The Jōetsu Shinkansen (上越新幹線) is a high-speed shinkansen railway line connecting Tokyo and Niigata, Japan, via the Tōhoku Shinkansen, operated by the East Japan Railway Company. Despite its name, the line does not pass through the city of Jōetsu or the historical Jōetsu region, which instead are served by the Hokuriku Shinkansen. The name instead originates from the parallel Jōetsu Line, which in turn is named after the two provinces that it connects: Jōshū, and Echigo Province.
An E7 series train on a Joetsu Shinkansen Toki service in October 2021
An E7 series trainset
200 series on a Tanigawa service in January 2011
E1 series on a Max Asahi service in June 2002
The Shinkansen , colloquially known in English as the bullet train, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan. Initially, it was built to connect distant Japanese regions with Tokyo, the capital, to aid economic growth and development. Beyond long-distance travel, some sections around the largest metropolitan areas are used as a commuter rail network. It is owned by the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency and operated by five Japan Railways Group companies.
A lineup of JR East Shinkansen trains in October 2012
A lineup of JR West Shinkansen trains in October 2008
A 0 series set in Tokyo, May 1967
Shinkansen standard gauge track, with welded rails to reduce vibration