The Akita Shinkansen
The Akita Shinkansen is a mini-shinkansen rail line connecting two major cities in Northeast Japan: Morioka in Iwate Prefecture and Akita in Akita Prefecture.
The Akita Shinkansen is a branch of the Tohoku Shinkansen. Trains on the Akita Shinkansen can run further to Tokyo via the Tohoku Shinkansen, with the shortest travel time of 3 hours 37 minutes.
Basic Information
- Japanese: 秋田新幹線／あきたしんかんせん
- Operated by: JR East
- Length: 127 kilometers (79 miles)
- Top speed: 130 kph (81 mph)
- Terminals: Morioka Station, Akita Station
- Stops along the way: Morioka, Shizukuishi, Tazawako, Kakunodate, Omagari, Akita
Trains Running on the Akita Shinkansen
There is only one type of train in service on the Akita Shinkansen — the Komachi train. Komachi trains are E6 series trains, which have a maximum speed of 130 kph (81 mph).
History of the Akita Shinkansen
- 1997: The Akita Shinkansen began operation.
- 2006: Affected by natural disasters, the Akita Shinkansen was taken out of service twice.
- 2007: Smoking was prohibited on all trains.
- 2013: The new E6 series electric cars were put into service.
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