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 Tazawako Line tracks. The section from Ōmagari to Akita use the Ōu Main Line tracks.

Operations

Komachi trains couple with Hayate trains on the Tōhoku Shinkansen for the portion of the journey between Tokyo and Morioka. Between Morioka and Akita, the Komachi runs as a six-car independent train. It uses E3 series rolling stock.

History

• March 22, 1997: The segment from Morioka to Akita began operating on with E3 series trains, 5 cars long.
• 1998: Trains 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 Tōhoku 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 Tōhoku Shinkansen, through service to Tokyo is restored.

Future

• March 2013: New E6 series trains will be introduced on Komachi services.Yomiuri Shimbun: . Retrieved on 19 June 2009.
• March 2014: All Komachi......
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