The shinkansen or what foreigners call "the bullet train" (based in both their shape and speed traveled) are the fastest commuter trains in Japan. They can travel at speeds excess of 275 mph depending on the model and destination. These trains are by far the most efficient way to travel long distances around the nation of Japan. If I recall correctly, you could make it from one end of Honshu to the other (running north to south) in less than 9 hours by shinkansen.
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| Japanese Shinkansen |
Since these trains are the main source of domestic long distance travel, the tickets themselves can become quite expensive. For instance, in the United States the main choice for domestic travel is by airplane. Therefore, shinkansen tickets can be viewed as an equivalent to an airline ticket in America.
Although Japanese bullet trains have been touted as the worlds fastest commuter trains before, China now takes the prize. The newest Chinese bullet trains travel at speeds excess of 310 miles an hour.
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| Chinese Bullet Train |
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that with China and Japan's rich history, they will always be competing for the top spot in everything the do. The bullet train battle that I feel we will witness over the next 50 years between these two countries will continue to push the envelope of technology and possibility until a newer, more efficient way of traveling comes to the foreground.
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