Japan's first Shinkansen turns 50 — zero fatal accidents in half a century

▲ Japan's first Shinkansen turned 50 on October 1st!(Photo / Screenshot from Youtube)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Tokaido Shinkansen, which runs between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, marked its 50th anniversary on the 1st with a commemorative departure ceremony at 6 a.m. at Tokyo Station, attracting numerous railway enthusiasts to witness this historic moment.

The Tokaido Shinkansen is Japan’s first high-speed railway. It opened and officially began operations in 1964. Over the past half-century, it has carried more than 5.6 billion passengers, with nearly 430,000 passengers using it daily in 2013 alone, earning it the nickname “Japan’s artery.” According to Japanese media reports, the Tokaido Shinkansen has never experienced any fatal accidents in its 50 years of operation, which is also a significant record.

In addition, Japan is currently planning to open the maglev Chuo Shinkansen by 2027. Once operational, it is expected to take just 40 minutes to travel from Tokyo to Nagoya. In preparation for construction, the general public will also be allowed to experience trial rides on the experimental section in Yamanashi Prefecture starting from November and December.