Japan’s iconic Shinkansen high-speed rail network continues to lead the world in speed, safety, and innovation as of 2025. During his visit to Japan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled from Tokyo to Sendai aboard the Shinkansen, highlighting its role as a symbol of modern engineering excellence.
Launched in 1964, the Shinkansen revolutionised travel by cutting journey times dramatically — reducing the Tokyo-Osaka trip from 16.5 hours in 1889 to just over 3 hours by 1965. Today, its fastest service, the Nozomi, covers the same route in just 2 hours 21 minutes.
The network, spanning from Hokkaido to Kyushu, operates at speeds of 275–320 km/h and has achieved a flawless safety record with zero passenger fatalities in over six decades.
A hallmark of its design is biomimicry — engineers modelled the train’s nose on the kingfisher bird’s beak to eliminate tunnel sonic booms, improve efficiency, and reduce energy use.
Beyond speed, the Shinkansen has transformed Japan’s economy, boosted tourism, and inspired high-speed rail projects worldwide, cementing its legacy as a pioneer of modern transportation.
