Joetsu Shinkansen 上越新幹線
Joetsu Shinkansen: read a guide to the Joetsu Shinkansen which connects Tokyo Station with Niigata Station in Niigata via Echigo Yuzawa.
The Joetsu Shinkansen connects Tokyo Station in Tokyo to Niigata in Niigata Prefecture. The early part of the line follows the Tohoku Shinkansen to Omiya in Saitama Prefecture.
The Gala-Yuzawa Line is a short 1.8 km shinkansen branch from Echigo-Yuzawa to Gala-Yuzawa Station. The line serves the ski resort of Gala Yuzawa in the winter months only.
The Joetsu Shinkansen was the pet project of prime minister Tanaka Kakuei who was born in Niigata and wanted to connect his hometown with the capital. The Joetsu Shinkansen was constructed during the 1970's and opened in 1982.
The Joetsu Shinkansen connects with the Nagano Shinkansen in Takasaki, with trains to Karuizawa and Nagano. The Nagano line expanded to become the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kanazawa, Tsuruga and Osaka.