Nov 12, 2014 the jr east shinkansen reservation office is the only one with an english version that allows online booking. Discover more about the highspeed trains and the 9 rail lines they cover. When that segment opened in 2010, the shinkansen was essentially complete for the entire length of honshu. Joetsu shinkansen line tokyo to niigata niigata train. Joetsu shinkansen to nagano opened as the nagano shinkansen in october. How to go from niigata to tokyo with a japan rail pass. The joetsu shinkansen, joetsu shinkansen is a shinkansen line that connects tokyo with niigata. The joetsu shinkansen is a line of japanese highspeed trains, commonlyknown as bullet trains. Media in category nakayama tunnel joetsu shinkansen the following 26 files are in this category, out of 26 total. However, tunneling through honshu was an extremely expensive exercise, and the population along the line has never been enough to financially support it. The worlds longest tunnel page railway tunnels in japan. Unlike the older lines, shinkansen lines are standard gauge, and use tunnels and viaducts to go through and over obstacles, rather than around them. Now 50 years on, the iconic train runs from aomori in the north to kagoshima in.
Oct 01, 2014 on october 1, 1964, the shinkansen began commercial service between japans two largest cities of tokyo and osaka. The nagano kanazawa section has five tunnels the longest being the 2. One prominent example is the japan central railway jr central, which indicates that the tokaido shinkansen trains can carry more. There are two types of train services toki and tanigawa. The perfect guide to shinkansen, the japanese bullet train. Currently, it shares over half of its line with both the tohoku and joetsu shinkansen lines. Bullet train line and it is operated between tokyo and niigata via ueno, omiya, takasaki and nagaoka. In the past, japan railway was called japanese national railways it is now one group of private companies. If you were to purchase the shinkansen tickets and lift ticket separately, it would come to. A 228km section of the hokuriku shinkansen is scheduled to open in march 2015. Renown worldwide for their sleek look, high speeds and ultrasmooth rides, the shinkansen network is a comfortable and speedy means of traveling about japan. However, you can only book shinkansen and limited express trains running on the jr east network, that is to say tokyo, the.
The government procured land for tracks and tunnels, but as the pacific war. Tunnels along the route are like pauses in a magnificent symphonic performance. The original tokaido shinkansen connects tokyo and osaka, japans largest cities, carrying more than 165 million passengers annually. The kubiki cycling road stretches 32 kilometres along the sea of japan coast between neighbouring itoigawa and joetsu cities passing through fishing villages and mountain farms, dotted with shrines, temples and some of the areas mostfamous seafood areas and restaurants. The basic information about shinkansen for tourists visiting japan. Construction of the first section of the tokaido shinkansen between tokyo and osaka started in 1959. Echigoyuzawa is one of well known hot springs town in this area. Yes, with the help of the joetsu line, you can wake up in tokyo and ski the same day. In 2019, ten trains, eight from jr east with a book value of.
In general you cant easily prebook these from outside of japan. Shinkansen bullet trains are the fastest and most convenient way of discovering japan. The joetsu shinkansen is the bullet train connecting tokyo, niigata and gala yuzawa. Tonneru to gosetsu ni idomu otokotachi japanese edition hagiwara, yoshihiko on. A relatively less used, yet equally important shinkansen line is the nagano line. On october 1, 1964, the shinkansen began commercial service between. The tohoku shinkansen, opened in sections starting in 1982, currently links the capital with shinaomori in northern honshu. It was opened in 1982 and is operated by the east japan railway company, commonly known as jr east. Learn about taking bullet trains in japan and find a list of the shinkansen lines from kyushu to northern honshu. The shinkansen bullet train is a useful and convenient way to travel around japan.
The jr eastoperated joetsu was first introduced in 1982 and is used to link tokyo, the nations capital, with niigata, capital city of niigata prefecture. Shinkansen are japanese super express trains which link many cities efficiently. It provides tourists with access to hot spring and ski resorts in gunma and niigata. With over 750,000 readers each month, tokyo cheapo is the site of choice for value hunters who want their yen to go further in tokyo. Travelled from tokyo to niigata with joetsu shinkansen train. Consider the following information to find out how. Railway technology today 1 edited by kanji wako railway. The extension, which will run in tunnels for 76% of its 211. Views of the japan sea from the kubiki cycling route.
