How far south does the bullet train go in Japan?

Japan’s Bullet Train: Southernmost Destinations

Japan’s bullet train network, known for its exceptional speed and punctuality, reaches far beyond the major cities of Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. The Tokaido Shinkansen, the iconic line that inaugurated Japan’s high-speed rail era, stretches from Tokyo Station in the north to Shin-Osaka Station in the south. However, the Shinkansen network extends even further south, connecting a wide range of destinations.

The Sanyo Shinkansen line continues the high-speed route from Shin-Osaka Station to Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu Island. This line allows passengers to travel at speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour (186 miles per hour) through the scenic regions of western Japan, including Hiroshima, Okayama, and Himeji.

The Kyushu Shinkansen line branches off from Hakata Station and extends southward into Kagoshima Prefecture. This line offers a direct connection from Fukuoka to Kagoshima City, the southernmost major city on the Japanese archipelago. The terminus of the Kyushu Shinkansen is Kagoshima-Chuo Station, located in the heart of Kagoshima City.

Therefore, the bullet train in Japan goes as far south as Kagoshima City in Kyushu Island, connecting major cities throughout Japan with unparalleled speed and efficiency.