Japan launches the fastest train in the world between two of the most vibrant destinations

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They’ve done it again, guys. Japan and futuristic, cutting-edge technology go hand in hand, and when it comes to nationwide connectivity and ease of travel, they are far from letting tourists down.

From Tokyo you can already get to almost anywhere in the country with minimal hassle, but soon you will be able to aboard the world’s new fastest trainconnecting the capital with the emerging city of Nagoya, in central Japan.

Faster even than the latest model of the iconic Japanese high-speed line shinkansenthis beast-on-rails will cover the distance of 300 kilometers in just a few minutes 40 minutes, lower than the current 2h30:

The fastest train in the world will connect Tokyo with one of Japan’s most exciting cities

Japan’s shiny new toy, also known as the L0 series train, is a magnetic beauty which can reach speeds of up to 375 km/h. Your typical shinkansen only goes as fast as 186 mph.

Oh, and if you’re not sure what “maglev” means, it’s just a nice neuologism for “magnetic levitation.” In short this means:

• Virtually no contact with spores → a very bad smooth ride
• Extremely high speed → in the case of the L0 series, up to 600 km/h
• Less friction → much more efficient and quieter than your average train
• Electromagnetism is king → it helps both lift the train and propel it forward

By the way, the current The fastest train in the world is the Chinese Shanghai Maglev, which reaches a speed of up to 450 km/hour. That goes without saying Japan’s latest attempt easy surpasses that.

Don’t get us started on how inefficient this makes European trains feel. Don’t get us wrong: we think it’s great that Europe is launching new train routes from the West to the (Far) East, but it’s not like France’s fastest TGV service, which runs just 300 km per hour, can exactly compete.

Anyway, enough about the train nerd… for now. Why Nagoya of all places?

Is Nagoya the coolest place in Japan right now?

When you think of Japan beyond Tokyo, chances are it’s Kyoto, Osaka, or, if you fancy something special, small off the beaten track, the neighboring port city of Yokohama, but we rarely see people online hyping up an equally exciting Nagoya.

It is best known as an industrial center, as it is home to Toyota and a number of other cutting-edge Asian technology giants, but it also has So much more in store than the sea of ​​glass buildings on the surface.

It is home to Nagoya Castle, originally built in 1612and one of the most beautiful in Japan tenshu: a main tower of several floors, protected by imposing walls.

The ancient structure was severely damaged during World War II, but the current reconstruction is incredibly faithful to the original and even includes the historic Golden Shachihoko: an iconic tiger-headed carp atop the castle’s stepped roofs. It is one of the most important symbols of Nagoya.

Try Soupless Ramen and visit Toyota’s main hub

In Osu Kannon you will find a lively neighborhood, intersected with shopping streets and ramen joints. Head to Menya Hanabi, in the heart of the urban hustle and bustle, to try theirs known Mazesobaa soupless ramen with rich flavors.

Sake has nightlife and elegant rooftop restaurants waiting to be explored all week long, and if you don’t mind venturing a little further away from the downtown area, Atsuta is the perfect place to explore. one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrinesand it happens to be a short 15 minute train ride from Nagoya station.

Of course, you haven’t really been to Nagoya unless you’ve visited the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology. We mean: Toyota was born in Nagoya, so you might as well check out some cool, sci-fi-esque installations while you’re at it.

In short, Nagoya is the perfect mix of modern city life and traditional Japan.

When will the train leave?

That’s the An part that’s a bit of a downer.

The train should actually be ready next year (2027), but is now delayed by eight years. You can expect it to hit the market between 2034 and 2035.

If you feel like we’ve been here before, you were probably with us during the several Mayan Train pushbacks in Mexico leading up to the final launch – but hey, we trust that Japan will keep its promiseAnd let’s be honest: a futuristic train on this scale requires enormous investments.

We are talking about costs that amount to more than 65.3 billion USD. This time we’ll give them a chance.

As soon as it do However, at launch, the L0 series train can travel from Tokyo to Nagoya in 40 minutes. Current trains complete the journey between 1h26 and 2h30 (or longer), depending on route and speed (the Kodama and Hikari lines are usually much slower).

Once operational, The plans also call for extending the L0 series to the Osaka Line, which would shorten travel times from Tokyo to just 1 hour. Soon all of Japan will be one big urban area.

By then you shall However, you will need to apply for a travel permit to enter Japan as an American, so make sure you stay informed Travel off the path so as not to miss important changes.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.