour would run at this new speed.{{cite web |date=27 February 2014 |title= |script-title=ja:東海道新幹線の速度向上について |trans-title=Tokaido Shinkansen speed increase |url=http://jr-central.co.jp/news/release/nws001382.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319205800/https://jr-central.co.jp/news/release/nws001382.html |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |access-date=27 February 2014 |work=jr-central.co.jp |publisher=Central Japan Railway Company |location=Japan |language=ja}} After the replacement of the older, slower 700 series with the N700 series in July 2007 and the N700S series in March 2020, a new timetable taking advantage of the speed increase with more services was planned.{{cite web |last=Hayashi |first=Saya |date=May 17, 2019 |title=Japan's fastest bullet train to squeeze out trip every 5 minutes |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Japan-s-fastest-bullet-train-to-squeeze-out-trip-every-5-minutes2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319085926/https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Japan-s-fastest-bullet-train-to-squeeze-out-trip-every-5-minutes2 |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=Nikkei Asia}}{{cite news |date=7 August 2020 |title=Faster cleaning helped Japan railway boost shinkansen train operations |newspaper=Mainichi Daily News |url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20200807/p2a/00m/0et/034000c |access-date=2020-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423202854/https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20200807/p2a/00m/0et/034000c |archive-date=April 23, 2022}} However, the COVID-19 pandemic further delayed these plans as service was temporarily cut.{{cite web |last=Noguchi |first=Kazuhiro |date=June 19, 2020 |title=Tokyo-Osaka bullet train to resume near-full service in summer |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Transportation/Tokyo-Osaka-bullet-train-to-resume-near-full-service-in-summer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716002959/https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Transportation/Tokyo-Osaka-bullet-train-to-resume-near-full-service-in-summer |archive-date=July 16, 2022 |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=Nikkei Asia}} An automated operating system is planned to be implemented for the line by 2028, with test runs starting in 2021.{{cite web|access-date=2023-04-13|title=JR Tokai eyeing automated shinkansen operations around 2028|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/03/25/business/jr-tokai-automated-operations-shinkansen/|date=25 March 2023|website=The Japan Times}}
Stations and service patterns
{{unreferenced section|date=September 2022}}
File:Tokaido Shinkansen map.png
{{GeoGroup|article=Category:Tōkaidō_Shinkansen}}
Legend:
| class="wikitable"
! ● | All trains stop |
| ▲
| Some trains stop |
|---|
| ｜
| All trains pass |
| class=wikitable
! colspan="2" | Station ! rowspan="3" | Distance from ! colspan="3" | Service ! rowspan="3" | Transfers ! colspan="2" rowspan="3" | Location | |
| rowspan="2" | English
! rowspan="2" | Japanese ! Nozomi ! Hikari ! Kodama | |
|---|---|
| style="height: 2pt"
| style="background:yellow" | | style="background:red" | | style="background:blue" | | |
| {{STN|Tokyo|x}}
