The Akita Shinkansen

The Akita Shinkansen is a mini-shinkansen rail line connecting two major cities in Northeast Japan: Morioka in Iwate Prefecture and Akita in Akita Prefecture.

The Akita Shinkansen is a branch of the Tohoku Shinkansen. Trains on the Akita Shinkansen can run further to Tokyo via the Tohoku Shinkansen, with the shortest travel time of 3 hours 37 minutes.

Basic Information

• Japanese: 秋田新幹線／あきたしんかんせん
• Operated by: JR East
• Length: 127 kilometers (79 miles)
• Top speed: 130 kph (81 mph)
• Terminals: Morioka Station, Akita Station
• Stops along the way: Morioka, Shizukuishi, Tazawako, Kakunodate, Omagari, Akita

Trains Running on the Akita Shinkansen

There is only one type of train in service on the Akita Shinkansen — the Komachi train. Komachi trains are E6 series trains, which have a maximum speed of 130 kph (81 mph).

History of the Akita Shinkansen

• 1997: The Akita Shinkansen began operation.
• 2006: Affected by natural disasters, the Akita 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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