The Joetsu Shinkansen
The Joetsu Shinkansen is a high-speed shinkansen rail line connecting two major cities in Honshu in Japan: Tokyo and Niigata. Japan Rail Pass can be used to take trains on Joetsu Shinkansen except Nozomi and Mizuho trains.
Basic Information
- Japanese: 上越新幹線/じょうえつしんかんせん
- Operated by: JR East
- Length: 270 kilometers (167 miles)
- Top speed: 345 kph (214 mph)
- Terminals: Tokyo Station, Niigata Station
- Stops along the way: Morioka, Shizukuishi, Tazawako, Kakunodate, Omagari, Akita
Trains Running on the Joetsu Shinkansen
There is only one type of train in service on the Joetsu Shinkansen — the Komachi train. Komachi trains are E6 series trains, which have a maximum speed of 130 kph (81 mph).
History of the Joetsu Shinkansen
- 1971: The Joetsu Shinkansen began operation.
- 2006: Affected by natural disasters, the Joetsu Shinkansen was taken out of service twice.
- 2007: Smoking was prohibited on all trains.
- 2013: The new E6 series electric cars were put into service.
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