Akita Shinkansen

The is a Mini-shinkansen rail line in Japan. Serving the Kantō and Tōhoku Regions of the country, it links Tokyo and Akita in Akita prefecture. From Tokyo to Morioka in Iwate prefecture, it operates on the Tōhoku Shinkansen tracks. From Morioka to Ōmagari, it uses the Tazawako Line tracks. The section from Ōmagari to Akita uses the Ōu Main Line tracks.

Operations

Services consist of ''Komachi'' trains which are 7-car E6 series mini-shinkansen sets coupled with E5 series ''Hayabusa'' trains for the portion of the journey between Tokyo and Morioka.

The ''Komachi'' services run at a maximum speed of on the Tohoku Shinkansen, and between Morioka and Akita, run as 7-car independent trains with a maximum speed of . However, is more typical for the line through the hills east of Akita, with trains frequently slowing to for curves such as those south of Ugo. The line from Morioka to Akita is prone to deep snow.

The fastest timetabled journey between Akita and Tokyo currently takes 3 hours and 37 minutes calling at four or five stops in between.

Stations

Between Tokyo and Morioka, the stations are the same as those on the Tohoku Shinkansen. From there on, the stations are as shown below.

History

* March 22, 1997: The segment from Morioka to Akita began operating with 5-car E3 series trains.
* 1998: Trains were extended to 6 cars.
* September 16, 2001: line celebrates 10 millionth passenger.
* March 11, 2006: line celebrates 20 millionth passenger.
* March 18, 2007: All cars are made no smoking.
* March 11, 2011: All services suspended due to the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.
* March 18, 2011: Partial service resumes between Morioka and Akita. No through service to Tōhoku Shinkansen.
* April 29, 2011: In conjunction with the reopening of the full length of the Tohoku Shinkansen, through service to Tokyo is restored.
* March 16, 2013: New E6 series trains were introduced on '' Super Komachi'' services, operating at on the Tohoku Shinkansen.
* March 15, 2014: All '' Komachi'' services operated by E6 series trains, operating at on the Tohoku Shinkansen.Yomiuri Shimbun
"JR東日本の新幹線 13年3月メドに「E6系」導入" (18 June 2009)
Retrieved on 19 June 2009.
* July 22, 2017: All services between Ōmagari and Akita suspended due to flooding after heavy rain falls.
* July 29, 2017: Service resumes.
*February 13, 2021: Services suspended north of Nasushiobara Station due to the 2021 Fukushima earthquake.
*6 March 2025: Due to a Hayabusa- Komachi 21 service uncoupling near Nishi-Nippori station, coupled formations with Hayabusa trains are suspended until further notice. Passengers travelling from Tokyo to Akita and vise versa should transfer at Morioka station.

Rolling stock

As of March 2020, the following types are used on Akita Shinkansen services.

* E6 series 7-car sets, since 16 March 2013

Former rolling stock

* E3 series 6-car sets (originally 5-car sets) withdrawn by 15 March 2014

Non-revenue-earning-types

* East i (E926)

In media

The Akita Shinkansen is featured in the film Bullet Train Explosion.

References

* JR Timetable, June 2009 issue

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Lines of East Japan Railway Company
High-speed railway lines in Japan
Standard-gauge railways in Japan
Railway lines opened in 1997
1997 establishments in Japan