|{{lang|ja|東京}} |style="text-align:right;"|0.0 |style="text-align:center;"|● |style="text-align:center;"|● |style="text-align:center;"|● |{{Plainlist|
}} | rowspan="2" |Tokyo | |
| {{STN|Shinagawa|x}}
|{{lang|ja|品川}} |style="text-align:right;"|6.8 |style="text-align:center;"|● |style="text-align:center;"|● |style="text-align:center;"|● |{{Plainlist|
}} | |
| {{STN|Shin-Yokohama|x}}
|{{lang|ja|新横浜}} |style="text-align:right;"|25.5 |style="text-align:center;"|● |style="text-align:center;"|● |style="text-align:center;"|● |{{Plainlist|
}} |rowspan="2" |Kanagawa | |
| {{STN|Odawara|x}}
|{{lang|ja|小田原}} |style="text-align:right;"|76.7 |style="text-align:center;"|｜ |style="text-align:center;"|▲ |style="text-align:center;"|● |{{Plainlist|
}} | |
| {{STN|Atami|x}}
|{{lang|ja|熱海}} |style="text-align:right;"|95.4 |style="text-align:center;"|｜ |style="text-align:center;"|▲ |style="text-align:center;"|● |{{Plainlist|
}} |rowspan="6" |Shizuoka | |
| {{STN|Mishima|x}}
|{{lang|ja|三島}} |style="text-align:right;"|111.3 |style="text-align:center;"|｜ |style="text-align:center;"|▲ |style="text-align:center;"|● |{{Plainlist|
}} | |
| {{STN|Shin-Fuji|x|Shizuoka}}
|{{lang|ja|新富士}} |style="text-align:right;"|135.0 |style="text-align:center;"|｜ |style="text-align:center;"|｜ |style="text-align:center;"|● | |Fuji | |
| {{STN|Shizuoka|x}}
|{{lang|ja|静岡}} |style="text-align:right;"|167.4 |style="text-align:center;"|｜ |style="text-align:center;"|▲ |style="text-align:center;"|● |{{Plainlist|
| #009}} Shizuoka Railway Shizuoka–Shimizu Line (Shin-Shizuoka, S01)
}} |
| {{STN|Kakegawa|x}}
|{{lang|ja|掛川}} |style="text-align:right;"|211.3 |style="text-align:center;"|｜ |style="text-align:center;"|｜ |style="text-align:center;"|● |{{Plainlist|
}} | |
| {{STN|Hamamatsu|x}}
|{{lang|ja|浜松}} |style="text-align:right;"|238.9 |style="text-align:center;"|｜ |style="text-align:center;"|▲ |style="text-align:center;"|● |{{Plainlist|* {{ric|JR Central|Tokaido|name=y}} (CA34)
| |
| {{STN|Toyohashi|x}}
|{{lang|ja|豊橋}} |style="text-align:right;"|274.2 |style="text-align:center;"|｜ |style="text-align:center;"|▲ |style="text-align:center;"|● |{{Plainlist|
}} |rowspan="3" |Aichi | |
| {{STN|Mikawa-Anjō|x}}
|{{lang|ja|三河安城}} |style="text-align:right;"|312.8 |style="text-align:center;"|｜ |style="text-align:center;"|｜ |style="text-align:center;"|● |{{ric|JR Central|Tokaido|name=y}} (CA55) |Anjō | |
| {{STN|Nagoya|x}}
|{{lang|ja|名古屋}} |style="text-align:right;"|342.0 |style="text-align:center;"|● |style="text-align:center;"|● |style="text-align:center;"|● |{{Plainlist|* {{ric|JR Central|Tokaido|name=y}} (CA68)
| |
| {{STN|Gifu-Hashima|x}}
|{{lang|ja|岐阜羽島}} |style="text-align:right;"|367.1 |style="text-align:center;"|｜ |style="text-align:center;"|▲ |style="text-align:center;"|● |{{RouteBox|TH|Meitetsu Hashima Line|#D7A629}} Meitetsu Hashima Line (Shin-Hashima, TH09) | |
| {{STN|Maibara|x}}
|{{lang|ja|米原}} |style="text-align:right;"|408.2 |style="text-align:center;"|｜ |style="text-align:center;"|▲ |style="text-align:center;"|● |{{Plainlist|
}} | |
| {{STN|Kyōto|x}}
|{{lang|ja|京都}} |style="text-align:right;"|476.3 |style="text-align:center;"|● |style="text-align:center;"|● |style="text-align:center;"|● |{{Plainlist|
}} | |
| {{STN|Shin-Ōsaka|x}}
|{{lang|ja|新大阪}} |style="text-align:right;"|515.4 |style="text-align:center;"|● |style="text-align:center;"|● |style="text-align:center;"|● |{{Plainlist|
}} | |
