Podcasts History Witness History Japan's Bullet Train

Japan's Bullet Train

Published: July 26, 2021, 8:30 a.m.

On 1 October 1964, the fastest train the world had ever seen was launched in Japan. The first Shinkansen, or bullet train, ran between Tokyo and Osaka, and had a top speed of 210km per hour. Lucy Burns spoke to Isao Makibayashi, one of the train's first drivers.

This is a rebroadcast

(Photo: Shinkansen, or bullet train. Credit: Keystone/Getty Images)