ja:上越新幹線
Joetsu Shinkansen (上越新幹線) is a high-speed railway line connecting Tokyo and Niigata, Japan, operated by the East Japan Railway Company. It is one of the most complex lines in the Shinkansen network, as it has to cross the mountainous backbone of Honshu Island.
The program was initiated in 1971 by Niigata-born prime minister Tanaka Kakuei. Trial runs over the line began in November of 1980, reaching a record 210 km/h in 1981. Regular service began on November 15, 1982. The line was initially planned to terminate at Shinjuku Station, but economic considerations pushed JNR to merge the line with the existing Tohoku Shinkansen line at Omiya.
200 Series Shinkansen trains were introduced to the line in 1987, reaching 240 km/h the following year.
In 1991, a 400 Series Shinkansen train set a speed record of 345 km/h on the Joetsu line: in 1993, an experiemental train managed 425 km/h.
Trains and services
Stations
| Station name | Distance | Location | Connections
|
| Tokyo Station | 0 | Chiyoda, Tokyo | Tokaido Shinkansen, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Chuo Line, Tokaido Main Line, Yokosuka Line, Sobu Line, Keiyo Line
|
| Ueno Station | 3.6 | Taito, Tokyo | Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Keisei Main Line, Joban Line, Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Tohoku Line, Takasaki Line
|
| Omiya Station | 30.3 | Omiya-ku, Saitama, Saitama | Tohoku Shinkansen, Tobu Noda Line, New Shuttle, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Saikyo Line, Kawagoe Line, Tohoku Line, Takasaki Line
|
| Kumagaya Station | 64.7 | Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture | Chichibu Railway, Takasaki Line
|
| Honjo-Waseda Station | 89.4 | Honjo, Saitama Prefecture |
|
| Takasaki Station | 105 | Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture | Nagano Shinkansen, Joeshin Electric Railway, Takasaki Line, Hachiko Line, Ryomo Line, Joetsu Line, Shin'etsu Line
|
| Jomo-Kogen Station | 151.6 | Tsukiyono, Gunma Prefecture |
|
| Echigo-Yuzawa Station | 199.2 | Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture | Joetsu Line
|
| Urasa Station | 228.9 | Yamato, Niigata Prefecture | Joetsu Line
|
| Nagaoka Station | 270.6 | Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture | Shin'etsu Line, Joetsu Line
|
| Tsubame-Sanjo Station | 293.8 | Tsubame and Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture | Yahiko Line
|
| Niigata Station | 333.9 | Niigata, Niigata Prefecture | Shin'etsu Line, Hakushin Line, Echigo Line
|
There is also a 1.8 km spur from Echigo-Yuzawa to Gala-Yuzawa Station, which is used in the winter months to bring passengers to a nearby ski resort.
