1.
bullet train, Shinkansen
Japan's high-speed railway system, connecting major cities across the country.
新幹線 is Japan's high-speed rail network, literally "new trunk line."
HISTORY:
The first line (東海道新幹線) opened in 1964 for the Tokyo Olympics.
FAMOUS FOR:
- Speed: up to 320 km/h
- Punctuality: average delay of seconds
- Safety: no fatal accidents in 60+ years
TRAIN TYPES (Tokaido line):
- のぞみ: fastest (limited stops)
- ひかり: medium (more stops)
- こだま: local (all stops)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 新幹線に乗る: to ride the Shinkansen
- 新幹線で行く: to go by Shinkansen