The Shinkansen high-speed rail network operates in Japan.
Shinkansen is Japan’s network of high-speed railway lines, widely nicknamed the bullet train. It was designed to connect Tokyo with major cities and regions across the country using dedicated routes, specialized trains, and high operating standards. Unlike ordinary rail services, much of the network uses purpose-built infrastructure rather than conventional shared tracks.
The first line, the Tokaido Shinkansen, opened in October 1964 just before the Tokyo Olympics. It connected Tokyo and Osaka, with major stops including Yokohama and Nagoya. Its opening made Japan a global pioneer in modern high-speed rail and demonstrated that fast intercity trains could operate reliably at scale.
A common mix-up is treating the Shinkansen as a generic term for all Asian bullet trains. Taiwan, South Korea, and China also operate high-speed rail, but their systems have different names. “Shinkansen” specifically refers to Japan’s high-speed network, whose lines now extend well beyond the original Tokyo–Osaka route.