| align="center" colspan="9"|↓ Through services towards {{STN|Hakata|x}} via the {{ric|JR West|Sanyo Shinkansen|name=y}} ↓ |
Rolling stock
{{more citations needed section|date=September 2022}}
- N700A series 16-car sets, since July 1, 2007 (owned by JR Central and JR West, modified from original N700 series sets)
- N700A series 16-car sets, since February 8, 2013 (owned by JR Central and JR West)
- N700S series 16-car sets, since July 1, 2020 (owned by JR Central and JR West){{cite web |url= http://mainichi.jp/articles/20160625/k00/00m/020/062000c |script-title=ja: ＪＲ東海 次期新幹線はＮ７００Ｓ ２０１８年導入|trans-title= JR Central to introduced next-generation N700S shinkansen in 2018|date= 24 June 2016|work= Mainichi Shimbun |publisher= The Mainichi Newspapers|location= Japan|language= ja|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160624132533/http://mainichi.jp/articles/20160625/k00/00m/020/062000c|archive-date=24 June 2016 |url-status=live |access-date= 25 June 2016}}
The last services operated by 700 series sets took place on March 1, 2020, after which all Tokaido Shinkansen services are scheduled to be operated by N700A series or N700S series sets.{{cite web |date=22 October 2015 |title= |script-title=ja: N700Aの追加投入について 全ての東海道新幹線が「N700Aタイプ」になります |trans-title=Details of additional N700A introductions – All Tokaido Shinkansen services to become N700A type |url=http://jr-central.co.jp/news/release/_pdf/000028233.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426052544/https://jr-central.co.jp/news/release/_pdf/000028233.pdf |archive-date=April 26, 2022 |access-date=July 16, 2022 |work=News release |publisher=Central Japan Railway Company |language=ja |location=Japan}} N700S series sets were then introduced on Tokaido Shinkansen services from July 1, 2020.
File:Series-N700A-F20.jpg|N700A series in September 2021
File:JR Central Shinkansen N700 Series passes Tamachi, Tokyo, Japan 17 03 20 (49669009511).jpg|N700S series in March 2020
=Former rolling stock=
- 0 series 12/16-car sets, October 1, 1964, to September 18, 1999 (owned by JR Central and JR West)
- 100 series 16-car sets, October 1, 1985, to September 2003 (owned by JR Central and JR West)
- 300 series 16-car sets, March 1992 to March 16, 2012 (owned by JR Central and JR West)
- 500 series 16-car sets, November 1997 to February 2010 (owned by JR West)
- 700 series 16-car sets, March 1999 to March 2020 (owned by JR Central and JR West)
File:Shinkansen type 0 Hikari 19890506a.jpg|0 series at Odawara Station in May 1989
File:Shinkansen100.jpg|100 series in January 2003
File:JR Central Shinkansen 300.jpg|300 series in January 2008
File:Shinkansen 500 series W2 formation.jpg|500 series at Odawara Station in June 2008
File:JR Central Shinkansen 700.jpg|700 series in January 2008
=Former non-revenue-earning types=
- 922 (Set T1) (1961 to 1976)
- 922 (Set T2) (1974 to 2001)
- 923 (Set T4) (Until 29 January 2025)
File:922 T2 Gifu-Hashima 19981011.jpg|JR Central Class 922 "Doctor Yellow" set T2, October 1998
File:Type923-T4.jpg|JR Central's Class 923 "Doctor Yellow" set T4 on the Tokaido Shinkansen, September 2021
=Timeline=
{{Tokaido Shinkansen graphical timeline}}
Classes and onboard services
All Tokaido Shinkansen trains have two classes of seating: Green Cars (First Class) offer 2+2 configured seating with all-reserved seating. Ordinary cars feature 2+3 configured seating with both reserved and unreserved seating.
