<strong>Fast train: </strong>Japan's distinctive Shinkansen "bullet trains" have been plying the country's high-speed railways since 1964.
Fast train: Japan's distinctive Shinkansen "bullet trains" have been plying the country's high-speed railways since 1964.
Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>New age:</strong> The arrival of the bullet trains, coupled with the Tokyo OIympics of 1964 helped signal the arrival of modern Japan after the country's defeat in World War II.
New age: The arrival of the bullet trains, coupled with the Tokyo Olympics of 1964 helped signal the arrival of modern Japan after the country's defeat in World War II.
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<strong>First trains: </strong>The arrival of the bullet trains meant that the travel time between Tokyo and Osaka shrank to just over three hours. Subsequent generations of Shinkansen would reduce it further.
First trains: The arrival of the bullet trains meant that the travel time between Tokyo and Osaka shrank to just over three hours. Subsequent generations of Shinkansen would reduce it further.
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<strong>Asama: </strong>This Shinkansen train, known as Asama, was introduced for the 1998 Winter Olympics in Japan.
Asama: This Shinkansen train, known as Asama, was introduced for the 1998 Winter Olympics in Japan.
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<strong>Built to last: </strong>The last train of the first generation Shinkansen bows out of service in 2008.
Built to last: The last train of the first generation Shinkansen bows out of service in 2008.
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<strong>Hello Kitty:</strong> Possibly the most Japanese thing ever created -- a Hello Kitty-themed bullet train.
Hello Kitty: Possibly the most Japanese thing ever created -- a Hello Kitty-themed bullet train.
Courtesy West Japan Railway/Sanrio Co. Ltd.
<strong>Fuji drive by:</strong> And one of the most Japanese scenes ever created -- a bullet train whizzing by Mount Fuji.
Fuji drive by: And one of the most Japanese scenes ever created -- a bullet train whizzing by Mount Fuji.
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<strong>In all kinds of weather: </strong>In creating the bullet train, Japan's engineers needed to build a rail system that could cope with the county's climatic extremes.
In all kinds of weather: In creating the bullet train, Japan's engineers needed to build a rail system that could cope with the country's climatic extremes.
Toru Yamanaka/AFP/Getty Image
<strong>TGV: </strong>France's answer to the Bullet Train, the Train à Grand Vitesse, began operating between Paris and Lyon in 1981. Today's TGV trains typically run at about 200 mph.
TGV: France's answer to the Bullet Train, the Train à Grand Vitesse, began operating between Paris and Lyon in 1981. Today's TGV trains typically run at about 200 mph.
Mehdi Fedouach/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>China's rail expansion:</strong> China has now eclipsed the rest of the world when it comes to high speed rail. The country has 18,000 miles of track capable of carrying fast trains to all corners.
China's rail expansion: China has now eclipsed the rest of the world when it comes to high-speed rail. The country has 28,000 miles of track capable of carrying fast trains to all corners.
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<strong>ALFA-X:</strong> The next generation of bullet trains, known as ALFA-X, is currently being tested at speeds of almost 250 mph (400 kph), although the service maximum will be "only" 225 mph.
ALFA-X: The next generation of bullet trains, known as ALFA-X, is currently being tested at speeds of almost 250 mph (400 kph), although the service maximum will be "only" 225 mph.
JR EAST