Shinkansen

Hello. My name is Shinkansen, but many of my friends call me the Bullet Train. I live in a beautiful country called Japan. I have a very long, smooth body that helps me glide, and my nose is friendly and round. A long, long time ago, people wanted to travel between big cities like Tokyo and Osaka. But the old trains were so slow. Chug, chug, chug. It took a very long time. People needed a way to see their friends and families faster. So, they dreamed of a train that could zoom like the wind. That train was me.

My wonderful builders in Japan had a big, exciting idea back in the 1950s. They wanted to make the fastest train in the whole world. They worked very hard for a long time. They did not want me to be bumpy, so they built special tracks for me that were super straight and super smooth. They made sure my path was clear of everything else so I could go very, very fast and be very safe. Then, the big day came. It was October 1st, 1964. I was so shiny and new, painted white and blue. I felt so proud. Everyone was getting ready for a big party called the Tokyo Olympics, and I was ready to help everyone get there. I was ready to zoom.

My first trip was so much fun. Whoosh. I zoomed out of the station. I went past tall mountains, green fields, and little towns so quickly. It was like flying on the ground. People inside could look out the window and see the world race by. I helped mommies and daddies, grandmas and grandpas, and lots of children visit each other much faster than before. No more long, slow trips. Today, I still love my job. I zoom all across Japan every day, carrying happy, smiling people on their amazing adventures. It makes me feel so useful and proud.