With speeds reaching hundreds of kilometers per hour, the Shinkansen makes traveling between cities in Japan fast, convenient, and efficient.
However, not all Shinkansen services operate at the same speed. So, which ones are the fastest?
Hayabusa (Tohoku & Hokkaido Shinkansen)
Hayabusa is the fastest service on the Tohoku Shinkansen, connecting Tokyo with Shin-Aomori, with selected trains continuing to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto via the Hokkaido Shinkansen.
Operating at speeds of up to 320 km/h (199 mph), Hayabusa is the fastest regularly scheduled Shinkansen service in Japan.
In addition to its speed, Hayabusa is also the only Shinkansen service that offers GranClass, the highest-class seating with spacious seats and premium onboard services.
Komachi (Akita & Tohoku Shinkansen)
Komachi is the fastest service on the Akita Shinkansen, connecting Tokyo and Akita Prefecture.
Between Tokyo and Morioka, Komachi operates coupled with the Hayabusa service before separating and continuing toward Akita.
While running on the Tohoku Shinkansen, Komachi reaches speeds of up to 320 km/h (199 mph). Once it enters the Akita Shinkansen, its speed is reduced because the line shares tracks with conventional railway services.
Nozomi & Mizuho (Tokaido, Sanyo & Kyushu Shinkansen)
Nozomi is the fastest service on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen, connecting major cities such as Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Hakata (Fukuoka).
Its main advantage is making fewer stops than Hikari or Kodama services, allowing for significantly shorter travel times.
Nozomi operates at speeds of up to 285 km/h (177 mph) on the Tokaido Shinkansen and 300 km/h (186 mph) on the Sanyo Shinkansen.
Meanwhile, Mizuho is the fastest service on the Kyushu Shinkansen, operating between Shin-Osaka and Kagoshima-Chuo with limited stops for faster journeys.
Kagayaki & Hakutaka (Hokuriku Shinkansen)
Kagayaki is the fastest service on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, connecting Tokyo with Kanazawa and Tsuruga.
With a maximum operating speed of 260 km/h (162 mph), Kagayaki is the quickest option for travelers heading to the Hokuriku region.
Hakutaka serves the same route but stops at more stations along the way. Although its travel time is slightly longer, it still provides a fast and comfortable journey.
The main difference between Kagayaki and Hakutaka lies in the number of stops rather than the train itself, making Kagayaki the fastest service on the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
