Interesting facts about Japanese bullet trains

Shinkansen is a Japanese high-speed train system, operated by four companies of the Japan Railway Group, serving mainly the main island and Kyushu. The train can reach speeds of 581km/h, setting a world record in 2003. Photo: Wasabi.

According to a 2012 report, Shinkansen trains have an astonishing punctuality rate. The average delay compared to schedule is 36 seconds, including uncontrollable causes such as natural disasters. Photo: Japan Times.

The Shinkansen was invented by railway engineer Hideo Shima with the aim of providing an “airplane-like” experience. After leaving the industry, he became the head of Japan’s National Aerospace Development Agency (NASDA), where he devoted his efforts to developing hydrogen engines and electric rockets. Photo: Youtube.

The train has two classes of seats in separate compartments. The blue compartment has large seats and plenty of legroom, comparable to business class on an airplane. There are two seats in each row. Hygiene on the train is always a concern, so public transport in Japan is considered the cleanest in the world. Photo: Wasabi.

The seats are usually smaller but still comfortable for passengers. The Shinkansen is almost completely safe. In 49 years of operation, carrying 10 billion passengers, Japan has never recorded a single case of injury, despite frequent earthquakes and tornadoes. Photo: Wasabi.

Shinkansen trains have both reserved and non-reserved carriages. However, trains to Hayabusa, Hayate, and Komachi are always fully booked. Photo: Wasabi.

Shinkansen passengers need to sit in the correct seat, turn off their phone, not speak loudly in public, not leave luggage in the aisle, stand below the dividing line and wait for everyone on the train to get off, or not recline their seat if the person sitting below is eating... Photo: Wasabi.

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