The Amazing Strengths and Weaknesses of Japan’s Shinkansen: Part 1 – Total Network Length?

Over four parts, I hope you have gained a good understanding of my passion for railways. While I feel that the enthusiasm—that ‘Japanese trains are amazing!’ feeling—has been conveyed, this article focuses on the “Shinkansen,” which has frequently been highlighted as Japan’s prime example.

As of 2021, the operating Shinkansen lines spread across Japan have a total length of an incredible 3,000 km! You might think, ‘Wait, isn’t that surprisingly short?’ China’s high-speed rail network totals 25,000 km—that’s about nine times longer. Furthermore, although China’s high-speed railway history is less than twenty years old, its total length has already surpassed Japan’s by a significant margin. China implemented a massive national policy to lay down a high-speed rail network across the entire country, resulting in a grid-like system—which is understandable given its vast landmass. However, what Japan has always prioritized when building Shinkansen lines was “commercial viability.” In the 1970s, there were plans to string Shinkansen lines across all of Japan, similar to China today. These plans included the ‘Shikoku Shinkansen,’ running from Okayama across the Seto Ohashi Bridge to Kochi; the ‘San’in Shinkansen,’ passing through Tottori and Shimane on the Sea of Japan side from Osaka; and routes spanning the entire country, such as a line connecting Wakayama to Tokushima, crossing Shikoku east-to-west, crossing the sea again, and reaching Oita. Thinking about it now, those plans seem almost reckless.

In reality, structures like the Seto Ohashi Bridge were built with a width capable of accommodating Shinkansen tracks, using the same standard gauge as the trains themselves. As an aside, there is a difference in track width between the Shinkansen (standard gauge: 1,435mm) and conventional lines (narrow gauge: 1,067mm). Nevertheless, JR Shikoku, which operates the conventional lines in Shikoku, has faced continuous financial difficulties since privatization. Furthermore, the San’in Main Line, where a Shinkansen might have run, still operates with single tracks, and even limited express trains only use two-car formations—perhaps those plans were too ambitious.

But dreaming big is good! And giving up…

To summarize this part: the total length of Japan’s Shinkansen network might seem short. Currently, it runs like a backbone through the Japanese archipelago, connecting the ‘Kyushu Shinkansen,’ which crosses from Kagoshima to Hakatō; the ‘Sanyō Shinkansen,’ running from Hakata to Shin-Osaka; the ‘Tōkaidō Shinkansen,’ where the original 0 series ran, reaching Tokyo; and the ‘Tōhoku Shinkansen’ and ‘Hokuriku Shinkansen,’ which traverse Japan from Tokyo all the way up to Hokkaido. Beyond these, there are also the ‘Joetsu Shinkansen’ and the ‘Nagano/Hokuriku Shinkansen’ extending toward the Sea of Japan side. In fact, it covers most of Japan. What’s more, every single line is profitable. Given that China’s high-speed rail system has only managed to achieve profitability between Beijing and Shanghai, you can really appreciate the solid management of Japan’s Shinkansen.

Since this article seems like it will get long, I’ll wrap up for now. However, the Shinkansen also has some weaknesses or points of vulnerability. But next time, I promise to tell you more about how amazing the Shinkansen really is.

See you next time!

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