Shinkansen Bullet Train – Tokyo to Kyoto

Japan Winter 2024

Tokyo > Kyoto | Japan

24 Feb 2024 | Sat

Day 05 of 17

Shinkansen Bullet Train – Tokyo to Kyoto
View Mount Fuji from Bullet Train
Shizutetsu Hotel Prezio Kyoto Shijo
Walking Kyoto’s Famous Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka Streets
Hokan-ji Temple Kyoto
Kiyomizu-Dera Temple Gate Kyoto
Daikanyama Candy Apple Kiyomizu Ninenzaka
Daidokoro Forested Slope to Kōdaiji Temple
Walk Back to Hotel

Shinkansen Bullet Train – Tokyo to Kyoto

Tokyo Station

It was not our first time visiting Tokyo Station, but regardless of whether it’s one’s first time or visited many times, it will always be an overload of the senses. Our visit today was no different from before – pure “organized” chaos!😊The air buzzed with energy as people from all walks of life moved in a seemingly choreographed dance of organized chaos.

Bullet-Train-Tokyo-to-Kyoto-06 — Organized Chaos at Tokyo Station

The station is a maze of platforms, shops, and eateries. The constant announcements, the clatter of suitcase wheels against the tiled floor, and the hum of conversation created a symphony of sounds. The smell of freshly made sushi from the station’s restaurants wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of strong coffee from nearby cafés.

Despite the crowd, everything was orderly. Digital boards flashed with precise train schedules, and the iconic Shinkansen Bullet Trains arrived and departed with clockwork precision. The station staff were helpful and efficient, guiding confused tourists and busy commuters alike.

The blend of modern technology with traditional Japanese efficiency was evident everywhere. From the high-tech ticket machines to the meticulously clean platforms, Tokyo Station was a testament to Japan’s reputation for excellence in public transportation.

Tōkyō Station is a major railway station in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. The original station is located in Chiyoda’s Marunouchi business district near the Imperial Palace grounds. The newer Eastern extension is not far from the Ginza commercial district. Due to the large area covered by the station, it is divided into the Marunouchi (west) and Yaesu (east) sides in its directional signage.

Served by the high-speed rail lines of the Shinkansen network, Tōkyō Station is the main inter-city rail terminal in Tokyo. It is the busiest station in Japan in terms of scheduled trains, with more than 4,000 trains arriving and departing daily, and the fifth-busiest in eastern Japan in terms of passenger throughput; on average, more than 500,000 people use Tōkyō Station every day. The station is also served by many regional commuter lines of Japan Railways, as well as the Tokyo Metro network.

– Tokyo Station > Wikipedia

Shinkansen Bullet Train – Tokyo to Kyoto

Our first time riding the Shinkansen Bullet Train from Tokyo to Kyoto (Nozomi – the fastest train) was an unforgettable experience. The journey started at Tokyo Station, a bustling hub filled with a mix of both locals and tourists. We boarded the sleek, futuristic-looking train, our excitement building as we settled into the comfortable seats.

Bullet-Train-Tokyo-to-Kyoto-10 — Shinkansen Bullet Trains Waiting to Depart at Tokyo Station

As our train pulled out of the station, we marveled at its smoothness and speed. The urban landscape of Tokyo quickly gave way to the beautiful countryside. We watched as mountains, fields, and small towns passed by our window at an impressive speed.

Inside the train, the amenities were top-notch. The seats were spacious and comfortable, the restrooms were clean, and there was even a food service cart offering a variety of meals and snacks. Despite the train’s high speed, the ride was incredibly smooth, and we could hardly tell we were moving.

Two hours and 12 minutes later, we arrived in Kyoto. The journey was not only quick but also offered a unique way to see the country’s changing landscapes. Our first ride on the Shinkansen was certainly a highlight of our trip to Japan.

The Shinkansen, colloquially known in English as the bullet train, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan. Initially, it was built to connect distant Japanese regions with Tokyo, the capital, to aid economic growth and development. Beyond long-distance travel, some sections around the largest metropolitan areas are used as a commuter rail network. It is owned by the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency and operated by five Japan Railways Group companies.

Starting with the Tokaido Shinkansen (515.4 km; 320.3 mi) in 1964, the network has expanded to currently consist of 2,951.3 km (1,833.9 mi) of lines with maximum speeds of 260–320 km/h (160–200 mph), 283.5 km (176.2 mi) of Mini-Shinkansen lines with a maximum speed of 130 km/h (80 mph), and 10.3 km (6.4 mi) of spur lines with Shinkansen services.

The maximum operating speed is 320 km/h (200 mph) (on a 387.5 km (241 mi) section of the Tōhoku Shinkansen). Test runs have reached 443 km/h (275 mph) for conventional rail in 1996, and up to a world record 603 km/h (375 mph) for SCMaglev trains in April 2015.

The original Tokaido Shinkansen, connecting Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, three of Japan’s largest cities, is one of the world’s busiest high-speed rail lines. In the one-year period preceding March 2017, it carried 159 million passengers, and since its opening more than five decades ago, it has transported more than 6.4 billion total passengers. At peak times, the line carries up to 16 trains per hour in each direction with 16 cars each (1,323-seat capacity and occasionally additional standing passengers) with a minimum headway of three minutes between trains.

– Shinkansen > Wikipedia

Kyoto Station

Kyōto Station is a major railway station and transportation hub in Kyōto, Japan. It has Japan’s second-largest station building (after Nagoya Station) and is one of the country’s largest buildings, incorporating a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, Isetan department store, and several local government facilities under one 15-story roof. It also housed the Kyōto City Air Terminal until August 31, 2002.

– Kyōto Station > Wikipedia