Japan's Shinkansen ("bullet trains") In 1964, the year the 18th Olympic Summer Games were held in Tokyo, Japan's first Shinkansen, or "bullet train," made its debut. The Hikari, as the train was called, hit speeds of up to 210 kilometers per hour (130 miles per hour) as it traveled the 550 kilometers (340 miles) between Tokyo and Osaka in four hours. Kids in those days dreamed about riding the blue and white train, fully equipped with washrooms and other facilities. The Shinkansen became a symbol of Japan's economic success. Since then, new Shinkansen routes have been established and the speed at which they can travel has increased with technological advances. The fastest Shinkansen runs as fast as France's super express train, the TGV--about 300 kph (185 mph). Shinkansen cars are outfitted with cafeteria counters, carts selling snacks and drinks, electronic news bulletin boards, and public phones. The newest cars are made of aluminum rather than steel, making them lighter and faster. People nowadays use bullet trains not just for travel, but to get to work or school.

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