If you travel extensively in Japan, riding Shinkansen, Super Express Train or Bullet Train is very convenient. For example, although it is 500 km far from Tokyo to Kyoto, it takes 132 minutes in that the average speed on the way is more than 220 kph(at a top speed of 285 kph) and the punctuality and safety is also guaranteed. Tokaido Shinkansen marks its 60th anniversary. Since it started operation in 1964, it has transported some 7 billion passengers in the last 60 years.      

In the photo above, the president of Japan National Railway(the now JR Central) cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony of Tokaido Shinkansen on October 1, 1964 just 10 days before Tokyo Olympic Games held opening ceremony. I boarded Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka with my mother for the first time when I was 8 years old. When I was a junior high school and high school student in Tokyo, the school trips to Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima were conducted by riding Shinkansen. When I was a company employee(1980-2014), Shinkansen had had more lines and all lines extended in all directions. Since I was in charge of selling products at the company, how often I took Shinkansen westward and northward ! In fact, in the case of Tokaido Shinkansen, it is reported that about 70% of passengers boards it to go on a business trip. The total length of Shinkansen in Japan has increased from 520 km to 3,000 km.    

The map of Shinkansen network in Japan was copied from Shinkansen (Japanese Bullet Train) (japan-guide.com)