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Hikari (Shinkansen)
Encyclopedia
is the name of a high-speed train service running on the Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen
"bullet train" lines in Japan. Slower than the Nozomi but faster than the Kodama, the Hikari is the fastest train service on the Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen that is covered in the Japan Rail Pass
.
, Hikari was the name of an express train operated by Japan from Busan
in Korea
to Changchun
in Manchuria
.
The name Hikari was first introduced in Japan on 25 April 1958 for express services operating between Hakata
and Beppu
in Kyushu
. This service operated until 30 September 1964, the day before the Tōkaidō Shinkansen opened.
When the Tōkaidō Shinkansen opened on 1 October 1964, the Hikari was the fastest train on the line, initially travelling from Tokyo Station
to Shin-Ōsaka Station
with only two stops (Nagoya
and Kyōto
). Hikari service was extended to the Sanyō Shinkansen later, although the Hikari trains were only slightly faster than the Kodama trains, earning them the derisive nickname "Hidama."
As of 2010, JR Central
Hikari services operating throughout the Tōkaidō/Sanyō corridor primarily use 16-car 700 Series
and 300 series
trains. Most Hikari trains pull over at intermediate stations such as Shizuoka, Maibara or Himeji to allow faster services, mainly Nozomi trains, to pass at top speed.
In March 2008, the new N700 Series Shinkansen
was put into service on a morning Hikari service between Shin-Yokohama
and Hiroshima
stations, and a late night run between Tokyo
and Nagoya. A third N700 Hikari run between Nagoya and Tokyo was added in October 2008, and a few other N700 Hikari runs have since been added.
trains. 0 series 12-car SK units were employed on these services from 1989. From 11 March 2000, they were mostly replaced by the new 700 series Hikari Rail Star services, and were finally withdrawn on 21 April 2000.
V sets with four double-deck centre cars including a restaurant car. These operated at a maximum speed of 230 km/h on the Sanyō Shinkansen (compared to 220 km/h for other Hikari services). From 11 March 2000, restaurant car services were discontinued on all trains, and from May 2002 onwards, the few remaining Grand Hikari services were limited to the Sanyō Shinkansen only. The last Grand Hikari ran in November 2002.
began operating the Hikari Rail Star service from the start of the new timetable on 11 March 2000. This service is limited to the Sanyō Shinkansen, and uses special 8-car 700 series
trains with a distinctive livery and a maximum speed of 285 km/h. JR West introduced the service to provide better competition against airlines on the Osaka-Fukuoka route. These services do not have Green car accommodation, but the reserved seating cars feature 2+2 seating and also some 4-seat compartments instead of the standard 3+2 arrangement in non-reserved seating cars. The front row of seats in these cars feature power points for laptop users.
Legend
Sanyō Shinkansen
The is a line of the Japanese Shinkansen high-speed rail network, connecting Shin-Ōsaka in Osaka with Hakata Station in Fukuoka, the two largest cities in western Japan...
"bullet train" lines in Japan. Slower than the Nozomi but faster than the Kodama, the Hikari is the fastest train service on the Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen that is covered in the Japan Rail Pass
Japan Rail Pass
The is a railpass for overseas visitors sold by the Japan Railways Group, and is good for travel on all major forms of transportation provided by the JR Group, with a few exceptions. The Rail Pass is designed to stimulate travel and tourism throughout the country....
.
History
Before and during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Hikari was the name of an express train operated by Japan from Busan
Busan
Busan , formerly spelled Pusan is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of around 3.6 million. The Metropolitan area population is 4,399,515 as of 2010. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the fifth largest port in the world...
in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
to Changchun
Changchun
Changchun is the capital and largest city of Jilin province, located in the northeast of the People's Republic of China, in the center of the Songliao Plain. It is administered as a sub-provincial city with a population of 7,677,089 at the 2010 census under its jurisdiction, including counties and...
in Manchuria
Manchuria
Manchuria is a historical name given to a large geographic region in northeast Asia. Depending on the definition of its extent, Manchuria usually falls entirely within the People's Republic of China, or is sometimes divided between China and Russia. The region is commonly referred to as Northeast...
.
The name Hikari was first introduced in Japan on 25 April 1958 for express services operating between Hakata
Hakata Station
Hakata Station , located in Hakata-ku, is the main railway terminal of the city of Fukuoka, Japan. It is the largest and busiest station on Kyūshū, and is a gateway to other cities in Kyūshū for travellers from Honshū. The Sanyō Shinkansen from Osaka ends at this station...
and Beppu
Beppu Station
250px|thumb|Beppu Station is the main railway station for the city of Beppu in Ōita Prefecture, Japan, which is famous for its onsen. It is situated on the Nippō Main Line...
in Kyushu
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
. This service operated until 30 September 1964, the day before the Tōkaidō Shinkansen opened.
When the Tōkaidō Shinkansen opened on 1 October 1964, the Hikari was the fastest train on the line, initially travelling from Tokyo Station
Tokyo Station
is a train station located in the Marunouchi business district of Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, near the Imperial Palace grounds and the Ginza commercial district....
to Shin-Ōsaka Station
Shin-Osaka Station
is a train station in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Japan. It is the western terminus of the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, and the eastern terminus of the Sanyō Shinkansen. The lines are physically joined, and many trains offer through service....
with only two stops (Nagoya
Nagoya Station
is a train station in Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Japan. It is one of the world's largest train stations by floor area , and houses the headquarters of the Central Japan Railway Company . Much of this space is located in the "JR Central Towers" atop the station, as well as in underground concourses. The...
and Kyōto
Kyoto Station
is the most important transportation hub in Kyoto, Japan. It has Japan's second-largest train station building and is one of the country's largest buildings, incorporating a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, Isetan department store, and several local government facilities under one 15-story roof...