Learn what the shinkansen is, how to get tickets, and other tips. Jan 02, 2011 alfax e956 alfax shinkansen test run duration. However, the smaller diameter of shinkansen tunnels compared to some other highspeed lines has resulted in the issue of tunnel boom becoming a concern for residents living close to tunnel portals. Joetsu shinkansen between tokyo station and niigata station toki, tanigawa, maxtoki. There are also trains on the private hokuhoku line to jr echigoyuzawa for shinkansen connections to tokyo. Joetsu shinkansen service began in 1982, linking the pacific seaboard side of honshu with the coast bordering the sea of japan. Shinkansen bullet train, express train, airport train, and local train as well as train package are available to reserve online at shinkansen. Joetsu shinkansen the joetsu shinkansen connects tokyo station with niigata station in niigata city, niigata prefecture there are two types of train services toki and tanigawa. Tanigawa trains go from tokyo station to echigo yuzawa station, and stop. Shinkansen highspeed train network in japan japan station. The jr east shinkansen reservation office is the only one with an english version that allows online booking. Jr hokkaido plans 320kmh operation to sapporo international.
Japans shinkansen bullet trains are the pinnacle of japan rail travel. Simmonsboardman books the railway education bureau. Shinkansen bullet train, express train, airport train, and local train as well as train package are available to reserve online at. For jr pass holders, the best reason as to why you should visit niigata prefecture is this. Shinkansen simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Shinkansen route, the onboard cafe recreates the atmosphere of joetsu. Limited express shirayuki will be operated between niigata and hokuriku shinkansens new station, joetsumyoko that is 5 stations away from naoetsu. In english, the trains are also known as the bullet train. The fastest way of returning to tokyo from niigata is by joetsu shinkansen, the route described below. This tunnel was the worlds longest railway tunnel at 22,200 m until the seikan tunnel was built. Joetsu shinkansen joetsu line dai shimizu tunnel was completed. Joetsu is the old name of area where is between niigata and gunma.
Shinkansen and limited express train reservations ticketing. Echigoyuzawa is covered by the new jr tokyo wide pass according to the. The line opened on october 1, 1964, just in time for the tokyo olympics. Shinkansen is an online traveling service site serving hundredsthousands of customers from all over the world every month. Shinkansen bullet trains narita airporttokyo about 60 min. Shinkansen bullet trains are the fastest way to discover japan. They actually predated the 100 series trains, having been built between 1980 and 1986.
Sep 21, 2016 the perfect guide to shinkansen, the japanese bullet train. We cover all the basics including things to do in tokyo, how to get from narita airport to tokyo, which jr rail pass to choose, getting a sim card and pocket wifi. Although slab track had previously only been used in tunnels and elevated viaducts, on this line it was also. Shinkansen railway development law and opening of tohoku and joetsu shinkansen. In recent years, due to noise pollution, increasing speed is getting harder.
Shinkansen in japanese means new trunk line or new main line, but this word is used to describe both the railway lines the trains run on and the trains themselves. However, you can only book shinkansen and limited express trains running on the jr east network, that is to say tokyo, the northern part of japan and the narita express. The tunnel is a part of the shinkansen extension to aomori which will be completed by 2010. Joetsu shinkansen the joetsu shinkansen connects tokyo station with niigata station in niigata city, niigata prefecture. On october 1, 1964, the shinkansen began commercial service between japans two largest cities of tokyo and osaka. Roundtrip shinkansen from tokyo to galayuzawa station via the joetsu shinkansen line 1day lift ticket for galayuzawa ski resort. A product of the east japan railway company, the joetsu shinkansen is a type of japanese highspeed train often referred to as a bullet train. If you have more time and are prepared to change trains, you could consider the local banetsusei line that runs inland from niigata, via mikawa, and the castle town of aizu wakamatsu, to koriyama on the tohoku shinkansen line. Despite its name, the line does not pass through the city of joetsu or the historical joetsu region, which instead are served by the hokuriku shinkansen. However, plans had long been in place to connect all three main japanese islands by shinkansen with a line northward into hokkaido via the seikan tunnel under tsugaru strait. Joetsu shinkansen chubu 2020 all you need to know before.
