Jōetsu Shinkansen


The Jōetsu Shinkansen is a Japanese high-speed rail line and part of the nationwide Shinkansen network. Operated by the East Japan Railway Company, it links Niigata in the north to Ōmiya in the south, with through service to Tokyo via the Tōhoku Shinkansen.
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, which branches off the Jōetsu Shinkansen at Takasaki. The line's name originates from the parallel Jōetsu Line, which in turn is named after the two provinces that it connects: Jōshū, and Echigo Province.
Two services currently operate on the route: the limited-stop Toki, which runs the length of the corridor, and the all-stops Tanigawa, which runs between Tokyo and Echigo-Yuzawa Station. During the winter, Tanigawa trains continue via the Gala-Yuzawa Line, a branch line to serve Gala-Yuzawa Station and its adjoining ski resort, which is also owned by JR East. The branch line was originally built to store trains terminating at and departing from Echigo-Yuzawa.
, the maximum line speed is. The fastest services cover the between Tokyo and Niigata in 90 minutes.

Train services

The Jōetsu Shinkansen operates with two different services:
  • Toki: Tokyo – Niigata limited-stop service
  • Tanigawa: Tokyo – Echigo-Yuzawa all-stops service. During winter, trains continue to Gala-Yuzawa via the Gala-Yuzawa Line.
One service has been discontinued:
  • Asahi, Tokyo – Niigata limited-stop service.

    Stations

'''Legend:'''

Rolling stock

the following train types operate on Jōetsu Shinkansen services.
  • E7 series: Toki / Tanigawa
Between fiscal 2018 and 2020, eleven 12-car E7 series train sets were introduced on Jōetsu Shinkansen services, replacing the E4 series trains, raising the speed from to. Additional sets were gradually introduced through 2023 for the replacement of E2 series trains.

Non-revenue type

  • East i

    Former rolling stock

  • 200 series: Asahi / Toki / Tanigawa
  • E1 series: Max Asahi / Max Toki / Max Tanigawa
  • E2 series: Toki / Tanigawa
  • E3 series Genbi Shinkansen excursion set
  • E4 series: Max Asahi / Max Toki / ''Max Tanigawa''

    History

The program to build the new line was initiated in 1971 by Niigata-born prime minister Tanaka Kakuei; one popular anecdote is that Tanaka determined the line's routing by drawing it on a map with a red pencil. Built at a cost of $6.3 billion, it was built "to establish closer ties with Tokyo and promote regional development".
Trial runs over the line began in November 1980, and regular service began on 15 November 1982. The line was initially planned to terminate at Shinjuku Station, but economic considerations pushed Japanese National Railways to merge the line with the existing Tōhoku Shinkansen line at.
In September 1991, a 400 Series Shinkansen train set a Japanese rail speed record of on the Jōetsu Shinkansen line, and in December 1993, the STAR21 experimental train recorded. The maximum speed for regular services on the line at the time was except for the section between Jomo-Kogen and Urasa which is for E2 series trains travelling towards Niigata. The urban section between Tokyo and Ueno is, between Ōmiya and Ueno is.
The Basic Plan specifies that the Jōetsu Shinkansen should actually start from Shinjuku, which would necessitate building of additional Shinkansen track from Ōmiya. While some land acquisitions along the existing Saikyō Line were made, no construction ever started.
The entire line was upgraded to, with construction starting in May 2019, and finished in 2023. Upgrades included improvements to the soundproofing system. This marks the first time that an E7 series train has operated commercially at more than, which is the maximum speed of the only other line served by this train, the Hokuriku Shinkansen. As a result of the upgrades, all trainsets on the Jōetsu Shinkansen operate exclusively with E7 series trainsets and the travel time on the line is projected to be reduced by 7 minutes compared to the former E2 and E4 series trainsets. The end of E2 series trainsets on Jōetsu Shinkansen services took take place on 17 March 2023 with the streamlining of all services to use the E7 series taking place the following day.

Future plans

The Niigata prefectural government has proposed building a new multi-modal terminal to directly connect the Shinkansen to the port of Niigata, potentially allowing direct transfers to ferries and cruise ships, and to potentially allow direct access between the Shinkansen and Niigata Airport. However this plan is foreseen to be completed only by the mid-2040s.