Previously, all trains had an onboard trolley service that sold food and drinks. The ice cream sold by these trolleys was popularly known as "Shinkansen too hard ice cream", which eventually became an official sales name. Trolley service on the Tokaido Shinkansen was discontinued on October 31, 2023, due to falling sales and labor shortages.{{Cite web |last=Sugiyama |first=Satoshi |date=August 8, 2023 |title=End of the line for snack carts on Tokyo-Osaka shinkansen |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2023/08/08/shinkansen-onboard-snacks-to-end-tokyo-osaka/ |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Japan Times}} This was replaced by a mobile order seat service exclusive for Green Car passengers from 1 November 2023. Passengers can scan a QR code on the back of their seat to purchase refreshments, which would then be brought by a cabin attendant.{{Cite web |title=東海道新幹線，10月31日をもって車内ワゴン販売を終了 〜11月1日から新しい車内サービスを開始〜 |url=https://railf.jp/news/2023/08/09/120000.html |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=鉄道ファン・railf.jp |language=ja}}
In an announcement by JR Central, JR West, and JR Kyushu made on 17 October 2023, the companies stated that all onboard smoking rooms on the Tokaido, San'yo, and Kyushu Shinkansen trains would be discontinued by Q2 2024.{{Cite web |last=Kinoshita |first=Kenji |date=17 October 2023 |title=東海道・山陽・九州新幹線の車内喫煙ルーム、2024年春にすべて廃止 |trans-title=All smoking rooms on Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen trains will be discontinued in spring 2024. |url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20231017-2795090/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018011801/https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20231017-2795090/ |archive-date=18 October 2023 |access-date=19 October 2023 |website=MyNavi Corporation}}
Since 2020, reservations are required to take large pieces of luggage on Tokaido Shinkansen trains.{{Cite web |date=April 4, 2020 |title=「特大荷物スペースつき座席」の予約受付開始およびお客様へのご案内について |trans-title=Start accepting reservations for "seats with oversized luggage space" and information to customers |url=https://jr-central.co.jp/news/release/_pdf/000040387.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713033706/https://jr-central.co.jp/news/release/_pdf/000040387.pdf |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |access-date=July 17, 2022 |website=jr-central.co.jp |language=ja}}
Japan Rail Pass
The Japan Rail Pass is a rail pass available to overseas visitors which allows travel on most major forms of transportation provided by JR Group companies, including the Tokaido Shinkansen. Japan Rail Pass holders can ride Hikari or Kodama services free of charge, and since October 2023, pass holders can also ride the Nozomi service by purchasing a special supplementary ticket. Japan Rail Passes purchased prior to this were not valid on Nozomi services, and passengers were required to purchase a full fare ticket to use this service.{{Cite web |title=Changes Are Coming to the Japan Rail Pass [AUGUST 2 UPDATE] |url=https://www.japan.travel/en/ca/news/changes-are-coming-to-the-japan-rail-pass/ |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) |language=en-ca}} Certain regional Rail Passes let passengers ride all services, including the Nozomi. These passes typically have limited coverage and shorter useage periods compared to the full Japan Rail Pass.{{Cite web |title=「ジャパン・レール・パス」の日本国内での発売について |trans-title=About the release of "Japan Rail Pass" in Japan |url=https://japanrailpass.net/file/JR_PASS_release_JA_0823-3.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903012856/https://japanrailpass.net/file/JR_PASS_release_JA_0823-3.pdf |archive-date=September 3, 2019 |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=japanrailpass.net |language=ja}}
Ridership
From 1964 to 2012, the Tokaido Shinkansen line carried approximately 5.3 billion passengers. Ridership increased from 61,000 per day in 1964 to 391,000 per day in 2012. By 2016, the route was carrying 452,000 passengers per day on 365 daily services making it one of the busiest high speed railway lines in the world.{{cite journal |last1=MATSUMOTO |first1=R. |last2=OKUDA |first2=D. |last3=FUKASAWA|first3= N. |date=1 September 2018 |title=Method for Forecasting Fluctuation in Railway Passenger Demand for High-speed Rail Services |journal= Quarterly Report of RTRI |volume=59 |issue=3 |pages=194–200 |doi= 10.2219/rtriqr.59.3_194 |doi-access=free }}
