Akita Shinkansen

The Akita Shinkansen (秋田新幹線) 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 use the Ōu Main Line tracks.

Akita Shinkansen
An E6 series trainset on an Akita Shinkansen Komachi service in October 2016.
Overview
Native name秋田新幹線
OwnerLogo of the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) JR East
LocaleIwate and Akita prefectures
Termini
Stations6
Service
TypeMini-shinkansen
ServicesKomachi
Operator(s)JR East
Rolling stockE6 series
History
Opened22 March 1997 (1997-03-22)
Technical
Line length127.3 km (79.1 mi)
Number of tracksDouble-track and Single-track
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification20 kV 50 Hz AC (overhead catenary)
Operating speed130 km/h (80 mph)
Route Map (from Morioka in blue)

Operations

Services consist of Komachi trains formed of 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 320 km/h (200 mph) on the Tohoku Shinkansen, and between Morioka and Akita, run as 7-car independent trains with a maximum speed of 130 km/h (80 mph).[1] However, 110 km/h (70 mph) is more typical for the line through the hills east of Akita, with trains slowing frequently to 90 km/h (55 mph) for curves such as those south of Ugo. The line from Morioka to Akita is prone to deep snow.

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.

Station Japanese Distance (km) Transfers Location
From Tokyo From Morioka
Morioka 盛岡 535.3 0.0 The symbol for the Tohoku Shinkansen run by JR East. Tōhoku Shinkansen (for Shin-Aomori and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto)
     Tōhoku Main Line
     Yamada Line
     Tazawako Line
     Iwate Galaxy Railway Line		 Morioka Iwate Prefecture
Shizukuishi 雫石 552.9 16.0 Tazawako Line Shizukuishi
Tazawako 田沢湖 579.4 40.1 Tazawako Line Senboku Akita Prefecture
Kakunodate 角館 600.0 58.8 Tazawako Line, Akita Nairiku Jūkan Railway Akita Nairiku Line
Ōmagari 大曲 618.5 75.6 Ōu Main Line, Tazawako Line Daisen
Akita 秋田 670.2 127.3 Ōu Main Line, Uetsu Main Line, Oga Line Akita

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 300 km/h (185 mph) on the Tohoku Shinkansen.[2]
  • March 15, 2014: All Komachi services operated by E6 series trains, operating at 320 km/h (200 mph) on the Tohoku Shinkansen.[3]
  • 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.[4]

Rolling stock

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

An E6 series trainset on an Akita Shinkansen Komachi service in October 2016.

Former rolling stock
An E3 Series coupled with an E2 Series at Oyama Station
  • E3 series 6-car sets (originally 5-car sets) withdrawn by 15 March 2014

Non-revenue-earning-types
E926 East i train at Omiya Station, May 2001

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Akita Shinkansen.
  • JR Timetable, June 2009 issue
  1. 300km/hのトップランナー [300 km/h Top Runners]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 52, no. 612. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. April 2012. p. 14.
  2. 秋田新幹線の新しい列車名は"スーパーこまち"に [New trains on Akita Shinkansen to be named "Super Komachi"]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 6 November 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  3. 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. (in Japanese)
  4. "Tohoku Shinkansen line breaks from the base of utility poles" (in Japanese). TBS News. 14 February 2021. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
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