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Komachi (Shinkansen)
Encyclopedia
is the sole service running on the Akita Shinkansen
, using only E3 series
trains. Between Tokyo
and Morioka
, it couples with a Tōhoku Shinkansen
E2 series
or E5 series
trainset. After Morioka, the Komachi service continues along standard gauge
tracks that were converted from narrow gauge. Because it then runs on tracks that have grade crossings, its maximum speed from Morioka to Akita
is 130 km/h, compared to 275 km/h on the Tōhoku Shinkansen.
The Komachi service was named after a famous poet from the area, Ono no Komachi
, whose name (小町) is also synonymous with "belle" or "beauty" in Japanese.
trains are due to be introduced on Komachi services from March 2013, ultimately replacing all the existing E3 series
on these services. From March 2014, the maximum speed will be raised to 320 km/h on the Tōhoku Shinkansen, with the speed remaining at 130 km/h on the Akita Shinkansen, allowing journey times between Tokyo and Akita to be reduced by between 10 and 15 minutes.
Akita Shinkansen
The is a Mini-shinkansen high-speed rail line in Japan. Serving the Kantō and Tōhoku Regions of the country, it links Tokyo and Akita in Akita prefecture with direct service. From Tokyo to Morioka in Iwate prefecture, it operates on the Tōhoku Shinkansen tracks. From there to Ōmagari, it uses the...
, using only E3 series
E3 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type built for Komachi services which commenced on 3 June 1997, coinciding with opening of the new Akita Shinkansen 'mini-shinkansen' line, a regular narrow-gauge line between Morioka and Akita upgraded to . Later versions of the E3 series were also...
trains. Between Tokyo
Tokyo Station
is a train station located in the Marunouchi business district of Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, near the Imperial Palace grounds and the Ginza commercial district....
and Morioka
Morioka Station
Morioka Station is a railway station located in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, Japan.-History:The station was opened on November 1, 1890, by Japan's first private railway company, Nippon Tetsudō.-Station layout:...
, it couples with a Tōhoku Shinkansen
Tohoku Shinkansen
The is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen rail line, connecting Tokyo with Aomori in Aomori Prefecture for a total length of 674 km, Japan's longest Shinkansen line. It runs through the more sparsely populated Tōhoku region of Japan's main island Honshu. It has two spur lines, Yamagata...
E2 series
E2 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen train type operated by East Japan Railway Company on the Tōhoku and Nagano Shinkansen high-speed lines in Japan since 1997. They are formed in 8- and 10-car sets. The 8-car sets are used on the Nagano Shinkansen, and the 10-car sets on Tōhoku Shinkansen...
or E5 series
E5 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type operated by East Japan Railway Company on Tōhoku Shinkansen services since 5 March 2011. A total of 59 10-car sets are on order, with three sets in service in time for the start of new Hayabusa services to Shin-Aomori in March...
trainset. After Morioka, the Komachi service continues along standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
tracks that were converted from narrow gauge. Because it then runs on tracks that have grade crossings, its maximum speed from Morioka to Akita
Akita Station
is a railway station in Akita, Akita, Japan, operated by the East Japan Railway Company .-Platforms:- Limited express trains :* Komachi * Tsugaru * Inaho * Akebono * Nihonkai -Surrounding area:...
is 130 km/h, compared to 275 km/h on the Tōhoku Shinkansen.
The Komachi service was named after a famous poet from the area, Ono no Komachi
Ono no Komachi
was a famous Japanese waka poet, one of the Rokkasen—the Six best Waka poets of the early Heian period. She was noted as a rare beauty; Komachi is a symbol of a beautiful woman in Japan. She also figures among the Thirty-six Poetry Immortals....
, whose name (小町) is also synonymous with "belle" or "beauty" in Japanese.
Future
New E6 seriesE6 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type on order by East Japan Railway Company for use on Komachi 'mini-shinkansen' services on the Tōhoku Shinkansen and Akita Shinkansen from Tokyo to Akita commencing in March 2013. The new 7-car trains will operate in conjunction with newly...
trains are due to be introduced on Komachi services from March 2013, ultimately replacing all the existing E3 series
E3 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type built for Komachi services which commenced on 3 June 1997, coinciding with opening of the new Akita Shinkansen 'mini-shinkansen' line, a regular narrow-gauge line between Morioka and Akita upgraded to . Later versions of the E3 series were also...
on these services. From March 2014, the maximum speed will be raised to 320 km/h on the Tōhoku Shinkansen, with the speed remaining at 130 km/h on the Akita Shinkansen, allowing journey times between Tokyo and Akita to be reduced by between 10 and 15 minutes.