). Hikari service was extended to the Sanyō Shinkansen later, although the Hikari trains were only slightly faster than the Kodama trains, earning them the derisive nickname "Hidama."
Central Japan Railway Company
The is the main railway company operating in the Chūbu region of central Japan. It is officially abbreviated in English as JR Central and in Japanese as . Its headquarters are located in the JR Central Towers in Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.The company's operational hub is Nagoya Station...
Hikari services operating throughout the Tōkaidō/Sanyō corridor primarily use 16-car 700 Series
700 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type built between 1997 and 2006, and entering service in 1999. Originally designated as "N300", they formed the next generation of shinkansen vehicles jointly designed by JR Central and JR West for use on both Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen...
and 300 series
300 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen train type introduced in 1992 on the Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen lines, initially for use on the fastest Nozomi services, being capable of...
trains. Most Hikari trains pull over at intermediate stations such as Shizuoka, Maibara or Himeji to allow faster services, mainly Nozomi trains, to pass at top speed.
In March 2008, the new N700 Series Shinkansen
N700 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train with tilting capability developed jointly by JR Central and JR West for use on the Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen lines, and also operated by JR Kyushu on the Kyushu Shinkansen line....
was put into service on a morning Hikari service between Shin-Yokohama
Shin-Yokohama Station
is a train station in Yokohama, Japan. It is serves the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, Yokohama Line, and Yokohama Municipal Subway Line 3.-History:Shin-Yokohama Station was opened on October 1, 1964 as part of the opening of the Tōkaidō Shinkansen...
and Hiroshima
Hiroshima Station
is a JR West railway station located in Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Japan. Hiroshima Station is the terminal station for several lines, and all Sanyō Shinkansen trains stop here.-History:...
stations, and a late night run between Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
and Nagoya. A third N700 Hikari run between Nagoya and Tokyo was added in October 2008, and a few other N700 Hikari runs have since been added.
West Hikari
These services first appeared in 1988 on the Sanyō Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Hakata using 6-car 0 series0 Series Shinkansen
The trains were the first Shinkansen trainsets built to run on Japan's new Tōkaidō Shinkansen high-speed line which opened in 1964. The last remaining trainsets were withdrawn in 2008.-History:...
trains. 0 series 12-car SK units were employed on these services from 1989. From 11 March 2000, they were mostly replaced by the new 700 series Hikari Rail Star services, and were finally withdrawn on 21 April 2000.
Grand Hikari
These were the premier services operated between Tokyo and Hakata from 11 March 1989 using JR West 16-car 100 series100 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type built between 1984 and 1991 for the Tōkaidō Shinkansen and Sanyō Shinkansen high-speed lines. The earliest units have now been withdrawn from service, and the series was retired from the Tōkaidō Shinkansen line in September 2003...
V sets with four double-deck centre cars including a restaurant car. These operated at a maximum speed of 230 km/h on the Sanyō Shinkansen (compared to 220 km/h for other Hikari services). From 11 March 2000, restaurant car services were discontinued on all trains, and from May 2002 onwards, the few remaining Grand Hikari services were limited to the Sanyō Shinkansen only. The last Grand Hikari ran in November 2002.
Family Hikari
First appearing in the summer of 1995, these seasonal services operated between Shin-Osaka and Hakata during holiday periods using special 6-car 0 series sets (R2 and R24) which included a children's play area in car 3. All seats were reserved on these services.Hikari Rail Star
JR WestWest Japan Railway Company
, also referred to as , is one of the Japan Railways Group companies and operates in western Honshū. It has its headquarters in Kita-ku, Osaka.-History:...
began operating the Hikari Rail Star service from the start of the new timetable on 11 March 2000. This service is limited to the Sanyō Shinkansen, and uses special 8-car 700 series
700 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type built between 1997 and 2006, and entering service in 1999. Originally designated as "N300", they formed the next generation of shinkansen vehicles jointly designed by JR Central and JR West for use on both Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen...
trains with a distinctive livery and a maximum speed of 285 km/h. JR West introduced the service to provide better competition against airlines on the Osaka-Fukuoka route. These services do not have Green car accommodation, but the reserved seating cars feature 2+2 seating and also some 4-seat compartments instead of the standard 3+2 arrangement in non-reserved seating cars. The front row of seats in these cars feature power points for laptop users.
N700 series (16 cars)
(All cars are no smoking except for smoking compartments located in Cars 3, 7, 10, and 15.)| ←Hakata | Tokyo→ | ||||||||||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | R | R | G | G | G | R | R | R | R | R | R |
300/700 series
| ←Hakata | Tokyo→ | ||||||||||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | S | NS | NS | NS | NS | S | S |
| NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | R | R | G | G | G | R | R | R | R | R | R |
N700 series (8 cars)
(All cars are no smoking except for smoking compartments located in Cars 3 and 7.)| ←Hakata | Shin-Osaka→ | |||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NR | NR | NR | R | R | R | G | R | R |
700 series Hikari Rail Star (except 540 and 543)
| ←Hakata | Shin-Osaka→ | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | S | NS | NS |
| NR | NR | NR | R | R | R | R | C |
700 series Hikari Rail Star (Hikari 540 from Hiroshima to Shin-Osaka)
| ←Hiroshima | Shin-Osaka→ | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | S | NS | NS |
| NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | C |
700 series Hikari Rail Star (Hikari 543 from Shin-Osaka to Hakata)
| ←Hakata | Shin-Osaka→ | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | S | NS | NS |
| NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | R | R | C |
Legend
- G: Green car (first class) (reserved seating)
- R: Standard class reserved seating
- C: Standard class reserved seating + compartments
- NR: Standard class non-reserved seating
- NS: Non-smoking seats
- S: Smoking seats