Hundreds of trains, seconds late
How the Tokaido Shinkansen moves hundreds of thousands of people a day.
How this site works. Every fact is in our own words and linked to its source, beside it. Where good sources disagree, we show each version in a “Sources differ” box.
Billions of journeys
About 7 billion people have used the Tokaido Shinkansen since 1964. JR Central
It links Japan’s three biggest city areas: Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. JR Central
In the 2023 financial year it ran 372 trains a day and carried 432,000 passengers a day. JR Central
Each train has 1,318 seats, or 1,314 on the N700S. JR Central
Frequent
Since March 2020, up to 12 Nozomi trains an hour can run at the busiest times, one every 5 minutes on average. JR Central, 2024
Between Tokyo and Osaka, at rush hour, trains leave every 10 minutes or less. Britannica
On time
In the 2023 financial year, its trains’ average delay was 1.6 minutes, counting delays from natural disasters. JR Central
The Science Museum Group says that on average bullet trains arrive within 24 seconds of their timetabled time. Science Museum Group
Safe
JR Central says no passenger on board has been killed or injured in a train accident on the Tokaido Shinkansen since it opened. JR Central
Each car has brakes with cast-iron discs designed not to bend under emergency braking. Britannica
Every train movement is monitored and controlled by a central computerised centre in Tokyo. Britannica
‘Doctor Yellow’ is the nickname of the yellow Shinkansen trains that inspect the track, the overhead wires and the signals. Asahi, 2025
Efficient
JR Central says that per seat, Tokyo to Osaka uses about one-eighth of the energy of a plane, and produces about one-twelfth of the carbon dioxide. JR Central
The 500 Series nose is 15 metres long, and it cut air pressure by 30% and electricity use by 15%, while running 10% faster. JFS, 2005
Our view: a 1.6-minute average delay, counting earthquakes and typhoons, is the most impressive number on this site.
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