| class="wikitable"
|+ Tokaido Line Cumulative Ridership figures (millions of passengers) ! Year !! 1967 !! 1976 !! 2004 !! Mar 2007 !! Nov 2010 !! 2012 |
| Ridership (Cumulative)
|align="right"| 100 |align="right"| 1,000 |
|---|
| class="wikitable"
|+ Tokaido Line Ridership figures (per year, millions of passengers) ! Year !! 1967 !! April 1987 !! April 2007 !! April 2008 !! April 2009 !! April 2010 !! April 2011 !! April 2012 |
| Ridership
|align ="right"| 143{{Cite web |title=Central Japan Railway Company |url=https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/index.html |access-date=2022-07-16 |website=Central Japan Railway Company |language=ja}} |
|---|
Future stations
It was announced in June 2010 that a new shinkansen station in Samukawa, Kanagawa Prefecture was under consideration by JR Central. If constructed, the station would open after the Chuo Shinkansen, the new maglev service currently under construction, begins operations.{{Cite web |date=June 2, 2010 |title=神奈川に新幹線の新駅検討 JR東海、リニア開業後 |trans-title=Examination of new Shinkansen station in Kanagawa JR Central, after linear opening |url=http://www.47news.jp/CN/201006/CN2010060201000276.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719040539/http://www.47news.jp/CN/201006/CN2010060201000276.html |archive-date=July 19, 2012 |access-date=July 17, 2022 |website=47News |language=ja}}
Shizuoka Prefecture has long lobbied JR Central for the construction of a station at Shizuoka Airport, which the line passes directly beneath. The railway has so far refused, citing the close distance to the neighbouring Kakegawa and Shizuoka stations. If constructed, travel time from the center of Tokyo to the airport would be comparable to that for Tokyo Narita Airport, enabling it to act as a third hub airport for the capital.{{Cite web |last=Ogawa |first=Hiroo |date=March 21, 2018 |title=JR新幹線、「静岡空港駅」設置が現実味…「首都圏第3空港」構想 |trans-title=JR Shinkansen, "Shizuoka Airport Station" installation is realistic ... "Metropolitan area third airport" concept |url=https://biz-journal.jp/2018/03/post_22713.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319085928/https://biz-journal.jp/2018/03/post_22713.html |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |access-date=September 22, 2019 |website=ビジネスジャーナル/Business Journal {{!}} ビジネスの本音に迫る |language=ja}} As the station would be built underneath an active airport, it is expected to open after the new maglev line.{{Cite web |last=Osaka |first=Naoki |date=July 8, 2019 |title=リニアでJR東海と対立､静岡県の｢本当の狙い｣ {{!}} 新幹線 |trans-title=Linear confrontation with JR Central, "real aim" of Shizuoka Prefecture |url=https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/290647 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319085927/https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/290647 |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |access-date=July 17, 2022 |website=東洋経済オンライン |language=ja}}
See also
- Chuo Shinkansen, a high-speed maglev line under construction between Tokyo and Nagoya
References
{{Reflist}}
=Sources=
{{Refbegin}}
- {{cite magazine |last=Shima |first=Hideo |author-link=Hideo Shima |date=October 1994 |title=Birth of The Shinkansen — A Memoir |url=https://www.ejrcf.or.jp/jrtr/jrtr03/pdf/f45_shi.pdf |magazine=Japan Railway & Transport Review |location=Tokyo |publisher=East Japan Railway Culture Foundation |access-date=22 July 2020 }}
{{Refend}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/ JR Central website] {{in lang|en}}
{{Shinkansen}}
{{Japan Railways Group}}
{{HakoneFujiIzuTransit}}
{{Tokyo transit}}{{Nagoya transit}}{{Osaka transit}}{{High-speed railway lines}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tokaido Shinkansen}}
Category:Lines of Central Japan Railway Company
Category:High-speed railway lines in Japan
Category:Railway lines opened in 1964
Category:Standard-gauge railways in Japan
Category:1964 establishments in Japan
Category:Rail transport in Osaka