The worlds longest railway tunnels, new projects and links to other tunnel pages. From bullet train to symbol of modern japan routledge contemporary japan series hood, christopher on. In the website, it says we can do this for jr east pass but no mention of the new jr tokyo wide pass. The japan rail pass covers the joetsu shinkansen line, so you can get there faster than ever before even from tokyo. Reserve shinkansen online before buying jr tokyo wide pass. Jan 15, 2012 roundtrip shinkansen from tokyo to galayuzawa station via the joetsu shinkansen line 1day lift ticket for galayuzawa ski resort. Joetsu shinkansen the joetsu line to niigata followed close on the heels of the tohoku line, being opened to the public in november 1982. From bullet train to symbol of modern japan routledge contemporary japan series. Mar 25, 2017 doubledecker bullet trains soon to be phased out.
Introduces shinkansen lines, such as tokaido, tohoku, and hokuriku shinkansen, as well as seat types, unreserved, reserved, green reserved, and gran class sets. The shinkansen is unlikely to be sold out so you should have no issues booking it when you land at narita, and even if it is sold out you can always buy a nonreserved ticket and try and grab a seat in the nonreserved carriages. The joetsu shinkansen is a highspeed shinkansen railway line connecting tokyo and niigata, japan, via the tohoku shinkansen, operated by the east japan railway company jr east. Departing from tokyo and traveling past takasaki, you pass the echigo and mikuni mountain ranges, which yield a panorama of rice fields before arriving in niigata, one of the most prominent ricegrowing areas of japan. This tunnel was dug for the joetsu shinkansen that was to be completed in 1982. The first derailment of a shinkansen train in passenger service occurred during the chuetsu earthquake on october 23, 2004.
Figure 1 changes in shinkansen structures 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 tokaido shinkansen 1964 sanyo shinkansen 1975 tohoku shinkansen 1982 joetsu shinkansen 1982 naganobound shinkansen 1997 length km earth structures tunnels bridges and viaducts 165 354 212 174 86 291 281 70 115 27 107 3 39 63 20. Toki trains go from tokyo station through to niigata station, and do not stop at every station on the line. Having paid little surcharge for green car upgrade, i had reclining seat with plenty of space and a footrest. The slab track consists of rails, fasteners and track slabs with a cement asphalt mortar. Shinkansen highspeed train network in japan another major shinkansen route goes northward from tokyo. The joetsu shinkansen itself was built to service niigata, but it also serves a small ski resort called galayuzawa. The remaining e2 series trainsets were withdrawn from hokuriku shinkansen services on 31 march 2017. The joetsu shinkansen line to niigata japan rail pass. List of railway tunnels in japan under construction. It is known for its highlevel comfort, punctuality, safety, and efficiency. From tokyo, take the joetsu shinkansen to echigoyuzawa and change to the hakutaka limited express for the run to naoetsu station 2 14 hours. The shinkansen, known as the bullet train, is a network of highspeed railway lines operated by japan railways.
The japan rail jr network is extensive and the trains reach a top speed. The last doubledecker bullet trains on the joetsu shinkansen line connecting tokyo and niigata will be withdrawn from service in a few years. So technically, aside from the fact that traveling here will not cost you a thing, it is also relatively near. Japanese national railways are in the process of building the joetsu shinkansen between tokyo and niigata on the sea of japan. Kazutaka taniguchi and gunnar lotsberg the worlds longest tunnel page railway tunnels in japan railway tunnels in japan 5 000 m. Japan sea bike trail kubiki cycling route joetsumyoko. To take a shinkansen train, a reserved or unreserved limited express fare ticket is necessary, in addition to a basic fare ticket. Operated only in peak travel seasons or an specified days. The train was perfectly tidy, as is norm after enormously dedicated and professional tesseistaff.
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