The Tokaido Shinkansen celebrated its 60th anniversary at JR Tokyo Station on Tuesday. Over the years, this line has transported approximately 7 billion passengers. To mark this milestone, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place, attended by numerous railway enthusiasts and others. The first train of the day, Nozomi No. 1, departed from platform No. 19 at 6 a.m., just as the inaugural Shinkansen train did six decades ago.
Shunsuke Niwa, president of Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai), expressed his commitment to further enhancing the popularity of the Tokaido Shinkansen line in the future: “We will work hard to make the Tokaido Shinkansen line even more loved as we move toward the future.”
Among those present at the ceremony was a fifth-grade elementary school student from Mitaka, Tokyo, who marveled at the continued operation of these high-speed trains and their ability to transport such large numbers of people: ”It’s really cool and amazing that the Shinkansen still runs at high speeds and carries so many people,” he said.
This anniversary celebration not only recognizes an impressive milestone for one of Japan’s most iconic transportation systems but also highlights its ongoing significance in connecting communities and facilitating efficient travel across regions.
