Japan’s Tokaido Shinkansen opened in 1964 with a maximum operating speed of 210 km/h.
The line began scheduled service between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka on 1 October 1964, shortly before the Tokyo Olympics. Its fastest trains cut the journey between the two cities to four hours, a major improvement over conventional rail. The service was later accelerated as railway technology and operating experience developed.
The Tokaido Shinkansen was designed as a dedicated high-speed railway, with separate tracks, automatic train control, and electric multiple-unit trainsets. Those features helped make frequent, punctual service possible.
The 210 km/h figure describes the opening-era maximum, not the line’s current performance. Modern Tokaido Shinkansen services have higher maximum speeds, while journey times also depend on the number of intermediate stops.