Japan trials the world’s fastest bullet train

Japan trials the world’s fastest bullet train

Japan has trialled its fastest ever bullet train, with predictions it can hit speeds upwards of 350 kilometres per hour.

Bloomberg reported the new shinkansen (bullet train), scheduled to go into service in 2030, is capable of speeds as high as 400 kilometres per hour – a tad quicker than Sydney’s light rail.

Rail company East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) reportedly plans to operate the Alfa-X at 360 kilometres per hour – 10 kilometres faster than China’s Fuxing Hao, which links Beijing and Shanghai and has the same top speed.

Kazunori Koyama, an official in charge of the testing, told CNN Asia that the shinkansen aimed to further shorten commute times for a service already known for its punctuality.

Production of the shinkansen finished in early May at a reported cost of 10 billion yen ($131 million).

“The development of the next-generation shinkansen is based on the key concepts of superior performance, a high level of comfort, a superior operating environment and innovative maintenance,” JR East told Bloomberg.

CNN Asia reported the 10-car Alfa-X trialled yesterday, between the Northern Japanese cities of Sendai and Morioka, and reached speeds of 320 kilometres per hour.

Japan’s high-speed rail is also known for its revolutionary safety measures, including its emergency stop system, which can reportedly automatically slow down speeds before a major earthquake strikes.

Furthermore, Bloomberg reported the new bullet train will have air brakes on the roof and use magnetic plates near the rails to slow down, in addition to conventional brakes.

However, the Alfa-X could be dethroned as the world’s fastest train before it even goes into service. A new magnetic-levitation line is reportedly being built between Tokyo and Nagoya, with operations starting in 2027.

The train is set to operate at a top speed of 505 kilometres per hour, with the magnetically levitated train reportedly cutting commute time between Tokyo and Nagoya to 40 minutes, from the current 110 minutes.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]