The Japanese Shinkansens are one of the world’s fastest trains. The Sanyo Shinkansens run at a top speed of 300kph (186 mph). Shinkansens for the Tohoku-Joetsu line and the Tokaido line run at a top speed of 275 kph (171 mph) and 270 kph (167 mph). For Hokuriku and Kyushu lines, Shinkansen's top speed is 260 kph (161 mph). Faster speed means less travel time. The development of Shinkansens with faster speed is underway.

The total distance of the Shinkansen lines is 2,177 km (1,350 miles).
Since Shinkansens run at high speed, their railway tracks are wider than those for the conventional lines in Japan.
New Shinkansen lines have been constructed for faster and further domestic travel. Now, 406 km of new lines are under construction.