2024 marks 60 years since the very first Shinkansen, or ‘bullet train’, entered into service on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen line.

The Tōkaidō Shinkansen line was the world’s first high speed rail line, inaugurated just 10 days before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Tokyo in October 1964. The first generation ‘Series 0’ Shinkansen completed the 515-km journey between Tokyo and Osaka in just 4 hours, shattering the previous travel time of 6 hours 30 minutes and transforming domestic travel.

This special edition nose cone, displayed for the first time outside Japan, was used for the final journey of the ‘Series 0’ on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen line.

Photos with the Shinkansen nose cone in Japan House London are encouraged – if sharing on social media you can tag us @japanhouseldn.

We are delighted to collaborate with Central Japan Railway Company to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Tōkaidō Shinkansen by presenting this very special piece of history and highlighting Japanese technology and innovation within Japan House London.